[Mgs] Ridiculous nw cars

Tue Mar 10 13:02:21 MDT 2020

As a designer with experience in human factors design and UX design, I can state that digital numeric speedometer displays are completely inappropriate. The constant flickering of numerals (64,65,66,65) conveys zero information and distracts the eye from the road. Personally, I think they should be banned. With an analog needle (or a digital representation of an analog needle), these tiny variations in speed are unnoticeable, and one can actually check the current speed with peripheral vision detecting the rough angle of the needle, without having to consciously parse individual numerals. The old LCD displays were the worst, because all these numerals look the same at a glance: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9. Also 1 and 7. But it doesn’t matter how they gussy up the numeral font, it’s just a bad idea.

The same goes for every instrument. Which display conveys more useful information with less concentration required? “F”, or “17.9gal remaining”?

Touchscreen controls are another abomination that shouldn’t be allowed in automotive systems that are active while the vehicle is in motion. You absolutely have to take your eyes off the road to manipulate them. All active vehicle controls should feature tactile feedback, so they can be operated by touch. The classic headlight push/pull knob is a great example that has yet to be improved upon. The rotary stalk switch on more modern cars is actually a step backward, because the direction of rotation needed is not obvious.

--
Max Heim
'66 MGB

> On Mar 10, 2020, at 11:35 AM, Dan DiBiase via Mgs <mgs at autox.team.net> wrote:
> 
> Ok, I'm going to represent the non-Luddites among us ;-) ... I love new technology and the possibilities it brings. My daughter has the newest car in our family, a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 75th Anniversary Edition, and it has every bell and whistle (and some sirens, too) available at the time. Top of the line AWD system that is settable for various surfaces (or auto), heated everything, cooled front seats, engine stop/start, gigantic screen with plenty of info available, etc. The only thing I dislike (besides the mass) is that the programmable instrument display only has a digital speedometer (for some reason, I have a hard time holding a constant speed with that thing). 
> 
> My next car will be a Tesla, either a Model 3 or a Model Y (which I prefer). I have a deposit on a Cybertruck (which I'll probably roll over to the Model Y). 
> 
> Dan D
> '76B, '65B
> Central NJ USA
> http://dandibiase.cbintouch.com/ <http://dandibiase.cbintouch.com/>
> 
> On Tue, Mar 10, 2020 at 9:56 AM Barrie Robinson via Mgs <mgs at autox.team.net <mailto:mgs at autox.team.net>> wrote:
> 
> -- Hello folks,
> 
> I have this gripe about new cars and this is the only big platform I have on which to sound off.   I do have my own Aston Martin Feltham Club but that is only 150 members.  I am getting exremely puzzled as my 2003 Golf is getting a bit sad although it still goes like a rocket.   There is a little rust and one of the courtesy lights does not work.   However, whenever I have a look at new ones they are gadget rich and the dash is becoming like one from a 737.   Why on earth does there have to be a rear end crash avoiding system (used to be rear brake lights) as well as an unwanted-lane changing warning (used to be keeping eyes on the road) to say nothing of bluetooth (where is yellow and red?), Spotify (dog treatment?), Hands free telephone (used to be concentration on the road) and the dreaded in your face screen which like today's TV and Internet is intent on delivring information you don't really need (when did you last ponder over your oil temperature?).    So instead of forking out $30-40,000 I am going to have the Golf all tarted up and enjoy another 170k kilometers.   The only regret will be - it does not have a powered rear end tailgate - but maybe I could get that retro-fitted!   And in this day and age electonic/electrical gadgets die first ($$$$$)- and Lucas smoke is unattainable now.
> 
> I like my MGB GT so much that maybe another as a 'family' car could be an alternative - but not 100% restored just road worthy and oiled up to the hllt to counter winter driving conditions.  Trouble is I would want to drop in a Rover V8 as the engine bay was made for it on later cars - and the broom broom is so much better. Or I coul find a Golf owned by a little old lady with a tiny mileage.  OMG, I am a little old man (I will not get a sex change) with a low mileage Golf !!!!  Oh sherbert - now what do I do?   
> 
> Barrie
> 
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