Anybody have any experience with this product?
Installation, quality etc.
http://www.wilhelmy-it.com/

 

I am sure there are reviews over at Renntech.org where they are a sponsor. They offer $10 off to Renntech members.

 

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.

 

Thanks Dell! Sounds like Smart Top is going to be the way I go.

 

Agree. If I add a product like this it would be the SmartTop. Group buy might just be in order.

 

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.

 

Our cabs can put the top up/down to 30mph... I really wouldn't push it by more than 5 miles an hour or so.

 

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