TomTom GPS unit as tractor speedometer?

[lhfarm]

I need a speedometer for my TC40DA while running my sprayer. That doesn't happen often and I'm trying to find a unit I can use on the road (in the car) and off (in my field/woods). I have friends who have TomTom units ( a One and model 720) and really like they street features/operation. Anyone using either model in the field?

Other suggestions for an on/off road device?

Thanks,

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

OBK-SL General Outback Guidance S-Lite

Outback guidance makes a GPS solution specificly for spraying applications. Its $1000, but does cool stuff that automotive GPS units will not do.

 

[bigshovel]

Garmin 60csx is an all purpose unit easy to use and lots of features. will take on road software and topo maps, very portable and economical. Will give accurate speed.

Brad

 

[Gittyup]

The only problem with GPS is that most consumer units update only once per second. I'm not sure if that would be often enough. GPS receivers take a few minutes to acquire accurate location and speed on power up, and you'll have to allow for that. You should also check the accuracy at low speeds.

A simple speedometer might be a cheaper solution.

 

[MReeb]

The only problem with GPS is that most consumer units update only once per second. I'm not sure if that would be often enough. GPS receivers take a few minutes to acquire accurate location and speed on power up, and you'll have to allow for that. You should also check the accuracy at low speeds.

A simple speedometer might be a cheaper solution.

I found the same problem back when GPS first came out. I was using a Garmin 45 and it didn't have differential correction. With slower speeds my position and speed would jump all over the place. I ended up getting a unit called Calc-An-Acre. I'm thinking it was like $300 - $350.00 when I bought it. It uses a magnetic pickup and if you enter a width it'll tell you acres covered, etc...

 

[RobJ]

I found the same problem back when GPS first came out. I was using a Garmin 45 and it didn't have differential correction. With slower speeds my position and speed would jump all over the place. I ended up getting a unit called Calc-An-Acre. I'm thinking it was like $300 - $350.00 when I bought it. It uses a magnetic pickup and if you enter a width it'll tell you acres covered, etc...

If this was years ago...back in the 90's then this problem should be fixed. Clinton took out the GPS error codes in the late 90's.

If you move at a constant speed for a few seconds they are very accurate. We just bought a Garmin Nuvi 200 for my MIL. Very accurate and the touch screens are real nice. this is the cheapeat model, the screen was a little small but everything else was simple to use. The bigger ones might have a bigger screen but the cost can go up in a hurry. This one also has a picture viewer in it (SD card). It was slow and not that great.

I think on some of the handhelds you can set the refresh rate...

Rob

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Depending on how accurate you want to be the handheld kinds with WAAS should be plenty accurate. I have the Garmin 60CSX for hiking. I could move that thing one foot and it would show that fairly accurate. Along with speed that I am walking or even driving on the freeway. You can download Topo maps onto it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

WAAS is much more accurate than GPS.

 

[TomOfTarsus]

Over at Groundspeak Forums Redirect (as well as others) you can find a wealth of discussion on both car and hand-held GPS equipmement, and probably numerous discussion of WAAS vs. "regular" GPS. I occasionaly post over there under the same user name as here.

For me, I'll be interested when they get the new civilian L2C satellites & signals going. It won't be as much fun for geocachers (who need a little inaccuracy to make the search fun), but for us accuracy freaks, getting within a foot or so will be something!

 

[Toolguy]

Just for fun, I put my Garmin GPS on my tractor while I mowed the lawn. When I was done the trackback feature showed an exact pattern of where I traveled. I also found that to mow my approx. 1.5 acre lawn with a 60" MMM I traveled almost five miles. I also use that GPS on my boat. In addition to knowing the present speed it also tells you how far you have traveled. Not many boat speedometers have odometers. too. I have also used it in my trucks to check the speedo. Most vehicle speedos are off a little bit. Interesting toy/tool.