Digital Speedometer

[Igster]

This may seem like a strange thing to be looking for, but hear me out. My Jeep does not have a digital speedometer. I really don't like just a standard speedometer because it's not as exact to quickly look at and determine if you are within a few of the speed limit posted. Especially when there is radar around.

I'm looking for a little digital speedometer that I can prop up in my Jeep to allow me to see my speed digitally. I'm assuming it would need to be a GPS style device to track the speed. I don't really want a GPS unit, just a smaller device to show me my current speed on a digital display.

I've been searching Google, but haven't really been able to find anything other than units that get hooked into bikes. I know you can get an app for your phone, but I'm really trying to have something I can leave plugged in, in my vehicle and have it on easily when I get in to drive, other than loading an app and propping up my phone.

Anyone know of anything reasonably priced out there and where I might find it? Thanks!

[Hack&Lube]

If you just want a stand-alone unit, it will be inaccurate and counter-intuitive to your goal of being accurate to avoid passing the speed limit. Add-on speedometers rely on GPS or accelerometers which lag behind and are generally inaccurate compared to the actual sensors for your wheel speed. If you can tap into your car's sensors, that is your best bet.

You could try something like this if you can tap into your on-board diagnostics system and will reflect off your windshield.

http://www.dx.com/p/a8-5-5-screen-hu...5#.VfxSXBFVhBc

http://www.dx.com/p/w02-5-5-hud-head...6#.VfxRyhFVhBc

[Igster]

Yeah, I'm sure it might be off a little bit, but I just hate trying to read the actual speedometer in the vehicle. My hand is usually in the way as well, so moving that and then looking at the speedometer is kind of a pain. I think if the digital display is fairly close, I might be OK. Really would like to try to avoid opening anything up though and just have something I can easily plug in and work if at all possible.

I have bigger tires than stock on my Jeep as well, so the actual speedometer is most likely off by a bit so I try to adjust for that too.

[ken0042]

I just did a quick search at dx.com and I wonder- would a bike speedometer work for this?

[CroFlames]

I have a digital speedometer on my GPS unit that I found is pretty accurate.

But obviously you said you don't want a GPS. So I'll just leave.

[ken0042]

And then I found this...........

http://www.dx.com/p/i6-6-screen-hud-...5#.VfxfAaP4C_4

[BlackArcher101]

You could also look into using a rally computer. A rally computer, while mainly used for racing events, typically include a speedometer and odomoter. The best part is that they can be calibrated easily, to adjust for tire wear or different size tires. I actually keep mine in my daily driver, as it has a separate display for my speed in kmh which I place in front of my mph display.

There are two types, one that uses GPS (can lose signal in forest, and not that accurate on twisty roads) and the more accurate version which uses a hall effect sensor. Basically a magnet tied onto your drive shaft and a pickup feeding the rpm signal to the computer.

Here's a few:

http://www.monitrally.com/rally/products.html

http://www.rallycomputer.com/

And here's a local fellow that knows quite a bit about the rally computers and can supply them: http://www.rallysport.ca/rally_equip..._computers.htm

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I just did a quick search at dx.com and I wonder- would a bike speedometer work for this?

That would be a fun experiment. It's basically just a magnet on your spokes and the computer calculates the RPM. You would need to get the right radius setting for the car wheel though. Some are adjustable so this might be possible.

That rally monitor seems to do the same thing with a traditional wheel speed sensor.

[DownhillGoat]

Came in to suggest this, https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-t...rod134348.html

But apparently they're discontinued.

[Igster]

Took a quick look at the one you posted Ken. I'm on my phone right now so I'll read more later. Just wondering how it would all hook up. Might work for me though if it's just a plug and play type unit. Thanks for all the input guys.

[Bill Bumface]

With a wireless ODBII scanner you can have it display on your phone or a tablet. No wiring and cheap.