First Ever Review and Install of Dakota Digital HDX Gauges
Dakota Digital HDX gauges started shipping this week, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on a set for review. After Dakota Digital announced the release of the HDX gauges back in July, we knew we wanted to get a set to install, test, and review.
At first glance, the HDX gauges might appear to be a little fancier version of the VHX gauges – this is not the case however. There is a ton more technology and features crammed into the HDX gauges compared to the VHX gauges. After installing VHX gauges and seeing all the features available, we were curious what the HDX gauges could offer over the VHX gauges.
To get some more information we called up Scott Johnson of Dakota Digital. “The HDX Series is a complete new product line, developed from the concept stages up through a finished product. The ultimate goal was to create a product family which provides the latest in technology, offers many additional features beyond the scope of VHX Series, and allows for a great deal of customization. While the HDX Series shares some architecture of the already popular and proven VHX Series, the changes are far more than skin deep,” explained Scott.
HDX vs. VHX: Side By Side Comparison
Opening up the box like Christmas morning, we noticed right off the bat the gauges are laid out differently. The VHX gauges had the tach stacked behind the speedometer with the other gauges tucked into the corners. With the HDX, the gauges are laid out in a symmetrical format, a mirror image of each other.
One of the biggest visual changes is a new, improved, and larger display center. In previous versions, these were two small read outs, where now it’s large and right in the middle of the gauges for easy reading and more information. Another change is the addition of the buttons built into the display like a modern car, where previous versions the buttons were remotely mounted – it’s simple and clean now.
The needles also received a basic face lift as well. On the VHX gauges they were a basic needle that lit up at night. Now the base of the needles have a nice spun aluminum cap, a little bit fancier than the VHX needles.
Upgrades Of The HDX Series Over The VHX Series
- Miles To Empty: Calculates how many miles are left before running out of fuel.
- Audible Speaker: Allows user to hear when buttons are pushed during operation.
- Red Warning Lights: Each gauge, minus speedometer now has a programmable red warning light.
- Programmable Lighting: 12 presets for needle/background color configurations, 32 individual colors.
- Bluetooth: Coming late 2016, “the bluetooth app will provide quick calibration along with real-time gauge read outs for diagnostic purposes,” Scott explained.
- Overmolded Wiring: provided wiring harnesses now have overmolded connectors for a better look along with better moisture resistance and extra strain relief.
- Split Speed Speedometer: This allows for a 160MPH speedometer, but reads the same as a 120MPH speedometer. This also places 60MPH at the top of the speedometer rather than 80MPH in symmetrical layouts.
Installation of HDX Gauges
Installing these gauges is exactly the same as the VHX series. Using the supplied water temperature, oil pressure and speed sending units along with the supplied wiring harnesses.
Along with those sending units, we then tied into the factory wiring: hot, hot in run, ground, left and right turn signals, high beams, etc. For a more thorough step-by-step installation, check out an installation we did on a ’65 Chevelle.
And Then There Was Light!
After getting the new gauges popped in and turning the key is when you really see the difference between the VHX and HDX series. The center display in the VHX is a rather basic display, no frills or flair. With the HDX gauges the massive display works and looks exactly like something you’d find in a new Camaro – full of color and endless options.
Besides the new display center, the other biggest upgrade from the VHX gauges is the color and tons of it! With the VHX series the color of the lighting was preset – red, white or blue. If you wanted pink or green, you were out of luck. That’s not the case anymore with full customization options. There are twelve preset color options right out of the box to choose from.
If those twelve options just aren’t enough for you, you’re in luck. You can easily go into the set up menu and change the color of the face and the needles independently of each other. In total, there are over 1,000 color options to choose from. The HDX gauges allow you to choose from 32 different face colors, and 32 different different needle colors.
The differences don’t stop there when comparing the HDX and VHX gauges. There are some nice upgrades that are thrown in as well, such as red warning lights in the water temp, oil pressure, tachometer and fuel level. These red warning lights are all programmable inside the set up. Another nice feature added is a little speaker that clicks during set up or can be used as an audible warning in addition to the red warning lights.
Keeping Track Of Time
The cherry on top of the HDX gauges is the HLC clock that sits on the passenger side of the dash. Naturally, the face color, font and overall style matches the main gauges.
The best part is that when you’re choosing from the 1,000 different color combinations, the HLC clock is changing right along with them. The clock is attached with a provided cable and sets the time based off the time on the gauges automatically.
For more information, pricing or to see what applications they have available hop on the Dakota Digital website or give them a call at (800) 593-4160!