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Does anybody have experience with multiple different digital displays? I'm about to drop my FD off at a shop I trust for a MAJOR overhaul. One of the things I'm thinking of doing is adding a new dash to completely eliminate the Christmas Tree vibe of extra gauges.
Does anybody have strongly justified opinions when it comes to different dashes? Primarily I am considering either an AEM CD-7L or the AiM MXG 1.2. I intend to use either one with full logging and GPS capabilities.
Even though it's about $400 more expensive, my initial leaning is towards the AiM unit..
Last edited by fendamonky; Aug 8, 2019 at 11:52 AM.
Reason: Removed "strada" from AiM
Instead of replacing the factory dash, why not add 1 or 2 of these gauges which could display whatever data your aftermarket ECU spits out on its CAN bus?
I'm using a single BTI gauge, which connects to my AEM Infinity ECU over the CAN bus; this thing gives me 10 pages of displays I can scroll thru, and some level of customization for each page. It works great, but had I known they were available then, I would have purchased the GaugeART gauge instead. That one costs about the same, also gives you 10 pages you can scroll thru, but it offers much more user-level customization of displays of each individual page (via smartphone app) that the BTI gauge lacks. So for example, if I wanted a single page to display water & oil temp, oil pressure & MAP on a single page (up to 4 parameters), I could do that with the GaugeART product; the BTI gauge is limited to what is already hard-coded in the gauge.
So ideally I'd like to be able to display a wide variety of different parameters at the same time, to include lap times, at a glance through a single package. The dashes I'm considering are both GPS capable with onboard logging, this would save me from needing to purchase and integrate a separate lap timer. I'd like to delete as many gauges as possible.
I've recently become somewhat hooked on trackdays with the Aprilia and I imagine that I'll be equally as enthusiastic once I've got the FD back. I figure that since I'm having all new wiring constructed now I might as well integrate the display from the get-go, this will save any additional hacking and splicing later on if I wanted to include additional parameters.
I have Microtechs Pro 7" dash in my Toyota Starlet. The things I like about it are the fact that all the sensors run directly to and from the dash. You are not running inputs to the ECU, its nice to simplify things and run sensors if you dont run a ECU, say on a carb setup. What i dont like about it is its quite simply as far as features and customization goes, not a lot of display and setup parameters. But it displays alot of information if needed, just not as customizable. Best for a drag dash or strict track car where thats less important.
I also run a ECU master ADU in my time attack supra, this Dash is easily comparable to Motecs displays. Has ALL the bells and whistles, auto dimming, telemetry, G force sensors. Can display Infrared tire and brake temps, on circuit vehicle tracking and lapping. All the logging in the world and you can customize everything however you want.
Id say the ADU is far superior to the Pro7 dash and is among the most feature full Dash available atm.
what ecu are you running? I kept mine simple with a defi ZD with only one gauge . Defi has released their newer version. if your ecu is not equipped with the canbus(power fc?) this may one good option
If high definition logging and in depth data analysis is a top priority, Motec and Aim are the two heavy hitters. Motec does it all well and if you want to ensure no regrets, spend the money now. I find the Aim software a bit clunky but it's a great unit. If value in a product that does everything well but is a step behind with the analysis side, the ECUMaster ADU is a bargain. Plex has a great unit with good logging and analysis software, but the display can't do the flashy customizable graphics the rest can. The AEM dash doesn't have direct analog inputs, so be prepared to run everything through your ECU and bring it in over CAN, or spend more money on their interface module. And it's AEM, so you get lackluster support. I've used all of those and chose the ECUMaster ADU7 for the current road race car I'm involved with and have been very happy with it.
The AEM CD7 and ECUMaster ADU7 are by far the top two options. MoTec C127 or larger is big $$$...
Why would you not consider AiM to be a top option out of curiosity? Is it simply due to price, or are their technical flaws to their products that aren't apparent?
Honestly I'd never even heard of the ADU7 until you mentioned it, I'll have to look into them.
Originally Posted by C. Ludwig
What are your wants and needs?
If high definition logging and in depth data analysis is a top priority, Motec and Aim are the two heavy hitters. Motec does it all well and if you want to ensure no regrets, spend the money now. I find the Aim software a bit clunky but it's a great unit. If value in a product that does everything well but is a step behind with the analysis side, the ECUMaster ADU is a bargain. Plex has a great unit with good logging and analysis software, but the display can't do the flashy customizable graphics the rest can. The AEM dash doesn't have direct analog inputs, so be prepared to run everything through your ECU and bring it in over CAN, or spend more money on their interface module. And it's AEM, so you get lackluster support. I've used all of those and chose the ECUMaster ADU7 for the current road race car I'm involved with and have been very happy with it.
So at the bare, bare, minimum I want a single unit that will be able to display pretty much any parameter seen by the ECU depending on my situation needs and/or whims, with a display that I can customize or adjust. Ideally I want one that will also datalog and run effective GPS tracking for simple vbox type stats and/or laptimes. Honestly I'm partial to AiM after doing research into their Solo2 lap timers for my motorcycle, they seem to have pretty solid locational resolution/accuracy and appear to be idiot proof with their database of known tracks that will automatically sync you to the correct track based on your GPS location.
I'm leaning towards AiM but my mind isn't fully made up just yet if it was I wouldn't have bothered to post a fact/opinion finding thread.
Since I'll behaving this put in along with a new ECU and having new harnesses (engine and body) made from whole cloth I want to go ahead and get the "right" dash now even if that means paying a little bit more. I figure spending more for the ideal product initially is a heck of a lot cheaper than spending less on something that may get replaced (at a loss) in a year or two anyway and could leave me wanting for more in the duration.
I was looking at the AiM Dashes myself, since my OE cluster needs repair anyway. I have the AiM Solo laptimer, and I love that it would put all that right in the dash, and I could toggle through all the guage parameters in line of sight. The other option was some sort of tablet/Double-Din unit to display from Haltech (once it goes in), but that means you need to look down for the info, more weight, and still separate laptiming/data.
Feature to feature, the Aim MXS, MXP, and MXG and ECUMaster ADU are very close in terms of features and what you can do with the hardware. Aim has better analysis software. ECUMaster is still in early days with their software and I expect it to improve as they add more functionality to it. It does basic stuff really well and is pretty easy to use. But if you really want to get in the weeds with data, Aim is a better tool. The ECUMaster is going to be a bit less expensive. If you just want a good display, lap timer with predictive, GPS mapping, and basic logging, throw blanket over the two manufacturers. ECUMaster does have a 20hz GPS v. the 10hz GPS08 that Aim offers. Both have CAN files for Motec, and many other ECUs. So setup is a breeze. ECUMaster has fully user programmable CAN Tx and Rx, so you can make it work with anything.
based on the dash surrounds that Draklore is making I'd say that quite a few people are using them.
I ended up eating the costs and going with a motec C127 dash. I was able to design my own background that I'm fairly pleased with considering my complete lack of skill in graphical design.
Last edited by fendamonky; Apr 13, 2020 at 01:07 PM.
based on the dash surrounds that Draklore is making I'd say that quite a few people are using them.
I ended up eating the costs and going with a motec C127 dash. I was able to design my own background that I'm fairly pleased with considering my complete lack of skill in graphical design.
Do you have the C127 mounted on your car? I would like to see how that looks on the dash. Im debating if i should get C127 or cheap out and get the C125.
Do you have the C127 mounted on your car? I would like to see how that looks on the dash. Im debating if i should get C127 or cheap out and get the C125.
It's not mounted up yet, we still need to finish up placement for everything in the engine bay, then move on to wiring. Once the wiring is all built then the shop will reinstall the interior and dash.
Honestly I'd go with the C127, I contemplated the C1212 but I wasn't sure if it would end up fitting. I'd only consider the C125 on a motorcycle or something like that.
On the plus side though, if you *do* buy the smaller display then you can always just upgrade later on since the wiring and connectors are the same. You'll just need to eat/manage the loss when you try to resell it.
It's not mounted up yet, we still need to finish up placement for everything in the engine bay, then move on to wiring. Once the wiring is all built then the shop will reinstall the interior and dash.
Honestly I'd go with the C127, I contemplated the C1212 but I wasn't sure if it would end up fitting. I'd only consider the C125 on a motorcycle or something like that.
On the plus side though, if you *do* buy the smaller display then you can always just upgrade later on since the wiring and connectors are the same. You'll just need to eat/manage the loss when you try to resell it.
Is that the Drake Lore panel? C1212 is very nice and also huge! I might just pull the plug and get the C127.
Is that the Drake Lore panel? C1212 is very nice and also huge! I might just pull the plug and get the C127.
Yes, that's what Draklore built for me
The C1212 is huge! It gives a lot more real estate to work with in display creator and opens up some pretty neat possibilities due to the extra space. For now the C127 should do perfectly though!!
