Anyone really use the speedometer?
07-31-2010, 01:06 PM
#16
Remember how 911 buyers supposedly went insane when the Boxster came out? It looked too similar.
Imagine what would happen if the 911 instrument cluster was "downgraded." See Boxster at center.
I personally like the original (on left), back when gauges were gauges!
07-31-2010, 02:47 PM
#17
I seem to recall that about ten years ago, Cadillac came out with a their first digital speedometer. There was no analog display. It was apparently legal but it was awful.
It was totally annoying, constantly flicking up and down and back. I recall watching it as I was going to the airport in a limo. It seemed like the classic solution in search of a problem and I swore I'd never have one. Now, like most of the respondents to this thread, I rely on the digital display at the bottom of the tach and ignore the analog speedo.
It was totally annoying, constantly flicking up and down and back. I recall watching it as I was going to the airport in a limo. It seemed like the classic solution in search of a problem and I swore I'd never have one. Now, like most of the respondents to this thread, I rely on the digital display at the bottom of the tach and ignore the analog speedo.
07-31-2010, 03:14 PM
#19
Poseur
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...and when gauges actually read out the CORRECT information. (Recall that the coolant temp gauge has been dumbed down to virtually useless).
Last edited by Edgy01; 07-31-2010 at 07:34 PM.
07-31-2010, 03:17 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
I can't see how anyone could use the analog speedometer. It's far too small and (at least for me) obscured by the steering wheel. The digital dash is much more useful. My only complaint is that it's laggy and that can sometimes be inconvenient on the track.
I rented a Jeep earlier this month that had the outside temperature on the dash in the same size, color, and position as the Porsche's digital speedometer. I can't count how many times I glanced down and had a moment of irrational panic "holy cow! I'm going 102!"
I rented a Jeep earlier this month that had the outside temperature on the dash in the same size, color, and position as the Porsche's digital speedometer. I can't count how many times I glanced down and had a moment of irrational panic "holy cow! I'm going 102!"
07-31-2010, 03:21 PM
#21
I seem to recall that about ten years ago, Cadillac came out with a their first digital speedometer. There was no analog display. It was apparently legal but it was awful.
It was totally annoying, constantly flicking up and down and back. I recall watching it as I was going to the airport in a limo. It seemed like the classic solution in search of a problem and I swore I'd never have one. Now, like most of the respondents to this thread, I rely on the digital display at the bottom of the tach and ignore the analog speedo.
It was totally annoying, constantly flicking up and down and back. I recall watching it as I was going to the airport in a limo. It seemed like the classic solution in search of a problem and I swore I'd never have one. Now, like most of the respondents to this thread, I rely on the digital display at the bottom of the tach and ignore the analog speedo.
07-31-2010, 04:26 PM
#22
There's a host of NHTSA rules requiring the analog gauge as part of the car's safety equipment, accuracy of the odometer, etc. If Porsche could do away with it, I'd be happy to see it go and be replaced with other measurements, but government regulations change much slower than technology or consumer taste evolves.
08-01-2010, 06:33 PM
#24
There's a host of NHTSA rules requiring the analog gauge as part of the car's safety equipment, accuracy of the odometer, etc. If Porsche could do away with it, I'd be happy to see it go and be replaced with other measurements, but government regulations change much slower than technology or consumer taste evolves.
As for the analog speedo, on the Porsches it's worthless and I have never used it. Ironically on my Jetta Sportswagen TDI, it has an option to display a digital speedometer, which I turned off in favor of displaying fuel economy (the whole purpose of getting the diesel) because the analog speedo is readable.
08-02-2010, 12:46 AM
#25
Burning Brakes
08-03-2010, 08:00 PM
#27
Instructor
Remember how the first gen 996 had the center instrument cluster organized like the 997? Then the second gen 996 (ca 2002?) moved the digital speedometer together with the analog speedometer? Ugh, I really thought that was a step backwards - I much prefer being able to see RPM and speed in the same instrument. Fortunately, in 2005 with the 997, Porsche went back to the same arrangement they had started off with.
08-03-2010, 08:46 PM
#28
Racer
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i may be wrong, but i think i saw a marketing pitch line talking about the 997 with the "traditional 5 gauge cluster"... in that sense, i'm fine with it - it's a tradition thing... just as i think it's cool and nostalgic that they've maintained the left side key for all these years. last time i checked, no one is participating in rally races where drivers have to run to their cars to start the race.
porsche is and always has been about their racing roots and heritage and i'm all for them keeping it...
that being said, i never look at the analog gauge. for that matter i don't really look at the digital one all that much either. i've set my limits for 85mph so the car dings at me to let me know to watch out for cops...
porsche is and always has been about their racing roots and heritage and i'm all for them keeping it...
that being said, i never look at the analog gauge. for that matter i don't really look at the digital one all that much either. i've set my limits for 85mph so the car dings at me to let me know to watch out for cops...
08-03-2010, 08:51 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
Good memory. From page 106 of the 997 brochure:
"The horizontal grouping of five round instruments is one of the classic features of the Porsche 911. On today's evolution, the spacing is wider, enabling easy access to all information"
"The horizontal grouping of five round instruments is one of the classic features of the Porsche 911. On today's evolution, the spacing is wider, enabling easy access to all information"
