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I am guessing it's so the GPS can still guestimate your position if you hit an area of low or intermittent signal.. that's the only reason I can think of.
Exactly! If you drive into a tunnel, the speed sensor can continue to calculate your GPS route (time of arrival, etc).
Plus, I can have an electronic speedometer displayed on the unit; dumb to me....but I do drive through tunnels in my travels.
It's not reuired to connect though in order for the GPS mode to work.