Speedometer

bobbygib · 07-23-10, 10:05 AM

I have an older boat and the indash speedometer does not work. The only speed reference i have is from the hummingbird fish/depth finder.

Is the speed feature in these units accurate?

Thanks ,

Bobby G

nofearengineer · 07-23-10, 10:10 AM

If it's from a GPS, and not a paddle wheel sensor, yes, it's pretty accurate.

bobbygib · 07-23-10, 10:17 AM

Thanks nofear,

But unfortunately mine has a paddle wheel. I know my boat screams but I'm having a hard time believing the speeds this thing is reading. I'm sure it's gotta be ...off.

thanks again.

MississippiBoy · 07-23-10, 11:00 AM

Just FYI, the console speedo won't be very accurate, either. Maybe better than the paddle wheel thingy, but it could be off by maybe 10 mph.

skeeter1804 · 07-23-10, 03:18 PM

Those paddle wheels are very innacurate. GPS is the only way to tell true speed.

Kevin · 07-23-10, 04:38 PM

Hi Bobby... the speedometer sensor is in your lower unit (you'll see a small hole on the front). This hole gets clogged with the slightest bit of debris (grass, etc). These speedometers almost always fail within 24 hours of use..haha. They are worthless if you fish in debris-laden water... which is generally the case for all bass fishermen.

The speed your GPS reports is VERY accurate... more so than your in-dash.

nofearengineer · 07-23-10, 04:45 PM

GPS isn't perfect either. The reason I say this is because I see the ubiquitous "GPS" suffix after some number when everyone is talking about their boat. Apparently, the only reason for owning GPS these days is so you can brag about how fast your boat will go. Don't get me started on GPS myths and marketing tricks.

If there is a significant wind or current, GPS will give you an inaccurate reading of your boat's speed potential. In that case, a paddle wheel may actually be more accurate, as it only measures your boat's velocity relative to the water. In addition, most people don't take the time or trouble to calibrate their paddle wheel properly. If they did (using a good GPS unit, of course), they'd be in good shape too.

MississippiBoy · 07-23-10, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

If there is a significant wind or current, GPS will give you an inaccurate reading of your boat's speed potential.
....calibrate their paddle wheel properly. If they did (using a good GPS unit, of course), they'd be in good shape too.

But...

..but...

...but...:confus ed:..you're calibrating one thing with another thing that you've already said isn't (or might not be) accurate. How does that work, Dr. Heisenburg?

nofearengineer · 07-23-10, 05:26 PM

I just mean calibrate it with GPS when you know there isn't a strong wind or current. In good conditions, GPS is the best, of course.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle....been a while since I was reminded of that.

Embrey · 07-23-10, 05:56 PM

just run fast in a 10mph zone and have a CO radar you ...that should work

nofearengineer · 07-23-10, 06:11 PM

LOL, Embrey, you're right. I'm sure the DNR guy is gonna tell you exactly how fast you were going!

Embrey · 07-23-10, 08:14 PM

they do...lol

bamabassman · 07-25-10, 01:29 PM

BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA. embry, i gotta give oyu a 5 star rating on dat one pal. LOVE IT!!!!

bobbygib · 07-26-10, 10:14 AM

Thanks guys.

Maybe I'll upgrade to a GPS someday. I really like the idea of being able to mark/program hazards in your favorite fishing areas anyway, not to mention all the other stuff a GPS can do.

But for now i think I'll see about getting the in dash speedo working (if it's there it should work...know what I mean?...;-)

Any ideas on where to start there? Where exactly is the sensor for this?

Thanks again guys...

Rebbasser · 07-28-10, 09:17 PM

Bobby, the speed sensor for your dash is located in the front of the lower unit on your outboard-there is a hole right in front. Like Kevin said, they are notorious for getting clogged up.

I use a drill bit to clean mine out. Find the hole and a bit that will fit it and screw the bit into the hole by hand-don't use the drill

! You will be surprised the gunk that gets stuck up in there. Like Kevin said, they work for about 24 hours

.

Embrey · 07-29-10, 04:20 PM

mine was clogged when i bought it. i cleaned it out and blew it out with an air hose. has worked ever since

07-23-10, 10:05 AM	#1
bobbygib BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Midland, Va. Posts: 33	Speedometer I have an older boat and the indash speedometer does not work. The only speed reference i have is from the hummingbird fish/depth finder. Is the speed feature in these units accurate? Thanks , Bobby G

07-23-10, 10:10 AM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	If it's from a GPS, and not a paddle wheel sensor, yes, it's pretty accurate. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-23-10, 11:00 AM	#4
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Just FYI, the console speedo won't be very accurate, either. Maybe better than the paddle wheel thingy, but it could be off by maybe 10 mph. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

07-23-10, 04:38 PM	#6
Kevin Administrator Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 651	Hi Bobby... the speedometer sensor is in your lower unit (you'll see a small hole on the front). This hole gets clogged with the slightest bit of debris (grass, etc). These speedometers almost always fail within 24 hours of use..haha. They are worthless if you fish in debris-laden water... which is generally the case for all bass fishermen. The speed your GPS reports is VERY accurate... more so than your in-dash. __________________ Kevin Scarselli

07-23-10, 04:45 PM	#7
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	GPS isn't perfect either. The reason I say this is because I see the ubiquitous "GPS" suffix after some number when everyone is talking about their boat. Apparently, the only reason for owning GPS these days is so you can brag about how fast your boat will go. Don't get me started on GPS myths and marketing tricks. If there is a significant wind or current, GPS will give you an inaccurate reading of your boat's speed potential. In that case, a paddle wheel may actually be more accurate, as it only measures your boat's velocity relative to the water. In addition, most people don't take the time or trouble to calibrate their paddle wheel properly. If they did (using a good GPS unit, of course), they'd be in good shape too. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-23-10, 10:17 AM	#3
bobbygib BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Midland, Va. Posts: 33	Thanks nofear, But unfortunately mine has a paddle wheel. I know my boat screams but I'm having a hard time believing the speeds this thing is reading. I'm sure it's gotta be ...off. thanks again.

07-23-10, 03:18 PM	#5
skeeter1804 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Edgerton KS Posts: 321	Those paddle wheels are very innacurate. GPS is the only way to tell true speed.

07-23-10, 05:26 PM	#9
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I just mean calibrate it with GPS when you know there isn't a strong wind or current. In good conditions, GPS is the best, of course. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle....been a while since I was reminded of that. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-23-10, 05:56 PM	#10
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	just run fast in a 10mph zone and have a CO radar you ...that should work

07-23-10, 06:11 PM	#11
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	LOL, Embrey, you're right. I'm sure the DNR guy is gonna tell you exactly how fast you were going! __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-23-10, 08:14 PM	#12
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	they do...lol

07-25-10, 01:29 PM	#13
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA. embry, i gotta give oyu a 5 star rating on dat one pal. LOVE IT!!!! __________________ so many lures, so little time.

07-26-10, 10:14 AM	#14
bobbygib BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Midland, Va. Posts: 33	Thanks guys. Maybe I'll upgrade to a GPS someday. I really like the idea of being able to mark/program hazards in your favorite fishing areas anyway, not to mention all the other stuff a GPS can do. But for now i think I'll see about getting the in dash speedo working (if it's there it should work...know what I mean?...;-) Any ideas on where to start there? Where exactly is the sensor for this? Thanks again guys...

07-28-10, 09:17 PM	#15
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Bobby, the speed sensor for your dash is located in the front of the lower unit on your outboard-there is a hole right in front. Like Kevin said, they are notorious for getting clogged up. I use a drill bit to clean mine out. Find the hole and a bit that will fit it and screw the bit into the hole by hand-don't use the drill! You will be surprised the gunk that gets stuck up in there. Like Kevin said, they work for about 24 hours. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

07-29-10, 04:20 PM	#16
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	mine was clogged when i bought it. i cleaned it out and blew it out with an air hose. has worked ever since

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