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Marathon, Crestron, iPads
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I agree Tom , Jon both coaches I had before this one where great pull doors ,manual blinds , light switches at the lights no crestron , you could control both tv’s with the remote Tom shows and manual dump valves , I really liked those coaches, so since we are always on Tom to get a new coach ,maybe it’s time you got a new coach with all manual stuff ,but you are going to have to trade down no slides and a XL
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We got what Truk’s got and slide to boot. Geo.
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Tom/Bill
Yes, i would go directly to Marathon for the conversion to Ipads, knowing what I know now. However, Jeff Rowe posted earlier in this thread that he and his tech have done the conversion on Marathons. If that is a possibility, I would definitely investigate this option. I was surprised to see Jeff’s post, as I asked him about the conversion on my Marathon (after it was done), and he said that he did not do the conversion on Marathons.
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I am not sure why, when this topic comes up, that we can’t just see that other people’s preferences are their preferences and let it go at that. If Jon likes a myriad of switches everywhere so be it, but I will put out there that the logical extension of his argument is that he should do away with the powered doors entirely as manual doors work just as well, he should do away with remote switches because you can just walk over to the bare bulb and pull a chain to turn on the light, and that you can go back to the original remote control on the TV, i.e. walking over to it and turning a knob.
I love the Crestron system that we just put in and we did it to make it as much as possible like the ones on the new buses. There are a few limitations because of the other hardware in our now decade old coach (sensors are old style or just not part of the system) but it’s pretty much like the new ones. I like that. I like being able to start my generator from anywhere inside or out of the coach and then get a text message that it is accomplished, I like being able to dump my tank or fill fresh without opening a bay, I like being able to switch between two different satellite systems and Sirius radio (with the Sirius guide on the ipad screen) on each of three different entertainment centers while sitting in one spot, and I like the large, clear, video from each of the four cameras that can show on my iPad while I am driving (or not). Andrew, per my instructions, even set it up so that I can have all four show at once for security purposes! So, my preference is for as much automation and consolidation as possible, but that’s my preference. It is as valid as anyone’s.
The Crestron itself is rock solid. The old unit hadn’t failed, but was just unable to do what the new ones do. Since I have purchased every iPhone model except one since inception it was no big deal for me to conceive of upgrading the Crestron brain once in the time I am likely to own the coach. But then, the real magic was Andrew working through my efficient and organized tendencies. I had already had Liberty move many of the buttons in coach so that they were logical and organized, i.e. bottom right switch in a bank opens the door for the room you are in, top right turns on the lights for the room you are in, other switches became banks of lights or actions (open door, galley table slide, etc). I then had Andrew move everything around in the Crestron system so that it at least roughly mirrors those banks of switches and patterns of use have emerged. It is now much easier to find what I want to do and activate without a lot of searching. That lack of organization is an unusual departure from Liberty’s otherwise excellent planning.
So now, rock solid, organized and simple, faster and better looking as well as more functional than before. I would have it no other way.
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In the last three years , I have had the main crestron computer go out and about 4 Allen Bradley boards that needed to be replaced because the switches would not work or turn on the lights , or the functions they work ,like the dump valves , vanity lights or the accent lights , or the screens on the crestron would go blank , so if you like the crestron and it works great , it’s what ever you like best, just try and replace a Allen Bradly relay board with all the wires it’s a pain in the ass!!!! But nothing works with out it !!!
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Colt,
Thanks. Yes, I saw Jeff’s post. I suspect Jeff reprograms the Marathon crestron and hands you the source code.Jeff???
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I fully agree the coach control system or lack of one that Karl mentions is a personal choice. He is correct. He also should read my previous posts about how I feel about pneumatic pocket doors.
Karl however is of the age where he never knew life without a computer. He has likely never rolled up windows in a car. He certainly has never had a TV with knobs for volume and channel selection and no remote. I am of the generation in which nobody ever went out to dinnner with another couple and had the convesation interrupted by a cell phone. His generation will have two couples who will be using their cell phones throughout the meal. In other words we are completely different in our views on electronic devices and their role in our coach.
But I don’t believe any volume motor home converter has built a coach within the last 10 years that did not have Crestron or equivalent, and as Karl points out those that are now 10 years old are reaching obsolescence. My two previous coaches had switches. They worked, they were conveniently located, and 10 years from now or even 30 years from now they will still be working and even if one fails the coach owner will not spend a gazillion dollars upgrading, updating, replacing systems, or trying to find source codes. The owner will go out and buy a switch.
Technology is great, but there are consequences and as a lot of Country Coach owners know a digital dash is nice, but when one pukes Silver leaf is getting a phone call and an ipad will become the dash. At least until the ipad is no longer supported. In the meantime the steam gauges will just keep on working.
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Just for the record, I do remember crank Windows (my son had no clue in how to roll up the window in a Jeep we once owned), I was the original remote control (Karl, channel 2. Karl, turn up the volume), and I owned a flip phone almost 1000 years ago, at the same time as my beeper!
🙂
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If you remember crank windows you can be proud. You have entered old fartdom.
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Do car radios with tubes qualify? I had one of those…took several seconds to warm up before it would work…it was a great radio. Sound was not so hot, but sure did pull in those weak AM stations.
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Mark, we know you are old. Now we know Karl is old, but he just hasn’t admitted it.
Our buses are nothing more than independent living facilities. Tom told me when he reaches the point where he needs someone to change his diapers he will be selling his bus. Then he will move to Florida into an assisted living facility.
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You know… we really could use a “Like” button LOL !!
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WELL. I must say thank you to all who have responed to my original questions both here and by email and phone. Prevost Community is simple……GREAT.
Even though I am almost 70 I am so thankful that Jon, Tom and many of the other more experienced on this web site continue to amaze me with the wit and level of intelligence they SEEM to possess. Maybe when I grow up I can be more like them??????
Seriously, thanks to everyone.
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We have been working for a while to get through the marathon coaches. We have been doing several other conversions. So it has been a long process for us to now be capable of doing marathons. We do either provide source codes or if needed email the coach file to a programmer.
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