Gauges For the Blind?

[CCBrady]

I know that there are a few of you that have the same problem that I have. That is, that as the years go by the eyes go bye-bye. Inside of the wind shield things are a little fuzzy, but outside every thing is ok, so I don't normally use my glasses. So my question is which gauges are easier to read. Looking at them in the stores and on the web give me some idea of how they are but I have found that in use thing can be differant.

Thanks, Chris

 

[sethAdams]

My issapro evos are pretty easy to read. although one good thing about analog guages over digital once you realize what is on the dials and where your truck should be running you don't really have to pay attention to what the numbers say just which way the pointer is facing for example if i look up at my pyro and the needle is buried to the right i know my egts are way high without actually having to read that its at 1500. defiantly one good reason to get a gage thats got a back lit pointer.

 

[TRCM]

I agree with above about learning where the needles should be, but I'd think the new style gages with the bright face at nite and a dark pointer would be more easily seen.

 

[Paychk]

Old racers trick with gauges, was to turn them so the needles were straight up when at normal operating parameters. Any thing else warranted a second look.

 

[Matt400]

My eyes are not so good either these days and what I like about digital gauges are the numeral size vs trying to count hash marks on an analog face. I agree knowing where the needle should be helps a ton but still can be hard if its just to the right or left of a face marking and you want to know what it really is.

 

[coobie]

I know that there are a few of you that have the same problem that I have. That is, that as the years go by the eyes go bye-bye. Inside of the wind shield things are a little fuzzy, but outside every thing is ok, so I don't normally use my glasses. So my question is which gauges are easier to read. Looking at them in the stores and on the web give me some idea of how they are but I have found that in use thing can be differant.

Thanks, Chris

I bought the BD-X moniter,it has digital readout and very easy to read. coobie

 

[CCBrady]

Thanks to all, I am leaning toward the analogs, because that is how I drive now. I know where the needle should be and I don't have to work to see the numbers. I have always liked the Westach gauges from my time working on aircraft and also because of the dual gauges, more info, less gauges to mount. But I wonder if the duals in a small face might not be a little hard to pick out. And I do like the Isspros, thier black face with colored temp. zones on thier ext. temp. I believe would make things easy. One other thing I plan on is to use the dash mounted pod, a little further away may make it easier to see.

Thanks again, Chris

 

[RT66DOC]

I have Westachs and just go by needle positions. Do that with all the gauges. The Westach dual boost/egt is very easy to see day or night.



I trained my brain to do an "instrument scan" in the truck every so often just as I did when flying. All those gauges, except maybe a couple, were analog and needle position was the only way to go, especially in a twin - two of everything for engine management plus all the navigation info. The nav/com radios were digital so when assigned a new frequency we just "counted clicks" to retune. Once used to that you don't even have to take your eyes off the road (sky).



As far as counting hash marks on the analog gauges - that can be done in your very own driveway sitting still. Once that's burned into your cerebral hard drive just watch the needles. You can even practice this visual stuff sitting in your Lazy Boy. Just close your eyes and see the gauges. Works for flying so the truck ought to be a piece of cake.



The dash mount pod might be good to get the gauges a little farther away from your face but I, personally, would find that a bit distracting as they'd be glaring right at the bottom of the outside field of view, especially at night. Mine are in the blank cubby hole next to the cup holder.



Also, maybe it's time for a visit to your friendly ophthalmologist for a checkup and some new bifocals.

 

[Riverside Joe]

Analog works for me on the dash pod. I use "white-out" with the brush tip to make my limit marks and range. It's white during the day, black at nite and I can see it against my cobalt black background gauges. -----RJ

 

[CCBrady]

Tom, been there done that. I use bifocals for up-close and just past the finger tips. I tried trifocals, but they just gave me headaches. Flying is a kick, I spent 17+ years as aircrew on Navy P-3s, miss the flying, but not the BS.

Later, Chris

 

[Matt400]

As far as counting hash marks on the analog gauges - that can be done in your very own driveway sitting still. Once that's burned into your cerebral hard drive just watch the needles.

True and very good for monitoring any trouble signs. A quick glance at an analog gets my vote if you want to see if your in or out of a safe zone.



Analogs to me are hard to evaluate a change you made such as opening up the air box which may only give you 20 degrees cooler EGT, thats where I would be counting marks and splitting differences.



I didn't mean to sound goofy, just depends on what you want to use the gauge for. I had Digital in my last truck and none yet in the new truck.

I still can't decide this time around, I would like analog with a digital high number recall and led warnings.



CCBrady- Navy P-3's, aren't those Sub Hunters? I seen those on Okinawa.

 

[CCBrady]

Matt, yes that is thier primary job, the Navy uses them for other things also. I was in Okinawa a few times and I hope to get back there someday, I really liked it there.

Chris

 

[Matt400]

After taking a closer look at different gauge configurations I have to say that the ISSPRO analog's are pretty nice. Easy to see 10 deg changes in trans temp due to its full sweep vs others, The 60 lb Boost gauge is easy to see 2 lb changes and the EGT is pretty easy to see 50 deg changes.



Even after having the high tech SPA gauges I may consider these, thanks for making me take another look.