Anyone used a panel mounted GPS for a speedo?

This particular one allows a single screen with large speed reading, even in MPH or kilometers.

http://www.furuno.com/nav/gp31.html

I will have a VSS signal going to my ECM, so that will be happy.

I'm trying to decide between mechanical speedo, electronic programmable (for tire size changes, etc.) or a GPS unit like this one.

The GPS unit has some obvious advantages.

Charly

I use a gps for a speedo. Once you get use to the slight lag time, it works great.

You can get any cheapo GPS to accomplish this if that is your only parameters. Just make sure you have NMEA compliant device they all give the same binary jibber jabber that you can grap to an old 486/66 laptop and have a much nicer screen plus plotting abilities.

All NMEA compliant devices can be conneted to remote Ant. , differential becons, PCs, PDAs, if you are geeky enough you can get them to actually navigate on water/desert like an autopilot.

The unit you specified looks like a pretty nice high dollar unit, you may want/need that but my $50 jobber does everthing I need.

http://www.jeepwrangler.info/Tech/interior/interiorwgpsandplotting.jpg

If you go to fat wallet right now and look on their "hot deals" forum search for "310" or "330", CompUSA is having a sale on them for like $125 and Magellan is offereing a $50 rebate, so you can get a 310 or 330 for about $80. Thats a pretty good deal in my book. :D

Is that 1" pvc you're using to hold the laptop up? sweet.

OK...

So electronic programmable speedo cost---$180

The GPS above (as an example) to be used as primary speedo AND have the additional advantage of GPS capabilities (with the obvious ability to go to laptop)...... cost -------$260-280 (with rebate right now).

Perhaps you missed the point.

Originally posted by Charly
OK...

So electronic programmable speedo cost---$180

The GPS above (as an example) to be used as primary speedo AND have the additional advantage of GPS capabilities (with the obvious ability to go to laptop)...... cost -------$260-280 (with rebate right now).

Perhaps you missed the point.

Maybe so, I was just questioning the example unit as an $80 unit will suit the needs you describe. I would not have any problem with using GPS as my primary speedo but keep in mind aquistion time could keep you from getting a reading within the first 10 minutes of your drive. If you add an ant. for the thing that problems should be pretty much solved. I have no experience with the straight up GPS speedos as I am like you for half th price a can get a real GPS that does everything.


Originally posted by Mo
Is that 1" pvc you're using to hold the laptop up? sweet.

Yup, 1" PVC and 2" wide velcro. It is alot more stable then I though it would be.

Someday I plan to build a microATX system inside an ammo can using water for cooling so I can seal the case up entirely and just have a 5 or 6" LCD on the dash as that whole apperatus can be a PITA sometimes and leaving the rig at the gas pump makes me skiddish with that setup sitting there.

Originally posted by JEEP_TJ_FREAK


Someday I plan to build a microATX system inside an ammo can using water for cooling so I can seal the case up entirely and just have a 5 or 6" LCD on the dash as that whole apperatus can be a PITA sometimes and leaving the rig at the gas pump makes me skiddish with that setup sitting there.

Near impossible to "seal" up a box. Just have the cable enter the bottom, and vents at the bottom. Cover the board with silicone conformal coating and you'll be set. Not really that much heat generated is you keep the processor speed down.

For a 'el cheapo computer I used the I-Opener by Netpliance. New bios, added a 2.5" harddrive loaded with the maps... Works fine. It since has been taken hostage by my son for web surfing. :D

Tom :usa: