AC Schnitzer releases LCD-equipped shift knob
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Over a year ago we told you about the Indy-Cator, an LCD-equipped shift knob that displayed your gear selection. Now, the German tuning powerhouse AC Schnitzer has come up with its own version for BMWs and MINIs, and we're still left wondering if it has any practical use.
According to AC, drivers have to rely solely on feel to know which gear they're in at any given time (gasp), so the digital display takes all that pesky guesswork out of gear selection. The red LED on the shift knob has a light sensor which dims or brightens the display depending on conditions, matches the stock interior lighting, features a position sensor and can be installed in just a few minutes.
AC Schnitzer hasn't released pricing, but just like the Indy-Cator, its worth is in the hand of the beholder.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Yar 8:32AM (9/12/2008)
Isn't a HUD immensely more useful? How 'bout an HMD?
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Kitko 8:47AM (9/12/2008)
Has anybody asked for that? Especially in an AC Schnitzer modified car?
1. Your hand would be on top of the lever most of the time.
2. You're supposed to have your eyes on the road and the dashboard.
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mr.ed 9:25AM (9/12/2008)
Anybody who's been to a real driving school and/or has raced knows that your hand belongs on the steering wheel, unless shifting. Your eyes belong on the road. The place for something like this gadget is in the instrument binnacle or on a HUD.
paul34 11:17AM (9/12/2008)
You shouldn't be using the shifter as a resting place for your hand. It's there to shift gears, not to support your right (or left) hand.
Besides, its likely you are slightly pushing on a gear gate while resting your hand if its in neutral and the clutch is out, thus adding needless wear to a synchro.
meshies 2:29PM (9/12/2008)
shifting gears.... serious business
David Thompson 6:52PM (9/12/2008)
Yep. Nissan 5th gear popout, people. Keep your hands off the knob.
This is a nice bit of bling so your non-stick-driving *passengers* know what gear you're in.
Curtis 8:49AM (9/12/2008)
I can see this being very useful on a motorcycle. I know that some bikes show which gear its in, but a lot don't, and it can get confusing at low speeds. It did for me at least.
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ArtJDM 8:50AM (9/12/2008)
What is this for? In case you forget?
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TJ 8:58AM (9/12/2008)
The only use I can see for it is to let people with older cars know if they are in reverse or forward gear 1/2/R or 5/6/R depending on the location of R.....
Or for people who shouldn't have a license, let alone a manual transmission to complicate matters.
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AntBee 9:01AM (9/12/2008)
At least it looks kinda cool...kinda?...a little bit maybe?
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RSR 10:07PM (9/19/2008)
pesky guesswork? If you really are in doubt of the gear position, look at the tachometer.
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Evets 9:14AM (9/12/2008)
Surely if you're driving a tuned rocket like an AC you should damn well know what gear you're in!
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PauloBecker 9:32AM (9/12/2008)
WHY?
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evaristo.jo 9:40AM (9/12/2008)
This is just a re-badged Indy-Cator. They look exactly the same.
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Mobius_1 9:50AM (9/12/2008)
This is quite pointless, I mean, how bad does your short term memory have to be to forget what gear you are in, and couldn't you deduce which gear from the position of the gearlever anyways?
Stick to puttin bigger turbos and exhausts, AC :)
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Bluestreak 11:00AM (9/12/2008)
Useless gadget. If you don't know what gear you're in, you have no business driving a manual. Any true enthusiast would laugh at this.
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Corey L 12:18PM (9/12/2008)
Without fancy bling on the inside, how else will I hide the fact that I've got more money than driving skill?
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Ian B. 1:45PM (9/12/2008)
They should at least use a yellow LED, as yellow light tends to attract insects, this may be of some use in third world countries to prevent the driver from being bit by mosquito carrying Nile Fever. Just remember to carry a fly swatter and aim for the top of the knob. But really, just get rid of it.
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Caz 3:22PM (9/12/2008)
Cool toy, but if you need this then you shouldn't be driving a stick!
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Dean 10:54AM (9/17/2008)
To anyone that feels they need this: please don't invite me to be a passenger in your car.
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