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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHsmartTOP 996
Leading reported evidence
Install by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
smarttop is a pure plug-and-play solution that doesn't have to be installed by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires to be cut or the dashboard to be taken apart like other solutions.
Leading evidence: 'Install by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Install by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
YOu can change the features of the unit to perform like the Smart Top (one touch open/close at speeds up to 30) as long as you tap into wires and do splices, etc.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
For the Boxster it just replaces a module in the relay box and for the 996 cab you just pull a plug out and stick the smarttop between that plug and the Porsche control module.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
I recommend using the velcro strap to lock it in place.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Install by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
smarttop is a pure plug-and-play solution that doesn't have to be installed by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires to be cut or the dashboard to be taken apart like other solutions.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
YOu can change the features of the unit to perform like the Smart Top (one touch open/close at speeds up to 30) as long as you tap into wires and do splices, etc.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
For the Boxster it just replaces a module in the relay box and for the 996 cab you just pull a plug out and stick the smarttop between that plug and the Porsche control module.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
26 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T122219Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
If I read the description correctly the top will continue to open/close once it's started regardless of the speed as long as it was started while driving 30MPH or less.
If this is true I would purchase this unit just for this feature alone.
Interesting...
Anyone have any real world experience with this compaired to some of the competing products like Bahn Tech's AutoTop or TouchTop? The price of the Bahn Tech unit is certainly attractive and, judging by their website, the features all look to be there.
Bahn Tech AutoTop-
http://www.bahntech.com/products/AutoTop/default.asp
Seems to be a great product. Heard nothing but great things, but the price tag is hefty ($279) compared to the lesser products like Bahntech, etc. that were going for $99 on eBay. Still may grab one...definitely if the price were a bit less.
I know they offer a group buy discount of $20 each unit over at Renntech. If they would do $250 shipped for a group buy (maybe 10+ I guess) then I would be down. Interested?
One more thing.......
Products like the TouchTop, etc require the car to be stopped or there needs to be additional cutting, splicing, etc.
The Smart Top is plug and play and requires nothing else and you can operate while moving.
LV- Do you know that to also be the case with the Bahn Tech unit? According to their website "AutoTop can monitor the speed of your Porsche thus limiting its operation to speeds below 25mph..." It also looks to be plug-and-play like the Smart Top. Not trying to antagonize or to promote their product, just looking to do my due diligence and not spend 2x as much for the same product (roughly). What would you say would be the key reason(s) to go with the Smart Top unit?
I did the research in the past as well so I can comment (to the best of my knowledge). All the Bahn product does essentially is hold down the CAB top button for you and ALL things else are the same as they were before (ie, stopped, handbrake engaged, etc.). YOu can change the features of the unit to perform like the Smart Top (one touch open/close at speeds up to 30) as long as you tap into wires and do splices, etc.
So yes, it does the same stuff as Smart Top but not as cleanly and takes some work and modification to the wiring of your car. THe Smart Top literaly is plug and play as a unit snaps into place to control unit in the rear.
I have the SmartTOP. It was very easy to install. I recommend using the velcro strap to lock it in place. It works great. You can activate the one touch close or open by holding it for 3 seconds, or if you are moving at any speed just a one touch and it goes. Also allows you to raise the back windows with the roof down. I love it!
I have the Bahntech switch and it basically just eliminates the need to hold down the button, nothing more.
To put the back windows up pull the emergency brake up, put your finger in the cab latch button and push the rear window buttons... you can't do this if the car is moving because you need the e-brake up. This whole process is lame at best... I may have to buy the SmartTOP.
Wross, once the top starts to go up or down will it continue if you drive over the 30MPH limit?
Thanks,
Rob
Rob, I have actually not tested at speeds over 25mph. I really don't think you want to be going too fast or the wind might bend it anyway. I usually back out of my driveway, start moving, hit the button once and within 20 sec. its done. On the way home just before I hit my driveway I hit the button again and its closed before I'm in the garage. Also if you hit the button after it starts it will stop the operation.
I have the TouchTop and did the speed wire hack, which is a 15 minute job - very easy. It does all the windows too. I left the handbrake wire alone in case the button ever got bumped going over 25 mph. I just pull it up to the first click (the brake doesn't engage just makes the car think it is, the car is still moving) and say hello to the sunshine
I have the Bahntech device and it works great. Easy install, I can open and lower my top consistent with the factory settings (up to 30 MPH) and it takes just a quick stab at the button. When I put the top up, all the windows go up as well after the top is secured. I have not had to worry about the parking brake to get it to work.
I second the other satisfied users. High quality, very quick/easy installation. Good response from cust. service if you need them.
One touch raises or lowers top while moving up to 30 mph or so.
Just as importantly to me, one touch raises or lowers top while sitting still. No more sitting there with your finger on the button. Parking brake is out of the picture with this unit.
To throw in my .02 I have the Wilhelmy-it unit. Installed in 20 minutes (I'm no mechanical rockstar) and works fantastic. I love not having to pull over and pull up the emergency brake to move the top!
Hello,
smarttop is a pure plug-and-play solution that doesn't have to be installed by a mechanic and doesn't require any wires to be cut or the dashboard to be taken apart like other solutions. For the Boxster it just replaces a module in the relay box and for the 996 cab you just pull a plug out and stick the smarttop between that plug and the Porsche control module.
All other solutions, especially those going in between the cab switch, don't have full control over all necessary signals and therefore can't make the roof work without handbrake pulled. For speed control you would need to tap into other wires. And there would always have to be some wire cutting or contact isulating/bending involved to disable the handbrake. And that disables the handbrake safety feature permanently while the smarttop module directly "talks" to the onboard computer, giving the right signals at the right time while maintaining maximum safety at all times.
Some additional features are, that with smarttop the rear windows stay enabled. Usually the little rear windows are locked when the roof is open. With smarttop installed, they can be operated just the normal way with the window keys.
On 911�s made 2003 and later the windows won�t close anymore when holding the key on the key remote (if you are lucky to have a remote for your roof control). With smarttop the windows close automatically just like they used to do on the older models.
Hope these information are helpful.
Regards, Sven
Hi Sven, I was going to contact you in the morning about the group buy. I just got a PM from your General Manager Stephan and he said I should get in touch with you. I'll PM you in the morning so we can get the figures worked out.
Just put up the thread for the goup buy so everybody interested sign up! As soon as I get 10 I will get the order completed.
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2332960
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
