Boondocker will have new Programming!
Just to let everyone know, for those who want more tuning features and don't want to carry around a laptop, there will be new programming available for Boondocker boxes (for both new and old boxes, non-turbo only, nitrous capable, Arctic Cat and Polaris first, other models to follow).
Not all the details and features have been finalized (I'm finishing the code) so don't call Boondocker just yet, but among the new features the box will have 13 rpm settings (pre-programmed to any rpm requested) and 6 tps ranges (each range can be set by the user in the box).
The box can be switched at any time between two tuning modes: an advanced mode that gives you all 13rpm/6tps adjustments, and a simple mode with 5 rpm/3tps adjustments - both modes adjust the same fueling map, the 5rpm mode will adjust multiple rpm/tps settings.
An analog 0-5V air/fuel signal (most all A/F meters have a wire for this) can be connected to the box and the actual Air Fuel ratio will be displayed on the Stats screen in real-time. The air/fuel meter you are using will need to be specified before the box is programmed, but most popular A/F meters will be supported (Innovate, AEM, NGK).
The capture feature (best way to tune) will perform 10 consecutive captures (instead of just 1), that can be later viewed so you can see how the Stats are changing when a capture is triggered (very useful to use the nitrous button for this). This makes using an A/F gauge more meaningful since it always lags what the engine has already done.
I believe pre-set maps work ok for specific engine combinations under certain conditions, but for someone who has a non-standard combination, or who wants maximum performance, or when temps / elevations change and tuning is a little off, or for when a safer tune is desired for pump gas vs race gas, or for when fuel pressure varies, or when an ECU is updated for warranty, custom tuning will always be necessary for best performance. For anyone who has carried a laptop and tried to custom tune a powercommander, it can be a handful (too many rpm, tps settings to deal with) and it is difficult to do unless you have a dyno and you can hold the rpm/tps at fixed settings (dynotuners love powercommanders) - but dynotuning doesn't deal well with conditions when you are on/off the throttle, or the when engine loads vary. Also, the powercommander has 32 rpms and 9 tps settings, many which you do not use most of the time due to the clutching (sled engines aren't lugged). The Boondocker 13rpm / 6tps settings can be placed exactly where they are needed instead of every 250rpm like the powercommander has - whether you need to tune that specific rpm or not, it's there and it will be in the way of where you really need to tune.
For it's overall features and ease of use, I still haven't seen a better tool for tuning snowmobiles than the Boondocker box - that is partly why I am still adding features, plus I'm going back to riding a non-turbo sled for a little while this season (I just wish someone had timing control that works).
Again, this hasn't been released yet, but I thought people who are considering different tuning options should know about this upgrade so they might keep their old Boondocker box around a little longer. I don't frequent these forums much anymore (I'm doing lots of other stuff), but I'll try to answer what I can, when I can...
