Odometer
A vehicle's built-in odometer and the simplest form of distance recorder. Usually too imprecise for rally navigation – the more accurate tripmeter is used for that.
An odometer is an instrument that measures and displays the distance travelled. A distinction is made between the total odometer, which records a vehicle's overall mileage, and the resettable trip odometer for individual sections. Mechanical odometers count wheel revolutions via a gear train, while modern ones work electronically via sensors.
In regularity rallying the standard odometer gives a first orientation but is usually too imprecise for exact navigation: it often rounds to 100 metres and deviates depending on tyre size, tyre pressure and wear. Teams therefore use a calibrated distance meter – the tripmeter (such as the Halda Tripmaster) – which records distance more finely and reliably. The distances given in the roadbook are checked against this device.
Glossary from A to Z
Related terms
Tripmeter
A precise, retrofittable distance recorder on the co-driver's side, considerably more accurate than the built-in odometer. Also called a tripmaster in the Anglo-American world.
Distance recorder
Umbrella term for any in-car device that measures distance – from the series odometer through the more precise tripmeter to digital and GPS-based units. It provides the basis for every distance instruction.
Special
A deliberately and skilfully built one-off, usually created for sporting purposes from period components – the kinder sibling of the bitsa, especially in the pre-war world.