[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josal

Don't you just look at the digital readout rather than glance at the speedometer? In other words it seems like the central speedo ends up being pretty much for the passengers, not that there's anything wrong with that.

The digital speed readout on the tach was not a feature until September 2003 builds.

You don't really need a speedo if you're driving in traffic ... just keep with the flow.

If there's no traffic, the center speedo is easy enough to read with a quick sideward glance.

You can always gauge your speed based on tach RPM and what gear you're in

[brett]

I found it really good. After hitting the Emu the otherday I was able to keep an eye on my temp gague (it's in deg) and my oil pressure.

[dino_smith]

Nemski I know what you mean, one of the reasons I wanted the speedo moved was so the girlfriend/speed limiter couldn't see how fast we were going

Also it's nice to know when the oil is hot & she's ready to be revved!!

[MarkS]

Quote: Originally Posted by AidenL

Now that we have seen the Chrono Pack revealed, what do you all think of it?

While I like the idea of having oil pressure and temperature visibly displayed, for me, the central speedo is an iconic MINI design featuer, and I for one would regret losing that feature.

The new design certainly makes the gauges more visible, as opposed to having them buried down in the centre console.

Actually, for me, if the Oil Pressure and Temp gauges had moved to the steering wheel pod,while retaining the central speedo, that would have been my ideal solution............

Will you be speccin it on your next MINI or not?

I agree with you. I ordered my car (which, which last seen, had gotten off the ship at Charleston and was headed for the VDC) with the Chrono Pack thinking that the extra gauges would be a good thing, but now I've been starting to think I should have kept the central speedometer and gotten gauges to put elsewhere. The central speedometer is a nice design element of the MINI and you lose that when you get the Chrono Pack (or the nav system).

Mark

[BartMack]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josal

So let me ask a dumb question then for those of you with a central speedo (not a MINI owner yet):
Don't you just look at the digital readout rather than glance at the speedometer? In other words it seems like the central speedo ends up being pretty much for the passengers, not that there's anything wrong with that.

These threads are great; I was going back and forth but am convinced I don't need/want the Nav or Chrono package. I've been on the wait list for a couple months and am trying to firm up options.

Thanks

not me I'm more interested what the outside temp is so that's where I keep the OBC readout...
I think the center speedo is easy to read, but the clock in the odometer is not

[lespurgeon]

I don't know about anybody else, but I never look at the speed on the OBC - don't know why but I don't. I like the speedo in the center, except than now when the wife says slow down she has evidence that she is right, and that is the last thing she needs.

[stryder]

Its difficult to read a digital speedometer quickly. They're dangerous really. You can glance at an analog gauge and get an idea of your speed to the nearest 5 or so mph. It takes way longer for you to recognize and process actual numbers then the position of a little orange needle.

I think people realize this, and thus get used to using the central speedometer.

[Electra]

I've ordered the chrono pack and will discover whether I really like it or not soon enough. I, alas, am one of those people who didn't want the center speedo. The nav option was a lot of money for something I usually keep folded up in my jockey box. I was ecstatic when the chrono pack was revealed.

Gauges are always better then idiot lights. I don't find the look of the chrono pack aesthetically displeasing. It's a means to an end. I really don't care for a digital readout because I was born in pre-digital decade (my watch has hands) so I won't miss that feature.

To each his own!

[SteveM3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josal

So let me ask a dumb question then for those of you with a central speedo (not a MINI owner yet):
Don't you just look at the digital readout rather than glance at the speedometer? In other words it seems like the central speedo ends up being pretty much for the passengers, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Yep, I'll go along with that 100%. Central speedo for style .

[twouptons]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkS

I agree with you. I ordered my car (which, which last seen, had gotten off the ship at Charleston and was headed for the VDC) with the Chrono Pack thinking that the extra gauges would be a good thing, but now I've been starting to think I should have kept the central speedometer and gotten gauges to put elsewhere. The central speedometer is a nice design element of the MINI and you lose that when you get the Chrono Pack (or the nav system).

Mark

If it makes you feel better, we ordered the Chrono pack because...
1) Wife didn't like the centrally-mounted speedo (she says it's the looks, but I have a photo of her doing over 85 in our old Mazda that I keep bringing up much to her displeasure )
2) I like having lots of gauges, even if they never give me anything I'll actually need

Then the car shows up, and...
1) It actually looks pretty good
2) I love to watch the stuff move around on the dials, particularly the difference between water and oil temperature
3) It looks awesome at night in the glow of the orange lights

I know the speedo is a big MINI styling thing, but the "big round dial-thing" is still there stylistically, and the "mouse ears" don't bother me, so I don't think the stylistic integrity of the car is really violated (you could also argue that putting wheels bigger than 13" on a MINI is a stylistic faux pas, as it violates the original, but I don't hear that...). Besides, putting in aftermarket gauges would involve a cluster of dials somewhere, so why not have it integrated in the dash as a factory thing?
That having been said. i can see how a lot of people would really hate the profusion of dials in the Chrono pack, and prefer that gloriously big speedo, but I wouldn't feel guilty about it either way.

-Eric

[stryder]

I still think if you're gauge happy, you should buy the aux gauge set:

Sure, its not as front and center as the chrono pack, but besides its expense (Its $300ish I believe) people are pretty satisfied with it. Though it doesn't include quite the same gauges, so that's an issue.

And the big speedo looks awsom at night as well

[Ferroequine]

I know, I know. It is not "traditional" MINI to not have the speedometer in the middle of the dash.

But outside of that, why are so many people poo-poo ing the Chrono pack? I much prefer to have the speedo in front of me, just below my line of vision, than to have to turn my head everytime I want to check my speed. And with the Chrono pack, you get additional gauges for oil temperature and oil pressure (A racing car setup would have gauges for this...)

So, let's discuss!

[AidenL]

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=chrono

See the above thread for more info, and a massive poll

I don't like it because of the lack of tradition, plus the calibrations aren't conssitent.

[Ferroequine]

Ugh, how did I miss that thread in my search?

Maybe a mod could just kill this thread then?

[Rakey]

I don't like it as it just seems to be an after thought and suit the design of the MINI interior.

[AidenL]

Well, we can let it run for new opinions, or I could merge it with the older one if you like?

[AidenL]

Merged and bumped.......