Hey guys. I've noticed there is a lot of interest in a workable solution for mounting some gauges in an attractive location for our cars. I've been in communication with a reputable custom builder of gauge mounts for all kinds of cars. I've attached a pic of a mount they did for the Mazda3. They are working on a panel similar (350Z style) for the RX-8.
So far, they are working on a mount in both 52mm and 60mm formats, for cars without Navigation. A mount for those with nav is being worked on.
I need to see what kind of interest there is in these. They need to fill an order of at least 20 in order to produce these at a resonable price, and I mean EXTREMELY low. Less than half of some of the other mounts, and like 1/5 the price of the Racing Beat pod (but without gauges....).
So let me know if you're really interested. PM for an estimate on pricing. Also keep in mind that it will be a while before these are done and ready to ship.

Thanks in advance


Dave

You'd be the most popular guy here if you can replicate this for LHD:

FEED:
http://www.fujita-eng.com/rx8/img/pl_005.jpg

...or...

RE Amemiya:
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=73507

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=86331

Texture and color is important also.

and like 1/5 the price of the Racing Beat pod (but without gauges....).

serious? dang

if they are similar to the feed (maintain the stock look). i'd be up for it.

I'd be up for a 52mm as long as it has the cutout for the Speaker. Please PM me with the estimate.

there would be more interest for it fitting properly and having a high quality appearance than a cheap price

RB Gauge pod without gauges(just for the panel) is $98. So i dont think your hook up is going to be able to do 1/5 that price. Any pics of ideas for gauge pods for those of us with nav?

I think he meant 1/5 the RB pod with gauges price for theirs without gauges :dunno:

Yeah, 1/5 price of the RB pod but this one is without gauges, so it isn't exact, but you get to chose your own gauges, but it's less than $98 bucks and it fits in a better location so your eyes don't stray so far from the road.
Fit & finish is going to be OEM qualitly, rest-assured.
It will be LHD, and a version for Nav owners is currently being developed.

Yeah, 1/5 price of the RB pod but this one is without gauges, so it isn't exact, but you get to chose your own gauges, but it's less than $98 bucks and it fits in a better location so your eyes don't stray so far from the road.
Fit & finish is going to be OEM qualitly, rest-assured.
It will be LHD, and a version for Nav owners is currently being developed.


I'd be interested if a group buy is started.

I'd be interested if a group buy is started.


that's the plan. We need 20 comfirmed people to get the ball rollin........


Dave

OK, the guy has an idea for Nav owners. Mounting some "stealth" gauges under the tray of the Nav, so when you pop open your nav you see gauges. Obviously this would take some modifiying, and he hopes to have it all bolt-on.
Does anyone know if the retracable LCD tray mazdaparts.com offers (interior parts, page 3) will fit the stock nav screen?

Dave

if the stealth guage idea pans out, i would be in. i dont have the nav setup now but im thinking of getting it in the future... the "stealth" guages seem like a good idea..

Could you estimate some availability date? One month? 6 months?

i'm in....

It all depends on how many people we can get on board- the sooner we hit 20, the sooner they are made.
Let me clear the air:
-These are 100% US-OF-A DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED
-The ONLY reason we need 20 people on board is so the company can produce the molds to cast the plastic and not LOOSE money by custom making a mold for a pod only 4 people want. It's business.
-These are going to be super-high qualitly. This guy has been doing this over 20 years, he is no joke. Of course, if you want to spend $1000 on the Mazdaspeed panel, by all means do. This isn't some cheap-ass Ebay universal fit panel. THIS IS 100% CUSTOM FOR THE RX-8 AND ONLY THE RX-8.
-Different finishes MAY be optional. As of now, a stock-looking OEM panel is the plan, but a real carbon fiber panel could be worked out for more $$$.
-He has other outside interest in this panel, so it may not take 20 of us to get it produced (he was already thinking of making this before I contacted him), but we need at least 15-20 for a group buy.
If you are interested, be sure to drop me a PM so I can compulate a list with everyone. Once he is given the green light, I will contact everyone interested. Thank a bunch.


Dave

I'm up for any gauge pod

I just want to see pics first before I make my final decision

They guy has just about finished moaking up a prototype and will be sending me one for a test-fit and evaulation. I will post pics once I get it.

Dave

I would like to see some pics too.

I've currently got my name on mandotcom's list but it sounds like he's having trouble. If his fall through I'd definitely be in.

I'm in. Got my gauges on my ashtray...too annoying to keep an eye on the AFR.

I would like to see some pics too.

I've currently got my name on mandotcom's list but it sounds like he's having trouble. If his fall through I'd definitely be in.

Yeah manditcom seems to have problems...now I am interested in your 52mm gauge pod...I'll drop you a PM

i am in for the stock looking 52mm pod... let me know when you want the cash

I'm interested in what the design would be for people who have navigation.

If it looks good with the navigation i would be interested

Awesome guys. Just drop me a PM saying your interested on I'll put you on the list. WHen the final pod is released I will contact you asking for shipping info and payment, etc. You can always opt out then.
High-res pictures of the prototype (may look rough) and the finished final product will be posted for your veiwing pleasure once done. I should receive the prototype anyday now.
He hasn't started on the Navigation design yet (mainly because the OEM pieces are so expensive) but his idea is to "hide" two 52mm gauges under the tray or something to that effect for a very stealthy gauge option. Not sure how he will work it, but I'm confident he can.
So I expect this to be ready in a month or just a little longer. Be sure to drop me the PM to but you on the list!!!!

Dave

What about the center speaker? will the pod have a cutout for it?

Put me down on the list

put me on the 60mm list--they should be able to make the pod to fit both.
olddragger

im interest in this, do you know the final price yet? and the design will be like FEED?....bcuz if the finish is like the amemiya then im not interest...

What about the center speaker? will the pod have a cutout for it?


-Bose-specified cars will have the center speaker cutout


PM me for price and to let me know if you want a 52mm or 60mm.
I don't know what kind of "style" the final product will look like (i.e. FEED or Mazdaspeed or RE) but it will look nice!

I should have the first prototype in my paws pretty soon. I will post pics.
Thanks all!!


Dave

you should mix that with those Defi gauges... But I'm interested non the less... PM sent

Just to keep everyone posted, this is still going on. The guy is making his prorotype look basically production ready. He tried one pod design but didn't really liked it, so he had to scrap it and start all over! I shall have the prototype soon.
Everyone who's PMed me is on the list! We have over 20 so this is deff a go!
Be sure to PM me if interested if you haven't done so already.

Dave

Will these pods still be available after the group buy or do I have to get in now?

I sent a message to the main moderator about a group buy but have failed to hear back yet. We might do a group buy if it gets approved, but so far people are just PMing me and I'm adding them to a list.
And to everyone, thank you for your patience, he is taking a little longer tan anticipated. But you have to remember this is a custom piece, fabricated from hand (the prorotype at least, not sure how he is going to manufacture all the other ones) and he's starting from scratch.
Thanks everyone.


Dave

I would like to once again thank everyone for being so patient, I have been told I will get pics this weekend, so updates are coming sooner than later.
Again, if you are interested, please PM me so I can put you down. Thanks guys!

I still haven't figured out what too put in the pods! If anything payed attention to this this thread...

Id be down for some 52mm. Just waiting on the final word. Price and Design?

i'd be interested for the navi version, 52mm (has to fit greddy and aem gauges).

I would first have to see at least a rough sketch of how the unit would look, before I commit though.

i'd be interested for the navi version, 52mm (has to fit greddy and aem gauges).

I would first have to see at least a rough sketch of how the unit would look, before I commit though.


He's still working on a Nav version, I have no idea what the progress is with that as of now. His original idea is to hide some "stealth" gauges under the lid so when it opens you see gauges. It would have to be 52mm and only two gauges, from what I gathered from him.
He is taking pics today or tommorow of the prototype which I will promptly post once emailed to me. He is then packing it up and sending me the prototype for test-fitting, and I will take some of my own pictures of the proto installed.
Obviously, you won't have to commit to anything until you see plently of pictures of the actual product and it installed on an RX-8 as well. And even then you can still back out if you don't want it. I just need interest so he can justify making the molds for it (over $250 his cost before he makes a dime). And we only needed 20 people which I am very happy to so I have well over 20 members on the list.

Dave

Id like one non navi but I have bose, did I miss the price other than under 100 bucks?

Not allowed to discuss price openly on here because I'm not a vendor, so you have to PM me (which you did already) and I'll tell you the price that way (which I did).
Sorry for the delays, pics are coming, I promise!!!

yes you did but I think I posted before I sent you the PM lol

Okay I have great news everyone. It is 100% official, they are being made, and price is lower than anticipated! I will have the prototype pod in a week or so and I will post pics. He tried emailing me pics but my stupid spam filter corrupted them! I will have pics soon, I promise!
I will be sending a PM to everyone soon detailing on how to pay.
The first batch will mount 3 52mm gauges and is compadible with the standard and Bose version. If there is enough interest in a 60mm he'll make it, but as of now it is on hold.
And he is offering a color-matched version (to match your exteroir or interoir) in multiple colors, so you can have a blue or red pod! And it isn't much extra for the color match.
Thanks for all your patience and greatly appreciate it! I am so happy we finally have a nice gauge pod!

this better not be some cruel joke :)

No, absolutely not, it is for real! They will go on sale in a few weeks or less!

It's April 1st, isn't it

I don't think god wants us to have affordable gauge pods.

is it color matched to the interior cause i want it to look as stock as possible... btw you rock

Any pics yet?

Sorry, guys, I'm working on pics, I want to see them as bad as you do! And I am not kidding about this, unless this guy is full of shit, it's for real.
I told the guy what colors the interoir comes in and all the popular exteror colors too, but I don't know which ones he's going to match to. I assume red, blue, black (standard color for no charge), maybe yellow, hopefully he does the Nordic green, and I'm also hoping for the titanium grey color-match as well.
I should have the prototype mailed to me sometime mid next-week, so figure a few days for shipping (He's somewhere in Cali), I should have it sometime next weekend or next mid-week. I will put some pics up fast, rest-assured!
Everyone just has to be patient for a week or so. I will try to get him to send me some pics again, and hopefuly Gmail doesn't corrupt them!


Dave

im locking this whole thread down until chicken wafer actually talks to omicron about setting a group buy up. its one thing to talk about the possibility of getting something made- its another thing entirely to actually actively recruit for a group buy.

chickenwafer-> http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=31731