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6 Best GPS Boat Speedometer – (Reviews & Buying Guide 2021)

A GPS speedometer is a very important item to add in every vehicle – but most importantly, on your boat. Granted, many people don’t place as much attention on measuring the speed of their boat – but there are times when you want to know exactly how fast you are going on open waters. Plus, the best GPS boat speedometer should give you distance estimates, along with how long it should take to reach a certain destination.

That being said, finding the perfect speedometer for your boat is not very easy to do by yourself, particularly considering the number of good brands we have out there. This is why we decided to bring you a few reviews concerning the most popular options – but also a few buying tips on how to buy a good model. Choose the one that fits your preferences the most!

Best GPS Boat Speedometer Comparison Chart

PRODUCTDETAILS
SAMDO Universal GPS Speedometer Boat Gauge With Odometer

SAMDO Universal GPS Speedometer Boat Gauge With Odometer

  • Price: $$$
  • Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.1 x 3.7″
  • Indicating Range: 0-160 mph
  • Backlight: Red
  • Functions: Current speed and total mileage
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AndyTach DIGITAL GPS Speedometer

AndyTach DIGITAL GPS Speedometer

  • Price: $$$$$
  • Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 3.5″
  • Indicating Range: 0-300 mph
  • Backlight: Blue
  • Functions: High-speed recall memory – instant Speed display
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TIMPROVE T600 Universal Digital GPS Speedometer

TIMPROVE T600 Universal Digital GPS Speedometer

  • Price: $
  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.1 x 0.5″
  • Indicating Range: N/A
  • Backlight: Multi
  • Functions: Driving speed, voltage, satellite time, mileage measurement
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Sierra International Arctic 4 Gauge Outboard Set

Sierra International Arctic 4 Gauge Outboard Set

  • Price: $$$$
  • Dimensions: 5 x 9 x 15″
  • Indicating Range: 0-65 mph
  • Backlight: White
  • Functions: Full set – keep a record of all the readings shown
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Fabia Beede Euro Speedometer 55mph BLK

Fabia Beede Euro Speedometer 55mph BLK

  • Price: $$
  • Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 5″
  • Indicating Range: 0-55 mph
  • Backlight: Has Internal lighting system
  • Functions: High visibility
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Faria Black 33811 Chesapeake Pitot Speedometer

Faria Black Chesapeake Pitot Speedometer

  • Price: $$
  • Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.9 x 3.9″
  • Indicating Range: 0-60 mph
  • Backlight: N/A
  • Functions: High visibility
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Best 6 Boat Speedometers Reviews (NEWEST MODELS)

1. SAMDO Universal GPS Speedometer Boat Gauge With Odometer

SAMDO Universal GPS Speedometer Boat Gauge With OdometerThis speedometer has a universal fit, and it may be used for pretty much any type of boat. It may not be the fanciest looking out there, but it’s certainly among the most efficient and practical.

Featuring IP67 water resistance, this unit will have no issue even if you drop it underneath the water. You also don’t need to concern yourself with rain, as it will not lose its efficiency even when the weather conditions are less than attractive.

Thanks to the clear display of the unit, you will be able to easily read the speed of your boat. Plus, since the numbers are big and highly visible, you won’t even have to take your eyes off your direction – everything is fairly intuitive.

Pros

  • Can record your total mileage
  • Features high-speed readings
  • The screen makes things highly visible

Cons

  • The case is not very durable
  • GPS is sometimes difficult to find

2. AndyTach DIGITAL GPS Speedometer

AndyTach DIGITAL GPS SpeedometerIf you are looking for something that is higher quality, then you might learn to love everything that this speedometer has to offer. Granted, it’s slightly more expensive in comparison to your average speedometer, but its efficiency indeed speaks wonders.

The design of this unit is quite durable, with a casing that can last throughout the years. Not only is it resistant to impact, but you won’t have to worry that water will be entering the system. It can read up to 300mph, no matter if you are doing it during foggy days or clear ones.

This speedometer also includes a variety of useful features as well – including a compass, a trip meter, and a total odometer. It also has quite a low consumption, making it a great choice to take with you on longer trips at sea. Add great visibility into this as well, and you will realize that you have gotten quite a convenient purchase.

Pros

  • The flat glass offers some good visibility
  • Features a nice and durable design
  • Is able to read up to 300mph
  • Consumes very little power

Cons

  • Is not very responsive to small changes in speed
  • There are times when you’ll get readings when the trip meter is off

3. TIMPROVE T600 Universal Digital GPS Speedometer

TIMPROVE T600 Universal Digital GPS SpeedometerEvery now and then you might want to feel fancy – and this is exactly what this unit will allow you to do. Featuring a universal design, this speedometer may be installed pretty much everywhere – no matter if you decide to install it on your car, your boat, etc.

Featuring a high definition 2.2” screen, this speedometer provides quite a good visibility. You can see the reading clearly, and you will not even have to take your eyes off your direction. This way, you will get your data without actually putting yourself in danger.

While it has every feature that you may need, this speedometer is still quite easy to navigate. You can get all the data that you need easily, all with a touch of a rocker switch and without any complicated menu moves.

Pros

  • Very attractive design for every board
  • Extremely easy to use and intuitive navigation system
  • Very visible display readings

Cons

  • It looks like a touch screen model but it’s not
  • It may take some time until it acquires a signal

4. Sierra International Arctic 4 Gauge Outboard Set

Sierra International Arctic 4 Gauge Outboard SetIf you want to go for the full set, then you might want to take this model into account. This package includes anything that you might need, from the speedometer to the voltmeter, tachometer, fuel gauge, and tachometer.

This set allows you to keep a record of all the readings shown by your boat. In most cases, the full set with all of these features is quite expensive – but this one is actually affordable. You save quite a lot of money by buying them altogether.

The set may not look like anything special – but once the pieces are installed, they look pretty impressive together. They are very easy to install, and the top technology that they use allows you to enjoy accurate readings.

Pros

  • Offers very accurate results
  • The case is scratch-resistant and durable
  • The price for the entire set is resistant and durable

Cons

  • It is a manual speedometer
  • While it is intuitive to install, it may take some time

5. Fabia Beede Euro Speedometer 55mph BLK

Fabia Beede Euro Speedometer 55mph BLKWhile this speedometer is mostly advertised for motorcycles and cars, it is also efficient when installed on boats, regardless of their engine. All you will have to do is to mount it and connect it at the bottom of your boat, allowing it to do its magic.

The mechanism is pretty simple, and it is also easy to read. The visibility is particularly good during the night as well, thanks to the internal lighting system that will show you a clear reading over your boat’s stats.

The casing is quite durable and may easily withstand any weather conditions that it might come across. Therefore, even if you sail on a particularly foggy day or if it’s raining, it should not pose any problems to the readings that you get.

Pros

  • Very easy to install
  • Provides quite accurate results
  • An attractive price

Cons

  • The design is quite old
  • Does not work very well at low speed

6. Faria Black Chesapeake Pitot Speedometer

Faria Black 33811 Chesapeake Pitot SpeedometerFans of the classics might appreciate this Chesapeake pitot speedometer, particularly for its rugged yet efficient look. It also features a reliable construction that will not get easily damaged even with the passing of time. For the price that you are paying for it, this is quite a convenient purchase.

Aside from being effective and reliable, this model was also made for ease of installation. All you have to do is make the necessary connections and the speedometer should be up and running in no time.

The unit can easily reach 60 mph – numbers that you may read on the 4” gauge. The visibility of the tool is also quite high, allowing you to get a good reading even throughout the night. Once installed, it will look quite fancy on your boat – and it is so intuitive that you may easily keep your eyes on the path ahead.

Pros

  • Very easy to install as long as you read the instructions
  • Works with pretty much any pitot tube pickup
  • Has quite a good readability

Cons

  • Pitot tube and hose have to be bought separately

GPS Boat Speedometer Buying Guide: How It Works

GPS boat speedometer reviewsThe majority of boat speedometers will use the air pressure along with the water in order to create a reading. This happens by pushing a pitot tube through the keel of the boat.

Each time the boat moves, it pushes the water into the tube, after which the air gets compressed in a pitot. As the speed of the boat goes up, the air pressure also increases – which in turn gives you your speed reading.

When you are using a GPS speedometer, it calculates how fast you are able to go from one point to another. Because of this, a GPS speedometer is generally the more accurate choice while being the easiest to install.

Different Types of Speedometers to Consider

When you are looking to buy a speedometer, there are generally two options that you may go for: the manual and the GPS speedometer. Most people prefer the efficiency of the GPS speedometer, but there are also those that still enjoy the classic vibe given by the manual options. Depending on your preferences, you may also choose either one of them.

  • GPS Speedometers

As we have previously mentioned, a GPS speedometer shows you your speed by calculating exactly how much it takes until you get from point A to point B on the water. This is generally done with the speedometer connecting with a variety of satellites in the attempt to keep track of your location. As such, they tend to have good accuracy, since they are not influenced by the currents of the water.

By nature, GPS speedometer has a quick refresh rate. The average rate is generally 0.25 seconds – but sometimes, it can also be faster. Moreover, since you do not have to wire then through the whole keel, they are also much easier to install.

Bear in mind that since they connect with satellites, every now and again – namely, when the weather is bad – they may lose signal due to the interference of the weather. They also tend to be more expensive, but all things considered, they are still seen as a worthwhile purchase.

  • Manual Speedometers

While this type of speedometer may not have the accuracy of a GPS model, it is still quite precise. For example, if you are going over calm waters, the readings that you get on both units will be very precise and similar. However, the results tend to be slightly inaccurate when changes in the water currents occur.

Since it works by recording the pressure in the air, a manual speedometer will also have a much slower refresh rate in comparison to the GPS models. They also tend to be slightly more difficult to install. On the plus side, they are quite cheap when put in comparison, and they also look classy once you finished installing them.

Features to Consider When Buying a GPS Boat Speedometer

best GPS boat speedometerWhether you’re buying a GPS boat speedometer, a portable marine fuel tank or any other boat accessory, there are certain factors that you might want to keep in mind. When it comes to GPS speedometers, these are:

  • Unit Used

Does your boat speedometer use an imperial unit system or the metric kind? An old version of GPS boat speedometers may use just one of the two, but most modern options will allow you to dial for both of them. Considering your preferences, you may change the settings to suit you – no matter where you’re sailing in the world.

  • Ease of Installation

By nature, GPS boat speedometers are very easy to install. In most cases, if it’s not your average plug-in system, all you have to do is to create a hole in the instrument panel of the boat and connect the speedometer’s wires into the power source. Each speedometer may have different installation methods, so make sure that you check with other people that have used the product. In most cases, reviews are your best friends here.

  • Accuracy

GPS boat speedometers were, by design, created to be accurate. However, like every piece of technology, they are still prone to error – and every speedometer will have an error percentage behind every reading that it gives.

Generally, the manufacturer will give you straight away that error percentage so that you know exactly what to expect. You have the marine GPS Chartplotter that you can rely on, but you also need a good speedometer. For good accuracy, look for the models that have an error rate or 1-2%.

  • Navigation

You might find it convenient to have all those fancy controls on your boat equipment, all of which allow you to show off to your friends when you are on the waters. Still, you don’t want to bend over backward in order to find your way around the navigation system. It should be very easy for you to use the system and read it. If the digital design is complicated, then you will just be awkwardly staring at the display, not knowing exactly what to do in case of a directional change.

  • Readability

A good GPS speedometer should come with a good display that is easy to read, at least from a distance of 1.5 meters. Before making the purchase and checking the size of the font, you should also see whether it has a backlit display or not. This way, your vision will not be damaged when the lighting environment is low.

  • Water and Dust Resistance

Every boat speedometer should have great dust and water-repellant properties. It should be able to withstand quite a number of conditions, including fog, heavy rain, and a variety of other difficult weather conditions. For example, the ideal waterproof rating of such a device would be IP67, meaning that you may immerse it in water up to a full 30 minutes, all the way down to 1.5 meters, without the unit suffering from any damage. Look for products that have around an IP65-IP67 range, since they tend to have great dust and water resistance.

  • Control Panel

How easy is it for you to read the control panel on your boat speedometer of choice? In most cases, a modern speedometer will have an LED display along with a control button set. Generally speaking, to improve usability, these units will feature the smallest number of buttons possible (three on average). Plus, they are generally placed on a large surface so that you may easily reach them without damaging your focus.

Final Thoughts

Finding a good GPS boat speedometer does not have to be a difficult task. Granted, it might take some research until you can find the perfect type or brand – but by informing yourself properly, you should be able to easily swim through the galore of types, features, and aspects to consider.

Hopefully, our guide managed to push you in the right direction and helped you make the best choice. Now, all that’s left for you is to take your boat up on open waters and put your GPS speedometer through the test.

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