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Speedo + colour difference

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Tideland Prius, Oct 10, 2007.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    So... I'm sure those in the US will never see a "1" followed by two other digits unless you switch to km/h.

    I rarely take it up past 100km/h since I rarely drive on the highway.

    However, this past weekend while taking a trip down south, I went above 100km/h and noticed that the "1" is much brighter than the other numbers. In fact it's brighter than everything else in the instrument cluster.


    Is it because it's rarely used? Was it really that bright 3 years ago or is there always a difference even when the car is new?
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Oct 10, 2007
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I haven't noticed a difference on mine. I'll check and get back to you next time I'm up at that speed.
     
    #2 David Beale, Oct 10, 2007
  3. mcsj

    mcsj Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 10 2007, 03:34 PM) [snapback]523807[/snapback]</div>
    I use km all the time (part to keep my brain working... how fast is 102km/h in mph?) and I too notice that "1" is brighter than everything else.
     
    #3 mcsj, Oct 10, 2007
  4. bredekamp

    bredekamp Member

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    I think it is brighter too now that you mention it. Being in a metric country I see the "1" all the time.

    Theory:
    These digits are driven by high voltage ionizing a gas between a cathode and anode. Could it be that the "1"s surface area is small, thereby consentrating the charge making the gas glow brighter?
     
    #4 bredekamp, Oct 10, 2007
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I travel at over 100km/h almost daily, I haven't noticed the 1 is any brighter.
     
    #5 patsparks, Oct 10, 2007
  6. bredekamp

    bredekamp Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 10 2007, 11:03 PM) [snapback]523826[/snapback]</div>
    It just occurred to me, the gas plasma display in the 2002-2005 and 2006 onwards are slightly different. Different circuit design?
     
    #6 bredekamp, Oct 10, 2007
  7. daveleeprius

    daveleeprius Heh heh heh you think so?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Albertus @ Oct 10 2007, 04:07 PM) [snapback]523827[/snapback]</div>
    gas plasma?? I thought they were LED.

    I was in Canada earlier this year and we happily switched to KM/H after we entered Canada at the Blaine border. We drove more than 100km/h and I didn't remeber the 1 being brighter, but then again we drive a 2007 so it's still a relatively new car...
     
    #7 daveleeprius, Oct 10, 2007
  8. samiam

    samiam Antipodean Prius Poster

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    The 1 is no brighter than the other digits on my 2004, regardless of whether we're speaking of 100, 10, or 1 (or 111 for that matter).
    My car travels at open road speeds (approx 109 km/h) every day.
     
    #8 samiam, Oct 10, 2007
  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    I haven't noticed this either, but then I'm usually looking out the windshield. Too bad there's no readout for 'max' like there is on my bicycle speedo. (Anybody know of one with three digits? The silly things 'peg out' at 99 kmh) :rolleyes:

    Has anyone else noticed the speedo still counting down after you've come to a full stop?
     
    #9 hyo silver, Oct 10, 2007
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah the speedo is sometimes slow to count down.

    Albertus, not necessarily. Yes it's shaped with a 1 only but I don't think that should matter.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Oct 10, 2007
  11. bredekamp

    bredekamp Member

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    I'm wrong. The digits in my car are all the same brightness. Had a good look today. Also realized my "theory" was rubbish.

    Live and learn.
     
    #11 bredekamp, Oct 11, 2007
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    huh? I said that my "1" is brighter than all the others
     
    #12 Tideland Prius, Oct 11, 2007
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    huh? I said that my "1" is brighter than all the others
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Oct 11, 2007
  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Had a chance to go over 100 on Saturday. My digits are all the same brightness. It could be the 10s and 1s digits on your display have faded a bit. Vacuum Fluorescent displays do fade over time.
     
    #14 David Beale, Oct 15, 2007
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    crap lol

    yeah my "1" is definitely brighter (I'm talking about daytime brightness, not the dimmed one when the headlights are on).
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Oct 15, 2007
  16. pingman

    pingman New Member

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    well coming down I-17 from prescott i tried to get up to 100 MPH but either the car cant or i ran out of road but it seemed to stick at 99 im sure i just didnt push it enough :D
     
    #16 pingman, Oct 15, 2007
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    just switch to km/h.. you'll be well over 100 lol
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Oct 15, 2007
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