Arctic Cat G8 Display - More Info!

[@yamajammer76]

It’s cool, but with a little tighter budget I’ll save my $1500 for gas and oil and just use the GPS maps on my phone if I get twisted around out riding. However if it’s in your budget it’s a very cool gauge.

[@ponycarfan]

@@yamajammer76 That's a great point. The fun of snowmobiling is not related to how much we spend.

[@KyleKAP]

I have a Zr 600 and was going to buy the G8 but decided I want the 858, I'm going to wait one more year and let them get the bugs out.

[@ponycarfan]

@@KyleKAP Awesome! I'm hearing reports about 858's showing up at dealers, hopefully you'll get yours soon!

[@Eighty8Fitter]

Have you ordered new G8 display from country cat yet? I think I’m going to order mine shortly here!

[@ponycarfan]

@@Eighty8Fitter I did order one, but from Thomas Snosports. I think both dealers have both radio and non-radio kits in stock right now. Mine is sitting there waiting for me to pick it up, can't wait to install it.

[@robgoffroad]

My new Catalyst came with it. So far I have quite a few issues with it. The UI as usual is sub-par because everything Garmin makes has a crap UI. I don't like how the ATAC shocks work (again, very poor UI). I haven't found a way to set the maps to top-down rather than 3D. And since the thing won't power on unless you start the sled (even with electric start) it's not like I can play with it.

[@ponycarfan]

@@robgoffroad Yeah, I have asked them for a way to power the unit without starting the engine and am told there's currently no way to do it. As far as I can tell, the G8 internal battery is good for about an hour at full backlight and you can set the auto shutoff for up to 30 minutes. But, you have to start the engine to get it powered on. I'm disappointed that you couldn't change 3D to top down, and will investigate. On the ATAC, have you had that before? I have found it a little confusing, especially at first. That applies to the previous display, imo.

[@ponycarfan]

@@robgoffroad I have not powered up my G8 yet, but looking at the way all Garmins appear to work, and looking back on this video footage, I think it's consistent. When displaying the map, there's an up arrow on the right. Touch the arrow, and that should give you the option for 2D north up, 2D direction up or 3D. Next time you start the sled, change auto shutoff to 30 minutes, then display the map and give that a try. If I get to mine before you do, I'll let you know what I find out.

[@robgoffroad]

@@ponycarfan I went out there and fired up the sled to power up the unit, then shut down the sled. I played around a bit but could not find out how to set the timeout. I DID find out that you CAN set the map to top-down view and where north is always up, just the way I like it. So that much is good. It says its battery is only at 36% and so the only way to charge it is to run the sled. Grrr. I was reading the manual and it says break in is in two stages -- Stage 1 is 18 minutes with a lot of extra oil, Stage 2 is three hours with more oil than normal, but not as much as Stage 1. So I don't want to just idle the thing wasting time for Stage 1 of break-in. I still can't believe Cat couldn't be bothered to tie this thing to the sled's battery.