Has anyone had any experience with them, I'm talking the individual gauges not the clusters. I know they make alot of options and even in monster size. VDO makes them and I believe even the Gaffrig smartcraft are just private lable. They are digital which sounds cool but do the work as well as livorsi? Also cost.

Thanks

VDO was the standard for German cars for years... I didn't know they were involved with marine gauges.

Yep I had VDO in a 914 way back, the merc lit said VDO is making the gauges. I had a formula sunsport with VDO gauges.

I'll have to look for VDO gauges next year at the Sema show. It would be nice if they were large and with white faces.

ttt

i have had both dial type and digital gauges. and the problem i have had is associating with the digital number. it is easier to condition yourself with the orientation of a gauge and can get info with just quick glance. i found myself hesitating on digital gauges. i have heard the smartcraft is a trick setup but how user friendly are they in a high performance driving situation? when i run in ruff i barely have time to glance at a needle let alone do math . A-bear, what are you thinking of using them on?

The smartcraft gauges are dials just digital in electronics(signal) merc says the gauges are far more accurate.

my bad. i saw a gauge set up at a boat show that was a digital multi setup all in one thing. thought it was the smartcraft. any pics?

Merc makes the digital readout in two configuration. The SC5000 ($1000 to $1200) has everything in one large display. This is what you saw at the boat show. They also have the SC1000 ($200-$300) that is a less expensive small display. You can see them at www.mercurymarine.com Look for Smartcraft. VDO also make a speedo and tach combo ($800) that also has a digital readout at the bottom. Your motor must have the smartcraft system to operate these gauges. I believe they started back in 2000 with the larger outboards. In 2002 they moved to the 496 stern. This year is covers the small block and big blocks. The gauges also have software version like your home computer. The SC1000 and SC5000 are up around version 3. I'm not sure if earlier version work with newer motors. I'm calling the dealer tomorrow because I just bought a 496HO with smartcraft. Now I need gauges.