On longer trips I generally have my iPhone in a cradle right above the
steering wheel, and run a speedometer app (shows a big dial, just like
the real thing). But because the thing is always on it discharges the
battery pretty quickly so I keep it plugged into the cigar lighter
outlet. The dangling cord, the iPhone in front of me -- I'm driving
thinking, jeepers, I wish this vehicle's speedo was more accurate.

The speedo in my wife's Subaru runs about 3 mph fast. Easy to do the
arithmatic. But I am less-capable of doing 6 mph + 5% in my head very
quickly.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.

On 01/14/2014 01:59 AM, SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss ) wrote:
> we always assume the speedo reads about 5 mph high, right ?
> it's built in, on purpose.
>
> I do encourage people to really LOOK ..examime carefully ..even on a
> molecular level if you can ..
> 'some things' respond amazingly to the right fluid.
>
> it is ALL about 'the fluids' btw ..in  my perception.
> fluids..
> fluids keep the metal parts from touching each other.
> fluids ..transmit heat away from compoenents...
> 'fluids' are critical to the successful operation of many mechanisms.
>
> of course that is transcended in computer stuff ..even in plastics
> somewhat..
> but for good old fashioned mechanisms...it's the fluids baby.
>
> in fact..if the fluids where change enough ..consider a total loss
> engine oil sump system ..oil passes through the engine one time only
> .imagine how long that engine would last with 'only' fresh oil in it ever.
>
> and there have been been total loss oil systems...namely 500 cc single
> cylinder speedway racing motorcyles of the 70's and 80's.
>
> "it's all about the Fluids'
> at least  pre-computer and pre-plastic , until  those start to dominate
> technology.
> These are 80's era machines after all,
> these van-a-gons.
>
> sdf
>
> On 1/13/2014 7:25 PM, dhanson928@gmail.com wrote:
>> No Geezer disrespect (Im old too) but if you have issues seeing
>> perhaps new glasses are in order.  Cheap in Mexico..good excuse for a
>> road trip.
>>
>> Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!
>>
>> ----- Reply message -----
>> From: "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Subject: Speedo needle sits still sometimes
>> Date: Mon, Jan 13, 2014 7:11 pm
>>
>>
>> GPS is great, but geezers like me need the big dial gauge.  There is
>> nothing
>> like large, well-lighted analog instruments for quick glance feedback no
>> matter how old your eyes are.  I'm not trying Scott's "just lube it"
>> idea,
>> I've tried that on my Smiths MGB speedos in the past, and that's why I
>> now
>> use a pro. (Link works BTW: www.overseas-speedometer.com)
>>
>> It's good brain exercise though to do the math on your speedo error
>> when a
>> cop is following you.  Mine has about a 10% high error, thanks to VDO's
>> laziness.  35mph X 90% = 31.5mph.  Oops, I'm speeding in a 30 mph zone.
>> School zones are 20 mph, so I go 20mph clock speed (18mph actual) since
>> there is a $189 ticket for 21+ mph. Some school zones are photo enforced
>> around here:
>> http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019670843_speedcameras13m.html
>>
>> Just a tip to visitors!
>>
>> Stuart
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of
>> Rocket J Squirrel
>> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 3:35 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Speedo needle sits still sometimes
>>
>> Cycle computers are pretty tough for 60+ year-old eyes to see while
>> driving, and pretty useless at night. I have a GPS onboard, but it's
>> more distracting than the old speedo dial.
>>
>> --
>> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
>> Bend, Ore.
>>
>> On 01/13/2014 03:12 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
>>> Me, I would not send off for a pricey rebuilt. I'll switch to some gps
>>> system if this one goes completely flat-line. Or even a cycle
>>> computer....good accurate ones with more functions are under $25 and
>>> don't
>>> require messing around in the Pod.
>>>
>>> I thought there might be a Trick...
>>>