GPS Speedo?

Get2TheRiver · Posted: Apr 08, 2003 5:57 am Post subject: GPS Speedo?

I recentlty purchased a 2001 X-Star. It's got 2 speedos. I've had the boat out 3 times with a handheld GPS and those speedos don't work worth a crap.

I've blown out the lines and calibrated up the ying yang. Makes me wonder...Why don't these boats come standard with a single GPS speedo? Do the 2003's? Are there aftermarket GPS speedos that would look good on my dash?

The boat's at the dealer for some warranty stuff so they're having a look at it. We'll see if my 2 speedos ever give me accurate readings!!!

Very Happy

Don't misunderstand me...The boat is fricken awesome. If this is my only problem, life is good... Very Happy

C-Stone · Posted: Apr 08, 2003 8:29 am Post subject:

Put a navigator in on of those speedo holes, and a wakeboard cruise in the rpm hole.

Leggester · Posted: Apr 08, 2003 8:36 am Post subject:

GPSP units do not take current into account.

steveaz · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 73 City: Phoenix, AZ

Leggster is right, if you're testing on the river (as your nickname would imply) you'll get varying results depending on whether you're traveling upstream or downstream.

The pitot will also be incorrect to some degree. Best would be to just go by Perfect Pass (MPH mode, not RPM) as this will remain the most consistant and what's most important is that you maintain the same rate of water flow under your board that is comfortable for you, not what the speedo says.

ORIG. FRG · Posted: Apr 11, 2003 10:29 am Post subject:

GPS isn't very accurate, Try a solom course and a stop watch to get them right on

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Most GPS receivers are actually extremely accurate with respect to speed, it's pretty good about location too. However, if the military wants they can mess it up, which they may because of the war. As noted above, currents can be a problem since it shows your speed relative to ground, not moving water.

When the military isn't messing it up, the error is about .1-.5 MPH depending on what unit you have. I brought one on a plane once, it was pretty cool, 450 MPH and 32,000 feet. Its arrival time matched exactly what the captain said, which isn't surprizing since that's what he probably used too.

A ski course is 259M, at 30 MPH it should take 19.31222 seconds. You will be off by .5 MPH if the course distance is off 14 ft or if you time it off by a third of a second, or any combination of the two.

Nick
________
Think Mill

Fishmaster · Posted: Apr 12, 2003 9:30 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem but more with the twin speedo never reading the same at a wide range of speeds. I velcro the below on the side of the dash as a reference and it help out as a cheap & fast fix. It was like $85 on eBay. We are on a lake so the current is not a factor in our case.

Bill

davidgree1 · Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 29

I use a GPS also. You never have to worry about the speedos clogging. $100. I am also on a lake so current isn't aproblem. I don't know why they bother with speedo/pitot/venturi's unless ou are on a river.

TMoney739 · Criminal Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Posts: 63 City: minneapolis

Just get Perfect PAss and you will never have an probs!. Best investment ever!