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, Thu, 13 Feb 2003 11:54:41
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I'm going to repeat a post (with a few changes) that I just placed on a more recent thread entitled "Autometer gauge accuracy." I should've posted it here since the original question on that thread didn't involve VDO gauges.
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There's been some talk here about the inaccuracy of VDO gauges and the preference some have for Autometer or other brands. It could be that VDO gauges are less accurate that the competition, but who has checked more than one gauge against similar groups among other brands? There are also other considerations:
(1) For some time Saab used, and presumably still uses, VDO gauges in their cars. The accessory gauges they sold from '81 'til several years ago were VDO, and may still be today. I've used them in all my five Saabs except one and only had one minor problem in that 21-year period. If they were inaccurate I wasn't aware of it, nor was it relevant for the mission they were tasked with.
(2) VDO gauges (back-lit Vision series) fits in with the decor and matches the stock gauges in 9K's very well.
(3) What are gauges used for and what is importance of extreme accuracy? Are we monitoring a nuke plant, and is it important if water temp is off by 3° from true even if guage graduations showed this level of detail? I use my gauges for general info, and they are not in place to provide extremely accurate info, like whether water temp is 180 or 183°. The graduations on many of these gauges are not set up for extreme precision, except on my vacuum/boost gauge which is graduated in lbs. and in/Hg, and I'm interested in a normal *range* of readings, not whether or not my oil temp is within a 2° variance. I know where the readings normally fall and that's all I'm really interested in.
(4) My gauges are not installed as early-warning devices, as their position at the bottom of the center dash isn't ideal for this since my eye is normally on the road. If water temp should suddently rise I wouldn't see it unless I was looking at the gauge. I rely on the stock EDU for this, including idiot lights, more than these ancillary gauges.
I've never used Autometer or any other gauge in my Saabs, although I installed some Stewart-Warners in an old Camaro SS I owned in the early 70's, so I can't speak for their quality, precision, or how well they fit the decor of a Saab. I'm just questioning the mission of a set of ancillary gauges. For me they need represent general info, but your needs may vary.
posted by 68.11.251...
, Thu, 13 Feb 2003 12:57:51, Thu, 13 Feb 2003 11:54:41
, Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:50:48
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