Black speedo

[Dollysjg]

Hi guys on my my I have the Ducati black instrument panel and find it all most impossible to see if I'm driving on a bright day any tips on rectifying this problem I use my satnav as a speedo as I cannot see the vehicles one.
I know I'm getting on a bit but I still have 20 20 vision and I can't be the only one with this problem
Cheers

 

[Nanniemate]

Pis please there must be something wrong with the settings

 

[GeoffnDee]

If you look at www.lockwoodinternational.co.uk they do replacement white dials for the Fiat Ducato which may help

 

[Stealaway]

Hi guys on my my I have the Ducati black instrument panel and find it all most impossible to see if I'm driving on a bright day any tips on rectifying this problem I use my satnav as a speedo as I cannot see the vehicles one.
I know I'm getting on a bit but I still have 20 20 vision and I can't be the only one with this problem
Cheers

What year is it?
Do you have a photo?
Is it the type that is permanently lit?

 

[Baldybazza]

Get yourself an HUD (heads up display) to fit on the dash behind the steering wheel - can get them powered either by the 12v socket or by OBD socket. Easily swapped from MPH to KPH
Bazza

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[Despicable]

The speedo on the Ducato/Boxer is about as accurate as a NAAFI price list; I use my satnav, at least I know that's accurate.

 

[Puddleduck]

It's a common issue and we have an HUD system to get round it.

 

[Guigsy]

Nope, it's not just you. They are a terrible design. Red text on a black background is not good in many lighting conditions. Wait until you try to stick to speed limits in Europe.

 

[Waveski]

Best solution is a HUD (head up display). Loads on Amazon, about £20. Brilliant and mine’s proven to be very accurate.

 

[Dollysjg]

Thanks all ordered my HUD from amazon on its way hope it works

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[berni109]

U could of course just put a HUD app on u'r phone. Can't use it for playing games or reading fun while driving so make it work for a living.

 

[2GB Racing]

Agreed the red needles on black background is equally a bad as black needles on white background which are marginally better at dusk or under a lit street and at night almost impossible to read.
Sat Nav for accuracy off course, And a Head up on screen display for accuracy and vision in day and night conditions.
Perhaps those on here whom have purchased a Heads up display unit would like to share which item they purchased for the job, As I need one

 

[Nirvanauk]

Get yourself an HUD (heads up display) to fit on the dash behind the steering wheel - can get them powered either by the 12v socket or by OBD socket. Easily swapped from MPH to KPH
Bazza

Doesn’t having the display on your windscreen a bit off putting whilst driving?

 

[Sasbo]

I've got one of these. Clear display and doesn't need a GPS signal.

Car Head Up Display HUD, Auto GPS OBD2 OBD Driving On-board Computer, Speedometer Display, Car Speed Projector Digital Display Fuel Consumption Temperature Gauge Diagnostic Tool P10 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JWDQ6V2/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[seasideBill]

Have the same problem, speedo display is completely hopeless. Haven’t tried the HUD solution but the Demon Tweaks GPS digital speedo is compact, mounts easily and is always visible - easy switch from MPH to KPH for continental touring.

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[Stealaway]

I use a pound shop mirror laid on the steering column.

Without mirror

 

[15isto2]

I thought this was a thread about french swimwear

 

[cyberyacht]

I've got a little rectangular GPS display mounted on the top of the dash. Switchable between MPH/KPH and plugs into a USB socket. Got mine so it over-reads by about 2% to keep me 'on the straight and narrow'.

 

[autorouter]

Nope, it's not just you. They are a terrible design. Red text on a black background is not good in many lighting conditions. Wait until you try to stick to speed limits in Europe.

Red text on a black background is a classic blunder in user interface design. A surprisingly large number of people, largely male, have a colour vision defect that makes it difficult or impossible to see. That's why danger warnings are usually red text on a white background. Unbelievably, somebody got paid to design that speedo dial

 

[seasideBill]

Red text on a black background is a classic blunder in user interface design. A surprisingly large number of people, largely male, have a colour vision defect that makes it difficult or impossible to see. That's why danger warnings are usually red text on a white background. Unbelievably, somebody got paid to design that speedo dial

That’s certainly true. However, with the Ducato speedo as well as red illumination it’s just gloomy and too small. Strangely, vehicles of similar vintage seem to have different displays? Earlier vans e.g one I owned in 2012 had no such problems.

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[Dollysjg]

Good tip about the mirror
stealaway

 

[rwg]

I've got one of these. Clear display and doesn't need a GPS signal.

Car Head Up Display HUD, Auto GPS OBD2 OBD Driving On-board Computer, Speedometer Display, Car Speed Projector Digital Display Fuel Consumption Temperature Gauge Diagnostic Tool P10 Amazon product ASIN B07JWDQ6V2

Yep, I have one like that (not the same model, but same concept) stuck on top of the dash. Makes a massive difference to being confident about the speed when driving. Oddly the device seems to display the exact speed since it almost always matches the GPS speed on the satnav and the readout on roadside 'your speed in XXmph' signs. The speedo itself reads a few mph high, as is common with many speedos.

It's difficult to understand how they can have built Ducato vans for so many years without noticing how bad the speedo is.

cheers,

Robin

 

[meanders]

I use DigiHUD on my Android phone but in normal mode rather than HUD. I clip the phone in the centre dash on the pop up but that conveniently holds the phone and plug it in the USB port. Also gives you the compass reading which is useful. My satnav speed is too small to read quickly.

 

[Jugster]

Anyone know if a hud display will work on a 2012 a class Hymer, if plugged into the OBD port?
thanks

 

[TheBig1]

The big drawback with plugging a HUD into the OBD port is that it leaves the port accessible to would be thieves, who use a laptop on this port to steal the van

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[seasideBill]

The big drawback with plugging a HUD into the OBD port is that it leaves the port accessible to would be thieves, who use a laptop on this port to steal the van

Isn’t that the case anyway unless you have a OBD port lock?

 

[the1andonly]

Isn’t that the case anyway unless you have a OBD port lock?

Relocate the obd2 port and replace with a dummy. For extra fun lock the dummy.
For the op i also use an old android phone with digihud ap for a speedo.

It has been postulated that the reason that it is more difficult to read the speedo in a motohome ( than white van) is due to the change in viewing angle as a result of higher swivel seat.

 

[Shrimp]

The mirror looks as tho it works a treat, a little bit of Bluetac to hold it in place maybe?

 

[Dorset Diver]

I don't want wires dangling about. Are battery powered HUD's available?

 

[Cockers]

I bought the white dials from Lockwood they made a huge difference, they will fit them for you with a quick turn around costs about £50 , i fitted them my self it took about 45mins www.lockwoodinternational.co.uk