Let your fingers do the walking

[technostingray]

This is a non boating topic that I wish to apply to boating. If I am in the wrong pew again I am sure I will be shuffled off immediately. The question is in regard to adding a GPS to a boat in place of a speedometer. I would really appreciate some information on the cost and availabity of a unit that would be suitable for this application. ABBRACADABRA, please and thank you.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

You can get a handheld gps from Garmin or others that will handle the job for not much over a C-note. Chief

 

[QC]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

You can get GPS speedos that even look like a speedo. Depends on what you want to do. Remember, GPS is speed over the bottom, not the water . . .

 

[JB]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Adding a GPS to replace a speedometer is sort of like adding a 500MHz laptop to replace a calculator, TS.<br /><br />Any of the small handhelds will give you accurate speed over the surface of the Earth. You might even find an "obsolete" unit on ebay for a song.<br /><br />I liked the small Garmins with the optional console mount and power cord. No worries about dropping it or the batteries running down, yet it is still a pocket unit for hiking, etc.<br /><br />I did that with a Garmin 38 and a 12MAP before I went to more sophisticated units.<br /><br />Keep in mind that GPSs do the same thing to your "wants" that computers and boats do. . . .you will soon want bigger, faster, better. Think about getting bigger, faster, better the first time.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Hey, thanks a lot for the insight. You talked me out of it.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

They can do a lot more than just give SOG.<br /><br />If the choice is a new speedo or a new GPS...........well, you know what I would choose.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[technostingray]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Originally posted by Quietcat:<br /> You can get GPS speedos that even look like a speedo. Depends on what you want to do. Remember, GPS is speed over the bottom, not the water . . .

whooooooosh, that went right over my head. Over the Bottom? Is that bottom of the boat or bottom of the lake, stream, ocean....? I don't think my needs are that critical. See: Thank you Gary oss36 Non Outboard topics or something like that. I got sent here when I posted there. I think. Check recent posts. Dahnke.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Well you could be heading up a 4 knot current and a conventional speedometer would show your speed error'd +4knots or down a 4 knot current and it would show - 4 knots compared to what a GPS sees - and that is speed over the surface of the earth... (Speed over Ground) Not to confuse matters, but then there "Course Made Good". (CMG) That is speed to your destination which will be slower than SOG if you have a cross current causing you to travel in a big arc to your desstination...

 

[Realgun]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

GPS is speed over the bottom, not the water

So if the boat hits the log at 30 mph over the bottom does it still hurt as much as 28 knots on water?

 

[technostingray]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Hello REEEEEAL GUUUUUN. You never did tell me if you had seen the - "You might Live in New Mexico if" thing.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Let your fingers do the walking

Originally posted by Paul032562:<br /> Well you could be heading up a 4 knot current and a conventional speedometer would show your speed error'd +4knots or down a 4 knot current and it would show - 4 knots compared to what a GPS sees - and that is speed over the surface of the earth... (Speed over Ground) Not to confuse matters, but then there "Course Made Good". (CMG) That is speed to your destination which will be slower than SOG if you have a cross current causing you to travel in a big arc to your desstination...

Hey thanks for the explantion. As I said before I don't think my needs are that critical. We are using, or want to use, the boat for recreation. The "hired hand" as already purchased a set of skies but it looks like a new prop will be nessecary for any skiing. I have a new thread that discusses that over on Outboard non engine topics. Please drop by and help if you can. Thanks for your comments and you have a real nice day.