Best looking gauges - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

drfunk · 2012-01-20, 05:58 PM

What gauges are you guys using. What do you think the best looking are? Please post pics. Thinking of investing in new ones. Boost and air/fuel

khail19 · 2012-01-20, 08:20 PM

What kind of price range are you looking at?

For inexpensive gauges I like VDO Vision series, they are not at all flashy and they have nice backlighting. I prefer gauges that match the dash cluster and lighting as much as possible.

Here's day and night pics from my old car...

WRX06TR · 2012-01-20, 09:26 PM

Here is my set up. Stay away from Prosports, they suck. On the right is a Defi Racer Series and it is a really great looking gauge, expensive but some of the best gauges money can buy.

sperry · 2012-01-21, 12:09 AM

I'm partial to the Defi line (boost, water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, egt in the race car). But they're kinda screaming expensive. And for just one gauge, they're over kill. And in retrospect, for the race car they're too flashy and hard to read in bright daylight under race conditions (they're the BF series). But they're awesome in a street car. In my outback I went with the sti genome legacy gauges which are made by defi.

Keep in mind though, virtually none of the gauge manufacturers out there make an A/F gauge worth a damn because they're not wideband. I wouldn't bother with any A/F gauge other than an Innovate. And their gauges aren't likely to exactly match whatever boost gauge you pick. I've got an innovate lc1 with a plain digital display in the race car.

One brand many people overlook is ISSPro. They make high quality gauges popular with the truck crowd. I have a boost/Egt/tranny temp setup in my truck. The match the stock ford gauges very well. And would actually match the stock rs/WRX gauges too I imagine. Plus they're not bank breaking, and you still get full sweep electric gauges.

drfunk · 2012-01-21, 09:58 AM

i have matching vdo phantom gauges now that are ok, but ive seen the ones that are blacked out when off, then light up nicley when on, and do the same clockwise startup turn that the sti gauges do. Are those the defi?

GusGus91 · 2012-01-21, 10:02 AM

Yea those are the defi bf series gauges that you're talking about.

WRX06TR · 2012-01-21, 10:17 AM

The Defi Racer Series does a sweeping start up too.

GusGus91 · 2012-01-21, 10:24 AM

The Defi Advance CR's are something to look at too. That's what I have in both cars.

JoeWRX · 2012-01-21, 12:51 PM

I have the Defi advanced BF series (Boost, oil pressure, oil temperature) and an AEM wideband in the cubbyhole
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Defi...ric-60mm-Gauge

knucklesplitter · 2012-01-21, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Keep in mind though, virtually none of the gauge manufacturers out there make an A/F gauge worth a damn because they're not wideband.

Very untrue. AEM's UEGO AFR gauge uses the same Bosch O2 sensor their standalone ECU's use. Even the perceived-as-lowly Prosport uses a Bosch 17025, which is as "wide" as any other wideband and is also used by Motec.

I think Prosports are pretty decent gauges for the money. We've installed quite a few with none having any problems, other then the instructions suck.

I came across a Defi BR gauge last week that was reading 2+ psi high (when often they read 1-2 psi low up here at 4500'). So pricey doesn't always mean accurate... or calibrated.

drfunk · 2012-01-21, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeWRX

I have the Defi advanced BF series (Boost, oil pressure, oil temperature) and an AEM wideband in the cubbyhole
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Defi...ric-60mm-Gauge

that looks sick. i wonder if they make it in green to match my 03 gauges. By the way what is bad about thr prosport gauges? Surley the higher end line is ok..right? I havent read too many reviews, but lots of people that have them seem to like them. Not to mention they are more affordable.

drfunk · 2012-01-21, 03:04 PM

this is my current setup

knucklesplitter · 2012-01-21, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfunk

By the way what is bad about thr prosport gauges? Surley the higher end line is ok..right? I havent read too many reviews, but lots of people that have them seem to like them. Not to mention they are more affordable.

They are made offshore, prolly China (like most things these days). They got a reputation for their gauges being DOA out of the box when they first started marketing them. That has gotten much better. Like I said, for the money I think they are fine.

cody · 2012-01-21, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRX06TR

Here is my set up. Stay away from Prosports, they suck. On the right is a Defi Racer Series and it is a really great looking gauge, expensive but some of the best gauges money can buy.

I have this same gauge pod but with the Omori Boost and EGT gauges that match my stock green lighting and font (sorta). Problem is, I can't find a compatible replacement EGT probe and because apparently the ones I bought from J-spectuning are discontinued or something. Looks like they have newer ones that look similar though.

http://www.j-spectuning.com/index.php?cPath=21_24

drfunk · 2012-01-21, 09:17 PM

how about stri? I really want the blacked out look that lights up with ign on. Nothing i can find comes in green, but the prosports, which im reading to be pretty inconsistent with accuracy.

cody · 2012-01-21, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfunk

how about stri? I really want the blacked out look that lights up with ign on. Nothing i can find comes in green, but the prosports, which im reading to be pretty inconsistent with accuracy.

You saw these from the link I posted though, right?

khail19 · 2012-01-21, 11:09 PM

Cody, I think he wants a gauge with a tinted lens that look completely black when they are off. Not just a black colored face.

cody · 2012-01-21, 11:12 PM

True. I also don't see an Omori AFR but EGT is generally better for most people anyway.

GusGus91 · 2012-01-22, 12:29 AM

My friend has STRI gauges. They seem pretty good.

drfunk · 2012-01-22, 12:06 PM

ok. just another thought. Are the 2004 thru ? wrx and sti gauges compatible with my 03 rs? Can they directly plug in and work correctly? Then the amber gauges with match nicely, and ill have the benefit of badass gauge cluster.
I found a 2004 wrx cluster with roughly the same mileage as mine (within 1000 miles) for around $125. But do the 04' wrx gauges glow green still, or red?

GusGus91 · 2012-01-22, 12:42 PM

wrx gauges are green still. only sti's are red. and it should plug and play as far as i know.. my sti cluster plugged right into my wrx

knucklesplitter · 2012-01-22, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfunk

how about stri? I really want the blacked out look that lights up with ign on. Nothing i can find comes in green, but the prosports, which im reading to be pretty inconsistent with accuracy.

STRI are pretty nice, but not as many features for the money as Prosport Premium. A little harder to wire up too.

The Prosports have a nice wiring feature. You wire one up and then they daisy-chain to each other from there.

Omori is a good gauge if you can find them, and at a decent price.

Bob Danger · 2012-01-22, 04:06 PM

I've been looking at old military aviation gauges for my car. I want to pretend I'm a R.A.F. pilot during the war, If don't like the what the gauges are reading I can give them a good tap, and they'll read correctly. But I think most aircraft of that era were 6v.

van · 2012-01-22, 05:38 PM

I've owned one prosport gauge and it failed me, actually it's sender failed(boost gauge). They do make cool looking gauges I'm just not sure they have the best quality.

sperry · 2012-01-22, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Danger

I've been looking at old military aviation gauges for my car. I want to pretend I'm a R.A.F. pilot during the war, If don't like the what the gauges are reading I can give them a good tap, and they'll read correctly. But I think most aircraft of that era were 6v.

Please don't put RAF gauges in a BMW.

2012-01-20, 05:58 PM	#1
drfunk EJ22 Real Name: Sean Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ammon,ID Posts: 182 Car: 2003 subi 25rs turbo	Best looking gauges What gauges are you guys using. What do you think the best looking are? Please post pics. Thinking of investing in new ones. Boost and air/fuel __________________ the beauty of RS-T

2012-01-20, 08:20 PM	#2
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	What kind of price range are you looking at? For inexpensive gauges I like VDO Vision series, they are not at all flashy and they have nice backlighting. I prefer gauges that match the dash cluster and lighting as much as possible. Here's day and night pics from my old car... Last edited by khail19; 2012-01-20 at 08:22 PM. Reason: pics

2012-01-20, 09:26 PM	#3
WRX06TR EJ251 Real Name: Nick P Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reno Posts: 881 Car: 2005 STi Class: MadtyteTunerBro! Back to the studio!	Here is my set up. Stay away from Prosports, they suck. On the right is a Defi Racer Series and it is a really great looking gauge, expensive but some of the best gauges money can buy. Attached Thumbnails

2012-01-21, 12:09 AM	#4
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	I'm partial to the Defi line (boost, water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, egt in the race car). But they're kinda screaming expensive. And for just one gauge, they're over kill. And in retrospect, for the race car they're too flashy and hard to read in bright daylight under race conditions (they're the BF series). But they're awesome in a street car. In my outback I went with the sti genome legacy gauges which are made by defi. Keep in mind though, virtually none of the gauge manufacturers out there make an A/F gauge worth a damn because they're not wideband. I wouldn't bother with any A/F gauge other than an Innovate. And their gauges aren't likely to exactly match whatever boost gauge you pick. I've got an innovate lc1 with a plain digital display in the race car. One brand many people overlook is ISSPro. They make high quality gauges popular with the truck crowd. I have a boost/Egt/tranny temp setup in my truck. The match the stock ford gauges very well. And would actually match the stock rs/WRX gauges too I imagine. Plus they're not bank breaking, and you still get full sweep electric gauges. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2012-01-21, 09:58 AM	#5
drfunk EJ22 Real Name: Sean Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ammon,ID Posts: 182 Car: 2003 subi 25rs turbo	i have matching vdo phantom gauges now that are ok, but ive seen the ones that are blacked out when off, then light up nicley when on, and do the same clockwise startup turn that the sti gauges do. Are those the defi? __________________ the beauty of RS-T

2012-01-21, 10:02 AM	#6
GusGus91 EJ205 Real Name: Austin Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Reno, NV Posts: 1,406 Car: 2006 WRB WRX TR, 2008 LR STI Class: Too classy Dont sweat the petty... Pet the sweaty.	Yea those are the defi bf series gauges that you're talking about. __________________ "Like" me on facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/AP-Cre...2196449?v=wall _______________ 06 WRX w/ 6MT UNDER CONSTRUCTION 09 chicane yellow 370z

2012-01-21, 10:17 AM	#7
WRX06TR EJ251 Real Name: Nick P Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reno Posts: 881 Car: 2005 STi Class: MadtyteTunerBro! Back to the studio!	The Defi Racer Series does a sweeping start up too.

2012-01-21, 10:24 AM	#8
GusGus91 EJ205 Real Name: Austin Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Reno, NV Posts: 1,406 Car: 2006 WRB WRX TR, 2008 LR STI Class: Too classy Dont sweat the petty... Pet the sweaty.	The Defi Advance CR's are something to look at too. That's what I have in both cars. __________________ "Like" me on facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/AP-Cre...2196449?v=wall _______________ 06 WRX w/ 6MT UNDER CONSTRUCTION 09 chicane yellow 370z

2012-01-21, 12:51 PM	#9
JoeWRX EJ22 Real Name: Joe Gardner Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No-Town Posts: 134 Car: C63 AMG oops...	I have the Defi advanced BF series (Boost, oil pressure, oil temperature) and an AEM wideband in the cubbyhole http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Defi...ric-60mm-Gauge

2012-01-21, 03:04 PM	#12
drfunk EJ22 Real Name: Sean Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ammon,ID Posts: 182 Car: 2003 subi 25rs turbo	this is my current setup Attached Thumbnails __________________ the beauty of RS-T

2012-01-21, 09:17 PM	#15
drfunk EJ22 Real Name: Sean Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ammon,ID Posts: 182 Car: 2003 subi 25rs turbo	how about stri? I really want the blacked out look that lights up with ign on. Nothing i can find comes in green, but the prosports, which im reading to be pretty inconsistent with accuracy. __________________ the beauty of RS-T

2012-01-21, 11:09 PM	#17
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	Cody, I think he wants a gauge with a tinted lens that look completely black when they are off. Not just a black colored face.

2012-01-21, 11:12 PM	#18
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	True. I also don't see an Omori AFR but EGT is generally better for most people anyway. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2012-01-22, 12:29 AM	#19
GusGus91 EJ205 Real Name: Austin Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Reno, NV Posts: 1,406 Car: 2006 WRB WRX TR, 2008 LR STI Class: Too classy Dont sweat the petty... Pet the sweaty.	My friend has STRI gauges. They seem pretty good. __________________ "Like" me on facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/AP-Cre...2196449?v=wall _______________ 06 WRX w/ 6MT UNDER CONSTRUCTION 09 chicane yellow 370z

2012-01-22, 12:06 PM	#20
drfunk EJ22 Real Name: Sean Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ammon,ID Posts: 182 Car: 2003 subi 25rs turbo	ok. just another thought. Are the 2004 thru ? wrx and sti gauges compatible with my 03 rs? Can they directly plug in and work correctly? Then the amber gauges with match nicely, and ill have the benefit of badass gauge cluster. I found a 2004 wrx cluster with roughly the same mileage as mine (within 1000 miles) for around $125. But do the 04' wrx gauges glow green still, or red? __________________ the beauty of RS-T Last edited by drfunk; 2012-01-22 at 12:08 PM.

2012-01-22, 12:42 PM	#21
GusGus91 EJ205 Real Name: Austin Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Reno, NV Posts: 1,406 Car: 2006 WRB WRX TR, 2008 LR STI Class: Too classy Dont sweat the petty... Pet the sweaty.	wrx gauges are green still. only sti's are red. and it should plug and play as far as i know.. my sti cluster plugged right into my wrx __________________ "Like" me on facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/AP-Cre...2196449?v=wall _______________ 06 WRX w/ 6MT UNDER CONSTRUCTION 09 chicane yellow 370z

2012-01-22, 04:06 PM	#23
Bob Danger Tape Terrorist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Melmac Posts: 1,792 Car: ? Class: Retired! Warning: Prolonged eye contact may cause insanity	I've been looking at old military aviation gauges for my car. I want to pretend I'm a R.A.F. pilot during the war, If don't like the what the gauges are reading I can give them a good tap, and they'll read correctly. But I think most aircraft of that era were 6v. __________________ A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi.

2012-01-22, 05:38 PM	#24
van SECCS Brewmeister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: on the edge of a marsh Posts: 1,451	I've owned one prosport gauge and it failed me, actually it's sender failed(boost gauge). They do make cool looking gauges I'm just not sure they have the best quality.

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