I have the need to better identify where my trim tabs and drive are real time. I understand mechanical are preferred, but this why I am asking the experts. Is there a preference? Best place to get them?

I have a Donzi Classic Blackhawk with 280s on the back.
Thank you

so u do not have any indicators right now on the 280 k planes and on the 280s
older 280 k plane have a plug on both sides of the ram on the tab bracket to add the 33c cable adaptor/seal
and where ram connects to tab is a fitting to hold the end of the cable for trim indicators to add on
new 1s can be bought with the mercury electric sensor on them ,,,if u can fab u can,,,,,could go electric on older 280 with some mods to make work
the 280 motors most use the stainless marine trim actuators that mount on the upper motor mount bolt holes for trim
also there is a factory electric sensor that goes on the mids swivel assy to use electric indicators on dash
i have a used 4 slot dash indicator i took off my hustler
and have some used stainless marine actuators to fit on the offshore mides
if u are interested
old school is mechanical
new stuff has gone digital
livorsi sales a digital dash indicator if want to go electric but dont faint when get pricing of the parts to go electric on old school components,,lol
stainless marine is also proud of their pricing for new actuators
and if go mechanical dont cheap out on the 33c cables,,,cheap cables have a lot of slack in them and get crappy indicator readings because of the slack from up to down delays in movments
i like the u flex extreme cables for trim cables

Thank you for the input. Ill take a run at it.

Do you think the digital indicators are better or worse than mechanical heads up?

boils down to preferance
mechanical is old school but what i personally like
as u mentioned pop up indicators,,,,,,i like the pop ups lots better than the standard slot style indicators
as i took off the slot style to add on pop ups when i got the boat

on my boat i have the pop ups on top of my dash in my vision as when im looking to the water in front of me the pop ups are in my sight so no looking around to see trim and tabs
thats just me and my prefferance when hauling across the slop to keep vision of water ahead of me and not look down to see guages
new leds are pretty precise as no sloppy cables,,,,,,

im making a set of custom tabs for a customer now and going with digital livorsi indicator and a pair of linear position sensors with ip67 rating for underwater use
the price of the livorsi and the sctuators will make lots faint
but is newer boat all smartcraft screens so why go old school on that boat
not adding to smart screen so not to take up other space on it being used
so doing the standalone livorsi indicator

as stated on my boat set up for offshore conditions i have analog tachs and the pop up indicators for fast visual and screens on everything else,,,,my preferance/style
so boils down to what u like i love the new technology but still use some old as what i prefer ,,,,,,,i like reading the rough water in front of me at higher speeds
more than looking down at screens

Great feedback! Will give me something to think about

I like my mechanical Bluewater indicators. They are also reasonably prices compared to others.
https://www.marineindustrieswest.com...Indicators.htm

thats the brand of slot indicators i took out of the hustler
and have some stainless marine actuators for the offshore mids
to save some on new stuff

Ill take a look at those. I have older mercury racing 280s so Livorsi seems a little clumsy to convert to digital.

John how can I reach you for a set of custom cables?

can call me @ MIFFCO 713 946 9097