Digital Speedometer

[Scylax]

Drove a Toyota Yaris yesterday with a large digital speed readout. Wonderful.
Any reason why all cars don't have these, rather than the complex analogue meters which can't be read at a glance ?

[dzug2]

No there's no reason

[rojash]

Yeah there is a reason. Analog dials are much easier to read at a glance. There was a fashion for digital speedos a few years ago (just as there was a fashion for digital watches). In both cases the fashion didn't last (except with nerds). Not really sure what could be considered complex about a needle pointing to a number.

[heathfield]

I once had a Fiat Multipla hire car with a big digital speedo readout in the centre of the fascia. Stupid position. Instead of glancing down momentarily to see my speed, I had to turn my head to look across to the middle of the dashboard. In a built-up zone, often the last digit might flashed back and forth between zero and one. This would catch my eye and invariably make me take my eyes off the road to look at it. Fiat obviously changed their mind about the lack of wisdom of digital speedos, since I noted that later versions of the same model of car had analogue speedos fitted instead.

[Scylax]

Rojash... Looking at an analogue watch is not a critical business; to ascertain the exact minute takes some peering at the dial. Not a good idea for speedometers when driving in traffic. No wonder many drivers are trapped by cameras just a few mph over the limit. No, I want to see my speed all of the time, without the encumbrance of all the other figures on a small dial. Just a big 25, of 35 will do nicely.

Digital watches don't compare. When it's 17.38, what time is it ? Or 19.23 ?

[stocksman]

Heathfield, The reason for the dial in centre is so they don't need to change it for left or right hand drive.

[Hopkirk]

I hate the idea of a digital readout in the centre of the car.

Anyone who has had young children would be able to imagine the conversations and comments.

At least an analogue dial in front of the driver gives some respite from this.

[Psybbo]

Digital can't keep up to speed with acceleration

[BlueToffee]

I can hear Mrs BT now.......you're in a 30 mph speed limit.........