gear indicators

[budd]

I've been thinking having a digital gear dicator would be a nice feature to have and have been looking at a few options, the most popular seem to be the datatool and acumen electrical types ranging from £50 ish to £65 with a the haltech coming in at around the £100 mark, the haltech is more than I want to spend, £50 is more like it but then I've notice this below on ebay (i've only linked to one of them but there's a few which all look like the same thing) these are obviously a much cheaper option but are operated via magnets rather than tapping into the bkes rev feed. Anyone any experience of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-Digital- ... 231b02c406

[tony.mon]

Not sure how it will cope with neutral....
Never tried these before, maybe someone else has?

[budd]

I guess it's basically 2 hall effect sensors to generate the gear number with a link to the neutral switch to indicate neutral and act as a datum if it gets confused eg missed gear, selecting neutral will reset it, in many ways it seems a better solution, I've not tried the electrical type which read tacho / speedo signals but how do they cope with pulling the clutch in or blipping the throttle ?
Although the more I think about these the more I question the value of a gear indicator, sure it's a cool idea but I've been riding long enough to hopefully know what gear I'm in or should be in at any given time, maybe it's just a gadget for it's own sake and do I really ant to be looking at what gear I'm in rather than looking where I'm going.
I know I started this thread re specific products but maybe it would be better debating the actual worh of fitting a gear indicator of any kind.

[tony.mon]

I have one, used only to stop me try to change up when I'm already in 6th on motorways.
But mine also has a voltage display, so if the RR goes, I'll know before the battery is cooked.

[lloydie]

I have a datatool digi gear on mine
It works very well all 6 gears show and neutral does It shows 1 0 2 3 4 5 6
As long as you have a rear paddock stand and basic soldering skills it's an easy job and stops you trying to find 7th
It takes a wile to get the knack to program it but once it's done it's good to go . But if you change the sprocket sizes after you have programmed it you will need to do it again .
The only time I have managed to fool it is on the down shift ie pull up at lights then change down from 3rd to 1st but as soon as you pull away it know what gear your in and shows it

[budd]

I have a datatool digi gear on mine
It works very well all 6 gears show and neutral does It shows 1 0 2 3 4 5 6
As long as you have a rear paddock stand and basic soldering skills it's an easy job and stops you trying to find 7th
It takes a wile to get the knack to program it but once it's done it's good to go . But if you change the sprocket sizes after you have programmed it you will need to do it again .
The only time I have managed to fool it is on the down shift ie pull up at lights then change down from 3rd to 1st but as soon as you pull away it know what gear your in and shows it

are there any other benefits other than trying to hook 7th ? and looking cool obviously

[lloydie]

Yep you don't drop it into 1st a Wang the throttle open when you want 2nd lol

[sirch345]

I have one, used only to stop me try to change up when I'm already in 6th on motorways.
But mine also has a voltage display, so if the RR goes, I'll know before the battery is cooked.

I have an Acumen fitted to my bike without the volt meter incorporated into it. I had already fitted a separate volt meter to the bike before getting the gear indicator. The main advantage for me is the same as Tony says.

Chris.

[Flatline]

Budd, why not go ahead and buy one mate

Then if it works I can get one as well

[sirch345]

Anyone any experience of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-Digital- ... 231b02c406

I just had a look at this link, it sounds good, especially the purchase price. If it as good as they say then IMHO it's a bargain Definitely worth a try I would say.

Chris.

[budd]

Budd, why not go ahead and buy one mate

Then if it works I can get one as well

Hi Phil
There's no reason they won't work but I'm wandering now ( after thinking about it ) whether there's any point apart from having a nice digital display to look at. BTW you about next weekend for a ride out somewhere ( weather permitting) the aim is to get it taxed this week for the tax to start April 1st which means sunday will be it's first trip out after winter.

[Flatline]

Sounds like a plan, shall we post a new thread in ride outs?