Introduction To Automotive Dashboard Electronics

[Ty]

Space constraints are at the top of the list of constraints. Analog dials waste space because of the sweep of the rotating indicator arm. Digital reproductions of an analog dial face continues the waste of space, very limited dashboard real estate. Thus the best solution is digital only. I have found the best available example of the idea:
JPEG image only: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/group/main/51/5150_1_lg.jpg
Vendor specs: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Gauges/Intellitronix-LED-Digital-Gauge-Panel
Jack Webb portraying Sargent Joe Friday of Dragnet fame said it best: "Just the facts ma'am." That is most desirable, just the facts because there isn't space for anything else.

Ugh... That's the worst. If you REALLY have to save space, put a display behind the speedometer needle.

 

[Ty]

But most of all; according to Jermaine the Elgin is gone.
If you're going to replace them, be ready to spend 1/7 the total cost of the vehicle.

I wonder if the Elgin will be an option...

 

[NorTracNY]

Space constraints are at the top of the list of constraints. Analog dials waste space because of the sweep of the rotating indicator arm. Digital reproductions of an analog dial face continues the waste of space, very limited dashboard real estate. Thus the best solution is digital only. I have found the best available example of the idea:
JPEG image only: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/group/main/51/5150_1_lg.jpg
Vendor specs: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Gauges/Intellitronix-LED-Digital-Gauge-Panel
Jack Webb portraying Sargent Joe Friday of Dragnet fame said it best: "Just the facts ma'am." That is most desirable, just the facts because there isn't space for anything else.

Those are interesting displays except they do not contain the "information" that you may think. My take is that it's not the number that your brain is processing. I believe that is a drawback of the Elgin design. It's just reporting a number. We all know about where the needle is on the gauges. We all know what is normal. I think the brain processes the picture easier and we just know if it's "off."
I don't know if I've explained this well, and everyone's brain may be different. I believe for me the only gauge that would be best digital is the speed. This being only because the signs on the road giving the speed limit are a number. My brain needs to compare the numbers.

 

[Coss]

Those are interesting displays except they do not contain the "information" that you may think. My take is that it's not the number that your brain is processing. I believe that is a drawback of the Elgin design. It's just reporting a number. We all know about where the needle is on the gauges. We all know what is normal. I think the brain processes the picture easier and we just know if it's "off."
I don't know if I've explained this well, and everyone's brain may be different. I believe for me the only gauge that would be best digital is the speed. This being only because the signs on the road giving the speed limit are a number. My brain needs to compare the numbers.

Here's an easy way to test it.
There are phone apps that will tell you speed through GPS; and you can set the readout to be digital.
Download one of those apps, and if possible, set it over your speedo in your driver.
Test it for a full week to see how your brain reacts to it.

 

[wizard of ahs]

I wonder if the Elgin will be an option...

Bad Ty...........go to your room

 

[airforceguy6]

Space constraints are at the top of the list of constraints. Analog dials waste space because of the sweep of the rotating indicator arm. Digital reproductions of an analog dial face continues the waste of space, very limited dashboard real estate. Thus the best solution is digital only. I have found the best available example of the idea:
JPEG image only: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/group/main/51/5150_1_lg.jpg
Vendor specs: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Gauges/Intellitronix-LED-Digital-Gauge-Panel
Jack Webb portraying Sargent Joe Friday of Dragnet fame said it best: "Just the facts ma'am." That is most desirable, just the facts because there isn't space for anything else.

Ugh, I cant stand a design as plain and boring as this in a car/bike/anything. Looks more like an alarm clock than an information gauge. I'm not against digital gauges, just make them a little bit more well thought out and modern design.

My Ford Fusion has a cluster that mixes digital and a single needle gauge, and keeps the information simple but informative and modern:

 

[Coss]

Ugh, I cant stand a design as plain and boring as this in a car/bike/anything. Looks more like an alarm clock than an information gauge. I'm not against digital gauges, just make them a little bit more well thought out and modern design.

My Ford Fusion has a cluster that mixes digital and a single needle gauge, and keeps the information simple but informative and modern:

View attachment 11908

Reminds me of a wristwatch. But I agree, it is simple and clear.

 

[Karnaj]

Reminds me of a wristwatch. But I agree, it is simple and clear.

Kind of like the Elgin?

 

[Coss]

Kind of like the Elgin?

More like a Timex

 

[2barrel]

I wan't something that will take a lickin and keep on ticken and won't have to be replaced as soon as the warranty is up. Ever have to replace a customer's digital dash?