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Qube Engineering LED Dash Products Now Available!
Updated 03-27-2013
--- Qube Engineering products and group buys --- Qube Engineering is proud to present the LED Dash products for the S2000! All orders are now processed through the Qube-Engineering.com Purchase Page. Please use discount code s2ki2015 at checkout to get these advertised prices. There are no longer waitlists for any Qube Engineering products. See below for details. Product 1 - Qube's LED Gauge Cluster (MY '00-'07) Do-It-Yourself kit price has been lowered to $279! Do-It-Yourself kit - $279 - Immediate availability Core Exchange Assembly - $343 - Check availability though the Qube Engineering Purchase Page. Introducing the "Send Your Core" Version - $324 - Immediate availaibility. See below for additional details. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...e_Front_01.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...e_Right_01.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...r_Front_03.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...r_Front_02.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...r_Right_01.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...ter-White4.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...ster-Blue3.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...uster-Red1.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...reenFront1.JPG http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...ndigoRight.JPG http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...lticolor03.JPG Description : The stock gauge cluster of the Honda S2000 emits an orange glow as a result of incandescent bulbs and filters. Using the stock incandescent bulbs system, it is impossible to change the color of the instrumentation to a non-orange base color using filters alone. Qube Engineering has developed a product that allows you to change the color of the instrument cluster without limitation. By exchanging the orange incandescent bulb system with a true white light emitting diode (LED) system, you can now choose any color for your instrumentation. Qube's LED Gauge Cluster also has an improved brightness memory feature. Instead of the gauge cluster automatically dimming when you turn the headlights on, the gauge cluster invokes a second fully independent brightness setting, set by the user. For those of you who drive with your headlights on during the day, you no longer have to reach through your steering wheel and increase the brightness level every time you turn on your headlights! The gauge cluster is available in any color imaginable, including blue, white, red, indigo, etc. You may also specify different colors for different parts of the gauge cluster layout, like a blue RPM band with a red redline area. With both the Core Exchange and Do-It-Yourself versions, your mileage does not change. The gauge cluster computer that stores your mileage is not swapped out during the installation. Full product information can be found here... Qube Engineering S2000 LED Gauge Cluster Option #1 - Fully Assembled Core Exchange - Progress through the Core Exchange Waitlist has been slow. However, this is not necessarily do to cores not being available! Continuously sending "Core Available" notices to the next person in line, waiting a week for a response, then moving on to the next person is not a very efficient process. Because of this, the Core Exchange is now being offered on a First Come First Serve basis. Inventory is managed through the Qube Engineering Purchase Page. If you find that the Core Exchange Version is available for purchase, feel free to purchase it. If it is not in stock, the product will say "Sold Out" until a core becomes available again. If you signed up for the waitlist and have been patiently waiting for a core, only to find it continually sold out, feel free to shoot me a PM. I will reserve the next core that becomes available for you. Multiple PMs will be handled in order of the original wait list. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...reExchange.jpg Installation Instructions for the AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Core Exchange are available here... AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Installation Instructions In support of the local community, if you live near Torrance, CA and wouldn't mind stopping by, I can do a core exchange swap for you in about an hour for $10. With CA tax, that's would be a total price of $385 out the door. Just make an appointment with me ahead of time so I can prep the core exchange to your specifications beforehand. Option #2 - "Send Your Core" - With the "Send Your Core" version, you send your OEM gauge cluster to me for modification. The gauge cluster will then be sent back to you once modified to your order specifications. The installation process for the modified cluster is fairly simple and requires only some basic tools. There are no parts to return after your installation is complete. Because you are using your own core, there is NO WAIT LIST NECESSARY. This version is available for immediate purchase through the Qube Engineering Purchase Page. I realize that this requires some downtime for your vehicle, as it cannot be operated without the gauge cluster. This version is geared towards those of you who have another means of transportation other than your S2000, or have a spare gauge cluster. Because the "Send Your Core" version requires downtime for your vehicle, Qube Engineering will make the effort to provide a 1-2 day turnaround service (not including shipping time). Option #3 - Do-It-Yourself Kit - The AP1 gauge cluster is available in a Do-It-Yourself kit for $279. The kit will include the LED array board, power harness, light diffuser plate with your color choice of computer cut color filters, and the miscellaneous parts required to finish the installation. The Do-It-Yourself kit is available for immediate shipping. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...sterDIYKit.jpg In addition to the Core Exchange installation procedure, installation of the DIY kit will require additional gauge cluster assembly / disassembly, modification of your plastic gauge cluster housing using a rotary tool (Dremel), and simple soldering of one wire. If you do not have access to the proper tools or are not comfortable with the procedures in the DIY Supplemental Instructions, I highly suggest purchasing the Core Exchange version. The AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Do-It-Yourself Kit Supplemental Instructions are available here... AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Do-It-Yourself Kit Supplemental Instructions These supplemental instructions are intended for use solely with Qube's AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Installation Instructions, available here... AP1 LED Gauge Cluster Installation Instructions The DIY kit is not available for local installation. The difference between the DIY kit and the Core Exchange is purely labor and would require considerably more time than a simple core exchange install. AP2 v1 (MY '04-'07) and AP2 v2 (MY '08-'09) availability Please see the 3rd post in this thread for the latest information on the AP2 progress. If you are interested in the LED Gauge Cluster for the AP2, please let me know so I can add you to the AP2 interest list. Please include the model year of your S2000. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Product 2 - Qube's LED Dash Controls (All Model Years) Full Core Exchange Priced per part. See website purchase page for details - Inventory is managed through the Qube Engineering Purchase Page. If you find that product is available for purchase, feel free to purchase it. If it is not in stock, the product will say "Sold Out" until a core becomes available again. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...hts-White1.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...ghts-Blue2.jpg http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...ights-Red2.jpg DESCRIPTION: In order to match the modified gauge cluster color from the LED Gauge Cluster modification, an LED Dash Control modification is available for all interior controls. These controls include... -Audio Control Switch and Mute button Indicator Light -Engine Start Button -Cruise Control Switch and Indicator Light -Rear Window Defrost Switch and Indicator Light -Climate Control Switch and Indicator Lights -Roof Switch -Hazard Light Switch The LED Dash Controls modification is available in white, red, blue and green. Indigo (purple) is available for an additional fee. The LED Dash Controls modification is available in 3 brightness levels - stock (lowest), enhanced, and show (brightest). Attention Right Hand Drive Owners (UK, Australia, etc) - Right Hand Drive core parts will be stocked in the near future. If you are interested in Right Hand Drive LED Dash Controls, please let me know so I can update you on product availability. Full product information can be found here... S200 LED Dash Controls http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...shControls.jpg Thanks! Art Timbol Qube Engineering Torrance, CA 90503 818-271-QUBE (7823) art@qube-engineering.com |
Product Comparisons : Qube Engineering LED Gauge Cluster vs. other Gauge Cluster products.
There are several other products on the market that attempt to change the color of the gauge cluster. Qube Engineering solution vs. Color Filter Only solutions Some simpler solutions on the market work by replacing the stock orange and yellow color template with a template of a different color or sets of colors. This is a very inexpensive solution, but is limited by its simplicity. This solution uses the stock incandescent low wattage bulbs as the light source. The major problem with this solution is that the low wattage stock bulbs burn amber in color. If you replace the orange / yellow filter with something of a different color like white or blue for example, you will not get a true white or blue because the light source is amber. Here is a comparison of a plain white diffuser using the stock incandescent bulbs vs. a plain white diffuser using white LEDs as the light source. It's obvious to see the yellowish color of the incandescent bulbs affects the color of the final gauge cluster. Again, this is using the same white diffuser for both. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_015.jpg Here is a blue filter over the OEM bulbs vs. a blue filter over white LEDs. I had to use a lighter blue filter for the stock bulb comparison because the dark, rich blue filter was too difficult to see, even just for picture taking purposes. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_014.jpg On top of this, if a filter of a darker color is used, like red for example, it will be less bright than OEM because you are filtering out more light. Although the color reproduction of red is very good for a filter only solution, the end result is dimmer than the OEM setup. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_013.jpg Qube Engineering solution vs. color changing LED solution The "RDF Speedo" product uses color changing LEDs under a plain white diffuser. This allows for instantaneous selection of one of seven preset colors as well as dynamic color changing of the tachometer. However, there are several problems inherent with this type of this solution. 1) If you have a system with color changing LEDs, you must use a white diffuser. This is a similar concept to what the OEM audio and climate controls use to illuminate the button text, where there is an amber bulb behind white diffusers. The light will appear amber at nighttime so you can read the buttons, but will appear lighter and lighter as ambient light increases, to the point where you only see white text during the daytime. Colored LEDs are much stronger than the OEM incandescent bulbs so you will be able to see some coloration during the daytime, but you will get a washing out of the color as the ambient and direct light levels increase. Here is a test to illustrate the color differences between the two setups. First, start off with a white LED array. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_001.jpg Next, color the light on the right side of the LED array to simulate blue LEDs. I am using a blue light filter to simulate blue LEDs. The light source on the left will remain white. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_002.jpg Here is the setup so far when illuminated. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_003.jpg When you place the white diffuser over the setup, you end up with blue light on the right side of the filter. At this point, the light on the left is still white. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_004.jpg The Qube Engineering LED gauge cluster places the filter on the outside of the white diffuser. This concept is illustrated on the left. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_005.jpg When illuminated, you can see the difference in the richness of color between to two solutions. As the ambient light gets brighter (daytime driving with the top down, for example), the difference will become even more apparent. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_006.jpg Here is the assembled gauge cluster, Qube Engineering system on the left side, colored LEDs on the right. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_007.jpg Here are side by side comparisons of the Qube Engineering solution on the left vs. the RDF solution on the right. These pics were taken with different cameras and different camera settings, but you can still see the differences in color quality between the two. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_008.jpg http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_009.jpg http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_010.jpg 2) Another disadvantage of the color changing LED system is that color changing LEDs do not directy produce white light. They create red, blue, and green light, which when combined, simulate white light. In theory this works, but in practice, there are several problems with it. Given the same voltage to a red, green, and blue LED, the red led will burn brighter. The "white" setting on the RFD Speedo appears somewhat pinkish. I do not have an actual RDF speedometer for testing so I can't confirm the light is actually as pinkish as it appears in their picture, but this delicate balancing of red, green, and blue light to produce white light may indeed be the cause. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_012.jpg From Wikipedia, Multi-color LEDs should have profound influence on the fundamental method which we use to produce and control light color. However, before this type of LED can truly play a role on the market, several technical problems need to be solved. These certainly include that this type of LED's emission power decays exponentially with increasing temperature, resulting in a substantial change in color stability. Such problems are not acceptable for industrial usage. There are also a few of issues specific to the RDF speedo that should also be noted. 1) No brightness control - Again, I do not have an actual sample to test, but from what I understand, there is no brightness control. I would think this is a major concern! An LED gauge cluster at full brightness at nighttime is distractingly bright, and will contribute to eye strain and fatigue. I know, I've done this! If you set the LEDs dimmer to avoid nighttime eye strain, you start sacrificing the brightness necessary to see the cluster well during the day. The OEM system and the Qube Engineering system both have separate programmable brightness settings for daytime and nighttime. 2) VTEC indicator, not redline indicator - Unless you have an aftermarket product like a shift light that can send a redline signal to the RDF speedo, the color changing RPM band acts as a VTEC indicator, not a redline indicator. But if you already have an aftermarket redline indicator like a shift light, then having the RPM band change color at your shift point isn't adding functionality that you don't already have. 3)Dead spots / Eneven brightness -There is a significant dead spot in the RDF speedo AP2 kit. If you look at their LED board, they are missing LEDs at the base of the RPM band. They are also using only one row of LEDs for the fuel and temp gauges, similar to my first prototype. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_016.jpg The missing LEDs lead to the dead spot at the base of the RPM band, and using only one row of LEDs for the fuel and temp gauges leads to uneven brightness levels. http://qube-engineering.com/Referenc...arison_017.jpg I have tried several different solutions over the years for changing the gauge cluster color. I have tried color filters alone, electroluminescent lighting sheets, and colored LEDs, but the only solution that I believe is of OEM quality and functionality is the white LED base with color filters. Other products on the market have their advantages, from price to instant color changes... it's really up to you to decide which product is right for you. I highly suggest you look into the other available solutions as well before making your decision. |
03-14-2010 - Update on the AP2 v1.0-v1.5 Prototye (MY04-MY07)
The second prototype was a huge step forward, and I could probably have been sold as is, but I want to make one more prototype still. I want the final product to be flawless. Here's what the 2nd prototype looks like. I evened out the brightness on the right side of the gauge cluster (fuel and temp meters) by adding a second row of LEDs to each arc. When I only had a single row for each arc, the right side appeared a bit dimmer than the other areas. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_002.JPG The brightness across the whole cluster is now very nice and even. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_005.JPG Brightness control has been incorporated http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_003.JPG http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_004.JPG There are still two spots that could use a little more illumination at the bottom left (base of the RPM band) and bottom right (near the "F" on the Fuel Meter). http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_006.JPG I am adding LEDs in these areas on the final prototype to fix this problem. You can see the final LED layout in the 3D mockup here. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_015.JPG The AP1 version didn't have this issue because it is installed further back from the white diffuser plate, which gave the light more distance to spread. For the AP2, I'm trying to bring the LED board closer to the diffuser plate so you don't have to modify the cluster housing as much upon installation. The problem is, you need to be very careful doing this or else you will end up with hot spots or dim spots. Heat also becomes an issue as you get closer because there is less room for airflow / heat dissipation. I also incorporated a plug and play harness set for the brightness control. It wasn't easy to track down the right wire harnesses that fit with the OEM switch set for the clock, -, and + buttons, but the extra effort will make the installation very simple for you guys. And yes, you still keep the clock setting functionality. The board shape has been modified slightly to allow for a much simpler installation. The last prototype required very little modification to the gauge cluster already, but I want to go even further with the final prototype so that the modification of the gauge cluster housing can be done with simple snips, as seen below. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_007.JPG If all goes well, this is the only modification you will need to perform on the gauge cluster housing. http://www.qube-engineering.com/Refe...letter_001.JPG I know the process has been slow, but again, I want to make sure the final design is a well engineered product, has a fairly easy installation process, and has OEM quality results. The final prototype is already being produced by my supplier and will hopefully be ready for approval within the next 3-4 weeks. Once the final prototype is approved, it will take another 3-4 weeks for the mass production run, which is pretty much when the AP2 cluster will finally be available for sale. I won't have final pricing until the design is finalized, but I will be running a special for the first month or so that it goes on sale. If you want instant notification of product availability or to sign up for the waitlist, please use the links below. Qube Engineering Newsletter Qube Engineering Product Waitlist Thanks, Art :) P.S. - I'm also in the process of updating the wait lists. Don't worry if you don't see your name on there right now, I have it all compiled in a separate database. |
Updated 04-04-2010
--- Qube's LED Gauge Cluster Order Info and Core Exchange List --- All Qube Engineering products are now being offered on a First Come First Serve basis. Inventory is managed through the Qube Engineering Purchase Page. If you find that the product is available for purchase, feel free to purchase it. If it is not in stock, the product will say "Sold Out" until a core becomes available again. If you signed up for the waitlist and have been patiently waiting for a core, only to find it continually sold out, feel free to shoot me a PM. I will reserve the next core that becomes available for you. Multiple PMs will be handled in order of the original product wait list. |
So how much would it be out-the-door to have you do the Gauge cluster install at your shop? DIY price + $75 install fee?
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if u know how to conver my ap2 to ap1 cluster ill take one for sure? pm me please
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[QUOTE=midnightsunset,Apr 10 2009, 01:51 AM] So how much would it be out-the-door to have you do the Gauge cluster install at your shop?
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im def interested in the ap2 dash. but isnt the dash different from 04-05 to 06-07? since we hv vsa. im 07 btw
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AP2 Interest List...
1) S2K23 |
I am interested in AP2, would like ASAP
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