this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2023
37 points (64.1% liked)

Showerthoughts

29707 readers
1331 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
quinten@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
37
Why the fuck do cars still have analog speedometers? Surely digital ones would be more accurate and much easier to read without looking away from the road for too long. (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by JusticeForPorygon@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
117 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Guys it's been 8 months. It was a bad take.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] TristanFi@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is partly true, but regulations do allow for a computer screen digital version of the basic safety display, as long as it can be demonstrated to be reliable and work without other systems like the infotainment system, and many manufacturers have implemented this.

IMO I think the answer to the OP is "it was a stylistic choice"

[โ€“] bstix@feddit.dk 1 points 1 year ago

Yes definitely, the choice of a mechanical arrow or digital display is optional and stylistic. I'm just explaining why the digital speedometers aren't better currently.

Like you say, the problem is that the reading of speed has to be done without secondary systems. The digital display does seem more precise because it shows an exact digit, but it's not really. It just shows a digit instead of a mechanical arrow, which is still electronic btw.

In order to make it more precise we'd need secondary systems to calculate the speed. It doesn't have to be GPS, it could be done by other sensory inputs. Modern cars have cameras and it wouldn't be difficult to make a proper calculation using those or something else.

I also wish I had a precise fuel gauge, but what's the point really. It's not possible to calculate a range anyway, because it depends on the future driving.

It's a "need to have" versus "nice to have". People who need to have a precise speed probably have secondary systems for that specifically.