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DIY Bike GPS Speedometer with a DFRobot Controller and TFT Screen

A practical guide to the DFRobot bike GPS speedometer’s display, wiring and libraries, with the project author’s key warning about Bluno compatibility.
Entry383 Date Time3 min MechanicCarCody Team

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This project combines a GPS module, a controller and a 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen to display bicycle speed and other GPS-derived information. There is an important compatibility warning before you buy parts: project author K Gray reports that the DFRobot Bluno did not work for this application, while a DFRobot Uno did. Treat the tutorial’s wiring and sketch as a reference to check against your exact hardware—not a guarantee that the named Bluno will run the build unchanged.

What the bike GPS speedometer displays

The DFRobot community tutorial describes a screen showing speed, course, altitude, direction, top speed, average speed, latitude and longitude. The sketch uses TinyGPS++ to read GPS data and a DFRobot ILI9488 320×480 display over hardware SPI. Its variables include latitude, longitude, top speed, speed, course, altitude, average speed and satellite count.

The tutorial identifies Arduino IDE as the software environment and includes DFRobot_GDL, TinyGPS++ and SoftwareSerial. The author notes that memory constraints required care to avoid crashing the Arduino; the source does not provide a quantified memory budget or performance measurement. DFRobot community tutorial (April 24, 2022)

Check controller compatibility before buying

The project is titled for the DFRobot Bluno, but the Hackster mirror carries a project-specific caveat from its author, K Gray: “I never got the Bluno to work for this application. The DFRobot Uno would work just fine.” That is the author’s experience with this build, not a universal compatibility specification. DFRobot describes the Bluno as an Arduino Uno-compatible BLE controller, but that general description does not resolve the reported issue with this particular application. Hackster project page (April 15, 2022) · DFRobot Bluno wiki

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#1 Best Overall
GPS Bike Computer 3.26" Large Screen Wireless Bicycle Speedometer
  • [3.26-INCH LARGE SCREEN] The biggest display in its class at 3.26" — read speed, distance, and time at a glance without squinting. Anti-glare LCD with auto backlight ensures clear visibility in bright sun or night rides.
  • [GPS+BDS DUAL POSITIONING] Tracks speed, distance, and riding time via satellite — no wheel sensor or calibration needed. Works out of the box for road, mountain, and hybrid bikes.
  • [IPX6 WATERPROOF] Handles rain, splashes, and wet roads — ride confidently in changing weather. Suitable for daily commutes, weekend trails, and long-distance touring.
  • [16-HOUR BATTERY + 2-YEAR WARRANTY] Rechargeable battery lasts up to 16 hours for multi-day rides. Battery indicator shows remaining power. Backed by 2-year manufacturer warranty for peace of mind.
  • [UNIVERSAL HANDLEBAR MOUNT] Fits 15-48mm handlebars on road, mountain, and hybrid bikes. Lightweight 3.2oz design — installs in seconds with included mount. No tools required.

Before choosing a substitute controller, check that it supports the GPS serial interface and the display’s SPI wiring, works with the libraries used by the sketch, and has compatible voltage and pin behavior. The source material does not provide comparative testing or establish a substitute as a universally reliable choice.

Parts and reference wiring

The tutorial’s parts list names a DFRobot Bluno, a DFRobot 3.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen and a DFRobot GPS Module with Enclosure. The author says DFRobot sponsored most of the components. The pin assignments below are those published in the tutorial; verify them in the documentation for your exact board and display revision before wiring.

Device Connection in the tutorial
TFT VCC +5V
TFT GND GND
TFT SCK D13
TFT MOSI D11
TFT MISO D12
TFT CS D10
TFT RES D9
TFT DC D8
TFT BLK D4
GPS VCC +5V
GPS GND GND
GPS TX D3
GPS RX D2

The sketch sets GPS baud to 9600 and uses SoftwareSerial. Board revisions and serial-pin behavior can affect whether these connections work as written, so consult the relevant hardware documentation rather than assuming every board uses the same arrangement. The tutorial’s display object is for an ILI9488 320×480 screen using hardware SPI.

Rank #2
BKVTOP Wireless GPS Bike Computer, 50g, 2.4" Screen, IPX7, 28H Runtime
  • BUILT-IN GPS RIDE TRACKING – Displays current speed, average speed, maximum speed, riding distance, ride time and total mileage without requiring a wheel sensor or spoke magnet. Suitable for commuting, leisure riding and everyday outdoor cycling.
  • USEFUL DATA FOR HILLS AND ROUTES – View temperature, current altitude, gradient and accumulated ascent to better understand elevation changes, hills and longer cycling routes.
  • 2.4-INCH EASY-READ SCREEN – The clear LCD display presents essential riding information in a simple layout, helping riders check speed, distance and ride time at a glance.
  • GREEN AUTO BACKLIGHT AND AUTO START STOP – The green automatic backlight improves visibility in low-light conditions and during night rides. Auto Start and Stop helps simplify everyday ride recording.
  • 50G LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN WITH STANDARD MOUNT – The rechargeable battery provides up to 28 hours of runtime, while the IPX7 waterproof design supports riding in rainy conditions. Includes a standard mount, rubber pad, mounting rings, USB-C cable and user manual.

Assembly and reproduction risks

Confirm display data wiring

The tutorial recounts an accidental MOSI/MISO swap. If the screen does not communicate, check those two connections against the labels and documentation for your display and controller, along with the other SPI pins.

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Make connections secure for riding

The project author found wired connections unreliable when the bicycle shook and redid them by soldering. This is an anecdotal assembly lesson, not a controlled durability test. Plan for secure connections and mounting, and do not assume a loose breadboard-style setup will stay connected on a bicycle.

Rank #3
Bike Computer, GPS Wireless Cycling Computer, Bicycle Speedometer Odometer with IPX7 Waterproof, 2.4" LCD, Backlight, Long Battery Life for Road Bike MTB
  • 【Accurate GPS Positioning】This GPS bike computer supports 5-star positioning, providing precise data worldwide. It tracks metrics such as ride duration, total distance, current speed, maximum speed, and elevation. Note: Press and hold the up and down buttons on the left side of the bike computer simultaneously for 3 seconds. Then, use the “up” button to switch between miles and kilometers. Once you've made your selection, press and hold the “down” button for 3 seconds to save the setting.
  • 【Wireless & Long Battery Life】Our wireless bike speedometer lets you say goodbye to messy cables and makes installation a breeze. With a built-in 1200mAh battery, you can enjoy 28 hours of worry-free riding. Note: Initial connection and positioning may take 3–5 minutes, but subsequent connections will be faster.
  • 【IPX7 Waterproof】IPX7 waterproofing ensures that the bike computer continues to function properly even in the rain, allowing you to enjoy your ride without worrying about the weather.
  • 【2.4-inch Screen & Backlight】The 2.4-inch LCD screen clearly displays data, allowing you to track your ride statistics in real time. The backlight feature ensures easy and clear reading of data, whether during the day or at night. Made from high-quality materials, the screen is scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it with your fingernails.
  • 【Wide Compatibility】This bike computer is compatible with a wide range of bicycle types, including road bikes, mountain bikes, folding bikes, and other common models.

Allow for memory limits

The author says memory constraints made care necessary to avoid crashing the Arduino. The source does not specify which edits or memory figures were involved, so adding features or changing libraries may require checking the controller’s available memory and observing how the sketch behaves.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What the published project does not establish

The tutorial and Hackster mirror do not report GPS accuracy, speed error, update interval, maximum speed, battery life, display brightness or sunlight readability, or weather resistance. They also do not establish independent performance testing. The described readouts explain what the project aims to show, not measured accuracy or suitability for a particular riding environment.

Best Value
GlowShift GPS Speedometer Sensor Adapter Kit for Speedo Gauges
  • GlowShift GPS Speedometer Sensor Allows Users to View Their Vehicle’s Driving Speed Without the Need for a Lengthy Installation Process
  • Compatible with Any GlowShift Speedometer Gauge
  • Features GPS Antenna with 6-1/2' of Wire, GPS Sensor, GPS Signal Harness with 1' of Wire - Antenna Installs to the Roof or Top of the Trunk
  • Includes Step-By-Step Installation Instructions
  • Established Since 2004, GlowShift Has Always Been Committed to Customer Satisfaction by Offering a One-Year Limited Warranty, Free Lifetime Technical Support & 30 Day No Hassle Returns with Each Purchase
Rank #4
BKVTOP Wireless GPS Bike Computer, 8 Languages, 2.4" Screen, IPX7
  • 8 LANGUAGES FOR FAMILIAR OPERATION – Choose from English, German, Chinese, Polish, French, Korean, Spanish and Italian for easier setup and everyday use.
  • NO WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED – Built-in GPS tracks current speed, average speed, maximum speed, trip distance, ride time and total mileage without installing a magnet or speed sensor on the wheel.
  • 2.4-INCH DISPLAY WITH GREEN BACKLIGHT – Ride information is arranged clearly on the LCD screen, while the automatic green backlight supports easier viewing in darker riding conditions.
  • EXTRA INFORMATION FOR DIFFERENT ROUTES – In addition to essential cycling data, the computer displays temperature, current altitude, gradient and accumulated ascent for hills and changing terrain.
  • 50G BODY WITH UP TO 28H RUNTIME – The compact design combines low weight, long battery life and IPX7 waterproof protection for commuting, road cycling and MTB use. Standard mounting accessories and USB-C cable are included.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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