Advice on purchasing Mercmonitor

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Our 2006 Optimax 150 has the standard gauges from the factory, but I want to add a gauge that utilizes some of the information from the engine, such as water temperature, heat alarm, water in the fuel, etc. I've read all the blogs I can find on the advantages and disadvantages of the Mercmonitor Level 2, and I'm ready for some sage advice from any of you that have installed either the Merc gauge or used it as a gateway for another device that will output the information on their proprietary display, such as Garmin or Raymarine.

If you have any advice either way, I'd love to hear it before I bite the bullet.

thanks!

JDK

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Just an FYI...

Installed the non-NMEA2000 version, and am very happy with it. I didn't purchase the fuel/trim/paddle wheel harness, yet the trim gauge works. Go figure.

The interesting thing is the screen I've posted a picture of. Nowhere in the manual does it mention or show a screen like this. When the speed and trim are right for the best economy, it shows Optimized on the gauge. Now I can see water pressure, fuel pressure, etc.

Mercury nor their dealers knew beans about the gauge or what it would show, but I am very happy with the unit.

JDK

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Hey Squid,

I have the same one and love it. Use it extensively in the ECO mode to trim the boat out (as we all know it changes with whatever you have on board/fuel load/etc). I have mine hooked into my nmea 2000 network that allows me to see the info on my Raymarine.

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Since I made that last post, I got Merc to send me the correct book for the gauge, and now have the correct documentation. You are correct Tricky, it makes trimming out easy and shows you the results.

JDK