Gear Indicators - A review (sort of)

[chris-red]

I think I have experience with the main ones so was going to do a review.

But honestly there is no point, The Healtec GI-Pro X-Type is by far the most superior in everyway.

The GI-Pro is Half the Size, 10x as fast, easier to install and has better instructions.

I have the Acumen DG8 on my TDM and I have the GI Pro on my Speed Four, The DiGi is currently sitting in my bin.

I'll blah my experiences below.


Fitting
The Digi and the DG8 appear to be very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if the guts of each are the same. Each has 5 (well the DiGI has a 6th with you earth out to act as a button, which is a moronic idea! the DG8 is sensible and has a button) wires, one for tacho, one for speed, one for neutral, one of power and an earth. Both had instructions online showing you the wires you are required to hack up on your loom although they where incorrect on my TDM. I can't remember which one I was installing but at one point connecting the unit into the wiring of my ECU caused my starter motor to spin with the ignition off! So a bit of advice for would be bike thieves don't if you want to learn to hotwire a bike just attempt to follow datatool/acumen installation instructions. I had connected it correctly as per instructions but they were wrong. In the end i enlisted the help of my Dad (Electrician) and the wiring diagram I had for my bike which was in Black and white with the Colours in French or German.

After working out the tacho and speed I wired in neutral as per the instructions, at the ECU, however whenever the bike was running it seemed to stop sending this neutral signal along that wire. Back to the Diagram and I decide to run a wire from the neutral switch as the gearbox which works.

Above is a bit combination of my attempts to install both the DiGi and the DG8 which should install the same way, both require a lot of deviation from what the bike specific instructions said.

I should probably mention I bought both of these units, second hand. The Digi from somebody on a TDM forum and the DG8 from Ebay. But I had all the instructions from the web.

I tried to program the Digi by watching the instructional video on the Datatool website. It says when you turn it on you should see a 0 then when you ground a wire you see a flashing P, you then ground the wire again and each time you do it display 1,2,3,etc. you do this till it displays the number of gears it has leave it and it should go back to zero. You then start the engine select a gear and program the unit.

Mine started off flashing P then it will count up if I ground out the wire, I select the number of gears I have but it goes back to P so I couldn't program the ratios.

I rang Datatool expecting some professional support, I explained my problem the guy read out the instructions I already had, I told him that's what I had done and his response was 'I dunno it's probably broken'. Cheers mate

So it went in the bin, and I tried with the DG8, which after some of the above faffing was fitted.

Total time was about 3 evenings work although much of this was spent googling pouring over wiring diagrams and a few hours realising the Digi was donald. If I was to fit another using by own instructions which was 5 lines of...

Unit Wire Colour/Loom wire colour/Wire Location.

I could have a neat job done in just over an hour.

Wrong wires cut following instructions =3


The Gi-Pro was remarkably easy to fit, The whole process took under an hour which was for a neat installation with wires tucked in and cable tied. With the Gi-Pro you get a Loom kit which intercepts your front wheel speedo sensor (under the Airbox on the S4, getting to it took the bulk of the fitting time) after you have plugged the Speedo sensor in you have to splice into the loom to find the Tacho signal. My only gripe about this, they tell you to splice into it at the ECU which is at the back of the bike, with the wheel sensor being at the front it meant the cable provided to go to the ECU was about 12" too short. No bother though I followed the conduit from the ECU to the front of the bike and found the wire there and spliced into it using provided scotch lock. Job done.

Wrong wires cut following the instructions = 0


Learning

I was reasonably pleased with the DG8 once it was fitted setting it up wasn't too taxing put it in learn mode and go through the gears till it learn each gear, I'd say it took a minute or 2 on the abba stand. The Gi-Pro was even better, I just checked and according to Google maps I had to ride for 0.1miles to calibrate it, You just ride in gear untill the display flashes N then change up. Each gear took about 3-5 seconds to learn. First time I cocked it up and changed to early and it calibrated 1st as 2nd and 2 as 3rd and so one, a reset and a 1/10th of a mile later it was done.


Riding

The DG8 works and has worked faultlessly since I fitted it, the Gi-Pro also works but hasn't stood the test of time, I only fitted it Sunday.

The Gi-Pro displays the gear within a a minutest fraction of a second of the change, usually before the clutch is out. The DG8 has a delay usually around a second and can sometimes get confused but will sort it's self out.


Conclusion

My Digi was broken, not necessarily Datatool's fault. I fully trust the guy I bought it from so it was either damaged in Transit or damaged in the garage whilst fitting it (possibly when I hotwired my bike!)

The support was crap and the instructions flat out wrong. This product is still for sale at a price of £49.99 £49.99 down from an RRP of £59.99

I can only assume it would have worked as well as the DG8 had it been working. I only paid £15 for it so it wasn't the end of the world.

Aesthetics = 3 (it's a big ugly black box)
Ease of Install = 3 (taxing mainly due to incorrect instructions)
Ease of Set up = n/a
Manufacturer Support = 4 (Good online support although it was incorrect for my bike. Telephone support leaved a lot to be desired)
On the road = n/a


The DG8 is not a bad unit, it works, however the instructions still where not correct for the wiring of my bike, neutral had to be taken from a different location. It is also worth pointing out you can get plug in looms for the DG8 At at cost of £42.50!!!!!! On top of the £79.99 for the unit This would put it at £22.50 dearer than the Gi-Pro.


Aesthetics = 5 (it's a big slightly less ugly black box)
Ease of Install = 4 (still taxing mainly due to incorrect instructions)
Ease of Set up = 8 (very easy to do)
Manufacturer Support = 6 (Good online support although it was incorrect for my bike.)
On the road = 7 (does the job)



The GI-Pro, it is remarkable, how much better than the others this unit is. Granted it is the dearest at £99.99 (I Paid £90 at a bike show), but everything about it is far superior. I paid about £40 for my second hand Acumen, even if it was available new for that price I would not reconmend it over the GI Pro. It is better in every way than the other 2.

Aesthetics = 9 (it's a sexy little black box)
Ease of Install = 8 (peice of piddle only moan being the tacho cable too short to follow instructions.)
Ease of Set up = 10 (effortless)
Manufacturer Support = 8 (It wasn't needed! Instructions where good)
On the road = 9 (does the job well)

If I haven't sold it too you yet, it also comes with a programmable speed warning, shift light AND a 2 year warranty, which neither of the others do!

Gi-Pro gets the Chris-Red Seal of Approval.

https://allthingsordinary.se/images/original/569__seal-of-approval.jpg?1256695294

I will post pictures later
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[jjdugen]

I meant to update my digear indicator project, but RD250's and spring services got in the way.

I spent the sum total of £16 on mine, one of the cheapos on Ebay. It has no 'electronics to faf with, it works off a magnet passing two hall sensors, one increments the display up, one decremants it down. It zero's through the neutral switch, this resets it to o on the display.
Mine would not give a relible zero reset, traced to the neutral switch having about 50 - 80 ohms resistance to earth. I sorted this by using the neutral switch to earth out a relay, giving a positive earth to the unit. Took me all of an hour to fit including a trip to Maplins for a 12v relay.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[chris-red]

[Polarbear]

I had the GI -Pro with the atre on my busa. Bit bigger but worked faultlessly. Just a plug in on that as well.

Fitted the one without the atre to the wifes bandit. Tiny, accurate and simple as anything to fit.

I agree with chris-red. GI -Pro stuff is the dogs danglys
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[yen_powell]

What is the advantage of a gear indicator? I've seen bikes with them, always wondered what the actual point of them was.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[chris-red]

To indicate what gear you are in.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[drzsta]

I don't get it? Who are these girly types who need a computer to tell them what gear they are in???

You hear it and you feel it. You know what gear your in.
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Current Bikes - BMW S1000RR ‘17 & KTM 690 SMC-R ‘12

[jjdugen]

Its a TOY!! Man must have new toys! Cant have enough gizmos to look at and play with! What kind of man asks a question like that!
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[chris-red]

[drzsta]

Funny because I don't have fuel, rev or gear indicator on my bike;
A. It dosnt come with one B. it is not necessary C. You spent £90 to tell you what you already have done I.e. Changed up from 1st, down from 2nd etc etc.


Possibly a BMI indicator could be more helpful in the long run.

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Current Bikes - BMW S1000RR ‘17 & KTM 690 SMC-R ‘12

[EazyDuz]

Seems very overpriced for what it does, and it doesnt do anything your brain cant easily do while riding.
Still, i guess its useful for noob riders on CBT.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[Old Git Racing]

[Polarbear]

It's a bit like a sat nav. Before you use one you can't see what the fuss is about. Once you have one you wonder how you got on without it.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[EazyDuz]

[robbieguy2003]

I'll more than likely be getting one (thanks for the review Chris). My first 600RR had one fitted by the previous owner, and the amount of times it came in handy. In the real world you occasionally tend to bimble a bit when you're around traffic/cars (they also go on country lanes, not just in towns) - so you're doing 50/60mph, you see an opening and go for it, then find yourself braking for a corner thinking was I in 3rd or 4th? I wanna knock it down to second so 1 click or 2? hmm? a quick glance at the dash in those situations is very handy I find.

I haven't got one on my RR7 but my 1250 has one built in as part of the dash, and because of this i'm seriously considering getting one for the 600.

Each to their own and all, but I find them quite useful.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[chris-red]

[Nexus Icon]

I'm so manly I stuck a bit of gaffer tape over the standard gear indicator on my bike.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Shinigami]

no gear indicator on mine but I don't feel the need for one, all I have is a speedo. Though having some sort of fuel gauge wouldn't go amiss but not ran it dry so far.
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[garth]

I'd definately consider one, does that make me a shit rider too?


I always look for 7th gear.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[chris-red]

[Recluso]

Definitely the sort of thing I'd consider.

Whilst the more experienced rider may be happy without (especially seeing as they have a feel for the engine etc), I'm sure a gear indicator would be a real confidence boost to the newbies being able to just flick their eyes down and check the gear rather than fiddling about with their foot trying to remember how many clicks they've done as well as trying to remember everything else.

I know when I was still getting used to the YBR I had my fair share of panics and stuttery stalls because I thought I was in first but was still in second.
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900