Lotek Gauge Pod
#130
Uncontrollable drifter
Personally, I think the gauge pod setup looks like crap, sorry but I hate how the gauges extrude out of the dash and that's it's not a complete replacement. Wait about 2weeks and you'll see mine which is a complete replacement and fits 52 and 60mm gauges, only downfall is that it's made out of fiberglass so should either be painted flat black or you can get black texture paint in a spray can. I'm just too busy to finish it right now, that's why I'm saying 2weeks.
#135
Momentum Keeps Me Going
I would not dis anyones hard work or the effort needed to put out things for us - whoever did this was really doing something good for all of us.
But if the picture posted here (from an earlier post) is what this looks like - I'd have reservations too, and I do. I don't think it 'sucks' as was posted, but look at it - The color is off color greyish, not like the dash. The finish looks like a hard plastic model, nothing like the dash finish. IT COULD JUST BE THE LIGHT & CAMERA. But that is what I see in the pic. I'n not going to make much of the 'bugeye' appearance, that's personal preference - but that was for me too the 1st thing I noticed. Not unattractive, but not exactly beautiful either.
Again this is the 1st great dash piece out, and in a pinch I'd get it...but I'm not ready to take the plunge incase some other options get inspired by this.
But if the picture posted here (from an earlier post) is what this looks like - I'd have reservations too, and I do. I don't think it 'sucks' as was posted, but look at it - The color is off color greyish, not like the dash. The finish looks like a hard plastic model, nothing like the dash finish. IT COULD JUST BE THE LIGHT & CAMERA. But that is what I see in the pic. I'n not going to make much of the 'bugeye' appearance, that's personal preference - but that was for me too the 1st thing I noticed. Not unattractive, but not exactly beautiful either.
Again this is the 1st great dash piece out, and in a pinch I'd get it...but I'm not ready to take the plunge incase some other options get inspired by this.
#137
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Originally Posted by Spin9k
I would not dis anyones hard work or the effort needed to put out things for us - whoever did this was really doing something good for all of us.
But if the picture posted here (from an earlier post) is what this looks like - I'd have reservations too, and I do. I don't think it 'sucks' as was posted, but look at it - The color is off color greyish, not like the dash. The finish looks like a hard plastic model, nothing like the dash finish. IT COULD JUST BE THE LIGHT & CAMERA. But that is what I see in the pic. I'n not going to make much of the 'bugeye' appearance, that's personal preference - but that was for me too the 1st thing I noticed. Not unattractive, but not exactly beautiful either.
Again this is the 1st great dash piece out, and in a pinch I'd get it...but I'm not ready to take the plunge incase some other options get inspired by this.
But if the picture posted here (from an earlier post) is what this looks like - I'd have reservations too, and I do. I don't think it 'sucks' as was posted, but look at it - The color is off color greyish, not like the dash. The finish looks like a hard plastic model, nothing like the dash finish. IT COULD JUST BE THE LIGHT & CAMERA. But that is what I see in the pic. I'n not going to make much of the 'bugeye' appearance, that's personal preference - but that was for me too the 1st thing I noticed. Not unattractive, but not exactly beautiful either.
Again this is the 1st great dash piece out, and in a pinch I'd get it...but I'm not ready to take the plunge incase some other options get inspired by this.
#138
Originally Posted by dznutzuk
Personally, I think the gauge pod setup looks like crap, sorry but I hate how the gauges extrude out of the dash and that's it's not a complete replacement. Wait about 2weeks and you'll see mine which is a complete replacement and fits 52 and 60mm gauges, only downfall is that it's made out of fiberglass so should either be painted flat black or you can get black texture paint in a spray can. I'm just too busy to finish it right now, that's why I'm saying 2weeks.
I give you credit for making your own pod out of fiberglass but I don't think you're going to find any type of paint, textured or not that will match the OEM piece any better than what the Lotek pod does.
#141
Nope
iTrader: (9)
I already posted plenty of pics in this thread, in fact at the top of this page!
scroll up for click here: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=136
scroll up for click here: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=136
#142
Momentum Keeps Me Going
You seemed to intimate you had some new pics, sorry my bad. I've studied the pics you had posted above in great detail.
But I have to tell you, even thou you say there's no dif, and you may be 110% correct to your eyes, your pics on my 19" LCD shows a differece in color and texture as best as I can see. Your pic focus in the closeup is so poor that it's hard to see the texture, but it still does look to me to be different.
I know I'm hard to convince, and nothing personal, but you haven't shown anything to my eyes that matches up with your saying they are the same in color and texture. That's OK, and you certainly don't owe me further proof. I haven't bought the piece yet, but we all might enjoy seeing some better close pics of the finished installed pod, but infocus and in 'better' light.
Enjoy the pod anyway
But I have to tell you, even thou you say there's no dif, and you may be 110% correct to your eyes, your pics on my 19" LCD shows a differece in color and texture as best as I can see. Your pic focus in the closeup is so poor that it's hard to see the texture, but it still does look to me to be different.
I know I'm hard to convince, and nothing personal, but you haven't shown anything to my eyes that matches up with your saying they are the same in color and texture. That's OK, and you certainly don't owe me further proof. I haven't bought the piece yet, but we all might enjoy seeing some better close pics of the finished installed pod, but infocus and in 'better' light.
Enjoy the pod anyway
![Wavey](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wavey.gif)
#143
Nope
iTrader: (9)
i haven't installed the pod yet because I'm waiting for my gauges and RB adaptors. I;m waiting to cut the dash piece so I don't have to drive around with an empty gauge pod!
all I can say is I have the pod and it looks pretty damn close to OEM to me. No one is going to match OEM, it just doesn't happen. This is just a fact of the aftermarket.
But you can always pay over $1100 of the Mazdaspeed pod if you want exact OEM
all I can say is I have the pod and it looks pretty damn close to OEM to me. No one is going to match OEM, it just doesn't happen. This is just a fact of the aftermarket.
But you can always pay over $1100 of the Mazdaspeed pod if you want exact OEM
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#144
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Originally Posted by Spin9k
You seemed to intimate you had some new pics, sorry my bad. I've studied the pics you had posted above in great detail.
But I have to tell you, even thou you say there's no dif, and you may be 110% correct to your eyes, your pics on my 19" LCD shows a differece in color and texture as best as I can see. Your pic focus in the closeup is so poor that it's hard to see the texture, but it still does look to me to be different.
I know I'm hard to convince, and nothing personal, but you haven't shown anything to my eyes that matches up with your saying they are the same in color and texture. That's OK, and you certainly don't owe me further proof. I haven't bought the piece yet, but we all might enjoy seeing some better close pics of the finished installed pod, but infocus and in 'better' light.
Enjoy the pod anyway![Wavey](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wavey.gif)
But I have to tell you, even thou you say there's no dif, and you may be 110% correct to your eyes, your pics on my 19" LCD shows a differece in color and texture as best as I can see. Your pic focus in the closeup is so poor that it's hard to see the texture, but it still does look to me to be different.
I know I'm hard to convince, and nothing personal, but you haven't shown anything to my eyes that matches up with your saying they are the same in color and texture. That's OK, and you certainly don't owe me further proof. I haven't bought the piece yet, but we all might enjoy seeing some better close pics of the finished installed pod, but infocus and in 'better' light.
Enjoy the pod anyway
![Wavey](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wavey.gif)
I don't think it's an exact match either but it looks close enough for me. I really don't care cause I did order one last week. I'm just happy to be able to mount guages in the car. If I don't like it I'll just have it painted to match the piano black.
#145
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Originally Posted by howardteets
RHD have been available for quite a long time. We've been waiting what seems like forever for a LHD option. Although it was worth the wait, since Lotek's is actually reasonably priced.
Check out here for the RHD:
http://www.japanparts.com/db/partsli...maker=&volkey=
Check out here for the RHD:
http://www.japanparts.com/db/partsli...maker=&volkey=
It might be me, but the MazdaSpeed & the RE Amemiya look like they are nuetral. Dont face LH or RH.. Anybody else have opinions on this?
#146
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Originally Posted by chickenwafer
i haven't installed the pod yet because I'm waiting for my gauges and RB adaptors. I;m waiting to cut the dash piece so I don't have to drive around with an empty gauge pod!
all I can say is I have the pod and it looks pretty damn close to OEM to me. No one is going to match OEM, it just doesn't happen. This is just a fact of the aftermarket.
But you can always pay over $1100 of the Mazdaspeed pod if you want exact OEM![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
all I can say is I have the pod and it looks pretty damn close to OEM to me. No one is going to match OEM, it just doesn't happen. This is just a fact of the aftermarket.
But you can always pay over $1100 of the Mazdaspeed pod if you want exact OEM
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#147
Nope
iTrader: (9)
that is nice, but how much does it cost?? Not to mention it's RHD
you have to realize that almost no one will be able to tell the difference except for the most dicerning eye, and then only butt faces' will tell you![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It isn't that far off, the average person (or car guy even) won't be able to notice. If you stare it at for hours on end, I'm sure you might see the differences, but who's gonna do that?
For under $65 with shipping, how do you beat it?
you have to realize that almost no one will be able to tell the difference except for the most dicerning eye, and then only butt faces' will tell you
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It isn't that far off, the average person (or car guy even) won't be able to notice. If you stare it at for hours on end, I'm sure you might see the differences, but who's gonna do that?
For under $65 with shipping, how do you beat it?
#149
I finally got mine fully installed and working on the weekend. I'll post some pics of the install completely finished. Everything was pretty simple except I spent 2hrs driving around looking for a 26mm socket for the sandwich plate adaptor.
Sorry Chickwafer but I do have to agree with some of the other posters that it does not match the OEM finish as much as it should. It's close enough for me though. I think it looks pretty damn good for the price I paid. Overall I'm very satisfied with it. Even if a complete dash panel replacement comes out I think I'll stick with this one. Unless of course the panel replacement is ridiculously cheap.
I'm just glad to have the gauges installed and working. It's pretty amazing to watch how much the oil temp fluctuates.
Sorry Chickwafer but I do have to agree with some of the other posters that it does not match the OEM finish as much as it should. It's close enough for me though. I think it looks pretty damn good for the price I paid. Overall I'm very satisfied with it. Even if a complete dash panel replacement comes out I think I'll stick with this one. Unless of course the panel replacement is ridiculously cheap.
I'm just glad to have the gauges installed and working. It's pretty amazing to watch how much the oil temp fluctuates.