This Weeks Tech Talk Is All About Interiors

[Joshua Caldwell]

To the people planning on adjusting side mirrors to cover the area directly behind - which Elio recommends, the proper way to use side mirrors is actually to see the people beside you not behind you.
Thank you Zipper, I didn't realize they were so cheap, a license plate frame camera would be perfect

 

[Kuda]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Rear-Vi...License-Plate-Frame-CMOS-Silver-/121219486547

 

[Inigo93]

the proper way to use side mirrors is actually to see the people beside you not behind you.

True statement... When you have a rear view mirror. When you don't, you need some way of seeing what's behind you. Hello, side mirrors.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

Heck, these backup license plate cameras are good & cheap enough to purchase now for my current car I always thought they cost hundreds.

I found and purchased the following since I always have my iPhone in a mount when driving & will let you know how it works out. Given that it transmits wirelessly and gets the power from the wires in the trunk I expect this to be easily transferred to the Elio once it's made. This one was $154 with tax & S&H.

http://4ucam.com/iphone-android-ipad-WIFI-Backup-Camera.html

 

[Brian1362]

Heck, these backup license plate cameras are good & cheap enough to purchase now for my current car I always thought they cost hundreds.

I found and purchased the following since I always have my iPhone in a mount when driving & will let you know how it works out. Given that it transmits wirelessly and gets the power from the wires in the trunk I expect this to be easily transferred to the Elio once it's made. This one was $154 with tax & S&H.

http://4ucam.com/iphone-android-ipad-WIFI-Backup-Camera.html

I don't have a stupid-phone, but aftermarket backup cams are like 50 bucks with screen on ebay.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

I saw those, but I REALLY don't like running wires + many of those devices are ticket magnets in many states due to their large screens which police interpret as being DVD players visible from the drivers seats.

 

[Kuda]

Alternatives.........

 

[JP]

Since I'm such a car guy, I think some custom gauges are in order

 

[Neal]

I think I'm one of the very few who doesn't mind the proposed guages.

 

[Jayne Shelby]

Just to go on record regarding the Lord Elgin Design instrument cluster. I don't like it. Analog, baby. I've had digital everything and although it is cool, practicality is lost on the instruments that require quick scans as you operate the vehicle. I don't have to know my speed or engine rpm to the nearest tenth nor do I want to take the time to interpret the digits.

The solution that I like best is the 'glass cockpit'. A display screen that can provide a video representation of analog, digital or a combination of both as well as virtually any other pertinent information. Since such a system would likely increase the cost of the vehicle by 50%, I don't expect to see one incorporated.

Just give me good old analog for all the important stuff and I'll be just fine.