Anyone tried the Bluegauges.com?

[PLCBithead]

Hello All;

I'm thinking I'd like to address the ST design flaw that makes viewing the instrumentation difficult in outdoor ambient light. Has anyone tried Bluegauges.Com and If so, what sort of results did you get?

Also, How difficult and time consuming was it to remove the instrument cluster?

Do I need any special tools? I have a good set of hand-tools and am reasonably mechanically inclined. Although tasks that require precise near vision are quite difficult for these 50 year old corneas. Must I be double-jointed and have fingers the thickness of a #2 pencil? :D

[uptoblackwood]

Taking the cluster out just takes time...putting it back takes memory :-).

Last year, I talked to the guys at Bluegauges and they hadn't done an ST1300 cluster. They did understand the issues related to the cluster. They have probably done at least one by now. Nice guys...call them and ask about the result....they seemed to be straight shooters.

Forest

[wcleland]

On the STforum they have an article on adjusting and lubing your windshield. It seems the gauges have to be removed. Take a look at it. May help. I'm also curious if their mod would make the gauges more visable.

http://www.**********.com/stf/showthread.php?t=389

[PLCBithead]

On the STforum they have an article on adjusting and lubing your windshield. It seems the gauges have to be removed. Take a look at it. May help. I'm also curious if their mod would make the gauges more visable.

http://www.**********.com/stf/showthread.php?t=389

Don't seem to have access to this site.

Well duh.. I'm a goof, this is a whole differnt site.

[PLCBithead]

Taking the cluster out just takes time...putting it back takes memory :-).

Last year, I talked to the guys at Bluegauges and they hadn't done an ST1300 cluster. They did understand the issues related to the cluster. They have probably done at least one by now. Nice guys...call them and ask about the result....they seemed to be straight shooters.

Forest

Do you have phone mumber for them? they don't list one on their website.

[curmudgeon]

Somebody asked if aiming a light at the instruments would help. I think that's an interesting idea. Perhaps a bright LED or multiple LED's mounted under the dash and aimed at the LCD display. Any thoughts on this idea?

[Mellow]

Someone here has changed out their gauge color.. can't remember who...

[2wheelwarehouse]

http://www.my-mc.com/messages/1/68887.html?1155683315

[woodybelle]

I got the red LED upgrade from Bluegauges.com. The dash is now completely readable at all times even without my reading glasses. The cluster comes out in about 15 minutes with a phillips screwdriver and a 10mm wrench. The service was fast, 1 week turnaround. :)

[Mellow]

I got the red LED upgrade from Bluegauges.com. The dash is now completely readable at all times even without my reading glasses. The cluster comes out in about 15 minutes with a phillips screwdriver and a 10mm wrench. The service was fast, 1 week turnaround. :)

Pictures my friend... we need pictures... and lots of them.. :popcorn

[deanrd]

I got the red LED upgrade from Bluegauges.com. The dash is now completely readable at all times even without my reading glasses. The cluster comes out in about 15 minutes with a phillips screwdriver and a 10mm wrench. The service was fast, 1 week turnaround. :)

Got any pictures and cost estimate? That would be great.

[txdon2006]

I just checked their website and it has all the information. Just thought I'd pass that along. Bluegauges.com

[Ashrack]

I would love to update my dials to the blue, just looks hot. I'll have to add this to my wishlist. Any additional pictures will be most drooled over.

[Psychotronic]

Checked their site, still couldn't find any pricing. Anybody have any idea what the cost is?

[dduelin]

I'm wondering what the problem is when folks say they cannot read the display in some conditions. In two years of ownership there has never been a time the digital display was not readable. I ride year round in all weather. Of course there are times of glare or reflection that requires a slight shift of the head to one side or the other but I can always see what I want to see. I wear clear or sunglass-tinted bifocals and never a tinted visor. Am I the only one that can always see the display?

[RideTN]

i agree that the readability during daylight sunshine is not the best in the world as to the gauges on the right hand side. question.....is there anyone here who has done one of these "bluegauges" updates gonna be at Moon-Stoc to show off the difference????

[Ashrack]

Dduelin I can read the display at all times, never had an issue with readability. I would change them simply for the asthetics. The incandescent yellow is kinda boring. A nice blue or red would be hot, especially if the price is right.

[ChipSTer]

I'm wondering what the problem is when folks say they cannot read the display in some conditions. In two years of ownership there has never been a time the digital display was not readable. I ride year round in all weather. Of course there are times of glare or reflection that requires a slight shift of the head to one side or the other but I can always see what I want to see. I wear clear or sunglass-tinted bifocals and never a tinted visor. Am I the only one that can always see the display?
So.... When you're riding straight into the sun (only a few degrees above the horizon), you say you can still see the display? I'm doing good to see CARS!!! :22yikes: Maybe the sun is not as bright where you ride????
:cool:

[tommyboy]

I thought the price was $100.00 but you pay for shipping to and from the factory. I have a very difficult time reading the displays in direct sun, but I don't know what color will fix the issue.

[STeelybeast]

I sent a note yesterday, asking if he had done any blue yet, with some pictures and he has not. I was wondering if red or blue would be brighter or at least easier to see in brighter light. The response was:

"Backlighting color will have almost no effect on visibility in bright sunlight."

I don't really care for the stock yellowish color and of course would prefer to get the blue, but I would not want it harder to read than it is now. Me thinks the red is probably the most visible. I always ride with a tinted visor unles it's dark, so that makes it a little dimmer too.

Still on the fence for this mod.

[woodybelle]

Here is a picture of my red led upgrade. Cost was $70. One picture is with a flash and the other is no flash.28557

28558

[Tor]

Don't seem to have access to this site.

Well duh.. I'm a goof, this is a whole differnt site.

Can't access it either.

[STBNE]

Hey Woodie...gauges look great...last yr I test rode an '06 ST1300 and in late afternoon with the sun on my back shining on the gauge cluster everything washed out including the turn signal indicators...in fact last fall I went on a cruise with a fellow STer,and with the afternoon sun on his dash panel he could not see that he rode 4 miles with his blinker flashing...as I was following.Heck he didnt even see me trying to give him a heads up:rolleyes: but I was worried he might get into an accident as a result of the errant signalling...my bike doesn't have this problem and it is a problem for many ppl obviously..my gauges are Analog...:D

[helicopper]

I've experienced the loss of vis on the gauges too. Those blue gauges look like a keeper to me. They just made it to my "needed" farkle list.

[BendBill]

Thanks, Woodybelle, for the pics

I'm one of those who can barely see the display on bright days, so it looks like a great upgrade.

[STingray]

Here's "Scott's" reply to my question about price differences (red, orange-$80, all other colors $100), and 'does it help the LCD displays on the right...:

"There are about 35 LED's. That is just the difference in the cost between reds and blues.

As far as curing the lighting problems, I would say no. It doesn't help much in daylight at all and at night won't be very much easier to read but probably brighter."

So, wouldn't "brighter" make it easier to read?

Not bad prices for what they go through to do this.

[BruceP]

I would like to know if anyone has an install sheet with parts list? There are no pictures or write ups on the web site.

[Blue STreak]

Question for anyone who has taken out the gauge cluster: Is the clear plastic that covers the gauges (facing the rider) part of the gauge cluster, or part of the dash? I'm wondering how easy it would be to install something in the blank part of the speedo dial, between the clear plastic and the panel beneath.

Many thanks,

[woodybelle]

Bob the clear plastic is part of the cluster but after removing the cluster it can be removed.

[Blue STreak]

Thanks!

Another farkle to consider.

[Redondo Rider]

The bluegauges work looks great but I live on the westcoast and can't afford to be without my ST (I commute daily).

Anyone know of a place that does this on or near the west coast?