What is a good GPS to use as a Speedometer?

[James86004]

Now that I have spent as much on my speedometer as a nice GPS would cost, only to have the cable break again, I am thinking I just need to buy and permanently mount a GPS to use as a speedometer/odometer. Our Garmin etrex Venture may be pressed into service for this, but I was wondering if there was something better. It would be nice if the backlight turned on and off with the instrument panel lights. It would be nice if it turned itself on every time I started the Rover. Or, should I just wire it so the GPS and its backlight are always on?

James

 

[BlackX]

For everyday driving I use the Garmin Nuvi (1690 I think) and I really like it. I'm sure you can hard wire it and it will turn on automatically because when I just plug it in it turns on by itself. On the display it even has a cool feature that posts the speed limit too. Has bluetooth too. I bought a refurbished model through newegg.com for $200. I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[James86004]

Ah, that looks like exactly what I need, the cheapest Nuvi:

Thanks.

 

[LilKJ]

That's what I use on my Willys... works great.

(not much need for a speedo though on a vehicle that tops out at 40mph) :smiley_drive:

 

[James86004]

That's what I use on my Willys... works great.

(not much need for a speedo though on a vehicle that tops out at 40mph) :smiley_drive:

I don't really need it out on the freeway - most vehicles are passing me anyway. Where I do need it is in town, because some of Tucson's speed limits are a lot slower than you would think they should be, and if I don't have any traffic to help me judge, I'll be seeing a judge.

 

[alosix]

That's about how we drive the M725 around that still needs me to finish the dash.

The current transfer case has no provision for a speedo sensor.

So, we use a Nuvi for the speed and nav.

And use a Edge unit that can read the CAN bus of the hemi for the rest of the dash (RPM, temp, etc)...

Jason

 

[ntsqd]

We used a bicycle cyclometer in CSU, Chico's HEV project. Pretty common to see them used this way on such projects.