How do I know if it will work on my vehicle?

The Shift-I has an impressive compatibility record.  Unless you have a 2-stroke engine or Motard, it will most likely be fully compatible.  Have a look at the compatibility section for a list of cars and bikes that have been fitted. The installation section covers more detail on the methods of connection.  If unsure, you are welcome to contact us!

Curved or Straight Model?

Have a look in the installation section for the template that can be downloaded.  You can print it to scale and compare both to your vehicle for what fits better.  Typically, car owners use the straight version, as it can be placed above the steering column, bottom of instrument, top of dash or in the top corner of the dash.  The curved version suits wrapping around a 90mm or 3.5" dial gauge.

You can set the RPM yourself and change it to suit your engine and driving requirements.  You could set the first light to turn on at 1,000rpm and the last one at 8,000rpm, or have the first turn on at 4,750rpm and the last one at 9,350rpm. You don't have to rev the engine to set these points either, in fact you can change them with the engine off.  Having the ability to tweak the display range cannot be over-emphasised, as that's where you benefits kick in.

Yes! One of the provided display modes will flash all the lights only when you exceed your set RPM point, just like a traditional shift indicator.

Not specifically. They are always calculated to turn on at even intervals between the set-points, which saves a lot of headaches with setup.

Yes! Press the down button to cycle through the display modes, the last one is off.  An alternative shortcut is to press either button when the RPM is above 2,200rpm.  This toggles the display on and off.  It is not recommended to try this while driving.

Two high performance acrylic adhesive foam pads are included, which have excellent resistance to ageing, water, most solvents and UV light. They stick really well to plastic, but not to vinyl (particularly those with protective waxes applied).  They can be safely removed, however if in doubt, first test an area with a small piece in an appropriate place.

Very very quick!  The RPM measurement algorithm does not use the basic pulse counting technique, or basic frequency to voltage converters. The RPM is digitally calculated per pulse! The digital filter algorithm is biased to displaying an increase of RPM quickly and accurately, while also filtering any electrical noise. The exact time is quite dependant on the frequency of the tacho signal, however as a general figure, the display will respond to a change in RPM in less than 0.03 seconds.  This level of precision and speed is what makes them an ideal visual reference for drag and motorsport racing.

These are top quality LEDs, and are driven well within their limits to ensure reliability. While we can say LEDs typically have an average lifetime expectancy of 100,000 hours… (11 years of continuous usage), that depends on how the electronics drives them.  So a "real" reference... the product has been sold for over 3 years and not one single LED has failed.

Each light actually has TWO LEDs. They are quite bright and can be viewed from a wide angle!!!! Even with full sun shining on them, you can still see them clearly.  They were designed to be bright enough for use on motorbikes, with a wide viewing angle.  Some car drivers even reflect them off the windscreen for a heads-up display effect.  The in-built light sensor however does a fantastic job of reducing the brightness when the ambient light drops off, which is adjustable.

No! It is just not a hobby kit style of product.  Opening the unit will void warranty and risks permanently damaging the sensitive electronics.  If you have a specific requirement, please let us know!

They are designed to be "weather proof"… which means they are splash proof and suitable for use on motorbikes or open cabin vehicles.  3 years on, and we haven't received any with weather damage.  One customer actually put one through a washing cycle too. The Shift-I must be mounted behind a windscreen, where it is not subjected to the wind pressure or rain.

Warranty

The Shift-I has a 24 month warranty from date of purchase, return to base.  This covers manufactured defects, not damage.  The initial 50 units on the waiting list were all sold Dec 2004, and 3 years later and we have only had 2 returned with faults - that's an outstanding record!  The design is solid and very robust and we stand by that.  We do see a few units come back from the track that have gone through the gravel traps, typically only needing a new case and wires.  If you ever have a problem with one of our products, please contact us!