Quote:
Originally Posted by IamIan
Instead of combining with a VSS device ... wouldn't a GPS device with a topographical map option be able to give you this slope data ??? ... even if just within the resolution of the slope gradients recorded on the topographical map ... then you don't need VSS , gyroscopes, etc.
If the smart phone has signal for GPS ... it should be able to use that to determine slope from a topographical map data base ... just like a smart phone app uses the GPS signal combined with a street map data base to find a route to drive.
I don't know of a app like this off hand ... but it would seem easier to program than the route finding app from a street map data base.
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I like the idea, but a quick 2 minute search in my app store and I couldn't find an app that would do what I want. I don't want it to be phone based anyway, that would require me remembering to take out my phone and starting the app before I start driving. That means that it pretty much just won't happen. I want it to come on just like my UltraGauge: automatically.
Like I said, I do like the idea and it did get me to wondering if I could use an Arduino based GPS shield to get the same effect and it would still be able to send the result to a display of my choosing. I don't know if this is possible, maybe Occasionally6 can chime in on that.
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I have been thinking about this display issue and although the dual digit display with a decimal is ideally what I want, the other data I want to use this information for is to have a "weighted" MPG. With the constant change in slope in this area, my problem is that the UG will show vastly varying MPG #s and I am afraid part of the reason is because of the hills. If I can create a weighted MPG based on what the slope is, I can get a better idea of what the ideal speed is. (I'm thinking it would be an equation like real $ vs. $ adjusted for inflation.)
Because of this, I think a normal display might be best. This way I can display both the slope and the weighted/real MPG in one screen. If I don't do the normal LED display, I'm afraid the cabin might get too cluttered with displays all over the place.
At the same time, if I get the dual digit display (which is what I want anyway) and then a LED screen later, if need be, than that would mean I would have more space on the LED screen to display other stuff I might want to know. I feel like that would be the best of both worlds and I can just deal with the one extra screen. Ugghhh too many options! What do you think, help me make up my mind!