Better lighting in speedometer 2018 Vista 32YE

[Sooery]

2018 Vista32YE
Can't see the speedometer screen!
I have the light turned to highest setting but during daylight hours can't see speedometer which somewhat un safe.
Replacement ir better aftermarket lighting systems available?
Sooeey

 

[be happy]

As i get older it gets harder and harder to see the insterment panel. I had a Thor ACE that I could not see the dash board stuff at all. I tried small led lights to help but that just did not seem to help.

I then came across a item called "Heads Up Displays" (do google search) where you plug cord into the obd connection. Then the display will go directly onto your windshield. This worked really great, however it did take some time to find the correct posiiton for the display on the windshield.

End result was I could see the speed and other information.

 

[Sooery]

Looks like a good solution, thanks!

 

[bigbAZ]

I find it somewhat dangerous to look down at the dash display when driving, especially on curvy mountain roads. I ended up putting a 7" tablet with Torque Pro right where I can see everything without taking my eyes off the road, this worked good for a couple years then I got Scangauge III which is smaller and does everything I need and more. I do have a cup holder on top of the dash which made mounting a cinch. It's really nice to be able to just move your eyes a little to see what you need instead of peering down at the dash. I do miss the tablet but I got SG-III so I could have transmission temperature which Torque Pro could never get from the Sprinter.

One thing I should mention is I generally don't drive the RV at night, not sure if a display on top of the dash would blind you at night, although both options are dimmable.

 

[RayJorg]

I turn on the running lights (parking lights) while I drive, which illuminates the instruments. Helps a lot

 

[Tahoe63]

There is a DIY LED upgrade for the instrument cluster which I did and it makes a huge difference.
A review here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/587474178057346/search/?q=instrument cluster upgrade

I can recommend the LED bulbs if interested.
Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from Eagle5:
The link above goes to a private Facebook Group which is for owners of Vistas and Sunstars. I did get permission to view the site. For the full instructions, please request access from here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/587474178057346/
Here is a quick summary of what is found on Facebook:
Purchase six new bulbs from Amazon:

• WLJH 6Pack White Dash Lights PC74 Twist Locket Socket Wedge T5 LED Bulb 37 74 2721 3030SMD Dashboard Instrument Cluster Bulbs,Plug and Play

These are higher-intensity replacement LEDs for the dash display. Here are the six locations where the bulbs are installed, and the resultant extra-bright instrument panel:

 

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Sooeey-

Do you have the illumination adjustment turned up all the way? Your owner's manual (link here) should tell you how to do that. On my coach, you increased the dash brightness by rolling the knurled wheel in the switch upward. You can see that wheel above the turn signal stalk in the top picture below.

I replaced some of the instrument panel bulbs with 74-NWHP3 LEDs from superbrightleds.com (link here). I ordered 8 and used 6: 2 each for the main dial gauges, and one each for the temp/pressure gauges. I did not replace the bulbs for the idiot lights or the shift selector; I read a warning online that said LEDs made those lights too bright.

It took some work to get to the rear of the instrument cluster, but was quick work after that.

Your coach is newer than mine was, so the part number I used may not apply to your coach's instrument cluster.

 

[marudnick]

2018 Vista32YE
Can't see the speedometer screen!

I have a 2019 Sunstar 29VE, with the same dash. I solved the speedometer problem in a roundabout way. I purchased a Garmin RV 890 so I could have a decent size screen for GPS. There is an option to customize it. I added driving speed. Now, I look at the GPS to check my speed.

 

[bigbAZ]

I have a 2019 Sunstar 29VE, with the same dash. I solved the speedometer problem in a roundabout way. I purchased a Garmin RV 890 so I could have a decent size screen for GPS. There is an option to customize it. I added driving speed. Now, I look at the GPS to check my speed.

Good thought. Google maps shows your speed as well. Thinking about this, I actually have 4 ways to see my speed, dash, Google Maps, dash cam and SG-III. The co pilot can also see the speed on the dash cam.

 

[Sooery]

SG-III

Great information from all members here!
Sounds to misch of a hassle fot this 74 yr old to attempt changing to LEDs under the dash so I'm going to order the SG-III.
Like the added info on tyranny temp etc.
Again I appreciate the responses here!
Sooeey

 

[Morich]

I think we may have several of the group that may have the same problem! Ity is not so much that the lights are too dim but that our eyes have a harder time adjusting to the difference in outside lighting and the inside dash lights.
If our eyes are looking outside in bright light, we can't just take a quick look inside as our eyes no longer adjust as quickly as they used to do it!

Sorry to say but the problem may not be an automotive thing but far more personal and harder to solve! I'm sure there are lots of differences in al the different folks but I encourage looking at whether it is a vehicle or personal problem!

My solution was in moving to use of a GPS. I tend to avoid too many features built into one unit as they tend to become too complex and failure prone. I shop hard to avoid built in GPS on cars but love the stand alone as it gives me so much more. One of those points is the speed zones as well as my current speed. With the unit setting on the dash, the switch from road view to GPS view is very short and the speed is posted in nice large digits, so I look at the posted and current speed much more often than I ever did before.
I fully admit that the posted speed tends to be outdated in many areas but it is there as advise if I get where I'm not sure and not seeing signs. In Texas, it is normally not used but I tend to try to follow the laws.

 

[Sooery]

Oh I agree that it's a personal issue from eyes not able to quickly adjust for the large Vista windshield even with the curtain partially down.
I have in hand the Head Up Display to install today for trial run to the coast tomorrow.
If it doesn't meet my needs I plan to order the SG-III.
Appreciate all the suggestions offered here!
Sooeey

 

[Americanrascal2]

I did something wierd today

I've always had problems seeing and reading the instrument cluster and infotainment GPS screen

I bought a HUD -- Heads Up Display to project real time data (speed, RPM, Temp. voltage etc) on the windshield of our class A from Amazon and installed it today.

As always the Chinese instructions are miserable, but we got it going and will try it on a long trip in about 2 weeks.

 

[Sooery]

Heads Up didn't meet my needs so I'm going to try the SG-III

 

[thompwil]

This was the best 7 bucks I'd spent in a long time. I drive with the lights on during the day so the dash lights are on, they're nice and bright now.

Note: the bulbs are polarity sensitive, if one does not light simply reverse it in the socket.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BF59BQV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[edju]

Thanks for the info. My lights dim whenever I turn on parking lights during the day. Will check this out.

 

[bigbAZ]

Thanks for the info. My lights dim whenever I turn on parking lights during the day. Will check this out.

On some vehicles you can get around that by using the driving lights, if equipped. On my Superduty and my MH both I use the driving lights when I need daytime lights and the dash lighting stays bright. It also over-rides my DRLs on the MH which means I don't have all those bulbs lit all day and needing replacement more often, just 2 driving lamps. (my drls include all the side marker, clearance and parking lamps in addition to headlamps)

 

[BlueMoose105]

Thank you Sooery for this information. I’ve had trouble seeing my speedometer during the day because of the reflectivity of the dashboard cluster’s plastic screen. Even with the lights on and the dimmer set to maximum brightness, all I could easily see was the reflection of whatever shirt I was wearing.

I ordered a pack of six of the lamps you suggested and installed them in my 2010 Adventurer’s instrument cluster. What a difference they made in the brightness. Now I can easily see the speedometer with just a quick glance.

Two things everyone should be aware of: 1) these lamps are polarity sensitive. So after replacing the lamps, plug in the two connectors and turn on the lights to check that they are all lit. If any aren’t lit, just remove the socket, give it a 180 degree twist and reinstall.
2) And they are dimmable.