Easy Mod To Use Your Smartphone As A Gps Hud

After being frustrated with my speedo error and amazed at the amount of information available from a GPS "speedometer" app I have decided to use a standard "grab bag" (20$ at best buy) gopro kit to have an easy setup for attaching and detaching my smartphone from the dash.

The bracket

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I have a backplate for every day- and a backplate for the bike.

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All together

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And on the bike:

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And here is a short video showing how fast I can toss it on or take it off.

[image: th_GOPR1680.jpg]

Thanks for looking-

-Drew

****Disclaimer, I have ridden around with this and have not had any problems.  Although, to be even more safe I have since added a safety line to the bike side adhesive mount as well as wrapping a rubber band around the phone when on longer rides. (I believe the weakest link to be the backplate's hold on the phone itself, a quick wrap with a band will ensure they stay together) 

Looks good, but do you really need all that information distracting you from riding? Sometimes more information is not necessarily a good thing. I put a bicycle computer on my bike after I changed the gearing.

One of the reasons I like using it is because it saves most information for reference later if needed.  I can also set the phone to straight speed mode which looks more like this:

[image: GOPR1683.jpg]

-Drew

Also, this app (Ulysse speedometer for android) can:

-show current speed (mph or kph)

-show GPS accuracy

-show moving average speed

-max speed hold

-total average speed

-elevation

-0-60mph time

-0-100mph time

-quarter mile time

-compass

-today/weekly/monthly/all time distance traveled

-today/weekly/monthly/all time trip duration 

-date/time

-controls navigation (google maps)

-controls music app 

All of this at the tip of my finger while riding if so desired. Or, I can just leave it showing speed and check up on all that when I come to a stop.

-Drew

I've been using that exact same app in my vehicles for the last 3 years or so.  I really like it a lot.  It was almost necessary on my toyota landcruiser since it was lifted and had 35 inch tires, the speedo was off by a ton.  I never thought of using it on the bike though.   Nice idea!

Looks pretty slick.  Can you describe how it's attaching to your dash sill?  Also, what is the holding power and vibration like at speed.

Perhaps a little more info on the actual mount (you mentioned GoPro) if it's brand name or a sub-manufacturer.

I've been considering my SP as a GPS and at the least as my music source.  Currently have to have the tank bag on to hold it, but also want to consider some elemental protection.

I've found that my car is pretty accurate (+/-1mph) compared to the gps which is nice. Also, running closed course I found the bike to be just shy of 10% off of gps certified speed. (shown 140 real 127 shown 149 real 135)
It's just a gopro adhesive mount (identical to the one shown stuck to the phone backplate) but stuck above the speedometer. This 3m adhesive has a solid reputation holding a much heavier object to the sides of rally cars, race cars, airplanes, and a variety of other intense environments. It seems to have no issue bonding solidly to the phone or the dash plastic.

Ah I thought you had installed a real HUD like the one from Garmin.
Clean setup, easy and quickly to install/remove. Biggest downside of this setup may be the battery life of your phone or do you also have an USB port on your VFR? I have installed one to be able to charge my phone while it is sitting inside the tankbag.

I currently have it set up under my seat for use in the tank bag. This weekend I'll do some cutting and splicing to run power where it needs to be.

Also, as far as vibration there is just a little bit of play when the screw is fully tight but not enough to be noticeable while riding. The phone easily moves with the front end. There are screws to adjust positioning and tightness, if you notice me moving it around in the video it is because the forward adjustment is only about 50% tight.

So this uses info based on triangulation on cell towers? I assume it is pretty accurate? Have you compared it to standard GPS speeds?

I would assume so? No I have not done a side by side with a dedicated gps unit. With all the modern tech in the service and in the phone itself I feel like any difference in the two would be slight at the most. If I get the opportunity to test that aspect in the future I will. Although, the app hasn't given me much incentive to go seek out a dedicated unit.

I'm surprised nobody commented on the missing bolt over here lol

Didn't notice it, but yeah you'd better put one in there asap.

It's taken apart for maintenance in the pic. The one is only in there hand tight to hold it in place.

So this uses info based on triangulation on cell towers? I assume it is pretty accurate? Have you compared it to standard GPS speeds?

Most, if not all smart phones have actual gps receivers in them these days... My HTC OneXL has a 20 channel receiver, which is 4 more channels than my TomTom, assuming the ability to actually contact 20 satellites, the phone should be more accurate...

Just watch the GoPro mounts, they like to break and fall apart under vibrations, sometimes and the plastic doesn't like long term exposure to UV from the sun.

I didn't know that! I'll have to keep a close eye on it.

The windshield is painted black (being 6'3" I don't ever look through it) so when the phone is displayed it rarely gets direct sunlight unless the sun is over my shoulders.  I rode around today and was satisfied with being able to read the speed during the day.  Having it just display speed in big numbers makes it effortless to check speed without actually looking down. quick glance is all it takes.  

-Drew