Elio Gauge Cluster - Lord Elgin? - Other Options?

[Ty]

Ironically, after reading this thread at work, I get home and the wife tells me the "check engine" light is on, on her '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Check for obvious things (gas cap, sensor wires, funny smells, etc...) no luck. Went to drive it up to my local O'Reilly's, engine light goes off. Guys up there tell me that the scanner they have won't tell you which code is popping unless the light is on at the time of testing ...crap! But while I was at the counter another customer enlightened me to a website, "AutoEnginuity".

https://www.autoenginuity.com/

They sell a adapter (and software) that allows you to use your laptop to check/fix/scan/datalog, etc...and reset the default settings on the vehicle. Little steep at $250, but a descent scanner that can't do any of that is about the same price. I know what I'm getting for Christmas!

... or use an ELM 327 off Amazon for $12 and the free app "torque" and your Android phone. Done.

 

[outsydthebox]

It would be pretty smart on EM's part to offer a labor cost only replacement ($50-$70?) option for the instrument cluster. I am confident that seeing the Elgin dash in person will not change my opinion that it is quite a horrible design for the purpose of an instrument cluster.

The Lord Elgin as a watch MIGHT work because the numbers are effectively stationary AND there won't possibly be an unexpected 40-ton semi merging into you as you take the time to comprehend the information from the display. This is not the case with tach and mpg readings where speed and accuracy of data comprehension is essential to avoid risks to a ticket, engine, or life. With the vast majority of existing instrument clusters, a relative needle position glance is often enough to make any driving adjustments. Because there is no such needle, the Elgin dash WILL require more attention away from the road.

That all being said, there are improvements EM could make that might make the Elgin bearable, and speed up the relay of more detailed information:

• Thinner and taller mph marks in a different color than the numbers (The mph marks should span the whole height of the "window" for every 10 mph)
• A much wider "window" (2x wider) to view more numbers at a time.
• Have the digital readout include a view of the trip/tank mpg (with option to reset)
• Include a temp gauge in the huge amount of wasted empty gray space (part of the most valuable utility space for a vehicle, most manufacturers respect this)
• Replace the 8-stage digital fuel indicator with a needle (or replace with at least 16 stages)

(To be read in a sincere, non-sarcastic tone )
I think you should look at the Elgin dash an an opportunity instead of a liability. This is an opportunity for you, and others, to put all of these great ideas together and actually make an aftermarket "upgrade" instrument cluster for the Elio! Instead, you are throwing away a fantastic money making opportunity, by "giving away" all of your secrets.

 

[Ty]

It would be pretty smart on EM's part to offer a labor cost only replacement ($50-$70?) option for the instrument cluster. I am confident that seeing the Elgin dash in person will not change my opinion that it is quite a horrible design for the purpose of an instrument cluster.

The Lord Elgin as a watch MIGHT work because the numbers are effectively stationary AND there won't possibly be an unexpected 40-ton semi merging into you as you take the time to comprehend the information from the display. This is not the case with tach and mpg readings where speed and accuracy of data comprehension is essential to avoid risks to a ticket, engine, or life. With the vast majority of existing instrument clusters, a relative needle position glance is often enough to make any driving adjustments. Because there is no such needle, the Elgin dash WILL require more attention away from the road.

That all being said, there are improvements EM could make that might make the Elgin bearable, and speed up the relay of more detailed information:

• Thinner and taller mph marks in a different color than the numbers (The mph marks should span the whole height of the "window" for every 10 mph)
• A much wider "window" (2x wider) to view more numbers at a time.
• Have the digital readout include a view of the trip/tank mpg (with option to reset)
• Include a temp gauge in the huge amount of wasted empty gray space (part of the most valuable utility space for a vehicle, most manufacturers respect this)
• Replace the 8-stage digital fuel indicator with a needle (or replace with at least 16 stages)

I tend to match highway speeds as I merge regardless of the posted speed. I can't imagine worrying enough to be staring at a dash. I prefer the sweep of a needle though as well.

 

[zelio]

I tend to mat h highway speeds as I merge regardless of the posted speed. I can't imagine worrying enough to be staring at a dash. I prefer the sweep of a needle though as well.

Thank you, Ty. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who does not look at the dash when I am merging. I am far more interested in what is going on on the road than what my dash says. Whew! What a relief. :-) Z

 

[goofyone]

The Elgin tachometer should not even be a point of contention in this vehicle as most vehicles sold will be automatics and people driving manuals almost never actually use their tachs. I had a Mazda B2000 pickup as a daily driver for several years with a manual transmission and no tach at all and it was never an issue. I currently own a manual transmission Honda Civic as a daily driver and two motorcycles yet I simply shift based on the amount of power I need and the sound of the engine and never had a problem doing it that way. The only time I really use the tach is if I do need to get close to redline and even then I only ever look at it as the engine winds up fully so I only ever see the needle in the last 1000 RPM or so before redline which will also be easy to see with the Elgin.

As for the speedometer I also rarely look at that. I only occasional glance at the speedo to verify and/or correct my speed to ensure I am not speeding, much. I don't need to see a big sweep of a needle as I only need to spot check my speed or adjust it in smallish increments which also will be easy to do in the Elgin

If everyone stopped to think about how they really use their gauges I am sure they would very likely find they use them pretty much the same way I do. The fact of the matter is that the Elign gauges will be perfectly functional and safe for everyday use.

If you don't like the design that is fine but please stop the nonsense about the gauges being unsafe and/or difficult to use as if this were the case the gauge experts at Dakkota would not produce them as this would expose them to potential liability. Keep in mind that Dakkota has no emotional attachments to the Lord Elgin watch at all and they are experts at gauge design and know what works and what does not much better than anyone commenting on here does.

 

[Rickb]

About the only time I look at the dash is when I set my cruise control........otherwise I seem to be going with the flow of traffic. Could care less about the tach in an automatic.

 

[goofyone]

The Elgin tachometer should not even be a point of contention in this vehicle as most vehicles sold will be automatics and people driving manuals almost never actually use their tachs. I had a Mazda B2000 pickup as a daily driver for several years with a manual transmission and no tach at all and it was never an issue. I currently own a manual transmission Honda Civic as a daily driver and two motorcycles yet I simply shift based on the amount of power I need and the sound of the engine and never had a problem doing it that way. The only time I really use the tach is if I do need to get close to redline and even then I only ever look at it as the engine winds up fully so I only ever see the needle in the last 1000 RPM or so before redline which will also be easy to see with the Elgin.

As for the speedometer I also rarely look at that. I only occasional glance at the speedo to verify and/or correct my speed to ensure I am not speeding, much. I don't need to see a big sweep of a needle as I only need to spot check my speed or adjust it in smallish increments which also will be easy to do in the Elgin

If everyone stopped to think about how they really use their gauges I am sure they would very likely find they use them pretty much the same way I do. The fact of the matter is that the Elign gauges will be perfectly functional and safe for everyday use.

If you don't like the design that is fine but please stop the nonsense about the gauges being unsafe and/or difficult to use as if this were the case the gauge experts at Dakkota would not produce them as this would expose them to potential liability. Keep in mind that Dakkota has no emotional attachments to the Lord Elgin watch at all and they are experts at gauge design and know what works and what does not much better than anyone commenting on here does.

By the way for those who may not know I have stated numerous times that my preference would be for a standard gauge cluster and that I have told EM this in person on several occasions. I wrote this not necessarily being a fan of the Elgin design but as someone who understands there is a big difference between the fact that I may not care for the design and it being a functional and safe design.

 

[lnwlf40]

I contacted Dakota Digital, they said they are not involved with Elio or the design/build of the Elgin dash.

 

[pistonboy]

By the way for those who may not know I have stated numerous times that my preference would be for a standard gauge cluster and that I have told EM this in person on several occasions. I wrote this not necessarily being a fan of the Elgin design but as someone who understands there is a big difference between the fact that I may not care for the design and it being a functional and safe design.

True, those are different distinctions.

 

[JEBar]

too many years of pushing big rigs from coast to coast and border to border have taught me to pay close attention to my vehicles gauges .... I don't own but one vehicle with idiot lights and it was my Mom's 2000 Buick Park Avenue .... I set the cruse control by RPM's, not by speed .... our Chevy truck has an M setting on the gear selector that allows me to manually shift the trucks 6-speed automatic transmission .... I select the appropriate towing gear by RPM's required to maintain the MPH I wish to run .... I do believe that poor gauges can cause problems and know from personal experience that guessing at one's MPH can bring on a blue light special .... for folks who don't want to use gauges, that's fine with me, I really couldn't care much less .... but to me accurate gauges play an important part in operating the vehicles I drive