Podi w/ Stepper motor gauge review

[JspotMD]

I finished installing this gauge package yesterday using the guide on a4mods.com

Impressions:

1) The pod is excellent. The soft vinyl cover didn't quite clip in properly on my 2005 so the edges stick out a bit. It's not noticeable unless you're looking for it. The color match on my black interior is almost perfect - the pod is slightly lighter. Texture is perfect and the gauge barely obstructs the instruments.

2) The stepper motor gauge is a bit of a dissapointment. Function is better than expected. It's accurate, responds quickly and the different functions are very nice. Granted I haven't seen any of the other gauges in person but I'm not a fan of the colour in daylight. It's too gray to match the standard B6 instrumentation (perfect for a B5 S4 though) and there is a bit of backlight bleeding. As you dim the brightness, the red LED from the needle spills over to the numbers. At night, the gauge is perfect and looks OEM. I may end up painting the trim ring silver to make it blend in better.

Videos below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m6RxMqLQbE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXuesImJxqw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdqu1gCqnko

[martini]

yeah the gauge is great, just wish it had a black background

winston posted something asking people if it were more important for it to match during the day, or at night.... people picked night

sounds like it was an either-or decision for him at the time.



dont forget, with the electronics gauge, you will never have any buzzing. That is a very big advantage over some of the other options out there

[[email protected]]

The dial color was a difficult one to make as I only could pick one color and that dial you see was the best match I could get for the B5->B7 interior.

Please send me a picture of the light bleed you see as I worked hard with the manufacturer to make sure that was something that did not happen.

It could be that the O ring that is in place shifted in your unit. If this is the case please send the gauge back to be for a replacement.

[manhertm]

Hey Winston, do you a stepper motor gauge, thats digital display?

[[email protected]]

The VEI units are digital display unless you are thinking about something else.

There is no need for a stepper motor in a digital display unit are there would be nothing that moves.

[manhertm]

The VEI units are digital display unless you are thinking about something else.

There is no need for a stepper motor in a digital display unit are there would be nothing that moves.

Ahh, I see, I just remember the Capt. saying something about the older gauge making noise while in operation and that the stepper motor fixed that.

[martini]

Ahh, I see, I just remember the Capt. saying something about the older gauge making noise while in operation and that the stepper motor fixed that.

hes talking about the standard analog gauges... the stewart warner gauges.

they have a tendency to buzz when reading boost, however it can be helped by putting an anti buzz fitting in line with the pressurized line. Winston now supplies these anti buzz fittings with all of his analog gauges.

[pondside36]

No anit buzz fittings needed with the VEI also since there are no moving parts of the gauge.. :)

[manhertm]

Cool, I guess, I'm going digital then. Any good reason to go analog?

[b6onboost]

The stepper gauge had so much potential to me until I saw it wasn't a black face. The stepper gauge resolved the issues of noise and poor lighting, but the gray face seems like a step away from OEM like appearance, unless you have a B5 S4.

Either way I am switching to a Podi and want my business to go to Winston. I just can't decide between a Stepper or VEI gauge now that I know the face color won't match.

[martini]

http://www.a4mods.com/index.php?page...odiAnalog.html

video of VEI at the end

[[email protected]]

The stepper gauge had so much potential to me until I saw it wasn't a black face. The stepper gauge resolved the issues of noise and poor lighting, but the gray face seems like a step away from OEM like appearance, unless you have a B5 S4.

And who said that they won't come with a charcoal black face?

Or matching satin silver bezel?

Anyone want to see a picture?

[JspotMD]

Sorry for the lack of update/pictures I've been very busy. Winston, any chance you'll have a new version more in line with the B6 interior soon? Would we be able to get some sort of swap deal?

Overall great product

Get a pod no matter which gauge you want to use.

[[email protected]]

I'm working on new models but in case you didn't know.. I'm a one man operation here and can only do things so fast due to limited resources (read as $$$)

That being said I'm hoping to have a solution out in a month or two. Definately in time for Christmas.

I'll see what I can do for the trade in for newer products... but in order to qualify you got to keep your current unit in like new condition.

[[email protected]]

And in case people are wondering if I'm just blowing hot air about 'future products'

[pondside36]

Very nice indeed..

[AudiA4_20T]

good stuff Winston!

[CapstoneJHS]

Very nice Winston!
I liked your Stepper until I saw the background color. I got lucky and found the Podi and AutoMeter mechanical gauge in the classifieds section here. Haven't had a chance to install it yet, but the podi itself is top notch. Very high quality.

This new teaser gauge intrigues me though. Perhaps the AutoMeter won't be in the car very long...haha.

[JspotMD]

I took some videos of day/night situations which I will post shortly. I wasn't in gear so don't expect to see much boost. Please let me know if you have any image requests.

J

[JspotMD]

bump, original post updated with vids.

[79%N1]

When will the new one be out??? thats a stepper motor gauge as well? Ugh... i just installed the current stepper motor gauge and have to say that i'm less than impressed with the bleed through at night and the gray in the day... the one you have pictured looks like a lot better unit... Any chances to trade up?