A Pillar or Center Guage pod?

deft · 01-30-2004, 11:56 AM

I'm thinking of getting a guage pod, and at first I was only considering the center guage pod. However, I've read that the center guage pod isn't as easy to see, in a situation where you would want to look quickly, whereas the A-pillar pod would be right there in front of you.

Does anyone have that sort of experience with a center guage pod?

On to the a-pillar.

With the a-pillar I'm afraid that I will lose a bit a visibility, but I'm wondering how bad it woudl be. I know in my Pathfinder, I always try to check around the A-pillar because I know a little car could hide in there, but would the a-pillar pod on a wrx be worse? Or how much trouble would it cause? Also, how noticeable are a-pillar pods from the outside. It's hard to really get a grasp on those sorts of things just from pictures.

Anyway thanks a bunch.

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Kean · 01-30-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by deft
I'm thinking of getting a guage pod, and at first I was only considering the center guage pod. However, I've read that the center guage pod isn't as easy to see, in a situation where you would want to look quickly, whereas the A-pillar pod would be right there in front of you.

Does anyone have that sort of experience with a center guage pod?

On to the a-pillar.

With the a-pillar I'm afraid that I will lose a bit a visibility, but I'm wondering how bad it woudl be. I know in my Pathfinder, I always try to check around the A-pillar because I know a little car could hide in there, but would the a-pillar pod on a wrx be worse? Or how much trouble would it cause? Also, how noticeable are a-pillar pods from the outside. It's hard to really get a grasp on those sorts of things just from pictures.

Anyway thanks a bunch.

I guess it really depends on what kind of gauges you're looking at installing. Are they going to be one's that need constant attention? I have Boost, Oil Pressure, and Volts mounted in the factory gauge housing (52mm). In the future I'll be relocating the Boost gauge to the steering column. I'll then be able to glance at the speedometer, tachometer, & Boost in one glance. As for the other two, they are not the kind of instruments that require constant monitoring. In my opinion, I find A-pillar mounts to be too "in your face" and "boy racer-ish" for my tastes. Besides, I personally don't find the need to have the gauges in that position. The dash mount is still within my visual range when looking forward and I have warning lights to grab my attention when the readings are out of norm. Maybe you can hook up with some fellow Subaru owners in your area who have one or both set-ups for you to look at. You may be more comfortable with an A-pillar mount.

I agree with you........pictures can only show you so much.

- Kean

Uncle Scotty · 01-30-2004, 04:24 PM

I like the Autometer bezel I have, and wouldn't consider a pillar mount.

awdman · 01-31-2004, 05:33 PM

Consider this as well. How accustomed are you to looking left for your engine info? I have never had a car set up like that. Sure you could get used to it after awhile, but when you can stay natural and look to the right....

brunetmj · 01-31-2004, 07:57 PM

I have often wondered how the location and type of display (i.e. digital vrs. analog) effects the brain processing time. I have a digital speedometer and tach on the dash near the left heater vent .It looks out of place but I don’t care because it works so well. To look down on gauges means the eyes have to focus (short) and then refocus up (long). As a person gets older this refocus takes longer and longer . Also information from analog gauges has to be processed differently then digital. Any budding scientist out there with an interest in cars? It would be an interesting study to see how location , type and perhaps color effects response times.
In regard to looking left and right. It has been shown that eyes move in different directions depending on what the brain is thinking and is unique to that person . So some people may find it easier to process numbers looking in one direction versus the other.

01-30-2004, 11:56 AM	#1
deft Scooby Specialist Member#: 46624 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Vehicle: 2004 WRX World Rally Blue	A Pillar or Center Guage pod? I'm thinking of getting a guage pod, and at first I was only considering the center guage pod. However, I've read that the center guage pod isn't as easy to see, in a situation where you would want to look quickly, whereas the A-pillar pod would be right there in front of you. Does anyone have that sort of experience with a center guage pod? On to the a-pillar. With the a-pillar I'm afraid that I will lose a bit a visibility, but I'm wondering how bad it woudl be. I know in my Pathfinder, I always try to check around the A-pillar because I know a little car could hide in there, but would the a-pillar pod on a wrx be worse? Or how much trouble would it cause? Also, how noticeable are a-pillar pods from the outside. It's hard to really get a grasp on those sorts of things just from pictures. Anyway thanks a bunch. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-31-2004, 05:33 PM	#4
awdman Scooby Newbie Member#: 27962 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Indy/East side Vehicle: 2003 WRX Sedan Blue, with more dings!	another angle Consider this as well. How accustomed are you to looking left for your engine info? I have never had a car set up like that. Sure you could get used to it after awhile, but when you can stay natural and look to the right....

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01-30-2004, 04:24 PM	#3
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	I like the Autometer bezel I have, and wouldn't consider a pillar mount.

01-31-2004, 07:57 PM	#5
brunetmj Scooby Specialist Member#: 8023 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Way-upstate , NY Vehicle: 2004 2.5 RS	I have often wondered how the location and type of display (i.e. digital vrs. analog) effects the brain processing time. I have a digital speedometer and tach on the dash near the left heater vent .It looks out of place but I don’t care because it works so well. To look down on gauges means the eyes have to focus (short) and then refocus up (long). As a person gets older this refocus takes longer and longer . Also information from analog gauges has to be processed differently then digital. Any budding scientist out there with an interest in cars? It would be an interesting study to see how location , type and perhaps color effects response times. In regard to looking left and right. It has been shown that eyes move in different directions depending on what the brain is thinking and is unique to that person . So some people may find it easier to process numbers looking in one direction versus the other.