Anyone fimiliar with Dolphin gauges?
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Well, I am a bit more familiar with gauges than I've ever been since writing this article.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2006/04/Gauges/index.php
Still no expert but I am a highly aware consumer. Judging by their website...
http://www.dolphingauges.com/
...they look pretty lame to me. When you can't find any manufacturing info on a company website you should be skeptical. Likely, imported private-labeled substandard product. Read the article above if you don't know about "private labeling".
Besides, I am not quite getting the whole "Dolphin" and "Shark" naming. Are these marine gauges? Don't sharks eat dolphins?
_________________
![]()
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/16/06 3:55am ]</font>
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2006/04/Gauges/index.php
Still no expert but I am a highly aware consumer. Judging by their website...
http://www.dolphingauges.com/
...they look pretty lame to me. When you can't find any manufacturing info on a company website you should be skeptical. Likely, imported private-labeled substandard product. Read the article above if you don't know about "private labeling".
Besides, I am not quite getting the whole "Dolphin" and "Shark" naming. Are these marine gauges? Don't sharks eat dolphins?
_________________
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/16/06 3:55am ]</font>
Joined
·
1,311 Posts
If its cheaper than what walmart offers, there imported China product.
Probably no support and no warrenty. Typically such products from china etc, have vauge instructions as well.
Spend the money on some quality gauges and you will be happier in the long run. Warrenty, fit n finish, support will be something that you pay for but will be glad you have IMO.
For me its hurt everytime Ive had to buy something new and Made in Usa , but I feel better when Ive supported another job like my own.
Now no need to get a huge post regarding China jobs, Usa jobs etc This is just my opinon.
Good Luck with your project.
Robert
Probably no support and no warrenty. Typically such products from china etc, have vauge instructions as well.
Spend the money on some quality gauges and you will be happier in the long run. Warrenty, fit n finish, support will be something that you pay for but will be glad you have IMO.
For me its hurt everytime Ive had to buy something new and Made in Usa , but I feel better when Ive supported another job like my own.
Now no need to get a huge post regarding China jobs, Usa jobs etc This is just my opinon.
Good Luck with your project.
Robert
I found out that the dolphins are not related to tpi. tpi gauges are supposibly made in the usa and have a lot more features but they are still cheap compared the gauges like autometer.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Garreett0 on 5/17/06 8:14am ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Garreett0 on 5/17/06 8:14am ]</font>
Jimminy Christmas. I went to the TPI website.
http://www.tpigauges.com/
Looks like their gauges ARE made in the USA, but their website looks like it was made in Pre-School. If that site is any indication of their product quality, I'd shop elsewhere.
_________________
![]()
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/17/06 5:30am ]</font>
http://www.tpigauges.com/
Looks like their gauges ARE made in the USA, but their website looks like it was made in Pre-School. If that site is any indication of their product quality, I'd shop elsewhere.
_________________
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/17/06 5:30am ]</font>
Garreet,
When I wrote that head to head article I looked hard to find shortcomings in AutoMeter since they are the most well know brand. I couldn't.
As for the VDO, unless we picked up 5 VDO gauges and tested them all, I couldn't say whether the problem was global or just the unit I had.
Do you need a whole set of gauges? If you just need a water temp and oil pressure gauge the Autometer gauges are still pretty affordable.
If you just can't justify it, if you buy the Autogage brand, at least you'll be supporting a company that employs US workers even though the Autogage is Autometer's imported line.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/17/06 8:37am ]</font>
When I wrote that head to head article I looked hard to find shortcomings in AutoMeter since they are the most well know brand. I couldn't.
As for the VDO, unless we picked up 5 VDO gauges and tested them all, I couldn't say whether the problem was global or just the unit I had.
Do you need a whole set of gauges? If you just need a water temp and oil pressure gauge the Autometer gauges are still pretty affordable.
If you just can't justify it, if you buy the Autogage brand, at least you'll be supporting a company that employs US workers even though the Autogage is Autometer's imported line.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikelonis on 5/17/06 8:37am ]</font>
i have a 64 galaxie which has 2 pods and a sweeping speedo. i took the cluster apart and want to put a speedo (electronic which is $$$$ with autometer) and a tach in the pods and i made a backing panel that goes where the sweeping speedo went and i was planning on putting smaller 2 1/6 gauges in it. (going to put 4, a fuel, oil pressure, volt, and coolant temp)
Joined
·
1,311 Posts
Well you say you cant bring yourself to spend Autometer $ , yes i understand.
YOU COULD shop ebay for some deals However autometer is a hotly traded gauge. There a many companies that are selling for just below summit racing on the price but you have to check shipping fees. Also i usually dont use those places if im only saving a couple $$ not worth the risk.
On the positive side of ebay you can somtimes find people that have abandoned there project and is selling off all there parts. Trick here is to make sure you know the part #'s that you want, and what hes selling are the same.
Good luck garrett,
Robert
YOU COULD shop ebay for some deals However autometer is a hotly traded gauge. There a many companies that are selling for just below summit racing on the price but you have to check shipping fees. Also i usually dont use those places if im only saving a couple $$ not worth the risk.
On the positive side of ebay you can somtimes find people that have abandoned there project and is selling off all there parts. Trick here is to make sure you know the part #'s that you want, and what hes selling are the same.
Good luck garrett,
Robert
Here's the way I see it. I got a fuel log from summit for my Street Avenger carb, also ordered one of the cheap fuel pressure guages. It lasted less than a season before the glass cover cam loose, and the guage jumped from 5-8lbs consistently. I just got an oil filled guage from Russell, no more jumping and the difference in quality is obvious. Point is, if I had gotten the quality guage to begin with I would have actually saved money in the long run.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
