iS: Part of iControl, the suspension system combines metal springs, gas pistons, and electronic adjustments to ensure a smooth ride over mild chop.
iBR: Part of iControl, this electronic-controlled braking system is triggered by a handlebar trigger, much like on a bike. The engine RPM is reduced, a reverse gate drops, and the RPM is accelerated to give reverse thrust. This reduces the stop distance of the PWC dramatically, and requires nothing more than squeezing the trigger.
Please contribute to the poll, if you're so inclined. Here's what I think.
- This system is far to expensive and complicated to put into a craft whose only purpose is a mild form of thrill-seeking. To dampen the effects of turbulence and pay for it is to betray the experience. If people want sophistication on a watercraft, then they should buy a boat. The experience changes dramatically when your legs aren't drenched.
- The brake is not a safety feature at all. Drivers of any watercraft have a duty to not hit things. More and more, we are seeing incompetent drivers being involved in accidents that could have been prevented if they had avoided alcohol and drove responsibly. Adding a brake is not going to correct either of those problems. If anything, it will allow the driver to become complacent, forgetting how PWCs really operate.
- These electronic systems often fix problems that we don't have. Someone thought that the iControl system was a good idea, or at least that it would sell. The fact that Sea Doo calls this the next step is only indicative of the company's desire to innovate instead of producing high quality products. Is new really better than good? Let's be honest with ourselves. We've all had a ::facepalm:: moment when we discover something about the design of our Doo. Most of the problems I've seen on mine have been around for a couple years, have a history of customers and even dealers complaining, and can be fixed with minimal company effort. Like our own great society, BRP should be fixing problems that exist before they move on to creating new variables.*
