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YOUR RESEARCHThis is for the 996 cab owners out there.
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Suggestion
When starting, it allows me to put on my seatbelt, or on the disembark side, pack my stuff, check oil level, etc.
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Suggestion
Sounds like this product might fill a gap for people that don't want to spend the $300 on the smart top and in exchange they will take the negatives that come with it.
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Suggestion
Sounds like this product might fill a gap for people that don't want to spend the $300 on the smart top and in exchange they will take the negatives that come with it.
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Would you guys be interested in a one-touch button to put the top up or down?
I know there are some products already out there like this but the least expensive one is around $150.
The only function of this product would be to able to press the Top-Up or Top-Down button once and have the top do it's thing. No operation while moving ( you can do that with the pin 18 mid if you really want to). It would be for the 996 Cab and 986.
So the question is:
Would you buy this, and if so, how much would you like to pay for it?
Same question as above - will this allow top to go into service position (mid way) by pressing on the switch again.
Also what is the PIN 18 mod you speak of...explain
Sure does.
It works for the 986, I'm not sure if it works on the 996 but I'll find out. What you do is open the pin box in the driver's footwell, bend pin 18 down flat or wrap it in tape and close the box. This overrides the inability to operate the top while in motion.
I have the smart top and the the great thing about it is that I can open and close while the car is moving. That is a huge plus. Tyring to close it for example at a stop light and the light turns green. Guess what? Without the smart top unit, the top stops wherever it is when you move.
So for me, even if I didn't have the smart top, I wouldn't be interested in a one touch product that requires me to be at a stop.
Just press in on the latch button above the rear-view mirror. Then, the rear windows will go up. This latch also enables the motion sensor alarm when the car is parked. I think someone makes a clip that will hold the latch button down when the top is down.
I already have too much junk on my Key chain, so the smarttop configuration, working with the existing key fob is a big plus. This is on my 2xl8r list for 2011.
Of course, if the device was small enough and had a nice key chain for all my keys, I would consider switching over to the auto-topper device.
The prototype was a success! The poduct will be called Robo-Top!
I will place an order for the production batch tomorrow and I'll hopefully have the product in my hands and ready to sell by next Monday, but that depends on the manufacturer's shipping.
The website will be ready and released to you guys this Saturday.
Tyler
Good. Your user information should reflect that so I would make sure they get on it quickly (it should have been automatic) or you won't be approved to sell anything.
Boards came in a few days ago. They will be assembled more than likely on Tuesday.
Robo-Top units will be available sometime later this week!
I'll release the website and details then!
I have contacted Admins about becoming a sponsor.
I was considering buying one but after reading this posting...
I bought one, and here is my honest and as much as I can objective feedback, given that this is a 79.00 part. While the closest thing is about twice the price.
It works fully 75% of the time, what does that mean?
75% of the time, I press the button and it does the whole thing perfectly (open or close full cycle)
15% of the time, I press the button, and nothing happens, have to press it again or keep it pressed as the automated part was not there
10% of the time, I press the button and it starts opening or closing, but the rear flap stays open (after the convertible opens or closes), have to press the button, and keep it pressed for the rear flap to come down
For some reason, it does not light up with the interior lights.
Tyler provided great customer service, the first one was even more erratic than the second one. He shipped a new one immediately upon contacting him.
He also acknowledge the problem with the lights, I can live with it.
It does not appear to be working as expected. I expect to push once and for it to go non stop until I push again and it stops.. Then push again and it moves and stops at the end of its full open or closed cycle and for the windows to open and close as the original push hold button works. All this as the car is moving. I can't imagine holding for a second and no longer or it goes wrong.. I will give this product a miss. I could not , as the poster says "live with it"..
Did your newly acquired 996 have that remote capability? Wasn't aware that was even an option, plus what you are describing sounds like their RemoteTop product, SmartTop is for one-touch operation while driving in the car vs. remotely controlling the top from outside of the car.
Nope I have two "normal" buttons, but the owners manual shows the cabriolet key option with a third button to operate the top. I guessed it cost a million dollars so no one bothers and uses these other options?
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You've got one more button than I do! Both remotes which came with the car from the original owners only have one button, I also just quickly looked through the owners' manual under "remote" and "cabriolet", the key is only shown with one button and no mention of the remote in the cabriolet section at all.
Besides, one would imagine there would be no reason for SmartTop to be developed if the factory already had that capability as an option?
My two button remote does the hood and the doors... the third as in the owners manual above does the roof, Im just going to buy that factory key and then I dont have to worry about non factory parts in the car.
Seems different markets were outfitted with different capabilities! My 2000 does not have electrically operated front trunk release, it's purely mechanical and can only be operated manually, so the only button on my remote is to unlock/lock the doors.
Please let us know if you are able to get the proper remote to operate the convertible, I don't think even the newer 996/997 have that capability!
I would imagine that would be Tom Stone as listed on the Contact page
http://www.onetouchporsche.com/#!__contact
Can you elabrate what is the difference/improvement from your original model to the current model?
Beats me, but if I don't get more information of the Robo Top to convince me the product is working properly now then I would rather spend more to get the SmartTop.
Not sure I understand the point of this product if you cannot use it while moving. If you have to sit still, then what is the point of the one-touch? The great thing about the smart top is you can use it while on the move. My wife hits the button as she is pulling out of the garage and the top lowers as she is pulling away. What about a stoplight with this product? If you decide to raise or lower your top while at a stoplight and the light changes you don't have to sit there with cars honking at you while you wait for the top to complete if you have the smart top. You sit there with the robotop as it doesn't allow for this. In addition, the robotop disables the lighting in your stock switch. If you are ok with those things, then maybe this product is for you.
Sounds like this product might fill a gap for people that don't want to spend the $300 on the smart top and in exchange they will take the negatives that come with it.
Agreed, which is why I would like to hear more about the re-launched Robo Top from its maker.
BTW, I do recall there is a hack for the 996 cab to allow Robo Top operation while the car is moving, but it was not as simple as the Boxter and requires cutting wires..........
Correct, but the hack requires modification that I would not do to my car. For the extra money I'd have the smart top (as I do) and be able to have my wiring, etc, in completely unmolested form should I decided to remove the smart top or sell the car.
This thread has become an excellent case study on how not to launch a new product.
I have the SmartTop/RemoteTop combination. A little pricey, but they work very well and add some convenience features that should have been standard IMO.
Hello Forum, I'm a frequent reader but rarely post any comments. I'm very glad I came across this thread coz smart top is an upgrade I have been considering for some time now. I'll make sure I post some when I make my final purchase decision. Cheers!
I just ordered the robotop as I figured the $79 solution sounded good to me... I e-mailed their customer support and got a response pretty quickly. I'll post the full response here if they don't mind. I think cutting one wire to save $320 is well worth it, and I can easily splice it back together if needed. Wish me luck... going to do it now!
Here's his e-mail about his product with my initial inquiry at the bottom:
PS: of course, I'll follow up after I install it!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Ryan;
After I bought the OneTouch company last summer from its founder, Tyler
Salem, I spent about $7,500 to re-design the hardware and programming to
improve the operation and reliability because there were reports of
reliability issues with the original units. I hired a top notch electrical
designer to do that work and he has personally assembled, programmed, and
electrically tested each unit. Furthermore, I have personally tested each
and every unit in my own car. So I know personally first hand without any
doubt that every unit that we ship works before it goes out the door.
Furthermore, the circuit boards are manufactured by one of the most
reputable circuit board companies in Orange County, CA who is experienced in
medical and aerospace circuit board manufacturing. We use only verified
authentic components purchased through authorized component dealers - no
grey market, eBay, or internet components. Additionally, all of the units
are assembled in Orange County, CA (not in Taiwan or China) by the design
engineer who re-designed the switch last fall. In summary, we simply don't
cut any corners to save a few dollars.
Since re-launching the product in January, 2012 we have had two units fail
out of approximately 250 that we've sold. That is a failure rate of 0.08%
which is extremely low.
I have a simple way of doing business - if you have problems or don't like
the Robotop at any time up to a year after purchase, let me know and I'll
refund your money. No questions asked. It's that simple.
With the intent of full disclosure, the switch does not light up with the
interior lights - but otherwise it works perfectly.
You can place an order on our website at
www.onetouchporsche.com
Kind regards and thank you for your interest in Robotop.
Tom
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 12:15 AM
To:
[email removed]
Subject: RoboTop Question
I'm interested in your product, but read some issues about in on the
rennlist.com forums, specifically:
--------------------------
It works fully 75% of the time, what does that mean?
75% of the time, I press the button and it does the whole thing
perfectly (open or close full cycle)
15% of the time, I press the button, and nothing happens, have to press
it again or keep it pressed as the automated part was not there
10% of the time, I press the button and it starts opening or closing,
but the rear flap stays open (after the convertible opens or closes),
have to press the button, and keep it pressed for the rear flap to come
down
For some reason, it does not light up with the interior lights.
Tyler provided great customer service, the first one was even more
erratic than the second one. He shipped a new one immediately upon
contacting him.
He also acknowledge the problem with the lights, I can live with it.
---------------------------
Are these issues still true, or are things working better now?
Thanks,
Ryan
Save $320? Did you mean $220? I beleive most places sell SmartTop for $300 or less.
I got mine as a combo deal of buying both the SmartTop and RemoteTop for a bit over $500 in April this year.
Will look forward to your feedback once you have had some time using it.
I have one of these Robo-Tops and it works well for the $$$. I have an '04 TTx50 Cab.
The inconsistencies that Rustymon reported might have something to do with getting used to the timing. Hold it down for too long and it works as default, so that when you release the button, the movement stops. Hold it down for too little and it doesn't get actuated.
Once in a while (<5%) of the time, it'll not work as I expect, and then I just repeat the operation.
I rarely use it when moving (although my car allows me to open/close the top while moving) because the convertible mechanism is just so damn complicated inside, I don't want to chance hitting a bump or a gust a wind that fubars the mechanism. Too expensive to fix.
I do use it when I start up the car, or when I'm parking it. When starting, it allows me to put on my seatbelt, or on the disembark side, pack my stuff, check oil level, etc. Basically, I'm not tethered to the button for the 30 secs or so it takes.
All in all, definitely worth the $79 or so.
Barring any issues with the revamped product, I'd agree $80 is not a bad deal if the ONLY aspect a Cab owner wants is the ability to start the open/close sequence with a momentary push of the open/close button, and does not mind cutting the OEM wire to splice in the RoboTop.
However the SmartTop does so much more that for me it I was willing to pay more to get the added functionalities, although perhaps not quite as much as they are being sold for.
FWIW I looked inside of both the SmartTop and RemoteTop packages, there are some fancy programmable micro CPU's in there,in comparison the RoboTop had to be some very simple electronics to latch the input to the Cab controller to fool it into thinking someone is holding the button down, the price point reflects the complexity difference and the features between the RoboTop and the SmartTop.
I have ordered one of these as I think the price point on this product is very reasonable.
Happy to report back as per Rustymon on its performance once I have installed it.
I have previously already cut the speed wire so this is the next obvious step without stepping up with the $$$��� for a smartTop
Let me see if I have this product idea right. My 996 cab currently has one button for lowering the top and one button for raising the top. Operation requires holding the button down during raising or lowering...I can handle that.
The new product would mean pushing the button and then releasing the pressure, right?
Well, my buddies at Cars 'n Coffee would just stare at me if I tried to explain this upgrade to them.
relinuca
It's funny how different we all are. I totally appreciate what you are saying but to me it's a no-brainer to get the one touch button and preferably hooked to my remote control so I don't have to even hit a button in the car. Just walk away from the car, hit the remote, and everything takes care of itself.
One could draw a parallel with garage door openers, imagine to have to hold the button for the full cycle to open or close the garage door before releasing the button .....
