This is rice I like (LED shiftknob)

  • Thread starter Thread starter niky
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Just a guess--but I am fairly sure it works using a accelerometer chip (like this one: http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles...10E.pdf&fterm=ADXL210JE&fterm=ADXL210JE&la=en, which costs about $15) to figure out which way the shifter is moving, and thus locate where it is.

If you notice the instructions are very specific about how the control box is located. This is probably because there is another accelerometer in it to distinguish between car motion and gearshift motion.

I know a guy who built something similar--it's not for use in a car, but it will locate the position of a wand in three dimensions.
 
I wouldn't buy one and if it came standard on a car, I'd be going, "ugh, how much does it cost to replace that, when it goes out."
 
Gear indicators make sense in some applications, probably not an h pattern shifter on a street car though. Especially if you put the gear indicator on the shift knob rather than on the dash. I guess if you like the looks of it though it doesn't hurt anything, other than your wallet a bit.

I wish my motorcycle had a gear indicator, but that's a six speed sequential gearbox with really close ratios.
 
I like it, but only because girls will take one glance and start removing their pants. Hey! I made a rhyme. :D
 
If you're actually driving hard then you'll have your hand over the display anyway most of the time. It's a pointless rice-gimick - no matter what Jordan says ;)
 
This device should be installed in all cars that have drivers over 65. Hopefully then they will learn to change gear rather than doing 50mph in second gear for miles.
 
Useful for showing your passengers that you're driving in the wrong gear.
 
How are you going to know what gear you're in with your hand on the display anyway?
 
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