Our long-term(!!) 2004 Toyota Prius has a big digital speedo. Although it's better for elderly people who have trouble reading small fonts with a short focal length, the size and focal length of the speedo is good for everybody. (Yes, the lens of the display appears to have been cleaned with a shop rag or some steel wool.)
The digital speedo is also good for knowing your exact speed. Yeah, I know enthusiasts are supposed to like analog speedos and tachs, so you can see the relative position of the pointer.
But did you know that most modern sportbikes have digital speedos (usually combined with analog tachs)? It's definitely easier to quickly know your exact speed. I really like this setup on motorbikes.
It's not bad on the Prius either.
Albert Austria, Senior Engineer @ 86,200 miles
kevm14 says:
02:49 PM, 10/27/10
This is my dash:
http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/EVOX/2005/Cadillac/2005.cadillac.cts-v.20127659-E.jpg
The dot matrix display under the speedo displays mileage and digital speed (not currently selected to do this in the shot above). I like analog gauges but I'll be honest - I NEVER use my analog speedo. I exclusively use the digital display to judge speed because on the street, actual speed counts (think speeding ticket avoidance). On the track I may very well get used to certain positions of the speedo at a glance but another shameful secret is I've never been to the track with this car. But it's only been 3 months so cut me some slack!
kevm14 says:
02:51 PM, 10/27/10
Oh and I forgot to mention that previous vehicles sported digital-only speedos so I am also used to it. But it IS easier for me to get my exact speed by simply looking at a number, rather than a needle position between some hash marks.
And for that scratched up screen, use a metal polish like Mothers with a rag to buff the scratches. Then follow up with lemon Pledge on a rag to polish and it will look like new. I do this all the time to tarnished instrument cluster displays and it always does a good job. There are probably other products but my method (learned from a friend who details cars on the side) works well.
Falconx84 says:
02:53 PM, 10/27/10
For sport bikes the digital speedo isn't so you can know your exact speed, its for weight reduction. In the ultra competitive world of racing, ounces count. Aside from that, all three of my bikes read approx 10% higher than actual speed from the factory.
saxdogg says:
06:19 PM, 10/27/10
Someone use sandpaper to clean this screen?
eldaino2 says:
07:16 AM, 10/28/10
Too bad the rest of the HUD is not as simple to read at a glance. Insights gauges are worlds better
jeepsrt says:
07:50 AM, 10/28/10
Our M3 has both, you can toggle through info and it has a digital speedo, it's nice to see the exact speed.
konocar400h says:
07:54 AM, 10/28/10
I know its off topic, but Jeepsrt, you seem to have a lot of nice cars. Just letting you know I am very envious!
tatermctatums says:
10:23 AM, 10/28/10
My recently departed RX-8 had a digital speedometer build into the central tach. My new(to me) C5Z has analog gauges but if I want to see my exact speed all I have to do is glance at the HUD. Its nice to have choices.
bankerdanny says:
12:10 PM, 10/28/10
I'm not a fan of digital guages on cars or bikes, and especially on bikes. Give me a nice dial, I don't need to know with digital accuracy that I am going 63, a needle and hash mark is fine.
jeepsrt says:
01:29 PM, 10/28/10
@konocar400h
Thanks, I actually have a pending sale on my Jeep and going to sell my FJ and get a 2011 Raptor, getting sick of so many vehicles and the upkeep/maintenance and need a truck.