Digital gauges in cluster- expose circuit board or not?

[Agent☣Orange]

I'm working on replacing my stock fake gauges with some fancier ones that actually do something. Since my theme is high tech and I was experimenting with gauge placement, it kind of dawned on me that it looks cool to leave the gauge's circuit board exposed. But, I also have the black mask that hides the circuit board along with an amber lens that are supposed to be part of the gauge.

So now I'm in a toss up and looking for opinions between three different options: letting the circuit board be exposed with no lens OR use the black mask and amber lens OR circuit board exposed with amber lens (no mask). I guess I should have taken photos of those other versions too. I'll do it tomorrow.

Oh, just to head off any threadcreep, keep in mind that I'm only asking for opinions about looks, not that what I'm doing is stupid and how great your Autometer gauges are. I'm definitely doing to do this project with what I have. Don't mind that I'm using a fuel gauge in the oil gauge location in a couple fotos, it's only a test fitting.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/c9d69db2.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/c0ef6797.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/55041a7d.jpg

[concealer404]

Someone else actually put a digital gauge in the "oil pressure" location, wish i could remember who it was. But it was some fancy thing that would output 4 readings at once, looked pretty trick.

I can certainly dig the idea. :)

[George]

good idea, I'd not do the exposed board, but if it fits your theme then do it! I've always wanted the Arrive gauge (http://www.do-da.co.jp/accessory/meter)
http://www.do-da.co.jp/accessory/pics/malti01.jpg

[concealer404]

^Ok, that's awesome. I bet it's expensive as hell, right? :lol:

[George]

50000JPY for this one and 30000JPY for lite version (probably without warning lights, peak values etc)

[concealer404]

Oh sorry... just re-read the original question. :lol:

I vote for NO exposed circuit board, amber lens.

[Agent☣Orange]

Someone else actually put a digital gauge in the "oil pressure" location, wish i could remember who it was. But it was some fancy thing that would output 4 readings at once, looked pretty trick.
I can certainly dig the idea. :)

This one?

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Nardi%20Gara%20Sport%20350mm%20D-cut%20in%20Miata/NardiGaranPLXOBDnShiftI2eml.jpg

[concealer404]

Yeah that one!

[Ktdubya]

mmm plx obd gauge

[Muzdaman]

Im definitely digging the exposed PCB.

[Agent☣Orange]

Yes, good eyes, that's a PLX in the center but I just yanked it out to join its two brothers in a center console gauge panel.

Going to go digital on the three gauges in the cluster. I'm not going to spend $600 on an Arrive gauge and thanks for noticing this thread is not asking what gauge options are out there, only the aesthetic choices I have with these current ones.

I know I said I was going to post more photos but then life got in the way and I have to wait until this weekend. I kinda like the exposed board but I also like exposed with amber lens. I thought about tinting the lens as well with some window tint. I'll know more this weekend.

[richterat83]

This one?

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Nardi%20Gara%20Sport%20350mm%20D-cut%20in%20Miata/NardiGaranPLXOBDnShiftI2eml.jpg

more info?

[concealer404]

+1. I just noticed that there was stuff in the steering wheel. :lol:

[The Platypus]

I don't like the exposed circuit board.

[Agent☣Orange]

I've been playing around with it a little more and I think I'm going to put in the amber lens but with some window tint. I had some super dark stuff but the gauge looked black. Now I'm going to get a small roll of slight tint and see if I can get some of the amber to show through.

[The Platypus]

Ooo. Maybe new pics will change my mind.

[Agent☣Orange]

If I build it, they will come. ;)

[Agent☣Orange]

Okay, I took a couple more picts of the process:

With amber lens, no mask
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/e108cac2.jpg

Got a roll of window tint and you can see the amber lens better here
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/03a6acda.jpg

Finally, with amber lens, tint and mask and powered testing
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Instrument%20cluster/Digital%20gauges/129df47d.jpg

[I<3flippyheadlights]

That. Is. Awesome.

[BlueMotorsport]

where would one aquire those gauges?

[Agent☣Orange]

They're Cyberdyne gauges, available everywhere, come in different colors and pretty inexpensive.

[concealer404]

Sir, where is your build thread?

[psulja]

I'd vote no for the exposed circuit board, but those gauges are awesome!

Make build thread.. NAOW!

[Agent☣Orange]

Cool, thanks! I really like 'em, especially in amber since my Miata is yellow. It's only an amber lens over white LEDs though so I could leave it off for white. Or, go to a hobby store and get pretty much any color cellophane I want. I can't decide if I want the circuitry showing or not. I like it shown and masked both. Have to decide soon. I was just thinking that even though the mask is black, it could be painted a different color or even covered in carbon fiber vinyl.

I will do a build thread when I'm done testing. So far, I need about $50 to fill my tank so I can calibrate the gauge. (

[SM16RMSM]

I was looking at the company website and well, there is a red NA on it. Funny. Never heard of them, I vote to cover up the board. It will look cleaner that way. I like it so far.

[Agent☣Orange]

I like it. It's a really simple and inexpensive gauge that can be taken apart and modded into the Miata cluster. The gas gauge in particular can be calibrated even further and doesn't need any wires run beyond the stock cluster.

Also, it goes to show that if you want a more expensive gauge like Autometer or a fancy analog gauge like in a custom hot rod, you can replace the clunky stock Miata gauge with a better one, even with a low fuel light. Miatas before your MSM didn't come with a low-fuel light as they started it in 2003. I hear some years of NA had it though.

[SM16RMSM]

I never seen the NA with a low fuel light before. But my light doesn't come on unless the needle is on E exactly. I barley hit E before I fill back up. I like the silver the NB Mazdaspeed gauges have. I want to do a piller for extra gauges.

[David23Kipp]

I like it with Amber lens & no mask !

A slight Printed circuit board Part should be visible ; Other wise Digits of 7-segments seem to be much exposed and bright !

I am Planning to use a Single LED light Bar-Segment & a Printed Lens with % age of Fuel Available !

Thanks

5336

[Agent☣Orange]

It's not really a write up, more like a "what if?" but very glad if it inspires anyone to take it further.

[tsingson]

That looks great! I want these gauges.