[Barryng]

I have only had my Boxster for a couple of months so am almost continuously noticing new things about it. During a long boring 200 mile trip this morning I realized the center tach with the big digital speed display is all I look at. The conventional analog "dial" on the left is really lost over there and rarely gets my notice except for the odometer at the bottom (and that relatively infrequently). Not only does the digital display clearly indicate my speed, it is relatively big and easy to read at a quick glance and pairing with the big analog tach is a very good human factor application in my opinion. The analog instrument is just too small with a crowded scale to be useful. Does anyone else use the analog display? Just curious what others thoughts are.

I would much rather see a second multi-function display on the left so I can simultaneously have both upcoming route directions and engine parameters (or other combinations) displayed.

 

[Olympic Blue]

Same as you, I find I never look at the analog speedo to check my speed. its over in the corner and the digital display gives a more precise readout.
Usually my GF monitors my speed for me, as in "Do you know your going 85 MPH?"

 

[don]

Good observation. I agree I don't look at it either. Maybe once to see what it goes up to. I really thinks the analog speed dial has had its day what with heads up displays and digital readouts.

Our BMW is the same, just look at the digital hologram on the windscreen showing the speed.

The Porsche one is a bit lower in the DIS but works well, as does the tacho which I am still using a lot what with running in and 4000 RPM limit. Well thought out for sports driving.

As you say would be good to have that dial show something else like the multifunction on the right.

 

[Barryng]

Usually my GF monitors my speed for me, as in "Do you know your going 85 MPH?"

How old are you? I am in my 70s and it became obvious many years ago that the behavior you describe is part and parcel of the business of having a GF/Wife in your life. Just something you have to suck up and live with if you want all the other wonderful things that go with it. (I really wanted to word this differently)

 

[jimmuller]

Analog speedometer? What analog speedometer?
I almost never look at mine. But what the heck, 175 degrees of arc for the needle to cover 0-175mph? That's cool!


It would be a good indicator of general speed range, such as slow, fast, really fast, REALLY REALLY FAST, but most of us around here use the speedometer to make sure we don't go over a speed limit by too much. You need precision for that.

 

[RandyAc]

Wait... there’s an analog speedometer??

 

[SonicSid]

Yes, a speedo needle travel of less than 30 degrees of movement for legal(ish) speeds is pretty useless. I may have been around 60 degrees of movement at some point on the analog speedo recently, but only was looking at the digital readout. >

 

[Dan.B-Cayman]

For whatever reason, I like the analog speedo and at times wish there was no digital one.

 

[Peter]

It would be good if the superfluous and annoying secondary sat nav map came up at junctions to over-ride the analogue speedo rather than the Trip info display to the right.

 

[718]

It would be good if the superfluous and annoying secondary sat nav map came up at junctions to over-ride the analogue speedo rather than the Trip info display to the right.

I’ve thought this too. Feels like a wasted opportunity.

Every now again with notice the speedometer and think “oh wow, I totally forgot that was there!” ?

 

[jns211]

I don't use the analog speedometer either.

The digital readout is very convenient and directly in front of the driver. The driver's eyes are naturally attracted to the center of the cluster display which is also where the digital transmission gear position indicator is located.

The driver pretty much has to go out of their way to look left at the redundant analog speedometer.

I say ditch the analog speedometer and give the driver something else in that spot.

How about more vehicle diagnostic information/readings to compensate for the lack of dipsticks and the typical visual indicators that most vehicles have when you look under the hood?

I would like to be able to monitor real-time coolant levels, transmission fluid levels, brake fluid levels/health, engine air flow, etc.

I'm not sure if it's possible to display all that information but just throwing out an idea for a better use of that space.

 

[splinter]

911's instrument cluster is more visually appealing imho.

But, no, don't really ever look at our analog speedometer.

 

[MLJJ]

Never. Waste of valuable space imo

 

[aeronca65tl]

I don't know what's happened to dashboard / instrument panels on modern cars, but many of them seem terrible. Our 2019 Honda is awful.

Maybe they are designed more for style than usage?

The speedo sweep vs. scale in my Cayman is pathetic. It's like they had the same guy who designed the coffee cup holder do it.

I'm not crazy about the fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge or coolant temp gauge either: I think they are tough to read at a glance.

I will say that the tach is well-placed.

52 years ago my first car had a dashboard like this. It was simple and easy to monitor. I realize that modern cars are far better than the old crocks I started out with, but I wish more modern cars utilized simple, easy-to-read, large-sweep analog gauges.

 

[jimmuller]

I'm not crazy about the fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge or coolant temp gauge either

Well now, I'm not sure I agree with this completely. For a fuel gauge, at least when you are on the road, you need to know roughly how full the tank is. As for more precise info, you need to know distance to empty, not whether the tank has 1/3 or 1/4 or whatever left. Knowing that your tank has 3/8ths left doesn't tell you how far you can go unless you do the math in your head. Our 2012 Caravan has a DTE (Distance Till Empty) display and it has proven very convenient. I was happy to see that the Cayman's fuel gauge could be made to do that too.

I find the oil temperature, oil pressure, and coolant (water) temperature easy to judge at a glance.


But yeah, those old British cars were really cool.

 

[Barryng]

I don't know what's happened to dashboard / instrument panels on modern cars, but many of them seem terrible. Our 2019 Honda is awful.

Maybe they are designed more for style than usage?

I have to completely agree with you. My GF's Lexus has an absolutely terrible display. In my mind there is no doubt it was designed with wizbang styling being the primary concern and apparently no consideration to human factors. For years BMW, IMO, did an outstanding job with their instrument clusters. They were simple, easy to read, standardized to a high degree of consistency across their product line, and at the same time clearly provided lots of useful information. My 2016 X3 is excellent but, unfortunately, as with many other things in recent years, BMW has lost their way here too. The display on the latest BMWs are too whammydyne in appearance, emphasizing electronic display magic rather than just a good display of useful information. My new Boxster display is truly excellent, my only thought when I started this thread is that it can be improved to be even more useful by replacing the redundant and much less than useful analog speedometer with a second multi function display. I hope Porsche does not succumb to colorful electronic presentations like BMW has.

 

[Veets]

Speedometer? We don't need no stinking speedometer.

 

[717R]

I like it the way 718C is. 3 no-nonsense dials, min info as a pure-bred sports car, analogue thru and thru. Any more would distract from the act of driving!

Of course for other genres of cars, graphical, digital, colourful stuff are ok cos they are different.

Yes neither do I look at the speedo!

 

[Blink982]

I never look at the analog speedo as its too small and difficult to read. It's a bit of a let down in an otherwise excellent cockpit.

 

[4802]

I never look at the analog speedo as its too small and difficult to read.

You're certainly not wrong there. When attempting to abide by strict speed restrictions, which are often enforced by cameras then I don't believe anyone can adequately gauge their speed via the analog unit. If someone wants to try blanking off the digital display & simply using the analogue unit for a few months then good luck with keeping hold of your driving licence. I strongly suspect you're going to need considerably more than a little luck to do so.
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