who sells speedometers for boats
11-02-2006, 02:51 PM
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who sells speedometers for boats
hello guys
i recently saw a gauge that is connected to a water pickup that tells aproximate speed of the boat .does anyone know who sells them .i know that an electronic item is suitable too but is this unit water tight.
i recently saw a gauge that is connected to a water pickup that tells aproximate speed of the boat .does anyone know who sells them .i know that an electronic item is suitable too but is this unit water tight.
11-02-2006, 02:59 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Many of the GPS units are water proof. The other methods are not very reliable. You can also remove and use the GPS in other boats (wich you can't do with the other unit).
11-02-2006, 06:28 PM
#4
RE: who sells speedometers for boats
I have used a water pressure unit - very inaccurate. It will only indicate faster and slower but actual speeds are so far off that it is hardly worth the effort. Get a GPS and no second guessing. Plus you can always use the GPS for other activities.
11-02-2006, 06:31 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
The water pickup method is used in many full scale boats. Fishing boats, runabouts, small cruisers. Jetski's use a small wheel that is spun by water for speed, very inaccurate. More pricey boats use GPS, a luxury and a must if you want accurate speeds. So reverting back to old technology is not really a good thing. GPS all the way!
11-02-2006, 09:16 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Let me know if the photo above doesn't load..
That's the speedo in my real boat... Why? Because Boat Speedo's aren't worth squat unless they are GPS.... Period!
11-02-2006, 09:40 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
To answer your question ADS sells speedometers I have used one for tuning not sure how accurate, I never got a bunch of different readings all the time, so I dont think they are junk like everybody else here, but I have a GPS now so I cant wait to compare them so I will know
11-02-2006, 09:49 PM
#8
RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Another place that makes SENSORS is Eagle Tree Systems in Bellevue WA. They have sensors that can give speed(via a pitot tube system), engine RPM, engine temp, throttle position and several other things as well.They even have a com-link to a transmitter mounted display that lets you see what's happening only miliseconds after it happens
11-02-2006, 10:21 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Brett, nice setup. May have to do similar in our boat...really looking for a handlebar mount for waverunners.
I just don't like the water system because waves and such can make pressure changs and affect the speed.
I just don't like the water system because waves and such can make pressure changs and affect the speed.
11-02-2006, 10:51 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
The best method of speed detection would be a radar gun..... as staed in previous posts, water pressure speedos and paddlewheel speedos are inaccurate at best. GPS units are accurate, but not as accurate as you may think. In order for the GPS to get an accurate speed readout, it must travel for some distance.... most GPS's are accurate to 15' (last I heard), and every time you turn, the speed that you are reading off a GPS is actually velocity, not speed..... you could be running at 50MPH in a turn, but the GPS will show far less because you are changing course. That being said, if the GPS is fluctuating a bit during your short 75 yard run, the margin of error is greater than if you were to travel a mile with it. If you have several boats and are serious about the hobby, I would reccomend investing in a radar gun. If you are part of a club where you are at, you could split the cost with other club members.
11-02-2006, 11:06 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
My GPS is 12 Channel WAAS, when it locks on in 3D GPS it's accurate to 3' so I can't vouch for other less advanced units..
One way GPS on a boat is a bit innacurate is that it gives you "land speed" and "water speed" can vary due to currents which are not factored in..
But we're talking maybe 3-5MPH Max currents vs pitot speedos which are usually 7 to 10MPH off and don't even register at 10MPH or less.
One way GPS on a boat is a bit innacurate is that it gives you "land speed" and "water speed" can vary due to currents which are not factored in..
But we're talking maybe 3-5MPH Max currents vs pitot speedos which are usually 7 to 10MPH off and don't even register at 10MPH or less.
11-02-2006, 11:35 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Wow....down to 3 feet? that's pretty accurate. Most of the ones , even the newer ones, that are on the boats I work on show you to be in the middle of a street when you are in the middle of the canal. They also take about 10 seconds to give accurate speed readings after comming out of a turn.
11-03-2006, 07:27 AM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
plus we are not talking about a 1000 dollar GPS mine cost 160 dollars new and I am sure that everyone else is talking about the cheaper units also so in my 2 cents the speedo I have is just as good the only true way to measure speed is with photo eyes at start and end just like drag racing anyway who would put a 1000 dollar gps in a rc boat
11-03-2006, 08:35 AM
#14
RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Have to question some of the logic going on here guys. 3mph currents, consistant readings from water pickup speedometers meaning accurate ? Not sure where I have last run an RC boat with 5mph currents 
GPS is very accurate for speed reading among other functions. A GPS can be easly moved from boat to boat.
Checking boat speeds with a radar may be accurate also but for true readings you need to be running toward the radar unit at full throttle in reasonably close range (not a good feeling when your holding the gun!!). GPS will record your top speed no matter where on the lake you are.
Radar guns (for something decent) are near $1000 where a decent GPS will set you back less than $100. Say what you like about water speedos and Radar but I think GPS is clearly a smart choice. (Might be why most who care about accuracy use it )
GPS is very accurate for speed reading among other functions. A GPS can be easly moved from boat to boat.
Checking boat speeds with a radar may be accurate also but for true readings you need to be running toward the radar unit at full throttle in reasonably close range (not a good feeling when your holding the gun!!). GPS will record your top speed no matter where on the lake you are.
Radar guns (for something decent) are near $1000 where a decent GPS will set you back less than $100. Say what you like about water speedos and Radar but I think GPS is clearly a smart choice. (Might be why most who care about accuracy use it
)
11-03-2006, 01:46 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
www.adsspeedometers.com
accurate within 1mph
works off a water pick up
I got one a year ago works fine every time ..
accurate within 1mph
works off a water pick up
I got one a year ago works fine every time ..
11-03-2006, 09:09 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
ORIGINAL: gasfreak
plus we are not talking about a 1000 dollar GPS mine cost 160 dollars new and I am sure that everyone else is talking about the cheaper units also so in my 2 cents the speedo I have is just as good the only true way to measure speed is with photo eyes at start and end just like drag racing anyway who would put a 1000 dollar gps in a rc boat
plus we are not talking about a 1000 dollar GPS mine cost 160 dollars new and I am sure that everyone else is talking about the cheaper units also so in my 2 cents the speedo I have is just as good the only true way to measure speed is with photo eyes at start and end just like drag racing anyway who would put a 1000 dollar gps in a rc boat
I am just saying that generally speaking pressure driven, pitot speedos are known to be horrendously and woefully innacurate! I could put my GPS in an RC boat though.. if the boat sank it'd be fine.. Fully waterproof IPX8 Standards
11-03-2006, 09:46 PM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Radar guns (for something decent) are near $1000 where a decent GPS will set you back less than $100. Say what you like about water speedos and Radar but I think GPS is clearly a smart choice. (Might be why most who care about accuracy use it )
http://www.opticsplanet.net/busspeedrads.html not bad for over a quarter mile range
http://www.opticsplanet.net/busspeedrads.html not bad for over a quarter mile range
11-03-2006, 11:57 PM
#19
RE: who sells speedometers for boats
Not bad over a 1/4 mile range for what kind of target 
RC boat ?? Every time I have seen someone (including police) clocking an RC boat it is done driving towards the radar. Still happy with my $65 water proof GPS (supported by a few $Billion in satalite technology). GPS - Accurate from 0mph to as fast as I have been able to move it 
RC boat ?? Every time I have seen someone (including police) clocking an RC boat it is done driving towards the radar. Still happy with my $65 water proof GPS (supported by a few $Billion in satalite technology). GPS - Accurate from 0mph to as fast as I have been able to move it
11-04-2006, 09:55 AM
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RE: who sells speedometers for boats
I've had my GPS in a flying wing before and clocked it at 172km/h (107.5mph) Not too sure what it would max out at, but I bet it would be way up there in 4 digits. Some of us still may need more.
Ryan
Ryan