Stock Speedometer now has a New GPS Interface

[Wet-N-Frugal]

It goes without saying, there's been a lot of PAIN AND SUFFERING with Toyota's gauges.

For immediate relief, I've designed a new GPS interface that is PLUG and PLAY directly
with your stock speedometer.

Here's a quote from Cyclone, and he's absolutely right:
"Your stock speedo system will drive you mad. Your hair will turn grey and fall out. Your
blood will boil and your stomach will churn until you put Perfect Pass on your boat. I'm
just sayin........You need an accurate speedometer and the stock one sucks."

Yet, let me clarify. The speedometer gauge itself is not the problem, it's the computer
(MMDC) that drives all the gauges. Specifically, the computer's speed sensors (the pitot
tubes) and the interface to them ARE ABYSMAL. The speedometer gauge is a sound design.

Perfect Pass is an excellent solution. My friends have them in their boats and they are
wonderful. Star Gazer is the best answer for there's no requirement for a major hole in
the hull for a paddle-wheel speed sensor. And you'll find paddle-wheels still wander and
require recalibration.

If you are looking for a more economical solution then I have the answer. This new device
does NOT require any custom wiring. It uses a variety of GPS Receivers that are readily
available in numerous stores, from several manufacturers. The GPS Receiver is now the
speed sensor.

The installation is very clean. It's inserted between the speedometer and its existing
wire harness. Unplug the connector from the back of the speedometer and plug it into the
new device. Then plug the new device into the speedometer. Place the GPS Receiver on your
boat and route its cable/connector to it. Plug it in to the new device. Your done.

This new device is called the NL2.

I've created a web site to answer your questions, and allow you to purchase one (we have
a few in inventory).

         www.nauticlaugic.com

-WNF-


P.S. Message Center progress: no viable repair solution found... yet.

[eagle1wi]

so this won't work on a 1999?

 

[Wet-N-Frugal]

The short answer is no it won't work... I've never seen a '99, but I'm very confident the gauges are incompatible. Is there anyone out there who knows for sure?

However, Toyota's Millennium Dashes are Medallion-II series 5" gauges. Medallion-II gauges were made in different diameters for various boat manufacturers. In fact I have in my possession speedo's for Mastercraft and Malibu which are approx 3.375" in diameter. The '99 Toyota used 3" gauges (not sure of the cutout size). The next variation of my device, the NL3, can be directly powered by a boat's 12Vdc system. Should you acquire a Medallion-II speedo in the appropriate diameter, and purchase an NL3 & GPS Receiver, you'll be good to go.  It's estimated the NL3 will be $20 more than the NL2. Or checkout Livorsi gauges; the have their GPS SKI in a 3.375" cutout, for $500.

-WNF-

[ScarabEpic22]

WNF, GREAT idea!!!

Unfortunately, I have a 99 with the old style guages.  I applaud your drive to provide a fix, how is the cheapy $55 GPS unit vs the $170 Garmin? 

$300 for a working speedo that is always accurate might be nice, although PP might be better and ditch the other pitot.

[Wet-N-Frugal]

Thank you for the compliment.

During the test trials, driving around in my car, I was very pleased with GlobalSat BR-355 ($50) GPS Receiver. Its report was bang on with the car's speedo. It's drawback is its reduced update rate. So with Significant acceleration/deceleration there is a time lag for true speed reporting... yet as you get closer and closer to the target speed this artifact becomes insignificant, because your probably not going to make throttle adjustments more rapid than once in several seconds. I did make a short video to compare the two GPS Receivers; The $50 is associated with the left speedo, the $170 the right. You'll find the video on this web page   http://nauticlaugic.com/gps%20receivers.html.
Also, the BR-355 has a strong magnet for captivation, and lacks a 'screw down' attachment... its big brother the MR-350 does. The one thing the BR-355 does have over the Garmin 18X-5Hz is an activity LED (light). It flashes with a satellite lock. The BR-355 has ULTRA-FAST warm-start satellite fix recovery.

Final note: I do offer an upgrade path from the BR-355 to the 18X-5Hz. Within the first six months after purchasing a BR-355, should you decide to upgrade to the 18X-5Hz, we'll give you an 80% refund on the BR-355 (if it was purchased through me and is returned in good working order).

-WNF-

[cyclone]

That is really cool. I need the speed control so I'm sticking with PP but that is awesome for people with older boats that just want a GPS speedo. Well done!

[ScarabEpic22]

Cool, I looked through your site before I made my previous post and missed the video.  Just watched it, that lag would drive me NUTS so Id have to get the Garmin (figures right).

You're in the Seattle area right? I should talk to Steve (masonlk) about getting an Epic meet setup this summer, we had one 2 years ago and I couldnt make it.

[Wet-N-Frugal]

Seattle is in the region, I'm close to Portland Oregon. A roundup would be fun.

The slower GPS: your right the 1Hz GPS rate isn't preferred. Yet unless another speed reference (some other faster speedometer, GPS, etc) is viewed side by side, I don't believe the lag is that detectable (especially once the ski boat achieves normal speeds above 15MPH). The 1Hz versus 5Hz video was taken from the cockpit of my BMW Z3, and was in the interest of full disclosure. The use of quicker car acceleration amplifies the difference between the two GPS rates, thus anyone interested in purchasing a 1 Hz GPS Receiver would be informed of the lag.

-WNF-