Vent pod and gauge opinions
11-04-2008, 07:46 AM
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Vent pod and gauge opinions
What do you guys think of not only the gauge pod pictured below(from thread https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=155820), but also in combo with this replacement for my Scangauge II from http://www.plxdevices.com/products/dm100obd/. I'm NA for now, but I think this might be a good combo! Anybody have any experience with that plxdevices OBDII/CAN system?
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-04-2008 at 05:29 PM.
11-04-2008, 05:32 PM
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Make sure you click the link above for the plxdevices and read up on it a little bit.
The pic I attached doesn't do it justice at all. It seems quite versatile even though you have to have a separate box and allows you to design your own gauge should you want to do so, or it has what I will call the "standard RX8 guage" look as well.
The pic I attached doesn't do it justice at all. It seems quite versatile even though you have to have a separate box and allows you to design your own gauge should you want to do so, or it has what I will call the "standard RX8 guage" look as well.
11-04-2008, 06:16 PM
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i've been intrigued by the plx for awhile now... got one and share with us how it works!
there is also another obd-ii guage called the interceptor or something like that... a bit more low tech then the plx
there is also another obd-ii guage called the interceptor or something like that... a bit more low tech then the plx
11-04-2008, 06:50 PM
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Little pricey, but WTF..........I might just do it. Stay tuned! 
Reads and clears codes.......like they all do.
Is expandable.
Can set up to four warnings.......that could be nice.
Displays at least three different ways, analog, digital, plot, and then all together.
Has peak and hold.
Make your own gauges, backgrounds, etc.
Reads and clears codes.......like they all do.
Is expandable.
Can set up to four warnings.......that could be nice.
Displays at least three different ways, analog, digital, plot, and then all together.
Has peak and hold.
Make your own gauges, backgrounds, etc.
11-06-2008, 12:35 AM
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Little pricey, but WTF..........I might just do it. Stay tuned!
Reads and clears codes.......like they all do.
Is expandable.
Can set up to four warnings.......that could be nice.
Displays at least three different ways, analog, digital, plot, and then all together.
Has peak and hold.
Make your own gauges, backgrounds, etc.
Reads and clears codes.......like they all do.
Is expandable.
Can set up to four warnings.......that could be nice.
Displays at least three different ways, analog, digital, plot, and then all together.
Has peak and hold.
Make your own gauges, backgrounds, etc.
11-06-2008, 06:39 AM
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this is an alternative as well... not nearly as feature intense though
http://www.aeroforcetech.com/Mazdatech.html
http://www.aeroforcetech.com/Mazdatech.html
11-06-2008, 07:20 AM
#9
This is pretty bad ***! Why would anyone ever go with regular gauges when this thing exists?! And the only difference between the 100 and 200 is the 100 is 52mm and the 200 is 60mm? Can you not get that gauge pod in 60mm Mazurfer?
EDIT: After pouring through that thread, I see they do seem to come in both sizes. Why did you go with the 52mm out of curiosity? And how much does each pod cost?
Last edited by firebirdude; 11-06-2008 at 07:35 AM.
11-06-2008, 09:15 AM
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Perfect solution!
Get it and find out how well it works. It looks like they don't have skins for mazda RX-8's yet.
I might be jumping on board as well in a couple of months.
Get it and find out how well it works. It looks like they don't have skins for mazda RX-8's yet.
I might be jumping on board as well in a couple of months.
11-06-2008, 06:05 PM
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I'm think of putting my avatar as my background!
If you meant the other one that r0tor linked, then sorry about that...........I didn't click his link yet.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-06-2008 at 06:34 PM.
11-06-2008, 06:23 PM
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Watch the video clip in the lower left. You can connect up to 32 more devices to the DM display box. He specifically mentions wideband.
This is pretty bad ***! Why would anyone ever go with regular gauges when this thing exists?! And the only difference between the 100 and 200 is the 100 is 52mm and the 200 is 60mm? Can you not get that gauge pod in 60mm Mazurfer?
EDIT: After pouring through that thread, I see they do seem to come in both sizes. Why did you go with the 52mm out of curiosity? And how much does each pod cost?
This is pretty bad ***! Why would anyone ever go with regular gauges when this thing exists?! And the only difference between the 100 and 200 is the 100 is 52mm and the 200 is 60mm? Can you not get that gauge pod in 60mm Mazurfer?
EDIT: After pouring through that thread, I see they do seem to come in both sizes. Why did you go with the 52mm out of curiosity? And how much does each pod cost?
When I read through the vent gauge pod(which I linked in the first post), it seemed like others were more interested in the 52mm rather than the 60mm. Damn peer pressure!
I though about it for awhile, and just decided that it's only 8mm smaller, and I would go with the smaller one..........if there were going to be any issues with it being too tight against the A-pillar, that certainly the 52mm had a better chance.
In terms of cost, Ben(the guy that is making them) is selling them(either size) for $60.00 shipped. His thread is linked in the first post as well. Mine is in and sitting in the garage right now just begging to be put in. I just got the RB oil adapter in today, so I am moving closer to getting this done. Since I haven't bought this plx device yet, I am simply going to put an oil temp gauge I bought from Nordskog in there at the moment......of course in combo with the RB oil adapter.
If/when I pull the plug and decide on this plx device........since it has expandability built into it. I can still use the RB oil adapter and have this device not only monitor everything that it does(off the PCM), but also have the ability to still use the RB oil adapter and add oil pressure and oil temperature to it! Then I would sell my Scanguage II which has served me very well and maybe unload the Nordskog digital oil temp gauge. I might keep the Scanguage II however just to diagnose my two daughters cars and friends that might need help.
One thing that concerns me about the plx device....and I have to research it is simply this..........................
How deep is that gauge and what does the connection look like in the back of it? The vent pod only has so much room in it and I wouldn't want to have to mangle/dremel it too damn much. Once I get this answer(and I've just been lazy), I will probably pull the trigger and order it.
Dave
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-06-2008 at 06:44 PM.
11-06-2008, 06:33 PM
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Even better. I checked the website but somehow missed it.
But, if you download the RPM gauge you will notice it only goes up to 8k. Last time I checked my car will go a little higher.
Maybe someone with an auto bought it?!
The custom gauges don't seem all that great anyways. The part that interests me is the ability to see AFR, water temp, and oil temp at the same time. Also the part where it will store peak numbers and map out things.
Still the best solution I think. I don't want a bunch of gauges in my car. One is about all I can handle I think.
But, if you download the RPM gauge you will notice it only goes up to 8k. Last time I checked my car will go a little higher.
Maybe someone with an auto bought it?!
The custom gauges don't seem all that great anyways. The part that interests me is the ability to see AFR, water temp, and oil temp at the same time. Also the part where it will store peak numbers and map out things.
Still the best solution I think. I don't want a bunch of gauges in my car. One is about all I can handle I think.
11-06-2008, 06:36 PM
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My thoughts as well. It does have quite a few features.
But.....don't forget, as well...............you apparently get software to design your own gauges! So............the 8k thing doesn't really matter!
Okay....got less lazy:
Physical Dimensions (Gauge) Standard 2 1/16" (52mm) x 0.7" (18mm) <-------------- That will work in the vent pod...I'm pretty sure. Hopefully it's connected very simply ? The video of him installing in the truck, the gauge appears pretty close to the instrument cluster, so it might be okay.
Automatic Sensor Detection YES <------- That's interesting!
Human Interface 4 Button Remote
PC Interface USB 2.0
# Sensor Modules 1-32
Firmware Upgradeable Yes
Enclosure Extruded Aluminum
But.....don't forget, as well...............you apparently get software to design your own gauges! So............the 8k thing doesn't really matter!
Okay....got less lazy:
Physical Dimensions (Gauge) Standard 2 1/16" (52mm) x 0.7" (18mm) <-------------- That will work in the vent pod...I'm pretty sure. Hopefully it's connected very simply ? The video of him installing in the truck, the gauge appears pretty close to the instrument cluster, so it might be okay.
Automatic Sensor Detection YES <------- That's interesting!
Human Interface 4 Button Remote
PC Interface USB 2.0
# Sensor Modules 1-32
Firmware Upgradeable Yes
Enclosure Extruded Aluminum
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-06-2008 at 07:13 PM.
11-06-2008, 09:36 PM
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Yeah....I found that on the site eventually, but I E-mail them and asked how/what the connector looks like coming out of the gauge.....whether it's out the back or somewhat out of the bottom, AND.........how far it would stick out if it was coming out the back before you could reasonably bend the wire. I could find no clear view of it on the site. Hopefully I will get an E-mail back from them tomorrow.
Dave
Dave
11-08-2008, 07:06 PM
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Yeah..I know...it's seem like it would be small and shouldn't protrude too much before you would be able to make a bend, it's just that the pod(while it seems quite deep), might be an issue and I don't want to any have interference issues. Nor do I wanna spend almost $400.00 to find out.
11-08-2008, 08:08 PM
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Why you think Kane? I can't find out about the dimming and I looked, but I'm thinking it won't matter with all the functionality of it. You can always change the look(analog, digital, plot...etc.) or change the background?????? By the way...........is this similar to what's in Kimi's car(with that heart background! 
)...just in terms of just the gauge?
)...just in terms of just the gauge?
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-08-2008 at 08:10 PM.
11-13-2008, 06:29 PM
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Well, it looks like maybe I'm the guinea pig because the following is on order! 
PLX Devices
DM-100 OBDII/CAN
Intelligent Multi-Functional Display (iMFD)
Universal 2 1/16" (52mm) OLED Color Display for all Sensor Modules
I can see a couple of small fitment issues into the gauge pod(after further review of the site and some E-mails), but I gotta plan!
PLX Devices
DM-100 OBDII/CAN
Intelligent Multi-Functional Display (iMFD)
Universal 2 1/16" (52mm) OLED Color Display for all Sensor Modules
I can see a couple of small fitment issues into the gauge pod(after further review of the site and some E-mails), but I gotta plan!
Last edited by Mazurfer; 11-13-2008 at 06:33 PM.
11-13-2008, 06:31 PM
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Not that it makes that much of a difference...and I know what you are saying, but this is OLED and not LCD. See next post......I guess we are gonna find out!
Anyone need a brand new(never used) 52mm Nordskog oil temp gauge?
Anyone need a brand new(never used) 52mm Nordskog oil temp gauge?