Dash Pod: OBX (ebay) or Autometer?

juukx · 09-13-2006, 02:32 PM

I have a convertible gst and have been looking into my options as far as gauge placement. I don't want it out in the open so Iv'e decided to go with the dual gauge bezel pod setup. The one on ebay (OBX) is $39 dollars shipped, and the autometer is obviously more. I was wondering if anyone has any experiences with either of these that could influence me to go one way or the other (fittings, durability, quality, etc). Thanks.

copper_gst · 09-13-2006, 11:30 PM

The nice thing about autometer is that if anything happens you can go back to them and get it taken care of. That is something you don't have with ebay. But OBX is normaly a pertty good brand and I have seen a far amount of their products in cars that I have worked on. That said though I have never seen one of their gauge pods and I have seen autometers's gauge pods and they fit great. It just depends on how much risk you want to take. Hope that helps.

Defiant · 09-14-2006, 12:09 AM

The Autometer is injection-molded and has the same finish as the cowl it replaces. The OBX (etc.) is vacuum-formed and has the slightly-striated surface of similar dashtop podlets. However, unless you're as fussy as some overly-obsessed DSM owner, the difference probably won't be noticed- and it's sure not $40 worse-looking. The slight flimsiness of the cheaper pod is more than compensated by the way it's nestled into the gauge recess.
Two drawbacks to the pod mounts are that there isn't much room between the rim surface of the pod and the plastic cover of the gauges (I had to heavily modify the illumination lamp of a VDO vacuum gauge, as well as offsetting the vacuum port), and the bottom of the bezel that the factory holds in with those infamous (but, tight) spring-steel pawls are replaced by expansion plugs (like license plate blind nuts) and visible screws.
I can't think of warranty issues that might arise on a product like this. Even eBay vendors will replace defective parts.

juukx · 09-14-2006, 12:17 AM

Thanks guys, that's pretty helpful in both. I guess I'll go with OBX unless I can find an autometer for a cheaper price. It does sound good to have the same 'oem' dash material, but as you said, it isn't worth an extra 40 dollars. I was thinking about an A-pillar, but I read about the problems with the spyder, plus I didn't want them that noticeable, all sticking out. Thanks again.

thekellbeast · 09-17-2006, 01:17 PM

So I'm looking at some solutions for mounting gauges. I have a boost gauge in my cup holder right now, but I'm looking at moving it, because I can't use my cupholder, and I never look down there when I'm driving. So I'm pobably going get a new bezel that mounts two gauges into the instrument cluster. I'm probably going to put boost and oil pressure there.

I'm thinking that I'll need at least an EGT gauge, and maybe something else(any suggestions), but I'm not sure where to mount them. I hate A-pillar gauges because they block my view. I'm not interested in the center vent mount, because I actually use those vents. So that brings me to my question. Does anyone use these WRX style dash pods? I guess WRX's actually have a spot where these mount perfectly. has anyone adapted these to a DSM dash?
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162933

1stGenRocks · 09-17-2006, 01:23 PM

I was going to get one of those cluster mount pods until i drove my buddies 2g with them. Unless you have the steering wheel up high the wheel blocks the guages most of the time. He got rid of his just because they were so akward to see.

thekellbeast · 09-17-2006, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the fast response! I do have the steering wheel tilted all the way up, since I'm a tall bastard. That didn't even occur to me though.

I was just browsing through the gallery and the only gauges I found on the dash were either in individual pods, bolt on pods, in things that looked like a-pillar gauges cut up. Nothing like I'm looking for. I may just say screw it and go with individual pods, like this pic I jacked from Cait Sith.

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1stGenRocks · 09-17-2006, 01:52 PM

they may work for you. try laying a guage in there. the issue seems to be that since they polint straight back even if you have the wheel in a position that you can see them you dont get a good angle to read them.

thekellbeast · 09-17-2006, 01:56 PM

I'll have to find the old boost gauge that the previous owner had been using and try that. I'd rather make sure it would work before dropping 60 bucks or so on a bezel. Thanks.

silvercoupe97 · 09-18-2006, 12:16 AM

I like to see where this goes too. I've been thinking about fabbing gauges above the center vents too. Obviously point the gauges toward the driver's seat.
Subscribed.

EclipseGSX012 · 09-18-2006, 01:00 AM

I'm actually on the same boat as you. I mean yes A-pillar does block the view also other ppls could tell that your car is modded. I'm not sure if it is the same as where your from but where i live alot of ppls car get stolen since they know the car is modded. I was actually been looking for 60mm steerling gauge pod but no luck so ill probaly end up going to go with defi gauge holder on both side. I like to have it where nobody could really see it.

fAt_sUnNy · 08-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but a good question was left out:

Does the autometer also require you to use screws at the bottom like the OBX one? To be honest that caught my eye and I would rather have it clean like stock. The autometer one is more than twice as much, but if it uses the stock mounts on the bottom unlike the OBX then it may be worth it. Any input from someone with the autometer one would be appreciated.

Defiant · 08-06-2008, 12:22 AM

Both the bezel inserts are the same. You could fill the holes for the screw heads, and epoxy-in pawls as are on the factory bezel. They don't really do much other than prevent rattles and squeaks. For all practical purposes, the bezel is held in by the two out-of-sight screws at the top.

fAt_sUnNy · 08-06-2008, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I also think the two should hold fine. But right when I was going to settle for that idea, I came across this accidentally:

eBay Motors: BLOX gauge CLUSTER, 1995-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse (item 300244607443 end time Aug-22-08 20:40:26 PDT)

We might be saved after all

RedTurboEclipse · 08-07-2008, 12:37 AM

I have the gauge cluster pod that defiant speaks of. Not the autometer one, but the ones on ebay that seem to be the exact same, just way cheaper. They fit well, but as defiant said the biggest problem is if you have deep depth gauges. The gauges will not sit flush and hit the clear plastic of the cluster if the gauge is too deep, so be forewarned about that.

fAt_sUnNy · 08-16-2008, 09:41 PM

The blox turned out to be the same as the obx one....I kind of jumped the gun on that.

But I found this gauge pod called ePod made by ATI (Auto Tech Interiors):

http://www.autotechinteriors.com/products_epod.php

eBay Motors: ATI Eclipse Mitsubishi Gauge Pod 1995 1999 52mm 60mm (item 8009186936 end time Sep-05-08 12:07:08 PDT)