P3cars.com Integrated VIDI Vent Gauge Review

[that_guy]

Figured I'd start a new thread here for current and future members of the site who, like me, were looking for a little more than an install guide on this new gauge...

When I first discovered this gauge and learned it was available for the FR-S/BRZ platform, I was ecstatic. At the time I was using a ScanGaugeII and using the X-Gauge function, was able to extract at least oil temp from the somewhat simple, yet effective display. However what it lacked was integration. Unless you were planning to make a custom pod or something using fiberglass, there are no other solutions for mounting it besides using Velcro or two-sided tape - not ideal. Countless Google searches for custom integration left me without an idea for how to cleanly and properly integrate the ScanGaugeII into the car.

But where the ScanGaugeII lacked the P3cars VIDI gauge (Vent Integrated Digital Interface) makes up for it and then some! This gauge truly and honestly is one of the best things I've added to the car. A lot of items I've read about online as being "premium" and "well thought out" pieces, only to find that they still lack thought and execution, despite the high costs and high praise. The P3cars VIDI gauge hits the nail on the head though. It looks brilliant installed, the user interface is simple, to the point, and easy to operate, and the fact that the vent functionality is retained is a huge bonus in my books. Most aftermarket products come with some sort of pitfall. For example, an exhaust improves exhaust flow, but comes at the cost of increased noise. Poly/Aluminum bushings improve feel and precision, but at the cost of increased NVH.

Granted, most people installing an aftermarket product have a reasonable expectation when it comes to these results. They know the car will be louder and likely rattle/vibrate more than it did from stock - because it's no longer stock. Perhaps it was that same expectation of mine when installing the P3cars VIDI gauge that something negative was inevitable. But that's where I was wrong. Not only does it simply plug in (there are additional wires attached for things like a factory dimmer and add-on analog sensors that might be lacking from OE) but it also looks like it belongs, without significantly disrupting the airflow coming from the vent. It even retains the basic swivel function, allowing the user to position the gauge for viewing or for airflow direction.

Other features such as the memory function, allowing you to recall the peak value for each sensor, even if you don't have it up and in view. Or the manual dimmer function, for those that don't want to cut the factory wiring and what about the 0-60 feature? Yeah, it's gimmicky, but it's a fun feature when your at the track to record your best time and then try to beat it the next time you add a modification to the car designed to increase output (or the like). Or my favourite, the code clearing function. Having thrown a code at the track before, this feature is very handy and saves me needing to carry my OBD2 diagnostics tool around with me every time. Now I can review, clear, and get on with my day.

Anyways, enough rambling on. I'm not going to post up a "how-to" for installation because it's really so easy that you can go from stock to installed in under 5 minutes. It'll take you a little more time if your OCD like me and want to tidy up the wiring behind the dash, but for everyone else, to get it going doesn't take anytime at all.

Here's some shots of mine following install:





Here's what was included with the gauge upon pick up. Extremely well packaged! Even the main electronics were packaged in a static free bag!









Also, I must say that having dealt with Tim at P3cars on this for the past few weeks, I can't say enough things about their customer service. He was extremely helpful in answering any and all questions I might have and eventually, our chat became so relaxed and easygoing that I felt I was talking to a peer, not a business. It's clear that your are more than just a customer, which is rare to find in business today.

Anyone shopping for gauges, whether it be just one or a whole pile, should seriously consider this. Not only for it's integration, but for it's ability to read such a variety of factory sensors without flaw and to be expanded to meet your needs, should they change down the road. I know they've got my recommendation forever and my next car, should they have an application, will definitely have one of these installed!