Digital Dash's

[Jackal]

I am at the point of my build where I am looking at the gauges. I have a full set of VDO's but none of the senders. I have been wrestling with the decision of going with a digital setup instead. I have a carbon fiber dash and will be putting it on top of a new aluminum dash plate this weekend, but still have doubts about cutting into this nice new dash for gauges I may not be happy with.

 

I started by looking at the Stack (ST8130P) digital dash, mostly due to how good Mighty Mikes looks. The shop I go to often had mentioned the IQ3 setup, and recently I found the Digidash 2 (DD2 Pro). I'd like to have all the warning and indicator lights included on the digital dash as opposed to having to cut more holes in the new CF.

 

I wanted to see what you folks are using, and see if there are options I am missing.

 

Stack ST8130P

IQ3

Digidash DD2 Pro

 

any more I should be looking at?

[ayseven]

I've had both, most recently, a DigiDash 2 Lite from ETB (no transponder. GPS etc). First, installation of the digital dashes is a piece of cake, with WAY less wires in general, so less potential problems with grounding (earthing, as the chaps over there say). HOWEVER, driving with the digital display is not as reassuring, and I frankly hate pushing the button all the time to check temps. Maybe I'm just too old or something. You can programme the tach lights to whatever you want, so there should be no problem ever overrevving, and it is serious fun setting it up in the computer. Instructions from ETB are really good.

 

The digital systems will need their own sensors, which might make things interesting, if some of the fittings aren't a direct match (surprisingly, on my JDM Nissan engine, some fittings are not metric). The sensor has to be matched to the instrument.

 

I have made two proper dashes myself, out of the back of a stereo cabinet, covered in soft vinyl, and again from aluminIUM (had to say that - I don't know why they insist on saying that really), covered in fake carbon fibre. Advantage: you can screw up and make another one if necessary. It isn't difficult, believe it or not. Maybe you should try one from thin plywood, get the look you want, and then start cutting the beautiful carbon fibre.

 

You can see that even the smallest deviation from the norm, involves a number of implications, so you just have to mentally prepare for it, either by paying someone else, or just doing it yourself and living with the results (!)

Edited March 16, 2012 by ayseven

[Croc]

There are other options out there:

- Cosworth Pi system

- AIM MXL Pista or Strada

- Motec have one.

- RLC Racing Micropod http://rlcracing.com/micro-pod-lite-pro-x.htm

- RaceTechnology Dash 2 (or Dash 3 if you want to keep the tach and speedo and merge all auxiliary gauges onto one unit)

 

 

I have always thought this Stack unit is pretty cool:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/dash-displays/stack-steering-wheel-display

[JohnK]

Steering Wheel display is pretty awesome, but hang on for what's likely to be coming down the pike. Saw some notices on PhysOrg.com that major mfgs were getting ready to roll out heads-up dashboard displays for new production models. Wonder how long it'll be before they're adapted to aftermkt products?

[WestTexasS2K]

I'm using the Racepak IQ3 in my new car because it has all the main functions on the front page of the display. It large easy to read and you can use remote shift light toount high on the dash. It's very easily expands and has a serial bus for additional sensors so easy to expand in the future.

[shiva]

I'm using the Racepak IQ3 in my new car because it has all the main functions on the front page of the display. It large easy to read and you can use remote shift light toount high on the dash. It's very easily expands and has a serial bus for additional sensors so easy to expand in the future.

 

another thumbs up for the IQ3... The push button usage is a little hard to get used to. But once it's set your have maybe 2 or 3 sequences that you need to remember. (Start/stop line setting, review lap time, and min/max screen).

 

The programmable warning and alarm are nice. Easy to install in the car. And the serial bus makes it easy to wire things in the car. Also, the GPS lap timer is pretty dead-on. Maybe +/- 0.1s difference compared to a in-car racing beacon.

[Jackal]

Firstly, I appreciate everyone's feedback. Hopefully this info will help others in my situation in future.

 

I have been waffling a bit as to weither or not I will go with the large cost of a digital dash right away, or wait. I have been getting a lot of push towards the digital dash, but the wallet and the co-pilot have been leaning towards the cheaper VDO solution.

 

I've got some feedback for the various dash displays for you if interested. Just a short list of likes and dislikes from my own opinon, and limited knowledge. I check for the availability of the sensors for the dash as well, so I will not provide feedback on that, although only certain dash's provide the sensors in the base kit.

 

I've had both, most recently, a DigiDash 2 Lite from ETB (no transponder. GPS etc). First, installation of the digital dashes is a piece of cake, with WAY less wires in general, so less potential problems with grounding (earthing, as the chaps over there say). HOWEVER, driving with the digital display is not as reassuring, and I frankly hate pushing the button all the time to check temps. Maybe I'm just too old or something. You can programme the tach lights to whatever you want, so there should be no problem ever overrevving, and it is serious fun setting it up in the computer. Instructions from ETB are really good.

 

The digital systems will need their own sensors, which might make things interesting, if some of the fittings aren't a direct match (surprisingly, on my JDM Nissan engine, some fittings are not metric). The sensor has to be matched to the instrument.

 

The Digidash is the most recent digital solution I was looking into. I like many of the features for it, and the cost, but mostly appreciate that it includes the warning and indicator lights. The biggest downfall to it is that not all the info is displayed at once. Is there a way to set the dsplay to cycle through the sensor readings?

 

There are other options out there:

 

- Cosworth Pi system

- AIM MXL Pista or Strada

- Motec have one.

- RLC Racing Micropod http://rlcracing.com/micro-pod-lite-pro-x.htm

- RaceTechnology Dash 2 (or Dash 3 if you want to keep the tach and speedo and merge all auxiliary gauges onto one unit)

 

 

I have always thought this Stack unit is pretty cool:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/dash-displays/stack-steering-wheel-display

 

 

-Cosworth Pi - I like the look, and really like that it comes with Red back light. There appear to be warning lights on it, but unfortunately there doesn't appear to be the turn indicator lights on it. When optioned up, it is a bit expensive.

 

- Aim MXL - Great looking Dash with all the warning lights as well. A little on the pricey side, and does not have indicator lights that I can tell. That may be software adjustable though.

 

- Motec - Very straight forward. Not too keen on the way it looks, and the limited info on the screen at any given time.

 

- RLC - I feel it's more suited to race, and not suited to a daily driver. The looks arent to my taste either.

 

 

- RaceTechnology Dash 2 - Seems to have everything I want in a dash. Looks good, indicator lights are included, as well as headlight LED's. Lots of info on the display all at once, and a good price. Seems like it could be a suitable candidate. To me it seems very similar to the Digidash in the LED functionality for the warning and indicator lights and price point.

 

I'm using the Racepak IQ3 in my new car because it has all the main functions on the front page of the display. It large easy to read and you can use remote shift light toount high on the dash. It's very easily expands and has a serial bus for additional sensors so easy to expand in the future.

 

I like the look of the IQ3, and it was the first one recommended to me by a shop when I mentioned I was looking for a Stack dash.