Clocks

[D-Dubya]

I don't mind a digital dash as long as there's a fuel gauge with a needle. I don't trust the digital ones, like in our new 500 that show the level in blocks

[chaseracer]

The English market GS used the same clocks rather than the wacky Frog set up...

I still have a set of NOS Jaeger clocks from a GS. The plan remains to fit them to the Dyane some time before I die.

[RichardMoss]

It's a simple fact that the human brain processes analogue information more quickly than it processes digital info (the human brain is an analogue computer after all, and works best with pictures - think "Nuts" magazine!).

 

In my "office" (picture below) there is digital information on show but the really important stuff is combined with analogue indications to make it easier to see trends and to see if two items are balanced (for example engine indications).  The digital info is great for accuracy but slower to process - significantly slower.  The analogue pointers make ll the difference - especially for the engine instruments (left screen).  Colour coding helps in a big way too - if it's green it's good

 

 

The fight instruments also use a degree of analogue presentation - the airspeed (left side) and altitude (right side) are tapes that move up and down for clarity

 

In many ways, though, I still prefer this:

 

[cort16]

My Cortina has a clock in the centre console as can be seen in this concours interior picture. It's doesn't work obviously.

 

IMG_0948 by cort16, on Flickr

[trigger]

You have a clock in your Cortina? You flash bastard

[cort16]

It's all glamour

[forddeliveryboy]

I used to ride in a late Cortina incarnation, there was something amazingly sleazy about them to me, even as a 10 year old. I remember the clock, and how sensible it was over the Jap illuminations.

 

 

I still have a set of NOS Jaeger clocks from a GS. The plan remains to fit them to the Dyane some time before I die.

 

I've the electrical plans for converting the GS tach to read flat-twin revs accurately, when you get round to it. It's a revelation, how fast these engines turn with no ill effects. You think you know how great they are, until there's a rev counter.

 

It's a simple fact that the human brain processes analogue information more quickly than it processes digital info (the human brain is an analogue computer after all, and works best with pictures - think "Nuts" magazine!).

 

In my "office" (picture below) there is digital information on show but the really important stuff is combined with analogue indications to make it easier to see trends and to see if two items are balanced (for example engine indications).  The digital info is great for accuracy but slower to process - significantly slower.  The analogue pointers make ll the difference - especially for the engine instruments (left screen).  Colour coding helps in a big way too - if it's green it's good

 

I agree, totally. The weirdo dashboard in the last 100 years has been the Citroen revolving drum. It tried to combine the best aspects of the needle round the clock (instant comprehension at a glance) with the accuracy of a digital readout. It both failed and succeeded, most people decided they were brave to try but in the end there was little to beat a good set of dials. Sadly, the CX was massively ruined by a cheapo Peugoet setup, which meant conventional clocks (which were pretty crap), the rest was huge quality drop in both design and materials.
 

[Rusty_Rocket]

I have one significant gauge in my 106 van, the speedometer, which instantly shoots up to 50mph the moment I pull away. It will then continue to stay in that position, regardless of actual road speed until I thump the dash.

Do I win something?

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I kinda like my Escorts dials.

 

[pic]

 

Although when the needles point straight down are generally my favourite style. Like a Porsche rev counter.

 

I like those, because they line up at rest. 

[HH-R]

I love the unusual rev counters those early mk3 Scrotes had. My dad had a 1983 Orion Ghia which had the same interior as above ^ (had a 3 spoke wheel though with small circle in the middle).

 

I think the later mk4's dash wasn't as nice.