Confused: Smarty POD vs EDGE Juice w/ Attitude

[kevhype0825]

In the coming weeks I would like to purchase a programmer. I have read through a lot of what has been said in this forum about the two products mentioned in the title of this thread but I am having a hard time understanding the benefits of one product over the other. When I compare the functionality of both products it would seem that EDGE has the Smarty beat. However, given the number of members using the Smarty there maybe some benefits I am overlooking. I do not want to make tremendous power with my truck. I may at some point replace my turbo and injectors and upgrade my fuel system but that is about it. Which of the two products would best suit these mods in addition to what I have already done (see my signature)? Can someone who has used both of these products share their real life experiences?



Thanks,

Kevin

 

[kevhype0825]

In the coming weeks I would like to purchase a programmer. I have read through a lot of what has been said in this forum about the two products mentioned in the title of this thread but I am having a hard time understanding the benefits of one product over the other. When I compare the functionality of both products it would seem that EDGE has the Smarty beat. However, given the number of members using the Smarty there maybe some benefits I am overlooking. I do not want to make tremendous power with my truck. I may at some point replace my turbo and injectors and upgrade my fuel system but that is about it. Which of the two products would best suit these mods in addition to what I have already done (see my signature)? Can someone who has used both of these products share their real life experiences?



Thanks,

Kevin

Can someone please provide me with guidance on this topic? I am new to diesel technology and would appreciate any advise.

 

[CumminsBu]

I have the Smarty with pre POD, haven't upgraded. If you get the Smarty you should get gauges Boost, Pyro at a min, and the power is so awesome with no self control you will need tranmission upgrade down the road. The Smarty Jr many be a safer way of going, No real need for gauges and easy on the trans. Edge has a nice read out to take place of gauges, but can be hard to read if the sun shines on it. I believe you can program safety limits as where the the Smarty you can not. I have never owned an Edge but I did look at getting one.

 

[kevhype0825]

I have the Smarty with pre POD, haven't upgraded. If you get the Smarty you should get gauges Boost, Pyro at a min, and the power is so awesome with no self control you will need tranmission upgrade down the road. The Smarty Jr many be a safer way of going, No real need for gauges and easy on the trans. Edge has a nice read out to take place of gauges, but can be hard to read if the sun shines on it. I believe you can program safety limits as where the the Smarty you can not. I have never owned an Edge but I did look at getting one.

Thank you for your opinion Black Pearl! Since I work in the IT field I prefer the interface of the EDGE over standard gauges. I also like the fact that i can set safe limits in the EDGE. One thing i have read is that the EDGE does produce more heat that most other programmers. I know the common result of more horsepower is heat but does it produce heat to safe limits? Also, how accurate is the EDGE's gauge functionality?

 

[CumminsBu]

Both can produce heat to unsafe limits the grenal rule is stay below 1400* I like to stay below 1200* because I don't like to push my luck. The Boost reading can only read to 30 to 35 psi off the Map sensor.

 

[kevhype0825]

Both can produce heat to unsafe limits the grenal rule is stay below 1400* I like to stay below 1200* because I don't like to push my luck. The Boost reading can only read to 30 to 35 psi off the Map sensor.

Interesting point on the stock map sensor! Would other stock sensors have similar limits which would prevent the EDGE from displaying accurately? (i. e. trans temp sensor)



I am definitely looking to make safe power and I can not afford to destroy this truck. That being the case, in your opinion, which product would provide a more controlled environment for not exceeding the limits of the truck or my wallet?

 

[JJPage]

Interesting point on the stock map sensor! Would other stock sensors have similar limits which would prevent the EDGE from displaying accurately? (i. e. trans temp sensor)



I am definitely looking to make safe power and I can not afford to destroy this truck. That being the case, in your opinion, which product would provide a more controlled environment for not exceeding the limits of the truck or my wallet?

The Edge! To be safe, But I still like my Smarty better.

 

[mwilson]

After much research I bought the Edge w/Attitude in '07. I picked it for the following reasons.....



1) Does not molest the ECM. It only attaches to the boost sensor and the injector harnesses. Power levels can be changed at will on the fly.



2) Has Backdown parameters and alarm that the customer can set to his/her preference. I don't have to keep a constant eye on the the display when I am busy trying to get up speed with the trailer on.



3) Can set your 4 gauge displays to whatever and however you want them arranged.



4) Has turbo cooldown timer with your choice of duration.



5) It eliminated the frustration of the truck coming out of overdrive with the cruise set every time a small hill was on the horizon. Set it on level 2 and 64mph now and will hold it all day with no shifting when towing.



The downsides that I have noticed are that gauge is hard to see in bright sunlight.

Truck will build heat and boost FAST even on level 2. Mine would jump to 40lbs boost and 1300 degrees on level 2 at 1/4 throttle if towing with little prodding before I got the backdowns and alarms set up.

Once in a while it will clear all of the settings (once or twice a year) so you have to set displays, parameters, etc. all over again.



I have no experience with the Smarty so I can only tell you about the Edge. The main reason I added anything at all was to increase the power just enough for steady loaded cruising and for gauge purposes. It made no sense to me that the engine would be in it's sweet spot and the transmission would downshift for no good reason that I could see. Level 2 took right care of that little issue.

 

[kevhype0825]

mwilson, thank you very much for a comprehensive opinion of the EDGE! As I have previously stated I am not looking to race my truck but I do want to smooth a few things out when towing and improve the overall responsiveness of the truck. I have read in several places that gauges are hard to read in bright sunlight. Is their a specific mounting location that tends to be worst than others? Also, do you have any other modifications done to your truck?

 

[AWise]

Interesting point on the stock map sensor! Would other stock sensors have similar limits which would prevent the EDGE from displaying accurately? (i. e. trans temp sensor)



I am definitely looking to make safe power and I can not afford to destroy this truck. That being the case, in your opinion, which product would provide a more controlled environment for not exceeding the limits of the truck or my wallet?

Then go with the Smarty JR. It might be too tempting to try SW #9 with the regular Smarty :-laf. I am ordering a Smarty Jr as I never plan to go higher than what it offers (but I will install gauges anyway).

 

[kevhype0825]

The Edge! To be safe, But I still like my Smarty better.

JJPage, what are some of your reasons for saying that?

 

[kevhype0825]

I know a lot has been said about both of these products in the past and I apologize for the repetitive thread but I would really like to see some honest opinions on the Smarty POD.



Area's of interest:

1. Drivability for daily use

2. EGT temp's at lower level's while towing or not

3. Any noticeable draw backs long term

4. Fuel milage improvements

 

[scootergmc]

kevhype, are you concerned at all about leaving a footprint for possible warranty issues (I imagine from your sig you don't really care about warranty... ) But doesn't the edge leave a footprint?

 

[JEngledow]

it can have you thought about banks power it wont void warranty

Banks Power | Diesel Trucks, Dodge

 

[JJPage]

JJPage, what are some of your reasons for saying that?

You said you wanted safe, the Edge has all the adjustable safety parameters that the Smarty does not have. If you purchase the Smarty, and your sensibilities become absent, you can hurt your truck. That being said, if you do not set up the Edge correctly, you can also hurt your truck.



I like the Smarty better, because my truck performs better x 2 with it, and I know for certain , what not to allow. Also the Smarty is constantly evolving, I have been a customer since the beginning of the applications for the 3rd Gens. I have faith, that even as we speak, new upgrades(safeties included)are being worked on.



Jess

 

[mwilson]

I have no other modifications done to the truck at this time other than removing the intake silencer. I do not wish to stress my transmission and the stock truck has plenty of power. The towing/shifting issue was the driving force behind the Edge purchase. I had also been shopping for gauges as being an old truck driver I missed not having them. I chose the overhead mount hoping that the glare would not be as bad.

 

[DFairhurst]

the edge is all in one chip gauges with limits u can set where u want"egts/ backdown/ boost an so on' and shift on the fly so if you want more power its at a touch of a button can crank it up or down at your needs or wants also set the fuel/boost so it so it doesnt dump fuel before it builds boost, but it does leave foot prints so if your worried about your warranty they can tell its been there.

smarty has a lot of research done an seem to work very well no foot prints upload an your done good smooth power, but u cant change on the fly and need to purchase gauges an watch them you have to let up. because it wont back down for you.

i've never owned a smarty but have had programmers i like the edge because you have control at your fingers. i like to tune it down to cruse and jus press up have that extra power. if you like to play wiht it i would say go with edge. if u want to set it an leave it programmers work well but buy gauges andwatch them they do no good if u dont watch them

 

[kevhype0825]

kevhype, are you concerned at all about leaving a footprint for possible warranty issues (I imagine from your sig you don't really care about warranty... ) But doesn't the edge leave a footprint?

You are correct... . I am not concerned about warranty or the possibility of the EDGE leaving a foot print as long the foot print does have any other negative effects. If I were to go with an EDGE what would be the issue with removing it? Doesn't the truck go back to stock configuration?

 

[kevhype0825]

it can have you thought about banks power it wont void warranty

Banks Power | Diesel Trucks, Dodge

JEngledow, I have not considered using Banks electronics on this truck as I have had first hand experience with their electrical products and it was not a good experience. Additionally, I don't like the thought of having a Palm PDA hanging from my windshield.

 

[kevhype0825]

You said you wanted safe, the Edge has all the adjustable safety parameters that the Smarty does not have. If you purchase the Smarty, and your sensibilities become absent, you can hurt your truck. That being said, if you do not set up the Edge correctly, you can also hurt your truck.



I like the Smarty better, because my truck performs better x 2 with it, and I know for certain , what not to allow. Also the Smarty is constantly evolving, I have been a customer since the beginning of the applications for the 3rd Gens. I have faith, that even as we speak, new upgrades(safeties included)are being worked on.



Jess

Thanks for that Jess. I think that is the biggest issue I have seen. The programmers never hurt the truck. Most owners just ignore their better judgment and take these trucks beyond the limits of what they were designed for. Having said that, I know how temping it can be to use all that power and I have had a few motors fall victim to my right foot. . But we learn from that and we learn the limits of each vehicle and try to stay within those limits.



The constant evolution of the Smarty is an attractive point to me as experience has shown me no matter how good they are today they can always be improved. I haven't seen many improvements to the EDGE product in the past few years. Which begs the questions... do you think that EDGE will ever release a completely tunable product?