non-autometer gauges

[cahurst2001]

I need new gauges and want to put some white-faces in. Saving a couple hundred bucks would be nice since I'll be buying the painless kit to go with them. I know AutoMeter are considered the best in the industry, but would using an "off" brand be just as effective? Are you just paying for the name? What is everyone's experience?

[cdowns]

you can get cheapo gauges at pepboys and everybody will look at them and think that they look cheap

there is a real word reason why quality costs money

i personally like stewart warner gauges and that's all i'll buy

[Longhorn Man]

with that being said (and pretty much agreed with) the low cost sunpro white face guages don't look totally cheap, and they are better than your stock guages were when new. (i doubt they have a speedo though)

[cahurst2001]

I probably should have clarified. Wasn't planning on getting something uber-cheap like Pep Boys gauges, but just curious about other brands. What about New Vintage USA and VDO? They seem like they are quality, but not familiar enough with them to take a chance.

[Blazer X]

I just recently put equus in my 72. I used volt, oil and water in the 2 1/8 size. I did use a autometer transmission gage. I have used them before with no issues. They are supported and tested in USA and are priced right. I got mine from Orielys. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Equus...item4cf71db214

[Mikec10]

i have a small sunpro tach which isn't that bad, and i also use a summit brand speedo which i like.

[mbgmike]

We sell Marshall Instruments for a lower priced alternative. We sell AUtometer as well.

http://www.marshallinstruments.com/c...erformance.cfm

They are a good bang for the buck they run about $25.00 each or 2.5/8" electric depending on guage and style however. They even have 1.5" guages. Those are the ones we plan on putting in the Pillar pods we are working on since the others are too large

Here are the ones I like to use
http://www.marshallinstruments.com/products/6564.cfm
or
http://www.marshallinstruments.com/c...aro_gauges.cfm

this style we sell for $25.00 each
http://www.marshallinstruments.com/products/3221.cfm

[1966JSM]

I like autometer gauges and recommend them, Ive had a couple of marshall FP gauges one was crap and the other worked great. I think the next set of gauges I get are gonna be defi ones

[motornut]

i've used the autometer before without probs
but i recently put a Auto meter in dash tach i had for years in (the jimmy)and it seems it had a short,after I made it a "clamp"
must have been made like that

[usmcchevy]

Another option, lifetime warranty and USA made! No experience with them though.

http://www.speedhut.com/

[Altec]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

Another option, lifetime warranty and USA made! No experience with them though.

http://www.speedhut.com/

Never heard a bad thing about Speedhut. Although even the self-titled series is pretty expensive.

I too like Autometer's. I am running Sport Comp's from '95 that still work, and look good. you can't beat that. I also look for used autometer gauges. Ebay seems to pop up with great deal on the gauges all the time.

Here is Dolphin gauges. I'd search this forum though for more info. One member had a very bad experience.
http://www.dolphingauges.com/shark_gauges.html

Glow Shift. I have heard of accuracy issues, but they replace them no problem.
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/

Could always find a junk yard with semi tractors... They have perfect gauges.

[mbgmike]

You will hear complaints about any product. Most every product made has a failure rate. some can be one in two hundred some more or a lot less. Mfg's are generally not ashamed of admitting the rate. Remember they are made by Humans.If a product is truly defective it should be replaced and usually are. Does not mean the brand is bad. Its so easy now for people to say bad things about products on the net.. It has to have a track record. We get parts back sometimes and after looking at them it was not the part it was the installer and its obvious. We still refund generally. I wonder how many of these companies make every part used in a gauge or do they assemble them from other mfg's. parts? Their are many gauge companies that have sprung up thru the years.A quality guage costs money if you want accuracy. The poster wanted an alternative to AM.

[cahurst2001]

Right. I really appreciate the feedback guys. You've given plenty of alternatives.