I got to play with the prototype buddy tracking several years using the garmin setup. We had little medallions you could hand out to non gauge users and you could still track them.
Arctic Cat Catalyst 858
- Thread starter kanedog
- Start date
Generally lower frequencies have further range.....The ride command phone app requires cell service to communicate with the 7S in a group ride situation, so no worky in the mountains, unfortunately
The info i was able to find says the Cat gauge uses MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) frequencies (151 – 154 MHz spectrum range), so will be weak on range (much like FRS and GMRS channels are), and will not work in Canada for some reason.
The Polaris 7S uses the 2.4 GHz frequencies.
A GHz is a thousand times faster than a MHz, and has greater range.
I am not sure why Cat went with garmin on this, but maybe time will tell . . .?
You are correct. Lower frequency has a longer wave and the longer the wave the farther it can go but must also have a longer antenna. Sometimes not practical.
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Lower frequency can bend around objects better and higher frequency acts more like a beam of light where shadows are a problem. You can still pack a lot of power into a high frequency RF signal but it may not go far if stuff is between the transmitter and receiver.
AM radio channels get better distance than FM radio channels......
The way they modulate should not effect distance. AM radio has traditionally been bradcast at lower frequencies so this is how your statement makes sense to me.
We would like to but unfortunately there is no more info about the Catayst 585 at this time. Unless you have some insider info for us?
I found it interesting that Cat partnered with Front Range Powersports at the Rocky Mountain Powersports Expo (the Denver Snowmobile Show). They said that they were trying to rebuild some dealer relations. They had a 600 Catalyst there and an 858 without any exhaust. I'm sure I didn't notice much but my impressions from walking around were:
- The hood on the 600 was constantly being removed. If it's not broke yet, it should be a pretty decent setup.
- The composite running boards felt normal under my tennis shoes. No unnatural flex.
- When trying to lift it up to see how heavy it was, it felt very light. Upon further study, the suspension was set up so that the front of the track took a majority of the weight and would act like a pivot point causing the light feeling. I don't know if it had a longer limiter strap than the Ascender, and I forgot to look at where the suspension was mounted. This was the case with both sleds.
- The spindles are tucked in very close to the front shocks. The distance from the lower a-arm at the spindle to the ground was similar to the nearby Ascender. Meaning that I didn't notice much of an "elevate" type spindle.
- And finally, there was mention of some track modifications being studied with the 858. The 858 was sitting on a 2.6" track, but the engineer said that he liked riding the 3" track better.
AC had the sleds at the Edmonton sled show I can tell you they are light and easy to pull over. By far the easiest to pull over as I did compare to other sleds. They feel right when you stand or sit just a nice sled. I talked with Andy Bevis and he was fantastic answered all the questions and explained everything in detail. I do find it interesting that the 858 has no exhaust I am thinking there is something that they don't want the competition to see. Same reason the weight is not being released, Andy did say their goal was to be the lightest and they are on track to get there. One interesting fact is for these engines to reach full power is 1000 miles or more. They will be offering 4 different gearing packages but one is for the 600 only. So 3 choices for the 858. These sleds are going to work great they have done to many things right for them not too. I know how my Alpha compares to the other 850's, now with 30-40 less lbs and 11 % more power and it will have superior handling this is going to be a fun sled. Andy did also mention that building production Catalysts is starting Monday Oct 16 with the 858 to follow in November sometime for the demo sleds.
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One thing I forgot to mention is the eccentric on the belt drive only moves around 0.050 of an inch, so misalignment is not a concern. Andy also said they have had zero issues with anything to do with the belt drive. The more I listened to Andy the more I liked him he told some good stories he's just a good guy. I was also impressed with AC that he was there and available to talk to everyone. Great job Arctic Cat.
Regardless of brand there are plenty of examples of things with a claimed "zero issues" history that has developed "multiple issues" within a few weeks of first customer sled delivery. Either OEM:s knowingly cheat on testing or they hire the wrong test riders.
But lets all cross some fingers, or hold thumbs, depending on where you're from, for a smashing success. Regardless of what we ride a, brilliant new model will force a response from the other OEM:s making the future better.
haha, yah "zero issues". We Polaris guys know how that goes!
There are ALWAYS issues, but good on the Mfgs that address them right away and fix the "zero issues" - - issues.
Kinda like the "zero lag" some turbo Mfgs talk about . . . that one always cracks my up.
Things that make ya go hummmm. . .
I think this is a sharp looking sled and AC has a pretty good history of reliability. I would definitely want to test ride one, given the opportunity.
There are ALWAYS issues, but good on the Mfgs that address them right away and fix the "zero issues" - - issues.
Kinda like the "zero lag" some turbo Mfgs talk about . . . that one always cracks my up.
Things that make ya go hummmm. . .
I think this is a sharp looking sled and AC has a pretty good history of reliability. I would definitely want to test ride one, given the opportunity.
I don’t know what you guy want they haven’t had any issues. Nobody said it was indestructible and there won’t be any issues they just haven’t had any. Hard to report something that hasn’t happened yet. I know its a machine made by man so something will fail its just a matter of when. I do agree the true test is always the end user. But for now everything is looking pretty good, later this winter demo rides will be available. I will be doing what I can to ride one .
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Come down to the Utah Snowmobile show this Friday and Saturday. Arctic Cat and Buttars Tractor in Tremonton Utah will have an 858 and 600 Catalyst sleds on display. Hurry up winter!!
Maybe I worded that wrong the break in will be the few hours of extra oil and limited rpm / timing. What ever they do now when you first get your sled. The engine just doesn't reach its full potential until 1000 miles or more. We may be talking a few hp here he didn't say . I don't know if it will be anything you can even feel, his point was the engines are designed for long life. Even the current 800 along with the old Suzuki 800 and as far back as when Suzuki were first introduced in the 1976 Cat the Nikasil engines didn't loosen up until the 500 mile mark or more. The 858 has an improved Nikasil coating design built for longevity hence the reason for the longer time line.
This sled seems to perform better than the 600 Catalyst videos I've seen, think it's got the 858 under the hood? Looks like a fun sled
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