Review: Prosport triple gauge pod
 

Hey guys -

Just got a Prosport 52mm triple gauge pod in today for my project car. There's been a lot of interest in the pod, so I figured a quick review is in order. I purchased a Tripower pod for the car, but it melted BIG TIME in the sun (picture attached) which was VERY disappointing. The Tripower pods seem to be hit-and-miss on the melting - the one in my car has a corner that's distorted, but the rest of the pod is doing fine.

First impressions - it's VERY solid, heavy gauge plastic. Almost over-engineered thick, but I think that's a really good idea considering it will be spending its life baking under a hot windshield.

The pod uses Allen head set screws to retain the gauge in place, which is a really nice touch. Slip the gauge in, tighten the set screw, you're in good shape.

It is definitely only going to fit 52mm gauges, and I'd LOVE to see them come out with a 60mm gauge version in the future. I believe the Prosport 60mm gauges can fit in the pod due to the stepped design of the gauge. No way you will fit 60mm gauges from another company in there.

I only have a few beefs with the gauge. First, you have to transfer the metal clips from the old speaker cover to the pod - the pod doesn't come with them. I would expect to get the 10 cent metal clips included with a $170 gauge pod. Also, I would really like to see an Allen head wrench for the set screws included for the price.

The way the pod is designed, you have to put the pod in place, pull the wiring through the gauge holes, plug it in to the gauges, then slide the gauges home. I prefer being able to install the gauges in the pod then plug them in from underneath the pod. The Tripower pod has a large opening underneath that allows you to do this, but I don't think the design of the Prosport pod will allow a large opening on the bottom. If, down the road, you want to remove the pod to add another gauge, you'll have to pull the gauges back out to unplug them, which can be tricky. The bezels on the Prosport gauges are loose-fitting (at least on the peak/hold/warning gauges I got for the project car) and I'd be afraid of damaging the gauge if I had to pull on the bezel.

Finally, the gauges come with really neat hoods to prevent light from overhead from washing out the gauge, but the tolerance is a little too tight to use the hoods with this pod. They push against each other, actually spreading the pod out a little. Dremeling down the side of the gauge hood would likely fix this, but it's a minor engineering oversight.

Anyhow, I do think Prosport did a fine job on the pod overall, and I applaud another vendor stepping up with an RX-7 specific product like this. I'd give the pod a "B", with adding the metal clips and an Allen wrench into the package, it would get an "A". Hopefully we'll see a 60mm pod down the road!

Pros:
- Heavy gauge plastic construction, very solid
- Good fit and finish, professionally designed and built
- Nice Allen head set screw gauge retention
- Gauges angled towards the driver for easy view
- VERY fast shipping!

Cons:
- No metal clips or Allen wrench included
- Have to install gauges after pod is installed in place
- Gauges won't fit properly with sun visors installed

Dale

Thanks for the write-up, this is the kind of information you don't get until your order comes in ! I've been looking at this and your review helps alot. I would have to agree with you, for $170 you would think the metal clips would be included. I'm sure we all have an allen wrench that fits. It's nice to see someone post an honest review of a product that we all know we want, but in 60mm not 52 !!! lol

I agree with everything stated above except the allen key. LOL LOL LOL
As for the gauge install, I ordered the Prosport gauges and plugged them in then installed the gauges into the pod. It wasn't complicated at all and the gauges fit nice. I have them installed in the car but need to wire everything up to complete it.
I like that you tried the little hood covers, I wasn't sure if they would fit but you answered it for me...
Again, overall a good product for the RX7


L8R

Nice writeup. I will probably pick one of these up since my tripower gauge pod ended up just like yours.

Check out the IRP gauges. Im gonna pick one up in the near future to.

I didnt know that even cheap pods can melt like that. Thats freaking lame as hell.

Well, it's (the Tripower) not really a cheap pod (it's $100 for cryin' out loud) but they should have used either a thicker plastic or a plastic that's better with exposure to sun and heat.

I love my Tripower pod in my car. It also includes the metal clips :).

Dale

I understand Im just shocked. You would think that for a $100 the gauges would be able to... not melt. Thats pretty insane. Have you contacted tripower? I wonder if they would give you a new one.

Your not kidding. I was pissed when I realized it had melted since I did drop a hundred bucks plus shipping on it. I'm sitting in the car like, somethings not right here... Then I realized that my gauges were pointed at the roof of the damn car!!

:icon_tdow

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Its always good to get honest info from customers so we can consider any changes in the future.

Do you have a trade in program for people with the old pods that might have the melting problem? Maybe you can give them credit towards the purchase of newer improved pods?

Wow Dale , didn't know that happened ?!? ... good write up ;) ... remember my wideband monitor did the same thing on the dash :( ... must be the Nuclear Heat we live in :(

Huh???

Don't get confused here, Prosport DID NOT make the pods that melted...
That was a completely different company. This is our one and only pod for the RX-7

Sorry about that. My mistake.

I just took a look at your digital gauges. If I had known about them earlier I would have picked up the oil pres/temp and water temp gauges.

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on getting these.

Looks like a total ripoff of the Fly pod

I'm hoping Frank has them ready pretty soon, it's been a long wait.

Why wait?
3pods
http://prosportgauges.com/MazdaRX7gaugepod.aspx
or
4pods
http://prosportgauges.com/MazdaRX7gaugepod-1.aspx

Would you say the same about Shine Products? Let's face it, Frank makes very limited batches of his pod...supply and demand. I'd rather have someone else making something similar (and less expensive) as long as it is of decent quality...which by all accounts the Prosports are...and that are available.

There are always going to be the people who want an honest to god FEED or RE piece and are willing to pay for it. Just like there are the cheap people who buy a piece of crap knock-off from Chaser and then cry when it fits terribly. The niche is in between where you get a quality piece at an in between price.

Check my review comparing the flyrx7s with the prosports.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/3-gauge-center-speaker-pod-review-953340/

Frank and PS are great to work with and nice guys.

Yes and no. I mean how different can a 3 gauge pod be? Check out the review.

Agreed. If this was not true, those places wouldn't exist.

Nice

Have the triple prosport pod. Tried reattaching the stock clips to the prosport pod when installed but the clips fell back behind the dash into oblivion....

Any ideas how to secure this pod? Can I order four clips online that would work?

Where I love Home Depot has a huge assortment on car related clips and just clips in general. I may take my pod down there in the next couple of days and see if I can find a match.

Speak to the guy at prosports. They may provide you with clips.

bumping this thread because my question doesnt need a new one...

im looking at buying this pod but would like to know if the aem gauges would fit in it since the faces on those gauges are kind of bulky...


EDIT:
well damn nvm

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati.../#post11580471

Is it easier to see pod in centre center dash like that one or a 3 in the front left upper pillar ?