GPS survey
 

I will be purchasing a dash mounted GPS this spring and want feedback on the popular brands and why you like a particular brand. If you check "other", please list what other brand and reasons why you own that brand.

Re: GPS survey
 

You may want to be more specific. Some handhelds are better than others and some color units offer more value than others. Dash mounts, portable etc. What are your needs?

Re: GPS survey
 

are you asking just for the speedo or an actual gps nav unit?

i have the livorsi analog speedo, one in the dash, one in center console for the back seat passengers... then a garmin 182c for speed recall and navigation

Re: GPS survey
 

Eagle GPS
I didn't need a color display or a chart unit. This is small enough to mount into the dash panel, has good detail, mapping, speed, way points, tracking etc.Good visibility in sun light. Easy to operate. Entire USA in memory.
At "end of year" sale at West Marine I bought two ( one for each boat) for $100.00 each. A very good deal.

Re: GPS survey
 

I'm looking for just a speedo with a recall, but I can't decide between the digital display or the analog with the needle.

Re: GPS survey
 

I just want to drop in a replacement GPS speedo in place of the current speedo. Here's a picture of the dash...

Re: GPS survey
 

Just the speedo...I need to change my vote from "other" to Livorsi Analog.

Re: GPS survey
 

I forgot "Pro Comp" on the poll... Anyone running this brand? Also, what are some of the others you guys are voting for? It doesn't help much when you won't list what others.

What do you guys like about the brand that you own? Accuracy? Easy to read? Quality? Looks? etc....????

This is the "Technical" section, let's get technical... :D

Re: GPS survey
 

First of all, you messed us up with your original post asking for a GPS instead of a GPS Speedometer. Big difference.

I have not seen a digital GPS Speedometer on any boats I've surveyed, but I have seen the Gaffrig and Livorsi Analog units and the owners seem to like them and I found them easy to read on the sea trial. Have yet to see the Nordskog unit.

Re: GPS survey
 

I noticed the Garmin wasn't on your poll. I've got one and I love it.

Re: GPS survey
 

Sorry about the confusion Cozzi, I wasn't thinking clearly... :D

Hopefully, I cleared the air on what I'm after. It looks like a pretty tight race thus far...

Thanks

Re: GPS survey
 

I'm familiar with Garmin as a hand held unit, since I have one, but I've never seen a round dash mounted one...

Re: GPS survey
 

I don't think Garmin makes a round one, but I'll check at the Miami Boat Show at their booth.

Re: GPS survey
 

I didn't think so either, on the round Garmin...

The brands that I listed in the poll are the most populars, so I don't think I can go wrong if I were to choose any of them. I'm just trying to decide if I'd like the digital read or analog? I see the digital as being right on, easy to read, no questions asked. On the other hand, I like the look of a classic needle speedo, but I think it would be tougher to read at a glance when bouncing around and trying to focus on driving... :D

Re: GPS survey
 

Here is a picture of a similar dash with a Livorsi analog speedo. You can't tell the difference. :)

I don't have any problem reading the analog in my 28. The bracket in the top left is for my handheld GPS that I have feeding my analog GPS in the dash.

Re: GPS survey
 

why do you need to look at the speed so much? just get a recall and it will tell you exactly how fast you went... the rest of the time i just need to be "close" to the range i want to drive in... use analog for driving needs and get a recall so when you pull up to the dock you can check out how fast you went.... and get an analog that is in your speed range, i see guys getting 160 speedos for boats that do 80, all that does is make it harder to read the lower speeds, get one that is 10-20 faster than you are running now...+

Re: GPS survey
 

That's funny... I don't need to always look at my speed and I do understand the purpose of a recall. I just like to see how fast I'm going at certain rpm's and weather or not the boat needs a little trim to get the most out of a certain rpm, mainly mid-range. My boat is capable of mid 90's, so I would more than likely get a 100 or 110 mph speedo if I go analog. I guess we all have different interests?

Re: GPS survey
 

remeber with gps that it is always a little slow, so you have to trim and wait a little and see the results if you are going strictly by speed.... i use the rpm's when i am trying to trim for max speed and then start looking at the speed once i feel i have it the wall.....

Re: GPS survey
 

The hand held gps that feeds your analog gps in the dash, how does that work? Does the hand held run on batteries? Why do you do it that way?

Your GPS speedo matches the other guages well. What brand is it and where did you get it? Price? Lots of questions, I know :D but that's how I gather knowledge.

I need the receiver and the whole works.

Re: GPS survey
 

Does anyone make an analog gauge with a digital max speed inset in the face of the analog guage?

Re: GPS survey
 

The handheld is a Garmin. I had one before I bought this boat. It can run on the batteries or the 12V cord connected under the dash. Garmin makes a cable for most of their handhelds for connection to 12 V and data leads for PCs and other devices that can read GPS data. Figured I would save a few bucks by not buying the GPS receiver since most GPSs have data outputs and I was looking for a project.

I like the handheld so I can take it with me to check speedos in other boats. :D The data cable on the handheld can be connected to a PC so that you can download software updates on the net and then transfer them to the handheld. I also updated my GPS to another model and I was able to save my waypoints on my PC and transfer them to the new GPS. If anything happens to my waypoints, I keep a backup on my PC. I'm sure this all can be done on dash mounted units.

The speedo is a 120 by Livorsi (Gaffrig). All my gauges are Livorsi. When I ordered my gauges to rig the boat, is was cheaper to buy the GPS than it was to buy a liquid speedo and a good pilot tube, plus I run in log infested rivers most of the time and the tubes tend to bend or break.

If you plan on using a GPS like I did, make sure the GPS does not have a maximum speed that is too low and that the output is compatible with your speedo. Garmin did make a change in the data output by inserting preceding "0"s in the speed field and I had to update the firmware in my speedo for $75. I had to do all the troubleshooting with a data analyzer to figure this out. Livorsi was very supportive about the update after I told them what my problem was.

I would recommend buying the kit unless you like electronic projects.

Re: GPS survey
 

The digital is nice it reads from 0 to 200mph in 1/10 increments. It is a lot easier to read a 1 inch number than a little needle if you are running over a hundred. The Gaffrig memory eraces if you turn the key off after a test. Buy the kit and keep the dash clean.