GPS help
 

I really don't want a GPS but the odometer in my 86 VW is not working. It had a bicycle speedometer but it died last week.

What I am looking for is a nice big gps speedometer/odometer trip odometer that will come on when the ignition is turned on and be lit.

I have no interest in navigation features.

I have spent an hour looking at them online and all they talk about is the non-essential features and toys they come with. No mention of the basic speed and distance displays.

Many of them have a "dashboard" mode, where they give distance travelled, speed, Vmax Vavg

This is from Garmin :
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/as...n/pd-02-lg.jpg

TomToms usually display speed on the navigation screen but can have Tripmaster installed to display more trip info on a seperate screen.
http://www.webazar.org/tomtom/apps/t...valeurs_uk.jpg


A smartphone with GPS is also an option.


It likely won't be cheap, but Garmin has / is about to release a GPS with OBDII functionality.

What is wrong with the odometer? Why not just grab a cluster/cable from any 85-92 jetta/rabbit?

The previous owner said it worked ok until he pressed the reset on the trip-ometer and it died. I figure any used unit I put in will have just a brittle of parts in it.

my guess is that you could find a functional one that may last another 5 years or so.

Do you have a Smartphone? There is tons of Freebie software that you can put on a smartphone with GPS capabilities. i loaded several to test out and find what is most accurate i am looking to use one to calculate my driving habits automatically instead of me cataloging it in manual like I currently do.

I have a HTC EVO phone that uses the Android platform so most any android phone should have this ability as long as the phone has GPS capability. Good Luck let me know what programs you find if you do this I am still lookign for something better than what i have currently.

I am not sure what htc evo android platform is. I don't have a cell phone. My wife has uscellular but just a basic one.

I only want to know what to know my miles and speed are and don't believe that it is anyone else's business to see where I am driving. Please don't take it personally.

I have seen the advertisements for the gm onstar and find it quite 1984ish.

If that's all you want, and not the other GPS functions, you'd do a lot better to buy a basic bike computer, for maybe $15. The speed & odometer are going to be more accurate, and have quicker response, than GPS, too.

If you want to go beyond a bike computer, an Ultragauge or Scangauge will give you speedometer and odometer functions with no worries about GPS. They have the added bonuses of being great hypermiling tools, and tripling as scan tools to read trouble codes.

I'm not up on the technology, but I'm guessing the cheaper bike speedometers use a magnetic sensor on the forks or frame, and a magnet on the spokes. Ergo they'd be a PITA to install on a car. The expensive ones may use GPS. An Ultragauge looks like your cheapest and simplest option.

an 86 VW is not going to have OBDII, so UG and SG are out. The new Garmins that have OBDII capabilities won't work either.
You can keep your eye out on Craigslist for a GPS. You should be able to get one cheap enough. You may never use the added capabilities, but they are handy.
The bike speedometer is a good choice too. You say it had one in it until last week, so you must be all wired up and ready to go... that would be the cheapest option, and you may be able to find one on Craigslist even cheaper than in a store.

They've been used on motorcycles, so there's no real reason why they wouldn't work on a car.

A bigger magnet can be used if the distance between magnet and sensor gets too large.

Some don't go beyond 99 mph or kph though.

I appreciate everyones thoughts. I had a bike speedometer that lasted about 7000 miles before the reed switch disintegrated.

I have a plan now. I got a Garmin foretrex. It is powered by two AAA batteries. I am going to build a powersupply so that I can power it from my car.

I have a 2 yr old garmen. It is the cheapest unit made but it works. euromodder's pic is of a better model but the display is the same numbers.

Mine is powered from a 12 volt outlet.

They run about $89 new and a used one should be cheep. Also look for a black Friday deal.

I have a 2 yr old garmen. It is the cheapest unit made but it works. euromodder's pic is of a better model but the display is the same numbers.

Mine is powered from a 12 volt outlet.

They run about $89 new and a used one should be cheep. Also look for a black Friday deal.

I got my KA317, the solid state voltage regulator in the mail today, bought 10 of them on fleabay for 3 dollars including shipping. I built up and tested my circuit. Success, a solid 2.7 volts from car voltage (12-14 volts). Here is the circuit.
http://circuits.datasheetdir.com/39/KA317-circuits.jpg

I used some resistors I had laying around r1=150 ohm and r2 a fixed 180 ohm. I am going to pot it in a small plastic box. I have a wooden dowel that I am going to use to make spacers for the battery simulator. Will get a picture of it.

Edit: changed Resistor values

Cool!

Here is my voltage regulator hooked up to my Garmin. I used a couple of dowel rods to replace the AAA cells. I have tested it with 7 to 14 volts and the Garmin shows 3 bars.

I ran it for 15 minutes with the light on and noticed that that chip got hot so I added a rather large heat sink before I potted it. I need to connect it a switched circuit of the electrical system. Also mount the GPS to the dashboard.

http://www.veloliner.com/vw/garmin.JPG