What is the future of Smarty?

[TStinson]

Marco/Bob/anyone who knows:

There have been no feature additions or expansions that I can think of issued for the Smarty model I purchased for my 2006.

Yes, there have been several maintenance/bug fixes posted for downloading, but I thought along the way some new and/or enhanced features would have been added.



I guess the BIG question is - Will Marco EVER be able to get ahead on the maintenance & bug fixes enough to get any true upgrades and/or new features perfected and issued? I, for one, would really like to hear something positive and see it become available before I bail & start pursuing other avenues of fulfilling the never-ending quest for more performance.



This is not meant to be a flame, but rather constructive criticism from an otherwise satisfied customer.

 

[MA2LA]

They are always working on something new stuff and just keep making it better. What features are you looking for them to add? I know they were working on a good program for better towing performance, but I haven't kept up with it.

 

[RobertP]

i am currently testing the beta program that adds rail pressure. it is an awesome program. has a very nice liner pedal sweep, also makes a ton of power. just be alittle more patient they are working on some new updates. they just want them to be perfect when they are released.

 

[FTwardoch]

The hope (and that's all that's left) is the ongoing support will improve to include working on the 2nd gen issues that have been documented enough to rival War and Peace... ... ... . as someone once said tho, 'hope is waning'.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The hope (and that's all that's left) is the ongoing support will improve to include working on the 2nd gen issues that have been documented enough to rival War and Peace... ... ... . as someone once said tho, 'hope is waning'.

And:

They are always working on something new stuff and just keep making it better.

OH, really?



"Better" for WHO?



As was pointed out in a related thread, much PR was made earlier in Smarty marketing as to the grand potential (and real likelihood?) for future programming mods and downloads for buyers - but in spite of another long running thread on hopeful expectations from existing users regarding suggestions and hopes for some specific mods, future features and program upgrades, the SILENCE on the issue of upgrades from Marco - and yeah - Bob as well, has been deafening!



I suspect the ongoing efforts to develop upgraded Smarty programs for later model engines has taken up much of the time for Marco and his available staff - and there may well be other significant issues behind the "Mads electronics" scenes we're not even aware of - but IF our customer perception of what we THOUGHT would be forthcoming from Marco and crew differs from what was actually meant and intended by Marco regarding ongoing upgrades for past customers, perhaps "customer service" would be better served by some open public statement to that effect from Marco or Bob than the silence or occasional vague hint that there MIGHT be something yet to come down the pike...



Because, as it now stands, it seem we older customers - the ones who actually put Smarty on the map and helped get the ball rolling for this product, have become "Old news", water under the bridge, and pretty much orphans as far as continued research and development is concerned in the way of ongoing program development - you know, sorta like a 1st generation truck owner waiting for "new products" for their trucks to hit the market...

 

[R_Painter]

give marco time he is working on something great for the 3rd gen trucks and I mean GREAT

 

[DCreed]

I love my SMARTY and think now that Quadzilla has released a competitor maybe we'll see renewed interest as a market dominance usually equals a lax attitude, especially if the need for late model upgrades due to constant changes from manufacturers is taking up the available time. but... lets face that the 2nd gen that launched Smarty is old news as is the model "A" that launched Furd ,see if they carry updated parts for that!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

give marco time he is working on something great for the 3rd gen trucks and I mean GREAT

UNH-huh, all that is great and grand - for 3rd generation owners - but *I* am a 2nd generation truck owner (you know, the Smarty customers in line AHEAD of the 3rd generation customers!), and Smarty customer - what's on the horizon for me, and Smarty customers like me?



The last mods - upgrades - for our 2nd generation trucks was well over a YEAR ago, and relatively minimal.



Meanwhile, the more serious programming attention has been ALREADY aimed at 3rd generation trucks, programs to address Smarty customer needs who run Smarty, and also bigger turbos and injectors - all aimed at improved Smarty performance when used on modded engines.



But ya know what? SOME of us 2nd generation truck owners ALSO run Smarty with modded engines and aftermarket turbos and injectors - and we TOO have issues with excess smoke and less than ideal usability of the full spectrum of Smarty power levels - where are our mods to address these issues? Are they even recognized or in the distant planning stages?



Sometimes, silence is NOT "golden", and it's past time for some honest and candid feedback as to where we 2nd generation Smarty owners REALLY stand in future program development and production!



If we trully ARE "old news", and nothing is on the horizon for us, why not come out and SAY so!

 

[JR2]

In Marco's defense, its August and August is Vacation month in Europe. I would guess the only think Marco is working on right now is his tan and a good hangover.

With that said, I would like to see him come back to the 2nd gen side for a short time. He needs to look into fixing the 2-3 gear flip flop we have with big injectors and the smarty (and a box).

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I would hope that Marco - and Bob, as Marco's #1 stateside representative - would understand where most of us are coming from, and not take our growing frustrations too personally. For, one, I certainly recognize the complexity of what was originally involved in developing Smarty - and then packaging and marketing it successfully for potential buyers.



It becomes very easy to get in over your head with a successful product, and then as orders landslide and demand for a similar product for later models and perhaps other brand engines, the need and decision to obtain larger facilities and hire an expanded and skilled staff becomes a nightmare.



And priorities can easily get lost in the shuffle! I seriously suspect this is about where Marco and crew are finding themselves now!



Marco, and Bob, must also realize that Smarty customers ALSO face their own important choices where personal issues eventually must be made on continuing with a product that - at least for them - was not as hoped for or expected. That decision often involves sticking with the Smarty in hopes the issues that they are dealing with will be soon addressed and corrected - or else the Smarty dumped, and another suitable competing replacement obtained. For a few, it might well even be a deciding factor on keeping the current truck, or trading for something else. Hard decisions and choices are NOT all just on Smarty's side of the equation!



BUT, Marco - and Bob - if we hadn't supported you with our $$$ and best wishes to this point, this point wouldn't BE here! And as we have supported you in the past, most of us intend to support you in the future - we're not your enemies or adversaries, we're your friends as well as customers - so be sure to treat us that way - and keep the lines of communication open - and reasonably frequent, we're all in this Smarty thing together - help us continue to be proud of that fact! Oo.

 

[Bob Wagner]

We have a whole new software platform that is showing lower smoke, lower egt's and better fuel economy.



MADS Electronics has a very good game plan in effect. Please give us a little more time to get all our ducks in line.



You won't be disappointed, I promise.



Marco is away on holiday until the 27th. I will ask him to post up when he returns.



Thank you

 

[PRout]

Thanks very much for the update Bob. . Thats great news because the smarty really is a great tool if it can be used more towards its full potential. .

 

[Bob Wagner]

Gary, I finally took 4 work days off for vacation. First days off in 3 years

 

[16919]

We will have to wait and see... . I heard that before about 6-8 months ago and we are still waiting for updates. So in short I would not hold your breath. I will believe it when its here.

 

[BILLVO]

We have a whole new software platform that is showing lower smoke, lower egt's and better fuel economy.



MADS Electronics has a very good game plan in effect. Please give us a little more time to get all our ducks in line.



You won't be disappointed, I promise.



Marco is away on holiday until the 27th. I will ask him to post up when he returns.



Thank you

Is this for the 2nd gens and Is there any work being done for the stacked shifting and surging cruise control issues?

 

[Bob Wagner]

Bill. Marco needs to ride in a truck with the symptoms you desribed. We will address the vp44 updates and issues when Marco gets here. Thanks

 

[BILLVO]

OK, but is the new software platform for 3rd gen CR or 2nd gen 24v?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, I finally took 4 work days off for vacation. First days off in 3 years

Assuming I am the "Gary" you are referring to, good for you - sounds like you were about due for some time off - Marco too!



NOW, both of you, get to work on some significant updates for the 2nd generation 24 valve trucks! :-laf:-laf

 

[PRout]

Assuming I am the "Gary" you are referring to, good for you - sounds like you were about due for some time off - Marco too!

NOW, both of you, get to work on some significant updates for the 2nd generation 24 valve trucks! :-laf:-laf

Not sure they're going to have time for us since they've just completely revamped the madselectronics website and it shows "SMARTY for 6. 7 COMING SOON!". Seems like theres gonna be just a few bugs to work out on that one too. Meanwhile back at the ranch. . NOTHING NEW FOR US 2ND GENNERS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR OVER A YEAR!!
(not that I have an attitude about it or anything #@$%!)


Not even a minor beta change to try out in the interim. That would have been fine and at least SOMETHING. .

Good luck with Smarty... They've basically lost ALL of my respect.

Think it's time to re-consider my choice of preferred suppliers also.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Not sure they're going to have time for us since they've just completely revamped the madselectronics website and it shows "SMARTY for 6. 7 COMING SOON!". Seems like theres gonna be just a few bugs to work out on that one too. Meanwhile back at the ranch. . NOTHING NEW FOR US 2ND GENNERS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR OVER A YEAR!!



(not that I have an attitude about it or anything #@$%!)



Good luck with Smarty... They've basically lost ALL of my respect, I dont believe their words on this site either. Sorry for the sour grapes, just how I feel.



Think Im changing my choice of preferred suppliers also.

Truth is, I'm about at that point myself.



I have the latest (early LAST year's!) Smarty softeware loaded into mine, but find that with my added larger injectors, the smoke level from a dead stop around town is unacceptable, even down on level 2 - and in spite of advertising, it's really NOT practical to be constantly reloading different programming levels every time driving situations change.



The 3rd generation guys got modified programming to cope with larger injectors and turbos - and we 2nd generation guys need the same thing. Wonder if it will ever happen?



Meanwhile, I have put my truck back to stock Smarty programming, and running totally on the Edge Comp - I can fully control smoke right from the driver's seat, instantly and while in motion. Plus, I have all the power I can safely manage, either empty, or towing in the hills.



Anyone want a 2nd generation Smarty, latest software upgrade, and in a nice carrying case - $525 delivered to your door?