9 ms·

> but analog type dials for spedo Why is this considered an upside? When I shopped for a car, I've specifically looked for one with a simple (uncluttered) lar

> but analog type dials for spedo Why is this considered an upside? When I shopped for a car, I've specifically looked for one with a simple (uncluttered) large digital number-only speedometer. Ended up buying 2013 Civic, which is still bad in other regards but got this one right, with a large digital speedometer conveniently located not behind the steering wheel but right below the windshield (less eye travel; and still in peripheral vision even when looking at the road). https://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/HondaCivicHeroWeb-348x196.jpg https://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Honda... I can read a number in a few milliseconds, ending up with an exact reading. So, I instantly know e.g. if I'm at, below, or above the speed limit (or desired/safe speed). All those analog gauges take me - personally - at least an order of magnitude longer to mentally process. I can get a rough idea (±5 or ±10 {mph,km/h} depending on the dials) relatively quick - but still much longer than it takes for me to digest a readily spelled out number. Or I can spend an eternity (2+ seconds) to get a more precise reading. And it's not as if acceleration rate normally matters, so unlike some other instruments, ability to watch the speedometer needle moving doesn't make much sense to me. --- Oh, and I can't say I want a "smart" car, I just have a pet peeve about an awful (IMHO) designs of instrument clusters in most cars. It's either a bunch of round analogue gauges straight from grandpa's dream car (with special love for a huge engine rpm indicator, no matter the type of transmission - I really don't get this) or cyberpunk neon all the way with so much visual clutter and total absence of any sane color coding, and pray to manufacturer they don't decide all that stuff goes onto that giant iPad strapped somewhere next to your knee (thanks, Elon! Although, to be fair, at least it's plain, large and black on white)

ghostpepper 5y ago
> Why is this considered an upside? I agree with all the reasons given in the article - namely that it's easier to tell with your peripheral vision if a needle has moved a small amount or a big amount than it is for your brain to register the difference between 69 and 71 and then think about whether that's significant, compare it to the limit, etc.
asdff 5y ago
It makes it easy to glance at your speed. Straight up is 60mph on my car. 9 o clock is 35mph or so. Split the difference and I'm at 45 without having to actually look out from my peripheral vision and take my eyes off the road.
jjav 5y ago
Digital readouts are the best choice when you need to know an exact value. Like the radio frequency display, since 89.7 is a different station from 89.9. The downside of digital readouts is that they take mental processing to actively look, read and interpret. You can't notice in peripheral vision if 89.9 suddenly changed to 89.7 (ok bad example since you'd hear the radio progam change, but assuming we're talking about visual display only here). Rate of change and peripheral vision of approximate values is where analog gauges shine. I don't care to know if speed is 36 or 37, it's more valuable to know the approximate spot where the needle is without ever having to look at it directly. Same for tachometer, there I care about rate of change and will definitely never look at it directly since as I approach redline my eyes are far ahead on the road.

ghostpepper 5y ago

> Why is this considered an upside? I agree with all the reasons given in the article - namely that it's easier to tell with your peripheral vision if a needle has moved a small amount or a big amount than it is for your brain to register the difference between 69 and 71 and then think about whether that's significant, compare it to the limit, etc.

asdff 5y ago

It makes it easy to glance at your speed. Straight up is 60mph on my car. 9 o clock is 35mph or so. Split the difference and I'm at 45 without having to actually look out from my peripheral vision and take my eyes off the road.

jjav 5y ago

Digital readouts are the best choice when you need to know an exact value. Like the radio frequency display, since 89.7 is a different station from 89.9. The downside of digital readouts is that they take mental processing to actively look, read and interpret. You can't notice in peripheral vision if 89.9 suddenly changed to 89.7 (ok bad example since you'd hear the radio progam change, but assuming we're talking about visual display only here). Rate of change and peripheral vision of approximate values is where analog gauges shine. I don't care to know if speed is 36 or 37, it's more valuable to know the approximate spot where the needle is without ever having to look at it directly. Same for tachometer, there I care about rate of change and will definitely never look at it directly since as I approach redline my eyes are far ahead on the road.