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"cheap" Chinese Gauges


geordie40

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I know I'm probably going to get some flak =@ but wondering if anyone has had experience with the gauges you see on ebay?

I'm looking to remodel my dash over the winter but don't think I can persuade the wife £400-£500 is an acceptable amount so ive been looking at some chinese ones or the "dolphin/shark" ones from USA.

Nice comments only please :)

This is ebay link (I think)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Gauge-set-with-senders-Speedometer-Tacho-Fuel-Temperature-Volt-Oil-pressure-/223016484636

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOLPHIN-6-METRIC-MECHANICAL-STREET-ROD-GAUGE-SET-STREET-ROD-HOT-ROD-UNIVERSAL-/312107618700

Edited by geordie40
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I feel your pain - I spent ages looking for something cheaper, never found it and had to bite the bullet and pay £400 from GBS.

 

I've bought numerous cheap things from China before with mixed results; some work out, others are a pile of junk. I try not to spend a lot, so it's not a huge loss if it dies.

 

However, i will say that they are getting better; I've recently bought a set of LED headights for £65 (nearest equivalent here were about £160) and they seem to be decent quality and are working well, so far...only been on a couple of weeks so i'll hold off on recommending them just yet.

 

I bought an LED strip for £1.59 (no joke), expecting it to break in 2 minutes but it's been on a few months as an interior light with no problem.

 

I also bought a £20 bluetooth headset; the first one melted when i tried to recharge it and they happily sent me another. That never worked properly, so they sent me another and that's been fine since.

 

So, it's a gamble...if you're really short of cash, I'd probably take the risk in this case and get the chinese ones but that's me. ..

 

I wouldn't bother with the US dials; they're £215 before the customs charge which you will almost certainly get stung for (I've never had a custom charge from Chinese stuff) and they're probably made in China anyway...

Edited by nelmo
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Thanks nelmo, I'm probably gonna risk it and as you say they are getting better and its not to much to loose if it all goes t*ts up.

 

And alot of stuff is probably made in China or at least the components are.

 

And I think I can get the temp gauge made to match the sender already in the tank

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Also, just noticed:

 

1. The speedometer on the US set is in km/h only and its mechanical.

2. The speedometer on the chinese set works by GPS! Never heard of that before but does mean you need to site the included GPS antenna somewhere. But saves having to fit a sender/magnets on the prop...

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Thanks Moog only thing that worrys me about 2nd hand gauges is maybe having to match sensors to the gauges but do you have pics?

 

Nelmo I think the gps sensor is included and fits on scuttle top nr windscreen. I'm going to give the USA ones a miss

Edited by geordie40
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The speedometer on the chinese set works by GPS! Never heard of that before but does mean you need to site the included GPS antenna somewhere.

 

I fitted one of these (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Digital-GPS-Speedometer-HUD-Head-Up-Display-Overspeed-Warning-UK/153123570619) over a year ago as a temporary fix when my speedo cable broke. The sensor is built in, it just needs a 12V supply.

 

It's still going strong over a year later (and 2 MOTs) and I love it. Best £18 I ever spent.

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Guest Hawaii Steve

My car has SpeedHut gauges that use GPS for speed. Its a 1” x 1” magnetic based receiver which is directly wired to the gauge. You can mount it anywhere on the hood or front cowling and it works fine. (Takes about 30 seconds to find the Satelite when you first turn it on)

 

I also have had mixed results from China but have found they do make things good if there’s an issue. Only advise I would have is pay through PayPal so if there is an issue you have the big guns supporting you!!!

 

Steve

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I use an app on my iPhone 8 that does GPS speedo reading and is extremely accurate. It can read in mph, kph, average speed if you want. It tracks your route, max speed, all sorts. Theres loads of apps that do it. Its slow to update on acceleration, perhaps 1/2 second, so no good to time 0-60 or anything but still good. I put it on my dash in my jag set to head up display where it auto adjusts to brightness and works like a charm. So whilst not a permanent speedo as such it does a job if you ever need a work around, or just a HUD for fun.

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Alan, does that device know the speed limit where ever it is on the road or do you have to set a speed limit and it just beeps or flashes when you exceed the speed you set?

 

The latter. I normally have my iPhone mounted with a Satnav app running for speed limits. I must admit it also has the drawback that there is no built in odometer.

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