My wife and I were discussing the nav screens that everyone seems to be so enamored of. We both hate them, but she came up with an idea that seems to make a lot more sense:

Get rid of ALL the instruments in the gauge pod and replace them with a color LCD screen.

I don't remember seeing this configuration in a concept car before, but it seemed like an obvious idea, especially given what the Pacifica is doing (with the nav screen in the gauge cluster.)

Then you can have an infinitely configurable gauge cluster, with modes for:

Racing--salad-plate-sized tach and shift "light"

Normal driving--bigger speedo, smaller tach

I'm lost--real-time nav display with all other gauges out of the way

Info overload--oil temp, boost pressure, trans temp, etc. as well as regular gauges

Plus, the aftermarket would have a wonderful time coming up with "skins" for the gauge cluster. Want a new set of gauges? Download the software.

Has anyone done this? Is anything like this in the pipeline? It seems like the logical next-step for auto instrumentation.

 

I recall a concept car having something similar to this, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.

 

Cool idea, kind of like how all the new slot machines are. I could see something like this work as soon as LCD prices come down more.

 

I think we had a discussion like this before on a old thread..

I'm betting color LCD's and the hw and software to drive them will cost alot more than gauges... at least initially, then prices would go down a bit.. Also, making them easy to read in direct sunlight or darkness may be a problem.

If someone can draw up a good business case and prove that its usable, that would be neat. Perhaps in the lux and halo cars at first.

I'd imagine there can be some sort of liability problems if you can load up some wacky hard to read distracting layout.. and then get into a car accident and blame it on that..


Otherwise, I'd be happier with money spent for overall better fit and finish and material build quality.

 

LOL, the Visos from Ford Europe. It's awesome too! Go here.

 

Another picture of the Visos dash. Looks great to me!

 

So mabey not being able to upload your own, but have a few pre-programed to choose from. Put if its costly, I'm not paying for it.

 

This sounds like a good idea for a small compact that would draw in young people, not for a car like the Camaro.

 

I like the Visos concept--but we were thinking fully configurable, no defined gauge positions of any kind--just a flat screen under a hood.

When OLEDs are out, this will be dead cheap to make. Arguably cheaper than conventional gauges.

Big Al--yeah, not my first choice either. But I think it's a better use of technology than having the damn nav screen/stereo controller/TV surrogate in the middle of the dash, where you have to take your eyes off the road to see it.

 

I don't know about that. It could a new area for customization. Like, thinking off top my head, actual moving flames in the 'dials'.

 

i was hoping that on the c6 z06 they would have that jet fighter screen. thatd be a conversation piece.

 

A sweeping needle is pretty sexy but if you just have a cartoon of one or just numbers its not the same. I do think cars one day will have some sleek lcd displays in the dash but I'm not exactly looking forward to it. A full color hud that can project good images on the windshield along with analog gauges is what I want. Then you can just project the nav crap (anywhere along the bottom maybe) on the windshield. That would be better imo.

 

Wouldn't ya be up chits creek w/o a paddle if you were ever to lose power while driving?

 

Not any more than now... your current gauges are electrical...I'd still rather have regular gauges, though.

 

GM Hy-Wire had it. Although the Visos one looks cooler