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GPS for Speed Measurement

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by 410SA, Jun 3, 2006.

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  1. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
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    #1 410SA, Jun 3, 2006
    I need a recommendation for a GPS unit that will allow me to measure my speed and compare it against Speedo readings.

    I can't find that feature listed in any of the advertising materials for GPS units I have searched for online. There have been several posts at FChat referring to GPS speed measurement, but no-one has specified a brand and model of GPS receiver used.
     
  2. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
    3,637
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    Gary B.
    #2 Gary(SF), Jun 3, 2006
    All GPS-based portable nav systems have speed capability. I have a Garmin, but there are many other options. It's nice to be able to move it from car to car, and use it in rental cars and even in Europe.

    Gary
     
  3. vteqe

    vteqe Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2005
    664
    long Island, NY
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    Sandy
    #3 vteqe, Jun 3, 2006
    All marine grade GPS units will do speed. My Lotus 7 never had a working speedometer and I use my GPS for mph. The GPS will need a destination in Lat/Log entered for the comparison of where you are to the destination to yield the speed. The antenna must also see the sky.
     
  4. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
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    Gary B.
    #4 Gary(SF), Jun 3, 2006
    No modern GPS needs lat/long info to give speed data, in fact lat/long is a thing of the past entirely. As long as you are in map mode with a good satellite signal you will have speed info.

    Gary
     
  5. Javelin276

    Javelin276 Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2005
    512
    Idaho
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    Thor Zollinger
    #5 Javelin276, Jun 5, 2006
    Checking your speedo against a GPS is a GOOD idea. My Mondial's speedometer was WAY off (about 16% low) and explained why I got the ticket I did last year.

    Thor
    www.JavelinArt.com
     
  6. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
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    Gary B.
    #6 Gary(SF), Jun 5, 2006
    I'm guessing here...do you have aftermarket wheels/tires with larger rolling radius?

    Gary
     
  7. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
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    Greg Calo
    #7 GCalo, Jun 5, 2006
  8. tjacoby

    tjacoby F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    tj
    #8 tjacoby, Jun 5, 2006
    Agreed - I just got the Gamin Nuvi 350 and it works great. The specs claim velocity accuracy within +/- 0.05m/s which I think is about +/- 0.1m/h. my 348 speedo's only low by a percent or two - I was hoping it was much more than that :(

    It can record average moving speed, average overall speed, maximum speed, and total distance covered for a trip.
     
  9. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
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    #9 410SA, Jun 6, 2006
    I was in the market for a GPS unit that also had European maps available and I thought it would be a good idea if I could also check the accuracy of my speedos.

    I bought the Tomtom Go 910 which has all of N. America and Europe already preloaded on its hard drive. The unit is portable and very easy to use and has a MPH readout on the Satellite status page.

    All in all, a terrific unit for what I needed, which was the maps. Having the MPH readout right on the screen is a real bonus.

    These portable units are really good and for less than $800 for this top of the line unit, it outperforms all of my factory suppplied GPS units in various cars I own.

    For my Ferraris, there is no point in ordering the factory option unit, as it really is awful, with an arrow and voice system that is really inferior to a great full color 3-D display.
     
  10. Julio Batista

    Julio Batista Formula 3

    Dec 22, 2005
    2,397
    #10 Julio Batista, Jun 6, 2006
    Gcalo,

    That tire measure site is wonderful!

    Julio
     
  11. Javelin276

    Javelin276 Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2005
    512
    Idaho
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    Thor Zollinger
    #11 Javelin276, Jun 6, 2006
    Nope, they were the original metric rims and tires, exactly as specified in the owners manual. The speedometer is off.
    When I upgraded to new tires and wheels I was careful to calculate the outer diameter to make sure I didn't mess up the speedometer, but now that I know how far off it is I could have changed the tires to correct the error. Too late now.

    Thor
    www.JavelinArt.com
     
  12. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
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    Gary B.
    #12 Gary(SF), Jun 7, 2006
    Interesting. I wonder if the factory got the wrong gear in the speedo drive.

    Gary
     
  13. stephenofkanza

    stephenofkanza Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2005
    542
    Kansas
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    Stephen LeRoy Sherma
    #13 stephenofkanza, Jun 7, 2006
    If you have a laptop, Microsoft's Streets and Trips with GPS module from Tigerdiect.com will run you about $110 with shipping. The latest steets and trip has voice directions when your using it as a guide.

    stephen

    ps your laptop will have to have a usb port.
     
  14. kaamacat

    kaamacat Formula 3

    Jun 13, 2004
    1,623
    Cumming GA
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    BobR
    #14 kaamacat, Jun 7, 2006
    Garmin StreetPilot i3 or i5. (has what you are looking for, super small, very detailed, very good voice clarity)
     
  15. THE BEAST 360

    THE BEAST 360 Formula Junior

    Jul 17, 2005
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    Maryland
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    Nathan K
    #15 THE BEAST 360, Jun 7, 2006
    Cool site GCalo, thanks for the info!
    N
     

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