Why would ya go with anything but digital gauges?????????

[SilentDave]

Does anybody make an analog gauge along with an integrated digital readout or digital representation of an analog gauge? Seems like the best of both worlds. Here's a couple of pictures of what I'm trying to describe.

 

[Matt400]

Thats slick. . looks like aircraft stuff.

 

[rbattelle]

Dave, where did you get a picture of my "dream" dashboard?



-Ryan

 

[Matt400]

Here is a pdf file on an analog type gauge with led warnings to get the drivers attention:

http://preview.ametek.com/content-manager/files/DIX/40333.pdf

 

[klenger]

The company I work for make stuff like that, but in the aviation world we have a saying, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it. " See http://www.uasc.com/products/index.asp?contentid=prod_flatpanel&rightmenuid=92 for info on it.

 

[Luke Warmwater]

Dave, that is exactly what I think someone could make a killing on if they made LCD needles for the analog look along with maybe switchable bar graphing and logging of min/max/plots.

 

[rbattelle]

Dave, that is exactly what I think someone could make a killing on if they made LCD needles for the analog look along with maybe switchable bar graphing and logging of min/max/plots.

I have that exact thing on my OBD-2 monitor. I use the software and hardware from www.obd-2.com.



The virtual dash has analog gauges with digital readouts, fully customizeable, plus extensive plotting and statistical analysis.



-Ryan

 

[Luke Warmwater]

Pretty neat! Now if one could interface with a Palm Pilot. Things that make ya go hmmmmmmm...

 

[joaker]

I have that exact thing on my OBD-2 monitor. I use the software and hardware from www.obd-2.com.



The virtual dash has analog gauges with digital readouts, fully customizeable, plus extensive plotting and statistical analysis.



-Ryan

So does this monitor use a laptop then?

Just plugs in through you diagnostic port I assume?

Can you do any adjustments through it?

How much money is this setup worth?



Thanks



(P. S. I am on the boat for the analog gauges too, I don't like the triple pod setup though, I just use the dual, the Airdog has a low FP circuit that I tied an alarm led into, which is mounted above the top gauge in the pod, easy to see, looks and works awesome)

 

[rbattelle]

So does this monitor use a laptop then?

Just plugs in through you diagnostic port I assume?

Can you do any adjustments through it?

How much money is this setup worth?

No laptop. Computer is fully integrated into the cab. Check out this thread.



-Ryan

 

[joaker]

Very sneaky, though if one had the funds, an in dash dvd player with monitor would likely be less in your line of sight, mgreat idea though, congrats... . is there a way to make it work with a palm pilot? Can this software setup be used to clear DTC's in all sorts of vehicles, I went to the site, not sure... .

 

[rbattelle]

I have used the software to do check and clear codes on several different cars of varying makes/models. The connector I have will work with every vehicle sold in North America manufactured as of 1996.



There is no PDA version of the software.



-Ryan

 

[Luke Warmwater]

There is no PDA version of the software.



-Ryan

That is my point hehe

 

[Matt400]

Pretty neat! Now if one could interface with a Palm Pilot. Things that make ya go hmmmmmmm...

You mean like this one?

Full screen like Ryan has is more easy to read but PDA based is more portable and could be used like a plug -n- play satellite radio.

 

[Neibe]

Analog remember this KISS principle.

 

[Matt400]

Analog remember this KISS principle.

True, but I see them analog guys using pin needles, isolators, antifreeze and such for a fuel pressure gauge vs an electrical transducer.

 

[RMalone]

This has turned into a great thread! Today I saw an ad for a in dash dvd, from jensen or jvc forget which, the store was circuit city. This baby was pretty neat, the ad said it would show gauge info. Even showed a picture of the 6" screen with various sample of what the unit will do. Mostly music and dvd functions, sat radio, gps, and one shot of a analog type gauge face.



I dont really think this unit would be set up with all the inputs oil-heads really want, but it shows that the technology is right there and before long we'll all be able to purchase something with a 6 to 8 inch screen that will display a whole bunch of vehicle info. I know not everyone would want one but I sure would!



Oh yeah, that new dvd combo I mentioned was priced 2 g's

But it was real cool.

 

[Matt400]

This might be nice when it does come out:#ad




Or maybe this:

#ad

 

[brods]

Ever wonder why many race vehicles still have analog guages? It's at least in part because it's a very simple to understand display of exactly what is going on with the parameter it's monitoring. It's not hard to look at an analog guage and see whether it's in the danger zone or not. With digital guages you must see the number, and then you have to decide whether it falls within acceptable limits or not. In fact, taking it a step further in racing vehicles, they tend to put the guages in so the needles all point a certain direction (straight up for example) when it's in the normal operating range, so you know what's going on instantaneously at a glance.

Bingo

Having the analog gauges with all the needles pointing up during ideal conditions is tough to beat.

Now if the digital numbers could be programmed to change color when they get outside the ideal range and weren't all jammed up in a busy little display... ... . I'd be interested. Does anything like that exist? And yeah, I'm in the over 35 crowd lol.

 

[funkra]

Chris,



I am a test pilot in the Marine Corps, and I can tell you most high performance operators prefer analog gauges. Like Tom says, it takes less time to register analog infomation, especially when you have a multiple gauges, jet engines, etc. Most analog gauges are set up so when the needle is vertical, you are "in the green. " If you have multiple instruments (one of my aircraft has a 32 gauges just for the engines), a quick glance with every needle at 12 o'clock tells you everything is normal. Digital readouts would take much longer to read. Even brand new fighters with all glass cockpits have mulifunction LCD displays with ANALOG readouts vice digital (yes, ANALOG). But what do I know, I only grew up on a farm, so I must be one of those dumb farm hicks your are talking about.