
Safety Considerations
Please read all instructions before using Cyclops smart sensors to measure loads. Always perform a safety evaluation before use to ensure that use of the sensor is not dangerous to nearby people or property.
Overload
The Maximum Working Load (MWL) of a smartlink must not be exceeded, as this may cause damage to the internal instrumentation and will invalidate the warranty.
SHOCK LOADING (i.e. strop failure) OR OVERLOADING TO 150% OF MWL WILL RESULT IN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WILL REQUIRE RECALIBRATION.
Calibration
If a smart sensor has been under load for a significant length of time, the sensor may take 1-2 minutes to return to zero when the load is removed. This is to be expected.
What batteries are suitable, how long do they last and how to change them?
1x CR2032 coin cell battery, with a life of approximately 200 hours.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY COVER SEAL WILL RESULT IN WATER INGRESS & PERMANENT DAMAGE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Cyclops recommends Renata batteries for maximum battery life and performance.
The sensor will show 0.00 as the load (even when under load) when the batteries need to be replaced.
Cyclops recommends removal of the battery from the device and storage of the sensor in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight during extended periods of time where it is not expected to be used.
Please dispose of used batteries responsibly.
Removing battery & cover
Use a coin that fills the battery cover slot and twist the coin until the battery cover pops out and comes completely free. If necessary, free the battery with a gentle tap to the opposite face of the sensor.
Replace the CR2032 battery with equivalent. Do not use non-standard batteries or other sizes, as this can cause damage.
Replacing battery & cover
To reinstall the battery & cover, install battery +ve side up, insert cover, line up the arrow on the cover with the diagonal dash on the housing. Press firmly so the cover is flush with the housing. Use a coin to twist the cover until the arrows in the cover are aligned, and the battery cover is flush with the housing.
How do I turn the sensor on/off?
There is a smartpower button on one side.
Press button: | Light flashes | Powered on for: |
1 time | Once | 30 seconds |
2 times | Twice | 20 minutes |
3 times | 3 times | 2 hours |
4 times | 4 times | 8 hours |
5 times | 5 times | Continuously |
If the sensor is on, press the button once to power it down after 30 seconds.
How do I load smartlink with strops?
smartlink is designed to be loaded inline with soft lines/rope/strops, for the most accurate load measurement. If smartlink is loaded in a bridle configuration the displayed load will be inaccurate.
Use of metal shackles/pins directly on smartlink is not advised as it may mark the titanium body and could cause permanent damage.
Strops
The strops used for final calibration are built using wound Dyneema cored basket loops, to the below finished diameter. Cyclops Marine recommends using strops built to this diameter to achieve the stated ±1% of maximum working load (MWL) accuracy.
Contact us for pricing and availability of strops (coming soon to online store).
Model | Nano | 2t | 5t | 10t | 20t |
Finished Diameter (mm) | 4.0 | 9.0 | 10.7 | 12.4 | 15.0 |
Is the sensor waterproof?
The sensors are IP67 rated, which means they are completely dust proof, and will not have any water ingress while submerged at 0.5m depth for 30 minutes.

Safety Considerations
Please read all instructions before using Cyclops smart sensors to measure loads. Always perform a safety evaluation before use to ensure that use of the sensor is not dangerous to nearby people or property.
Overload
SHOCK LOADING (i.e. fittings failure) OR OVERLOADING TO 150% OF MWL WILL RESULT IN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR THAT WILL REQUIRE RECALIBRATION.
Calibration
If a smart sensor has been under load for a significant length of time, the sensor may take 1-2 minutes to return to zero when the load is removed. This is to be expected.
Operation of Sensor
Please note that smarttune is designed to work in tension only, with the load applied by studs threaded into the turnscrew.
Any loads applied to the plastic body (e.g. squeezing due to sails furled tightly around the sensor), may result in unexpected or incorrect reported loads, including negative loads. This is to be expected, and provided the sails do not cause physical damage to the plastic body, the sensor will continue to report the loads correctly when the squeezing is removed (i.e. when the sail is unfurled).
What size smarttune sensor is right for my boat?
The easiest way to figure this out is to measure the male threaded stud that is screwed into your current turnscrew. The different sizes correspond to the thread sizes:
Imperial Thread | Metric Thread |
---|---|
1/4″ | 6.4mm |
5/16″ | 7.9mm |
7/16” | 11.1mm |
1/2″ | 12.5mm |
5/8″ | 15.9mm |
3/4″ | 19.1mm |
7/8″ | 22.2mm |
Measuring the thread diameter is best achieved using verniers, as shown below.
Can I install the smarttune sensor myself?
Absolutely. The whole process takes approximately an hour and requires a few tools, which you may already have onboard. Please download the guide above for instructions.
What batteries are suitable, how long do they last and how to change them?
(All sizes excluding 5/16) 2x AAA batteries, with a battery life of 4 months. The use of lithium AAA batteries will likely double the battery life (not supplied).
Removing battery & cover (5/16”only)
Use a coin that fills the battery cover slot and twist until the cover pops out and comes completely free. If necessary, free the battery with a gentle tap to the opposite face of the sensor.
Replace the CR2032 battery with equivalent. Do not use non-standard batteries or other sizes, as this can cause damage.
Cyclops recommends Renata CR2032 batteries for maximum battery life and performance.
Replacing battery & cover
To reinstall the battery & cover, install battery +ve side up, insert cover, line up the arrow on the cover with the diagonal dash on the housing. Press firmly so the cover is flush with the housing. Use a coin to twist the cover until the arrows in the cover are aligned, and the battery cover is flush with the housing.
7/16” and above
Carefully remove each of the battery covers on the side of the sensor by unscrewing 2x Phillips head screws with a small Phillips screwdriver.
Lift off the plastic battery cover and place down without disturbing the seal on the body.
Check the ‘O’ ring seal (shown in blue) is seated properly and re-lubricate if dry.
Remove the old batteries and replace with 2x new AAA.
Replace the plastic battery cover and carefully locate the 2 screws, tightening until the battery cover and screws are flush. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE SCREWS.
How do I turn the sensor on/off?
5/16”
There is a smartpower button on one side.
Press button: | Light flashes | Powered on for: |
1 time | Once | 30 seconds |
2 times | Twice | 20 minutes |
3 times | 3 times | 2 hours |
4 times | 4 times | 8 hours |
5 times | 5 times | Continuously |
If the sensor is on, press the button once to power it down after 30 seconds.
7/16″ and above
The sensor is powered on as soon as there are batteries installed. Due to the 4 month battery life, there is no need for a power button.
Does smarttune work with headsail furlers?
At this stage our smarttune sensors are unable to be used with structural furlers, because there is no turnscrew that can be easily replaced with our sensor. If you are unsure, speak to your rigger or please send us a photo of your forestay set up and we will be able to give you a more definitive answer.
Is the sensor waterproof?
The sensors are IP67 rated, which means they are completely dust proof, and will not have any water ingress while submerged at 0.5m depth for 30 minutes.
App & Gateway
What Is The Wireless Connection And Range Between The Sensor And The Gateway/App?
The sensor broadcasts the load data with a theoretical range of no more than 100m unobstructed, but this is unlikely due to the plastic and metal components of the sensors. If there is any boat/mast/sails/people between the sensor and gateway or smartphone (if using the app), this will be reduced. In reality a range of 10m line of sight is possible.
You can program the gateway to listen for your specific sensor by connecting to the WiFi network printed on the top of the gateway. Please contact us for instructions.
We recommend that the gateway is installed below decks as close to the sensor as possible. For example, for a smarttune sensor installed on the forestay, the ideal location is on the forward face of forward bulkhead.
We recommend the addition of a Dome Antenna if you are planning to install your Gateway more than 8m from load sensor(s), or if your boat’s hull construction is primarily carbon fibre (as carbon fibre is a very effective blocker of wireless signals).
Will I Ever Need To Pair The Sensor And Gateway/App? Can I Add Sensors To My Existing Gateway?
Yes, you will need to program the gateway or smartphone app to listen for the sensor (if this hasn’t been done already). The sensor is designed to broadcast like an FM radio, and the gateway/app will listen to the sensor(s) that have been added using the 12 character data key supplied with the sensor. Once programmed there is no active pairing required, like a cell phone and wireless headphones.
Will The Sensor And Gateway Work With My Marine Electronics?
We are working hard all the time to make our products compatible with as many systems as possible.
We Have Proven Compatibility With:
B&G | Sailmon | Garmin | nke | Yacht Devices |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chartplotters & Displays:Vulcan, Zeus³, Triton², Nemesis | Displays: Element 7, 10, Ink | Chartplotters & Displays: GPSMAP chart plotters, GMI20, GNX120, GNX130 | Displays: Multigraphic | Data logger: Voyage Recorder YDVR-04 |
Processors:H5000 and associated displays | Processors: E4 |
If your marine electronics are not listed, please contact us and we may be able to provide a solution. We are unable to guarantee compatibility with all instruments, especially because systems of this age may be made up of components from multiple suppliers.
Is The Gateway Waterproof?
The gateway housing and cable are IP54 rated, meaning they have limited protection against dust ingress, are protected against splash water from any direction, but not immersion – please do not submerge it! It is recommended that the gateway is installed below decks.
Where Do I Connect The Gateway?
The gateway and supplied NMEA2000 cable + T-Joiner will need to be added to the instrument backbone, which looks like this:
This can often be found behind the nav station, or around the mast base. If necessary, to position the gateway as close to the sensors as possible, it may be necessary to add a NMEA2000 extension cable (not supplied).
If you have any other questions, please contact us.