Prosport Gauge Review (pics)

[statik]

I decided to pick up a set of the prosport gauges after seeing a thread on here a couple weeks back, the prices are good, the gauges look good, and I didnt hear anything like "megans are better" so why not.

For ~ $150 shipped I got 3 gauges, boost, fuel pressure, and oil pressure, all electronic. They came on friday afternoon, so of course I spent all friday night installing them:

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1868-2/102_0876.jpg

Boost gauge with remote sender:
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1876-2/102_0879.jpg

I decided to mount the boost sensor on the passenger strut tower to minimize routing of vacuum lines

First problem, I broke half of the senders plastic off where you can bolt it down. The plastic is cheap and easily cracks, I almost broke the other side which would make it basically unmountable, be careful. You can make it out in the picture:

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1884-2/102_0881.jpg

Next, I had to basically make my own harness for all 3 gauges and run a few feet of wire from the sensors to the dash:

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1888-2/102_0882.jpg

Thats a bit longer than it ended up being but I was too lazy to measure and I have tons of wire. This wasn't a big deal really, but it does take much longer to install these gauges because of it, I know gauges like Defi come with the harness that plugs right into the sensor, but for $50 a gauge you can't complain here. Each gauge harness is about 2' and should reach the dash easily:

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1904-2/102_0886.jpg

So far, besides the cheap plastic on the boost sensor the only other "wtf" was the size of the senders:

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1920-2/102_0892.jpg
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1937-2/102_0896.jpg
These things are beefy, I guess it doesn't matter as long as they work right? :ugh: Both the oil and fuel pressure senders were the same size.

I picked up a dual ATI pod for the steering wheel

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1892-2/102_0883.jpg
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1908-2/102_0887.jpg
The fuel/oil are maxed there because I didnt have the sensors hooked up, just testing power/illumination.

I wired mine for white with the headlights off, and amber with them on (to somewhat match my cluster led's at night). You can have it the opposite, or white all the time/amber all the time based on wiring. Sorry the pics are blurry but you get the idea

Lights off:
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1960-2/102_0905.jpg

Lights on:
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1964-2/102_0906.jpg

Problem #3, the boost gauge needle is off, just under 0 with the car off, I literally tap my gauge and moves to 0 which is kind of :ghey: but again, it was $50 so I can suck it up.

Problem #4 ,The gauges are smoked so they appear black when theres no power going to them, this becomes a problem during the day, the gauges at night are bright and extremely easy to read, but during the day with direct sunlight on it was pretty difficult due to glare on the smoked lens (esp for the boost gauge which is on the a-pillar). The bezel provided with the gauges can help somewhat (also prevents reflection on the windshield at night) however the ATI pod is not deep enough, the gauges stick out slightly and the bezels are held in place by pushing the gauge up against the pod, so that wont work here without cutting the back of the pod out, I will probably do this.

Heres a video of them in action (sort of, didnt have the fuel/oil senders hooked up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrZXIWLtBzo

All in all I would say the gauges are worth the price, and would recommend them for an alternative to autometer for cheap gauges, they look MUCH nicer. but hey, you get what you pay for, if you can't deal with the issues get some Defi's or maybe try out the new Circuit Sports series and write a review =]

And a bonus shot of the AFC Neo (no pics of install but im sure you have all seen it before):
http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1956-2/102_0904.jpg

I know generally SAFC's are frowned upon but I was running a bit lean up top with a rom tune and wanted to be able to tweak it on the dyno. Next thread expect a dyno and some video of my car with the tomei expreme manifold, this thing rocks! (gt28rs 15psi @ 3000rpm =])

[240silvia]

my car is actually lined with these things, lol. My coupe and my vert. I like them. And for the price/warranty, I think they are great. I'd say +1 for ProSport.

[inertiaticism]

If they are anything like Megan gauges, they fucking suck.
I've got a Megan water temp gauge and it pisses me off to no end since it is unreadably dim during the day.
Even though they are off-brand parts also, STRi gauges are much, much more readable and not as shitty as Megans.
Next time I'm just going to get something good instead of wasting my money.

[yokotas13]

yeah i have them too

They are nothing like Megan
megan is shit

[Ian]

Megan gauges are a complete and total waste of time and money

[Johny5]

apparantly these are too...

boost gauges that have uncentered needles are usually total crap, autometer name or not. thanks for the review, was about to buy their boost gauge, not anymore!

[statik]

apparantly these are too...

boost gauges that have uncentered needles are usually total crap, autometer name or not. thanks for the review, was about to buy their boost gauge, not anymore!

honestly thats really the only thing that bothered me, I sent them an email about it but i'd be surprised if I got a response.

[Quigs]

+1 for a good review. I'm sure you helped a lot of people out who were looking into the ProSports. I personally wouldn't have tried it, but I'm glad they work out for you.

STRi ftw!

[DrtyRat]

.....however the ATI pod is not deep enough, the gauges stick out slightly and the bezels are held in place by pushing the gauge up against the pod, so that wont work here without cutting the back of the pod out, I will probably do this.

I had the same prob. w/my ATI pod and had to cut out the back...
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=109302&highlight=ati+pod

[statik]

I had the same prob. w/my ATI pod and had to cut out the back...
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=109302&highlight=ati+pod

Ah yes, this will require a tad more cutting, basically the gauge needs to stick out the back =], im not sure what gauges ATI tests their stuff with but it doesn't seem like many gauges would fit (esp mechnical like your boost) without modification, oh well.

[05civse]

the "premium" prosport gauges are like 1/4 as deep as the normal ones so they would fit. also, the peak function and warn thing are awsome. I know you had the cash for the better ones (looks at second pic :) )!!!

[b4racing]

i have megans and they rock. Best bang for the buck

[420sx]

^ they fucking blow just like the rest of megans shit

[Irukandji]

i have megans and they rock. Best bang for the buck

Megan gauges are horrible. I got them for free from a shop that was going out of business, so I was fortunate to not waste a single penny on that garbage.
Here's an unbiased review (most reviews are from people who don't wanna feel bad about buying shit, so they say all the positives).

Here we go.

1. LED is weak, the stock gauge cluster is brighter than the gauges at night.
2. Cheap smoked lens reflects sunlight like a mirror and its absolutely impossible to read during the day. I emailed Phase2 regarding this issue and they say most of their customers have complained about the samething.
3. The sensors that come with them (specifically the oil pressure sender) does not fit on our cars, so you need to buy a sender from autometer (what I did) or some other bullshit.
4. Once the sensor was installed, the readings were totally inaccurate. The Megan oil pressure gauge read 40-80psi (Defi read 20-100psi depending on where my rpm was).
5. The gauge housings are plastic cheap shit that scratches so easily.
6. I would rather run no gauge than be fooled by Megan gauges.
7. The water temp gauge read about 20degrees off compared to Defi's.
8. Did I mention they were garbage?


Seriously guys, if you're cheap and you want gauges, go with Autometer or something that actually has a reputation. I'm not saying they're good, but they're infinetly better than Megans/Circuit Sports bullshit.

[RedStage]

Excellent thread, thanks for posting the review.
Have been torn between the Prosports and STRi's.
Gotta wait til the credit card cools off before I make a purchase on either though.

[statik]

Excellent thread, thanks for posting the review.
Have been torn between the Prosports and STRi's.
Gotta wait til the credit card cools off before I make a purchase on either though.

get the X line STRi, they are in the basic prosport price range and IMO better quality

[azndoc]

Good review I thought.

I wasnt' planning on getting these gauges but I enjoy reading your review though.

You knew that these weren't the most expensive gauges and you get what you paid for. You sucked it up and did what you had to do in order to make them work.

Good job, and nice of you to inform everyone with this review.

[bloodangels13]

I have the prosport boost guage also and it works great... i have mine wired the same way white with ignition on and amber when lights are turned on.... mine lights up perfect in either color during day driving and reads perfect... the only thing is my sender looks so much better then the one you got... ill take pics of guage placement and sender in a bit with my shitty camera phone

[BustedS13]

+rep for a review. but i've gotta say, i think i'd rather spend a tiny bit extra and go with autometer.

[GabeS14]

these guages are awesome, i have them in my car too..!
+1 for the review since i didnt take pics of mine..
Recommended!

[nismostate]

thinking about getting 4 of these gauges. premium boost, oil pressure, water temp, and tach. anymore reviews on this? i cant seem to find many reviews on STRi's.

[yokotas13]

ugh
i have 4 gauges
they are all off scale and shit

whatever they work

[kyoru]

nice gauges and nice install

[nismostate]

ugh
i have 4 gauges
they are all off scale and shit

whatever they work
sounds like the gauges are crap after 1 yr?

[TanaMU]

http://gallery.carvolution.org/main.php/d/1876-2/102_0879.jpg

Dude is that a model m keyboard? That's fucking awesome! I'm typing on one right now..

[Ninjabread]

I have the prosport water temp.

Works fine, hook up was easy.

I also have defi boost / fuel pressure, and then aem uego wideband.

None of my gauges match.

[ecuastyle84]

thinking about getting 4 of these gauges. premium boost, oil pressure, water temp, and tach. anymore reviews on this? i cant seem to find many reviews on STRi's.

i have stri's(boost,oil pressure, and fuel pressure) in my coupe and i like them alot...+rep for them

[95KA-Turbo]

I have the water temp, oil pressure, and boost gauge. I got a mechanical boost gauge and it reads fine. I installed mine w/ the hoods that come with them and have no problems at all reading in the day time. I have them set to white all the time.


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/New%20Folder/gauges.jpg

The electric gauges sweep when you start them...I don't have the oil or the water temp hooked up yet...and yeah that oil pressure sending unit is freaking huge!:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/New%20Folder/gauges2.jpg

[J90lude]

Good Write up!! Prosport always has good gauges.:D

[Rittmeister]

I have AC Autotechnic, which look very similar to these Prosports. I only have oil pressure (elec) and boost (mechanical). I've been very pleased with them, except for the daytime legibility, which seems to be the norm with smoked gauges.

I also have a big oil pressure sender - maybe that's normal too. I just mounted it to my Greddy oil relocation block, no biggie.

[nani]

the tach sucks, its slow for some reason

[yokotas13]

sounds like the gauges are crap after 1 yr?

i had two temp sensors, and a boost sensor go out
and ive only driven the car for like 6 months

and the water temp, oil temp, boost gauge are new

[nismostate]

i have stri's(boost,oil pressure, and fuel pressure) in my coupe and i like them alot...+rep for them

how long have you had them and which line of stri's do you have?
damnit, there are way too many mixed reviews on prosports. anymore prosport owners thats had them longer than a year chime in?
yokotas13 did you have the premium gauges?

[SilviaSR20DET]

i had mine for a few months now and they seem to hold up just fine. I have the water temp gauge.

[k0uki]

nice review, i think ill just get some autometers now

[Modrified]

nice post. thanks.

[sldbyuramg]

my autometer boost gauge read funny too. idk what thats all about. im buying these anyway though. a few Evo guys i know have them and they like them alot... defi is sweet but it doesn't fit into my budget.

[codyace]

Prosports are trash.

Watch or Datalog your runs with a Consult or with an EMS. You'll see what I mean. Inconsistancy, +/- 15 degree difference and a 2 psi difference versus the MAP sensor in the EMS.

For a stock car that simply needs gauges to keep an eye out, i'd say why not. For a car makign any sort of big power, that needs to be reliable, i say look elsewhere.

[nismostate]

hmm now im leaning towards autometer sport compact 2. not flashy and all but im assuming its more accurate/
can't be bustin out the laptop after every run just to check everytihng.

i want to see more stri reviews..

[JohnC]

Tried them just cause I got them free to test,

Not worth the hassle of installing them, OP sensor died in 2 weeks, egt sensor dies after a month.

Threw them out and put in defis and as always, flawless.
Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones......

[Sileighty_85]

Defi's FTW
I picked up the Blue ones in Oki
Sensors are nice and compact
Easiest wiring I ever had to do
pretty much perfect lenght wires with little extra

Perfect Visability even in direct sunlight
I'd buy nothin else.

[drift into a curb]

My prosport with warning have been working strong since last year. Turns on everytime and they're loud as heck.

[nismostate]

My prosport with warning have been working strong since last year. Turns on everytime and they're loud as heck.


which gauges do you have? if i was to get prosport, i want all the premium ones..

everyone giving bad reviews, were you using prosport premium gauges or the cheaper model?

[240trainee]

I have the cheaper model water temp and oil press.

They are fine. Not great, but worth the like $30 a pop I paid for them.

[Neejay]

I have the electric oil pressure and water temp 52mm blue gauges. I've had them over a year and they are still working strong.

I'm contemplating getting the boost gauge...just can't decide on mechanical or electric.

[240trainee]

I hate mine

still haven't bothered putting them in after taking them out to paint the mounting panel.

Oil press is already going out.

Need to get some better joints over the winter.

[Exas Spec D]

I have searched everywhere. If you can link me to a tutorial on how to wire up these electrical gauges, I would appreciate it. So far, I hooked up my boost gauge, but when I splice my water temp/oil temp/oil press gauge to same source, all my gauges dim. Like it's not receiving enough voltage or something.

Where should I splice?

(Flamesuit on)

[Flipzide]

i hooked up my gauges through the radio harness and they work just fine. i had 3 of em connected in my s13 and now i have 5 gauges hooked up through the radio harness just fine on my track s14.

[zaquanh]

im sponsored by them and have bought multiple gauges heres pics at night and day of mine

ive be using them for like 2 years now

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/s14/IMG_1856-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/s14/IMG_1915-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/s14/IMG_1915.jpg


ill post other stuff later


ive had these for 6 mths or so , others ive had about 2 years all working great

[240sxdriftin]

good write up man! i have the pro sport gauges in my s14 and they work great, deffinately a good buy for the price, and i plan on putting these in my subaru as well!!

[zaquanh]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/184533788933.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/185207285125.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/CIMG0182.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/203646934533.jpg

[g-via]

ah i just sold my defi's and am in the market for some BF ones...but was double thinking it because of the price and was going to cheap out and buy prosport/stri

i think i'll suck it up and buy the defis...

[comablack783]

Megan gauges are horrible. I got them for free from a shop that was going out of business, so I was fortunate to not waste a single penny on that garbage.
Here's an unbiased review (most reviews are from people who don't wanna feel bad about buying shit, so they say all the positives).

Here we go.

1. LED is weak, the stock gauge cluster is brighter than the gauges at night.
2. Cheap smoked lens reflects sunlight like a mirror and its absolutely impossible to read during the day. I emailed Phase2 regarding this issue and they say most of their customers have complained about the samething.
3. The sensors that come with them (specifically the oil pressure sender) does not fit on our cars, so you need to buy a sender from autometer (what I did) or some other bullshit.
4. Once the sensor was installed, the readings were totally inaccurate. The Megan oil pressure gauge read 40-80psi (Defi read 20-100psi depending on where my rpm was).
5. The gauge housings are plastic cheap shit that scratches so easily.
6. I would rather run no gauge than be fooled by Megan gauges.
7. The water temp gauge read about 20degrees off compared to Defi's.
8. Did I mention they were garbage?


Seriously guys, if you're cheap and you want gauges, go with Autometer or something that actually has a reputation. I'm not saying they're good, but they're infinetly better than Megans/Circuit Sports bullshit.

+1

I dont get why ppl buy "cheap" poorly made gauges when you could buy OEM quality gauges for about the same price or less. VDO has been making OEM instrument clusters for years! they also make gauges in a variety of sizes that are back lit (side lit gauges look like crap IMO). I got my 3 gauges for a little over $140 shipped with the senders from 42 draft design and they compliment the stock cluster :cool:.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/comablack783/th_30-25boost.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/comablack783/?action=view&current=30-25boost.jpg)
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/comablack783/th_26005200028_large-1.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/comablack783/?action=view&current=26005200028_large-1.jpg)

[DALAZ_68]

so im resurecting this from the dead with a few questions

has Prosport improved there shoty work with there loud stepper motor and cheap plastic?

anyone here able ot actually compare the STRi DSD (not Xline) gauges to say Defi or AEM?

im at the point that im going to buy gauges
wtr temp, oil temp, oil press, EGT, volt.

since i already have a UEGo i was thinkking fuck it go with AEM and have all digital, i could also pick up a matching true boost gauge/boost controller while im at it...

but iv'e been consider STRI's DSD's for a while now...

anyone have any updated reviews on the above mentioned gauges?