Best GPS speedometers?

[readyfireaim]

Hello OSE,

I just got my first boat, a BJ29, on a lark and realized that it is awesome! Long story short, I'm hooked.

I'm looking to pick up a used speedometer, but I'm not sure which is my best bang for my buck. I see the Garmin Forerunner 201 a lot in guys pics. Any reason in particular? Is any Garmin as good as another?

Thank you,

[Kaotic]

Well I have the Garmin 101 and like it over the 201 because you can just stick an extra couple AA batteries in your tool box and you're good to go. I've run my 101 almost all summer on the same battery and it's only gone down by 50%. When we go to the pond which is basically every weekend we turn it on for the entire time we running which is 90 minutes. We've never had a problem and we bought ours used off amazon for $50.

[olwarbirds]

Garmin does seem to be the better/common choice. I personally use the Garmin 201 forerunner, that I got off ebay with charging cable, usb cable and manual for $35 shipped and its like new. I had a 101 previously and it got crushed by a lipo in a severe high speed acrobatic tumble, it had previously worked flawlessly too.... DJ

[DPeterson]

I too am in the market for another couple GPS's. I am under the impression that in order to be most accurate it is important to get one that locks onto a minumum 4 satelites. Is this correct and if so which model of Garmin or other brands do this?

Doug

[Racer944]

Look at Voltron V3 GPS and altitude logger... Not cheap but works very well, and is small...

Eric

[olwarbirds]

Doug, I'm pretty sure during sat lock I've seen my 201 searching for 4 sigs. I will check this tomorrow and let you know... DJ

[3-UP]

I have the Garmin 301 and works perfect, just watch on eBay and you can find a deal.

[readyfireaim]

Good info. Sounds like anything in the forerunner series is a good fit.

I know that I get 6'ish with the GPS on my plane, so I would be surprised if the garmin is limited to 4. I suppose it all depends where you are though.

[readyfireaim]

So what I learned for those that may come asking the same question...

The Garmin forerunner x01 series all came out at the same time. From what I can tell, these are the differences:

101- powered by AA batteries
201- powered by a rechargeable lipo
301- powered by a lipo and has a heart rate monitor in the strap.

Seems like one would work as good as the next for our purposes.

[flraptor07]

Any of the little Garmins are great for what we do, either the Forerunner or the Foretrex lines. I have the Foretrex 101 and it works great!

[denboy01]

Check this out maybe, skyrc gps
speed meter

http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=43

[olwarbirds]

Check this out maybe, skyrc gps
speed meter

http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route...&product_id=43

Thats nice, I like the features. But no dealers I'm familiar with. I was curious what the cost is... DJ

[Darin Jordan]

"Max Speed" GPS's are fine, I guess... but the only GPS system that I would truly "brag on" would be an Eagle Tree with the GPS module. This provides CONTINUOUS GPS data and records your REAL speeds... that that "spike" that occurs that shows that my IM31 just did 65mph with the stock power system on 4S (YES, that really DID happen... :) )

[kfxguy]

"Max Speed" GPS's are fine, I guess... but the only GPS system that I would truly "brag on" would be an Eagle Tree with the GPS module. This provides CONTINUOUS GPS data and records your REAL speeds... that that "spike" that occurs that shows that my IM31 just did 65mph with the stock power system on 4S (YES, that really DID happen... :) )

I need to get a logger but I keep putting it off. Guess I'm afraid of what I might find (Amp wise)......it's probably more than I care to know lol

[Bryan73]

Darin,
I agree those spikes from the "max speed" GPS units can be deceiving, but wouldn't you agree if you made 8 to 10 runs and the max speeds are pretty much consistent within 5%, that they are fairly accurate?