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.
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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.
Pre-war vehicle
Vehicle from the era before the Second World War, usually up to the 1939 model year. The term is not officially defined; the cut-off varies by source.
Veteran vehicle
The official Swiss term for a vehicle first registered more than 30 years ago. The status is entered in the registration document and brings registration advantages.