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View Full Version : Ultra Lite II vs. Cobalt


johnny5
12-23-2010, 09:23 AM
Hi, just trying to decide on what guages to use in my 69 Camaro. I like them both and have seen them here

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=26239

My question is what do the Ultra light II do in the daytime if you have your lights on? I assume they would still be silver??

My car is blue and my Pioneer system has a blue organic display so the Cobalt may be the ones but I do like the silver guages. I currenty have a couple regular Ultra lite guages but they don't look great at night because of the old lighting technology used.

ProdigyCustoms
12-23-2010, 10:49 AM
The Coblat is my favorite gauge. I like the black face during the day and the Cobalt glow at night is off the hook. Just last week I was driving beside Michael on the interstate, he in Project Prodigy with Cobalts. The glow driving beside him was quite the attention grabber.

We stock the full Autometer line so whichever you decide, you have the hook up.

johnny5
12-23-2010, 06:40 PM
Thanks Frank. You must have experience with the Ulra lite II. What do they do in the daytime if you want to run with your lights on?

ProdigyCustoms
12-23-2010, 08:08 PM
The face of the Ultra Lite or Ultra lite II is always silver. I run 12 Ultra Lites in my Street Racer (Ultra lites, not Ultra lite II). To be honest, only reason I run them in the Street Drag car is the Ultra Lite are the only gauge in the line up that has all the special gauges like vacuum, NOS pressure, Air Fuel, and also memory recall gauges and hi / lo warnings, I need in that car. Most of the Pro Touring cars will not need to monitor all this stuff.

With Ultra Lite or Ultra Lite II you cannot tell they are lite during the day time at all if it is sunny, in the rain probably a little bit but I have no experiance in the rain with them.

realcoray
12-23-2010, 11:07 PM
Hi, just trying to decide on what guages to use in my 69 Camaro. I like them both and have seen them here

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=26239

My question is what do the Ultra light II do in the daytime if you have your lights on? I assume they would still be silver??

My car is blue and my Pioneer system has a blue organic display so the Cobalt may be the ones but I do like the silver guages. I currenty have a couple regular Ultra lite guages but they don't look great at night because of the old lighting technology used.

Between those two I'd say cobalt every day of the week. Through the dial lighting is so superior to around the dial style that I wonder why they even do around the dial anymore.

johnny5
12-24-2010, 08:41 AM
Thanks guys, I think I'm definately leaning towards the Cobalts.:thumbsup:

jwalk
12-27-2010, 01:35 PM
Check out New Vintage. I went with their Redline series. They're a little cheaper than comparable Autometers.

CreepinDeth
01-05-2011, 10:34 PM
IMHO stick with Autometers.
I've tried various gauges and even though a gauge is cheaper in price, doesn't mean it
will be comparable in performance and accurate readings. Some vendors have crappy sending units.

I bought a set of Glowshift 10 color LED gauges and they have absolutely horrible readings.
I'm guessing it's the cheap sending units they supplied.

The Coblat is my favorite gauge. I like the black face during the day and the Cobalt glow at night is off the hook.

Agreed. I never saw them in person until I bought them in 2006.
I saw internet pictures which in truth don't capture the real look of them.
I've got them in my '78 pro-touring z28 and I don't think there's a cooler gauge besides MAYBE the Nexus.

I can't find 1 single online photograph of an Ultra Lite II gauge at night to compare. :wow:

The Sport Comp II's are the same with black faces, and WHITE LED illumination.
Cobalts are EXACTLY like this with the through gauge illumination but with blue LED's instead.

http://ultm8z.com/Interi7.jpg

Phantom II's are white faced daytime gauge, with WHITE LED through gauge illumination.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s15/sbstar_talon/Brian/hangingout006.jpg

Here's a pic of the Cobalts in the In Motion Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225232&page=7).
Looks like I'm not the only one who got a bad Tach the 1st time around.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/slofords/Chevelle/064.jpg

130fe
01-06-2011, 04:27 AM
Here are some pictures of the Ultralite II's in my car. You have to decide what color face gauge goes with your interior. My car is blue/blue so thats why I went with the ultralites (have had both the original and the II series). Either way I think both the cobalt and ultralite II's are great. On the comment about what they look like during the day (while on), they are still silver but if you look close enough, you can tell that the backlighting is illuminated (no interference or obstruction). Hope this helps.

Day-

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/45259/2894617930066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2894617930066817753LEbiWv)


Night-

http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/43341/2142050900066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2142050900066817753iyGofz)

XcYZ
01-06-2011, 06:04 AM
What do they do in the daytime if you want to run with your lights on?

They look fine during the day when the lights are on. This pic should give you an idea:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior/AMtest2.jpg




I can't find 1 single online photograph of an Ultra Lite II gauge at night to compare. :wow:

I have a bunch posted here:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior

Here's a shot, hope it helps. :cheers:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior/shiftlight_nite.jpg

skatinjay27
01-06-2011, 12:32 PM
IMHO stick with Autometers.
I've tried various gauges and even though a gauge is cheaper in price, doesn't mean it
will be comparable in performance and accurate readings. Some vendors have crappy sending units.

I bought a set of Glowshift 10 color LED gauges and they have absolutely horrible readings.
I'm guessing it's the cheap sending units they supplied.

]glow shift and new vintage are NO where near the same...
just cause you've never heard of them doesn't mean they are some cheap company like glow shift (i had a fuel pressure gauge form them)
http://www.newvintageusa.com/bigmarkdesign.html
also Stewart warner gauges are really good too.

i actually prefer the ultra 2s and the sport-2s over the cobalt cause i dont really care for the blue glow... it reminds me of a night club or something...

marks914
01-07-2011, 05:45 AM
Both are the same gauge set with different cosmetic treatments. I believe both have a 1 year warranty. Decent product, it all depends on what you theme is. I'm not a fan of white face gauges though, even though we build a ton of them.
Mark

KPC67
01-10-2011, 01:56 PM
http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior/shiftlight_nite.jpg[/QUOTE]

Scott,
I was wondering if you could give me the low down on the shift light?
I want one to go on top of my 5" sport comp two's for my 67.
Can you set it for different gears/RPM??
The dealer I bought the rest of my gauges was a little unsure.
Thanks for your help.
Kevin

CreepinDeth
01-22-2011, 12:43 PM
I have a bunch posted here:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior

Here's a shot, hope it helps. :cheers:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/interior/shiftlight_nite.jpg

Badass.
Just gotta really appreciate the THROUGH the gauge LED illumination
VS the AROUND the gauge illumination. So muuuuuuuch nicer :cheers:
BTW what is that lower left gauge ?? Diggin the A/F gauge in there as well.

I wish Autometer made a 3 3/8" quad gauge for the 3rd gauge hole in the Cutlass.
I'd be all over these for my 2nd makeover.

protour73
01-25-2011, 06:53 PM
Badass.
Just gotta really appreciate the THROUGH the gauge LED illumination
VS the AROUND the gauge illumination. So muuuuuuuch nicer :cheers:
BTW what is that lower left gauge ?? Diggin the A/F gauge in there as well.

I wish Autometer made a 3 3/8" quad gauge for the 3rd gauge hole in the Cutlass.
I'd be all over these for my 2nd makeover.Hey Creepy Dude, lower left gauge is a Wideband O2 sensor gauge :unibrow:

doitbby
01-31-2011, 11:54 PM
did you mount he shift light in your dash? or is it mounted with a bracket? any day pics?

doitbby
01-31-2011, 11:56 PM
nvm. just checked the link. looks great

XcYZ
02-01-2011, 05:10 AM
Scott,
I was wondering if you could give me the low down on the shift light?
I want one to go on top of my 5" sport comp two's for my 67.
Can you set it for different gears/RPM??
The dealer I bought the rest of my gauges was a little unsure.
Thanks for your help.
Kevin

You mean unique shift points for what gear you're in?

johnny5
02-04-2011, 10:29 AM
Thanks for all the pics and replies. I originally wanted to go with the Ultra lite II guages and then had thoughts of the Cobalts. After looking at all the pics I think I like the Ultra lite IIs. My car is blue and my stereo glows blue with the cobalts it would be too much. I have the old Ultra lites now and I like them exept at night but the IIs look great at night and the silver faces in the day look great as well.

Sweeeeeeeeeeet ride Scott.

Alex396ss
05-25-2011, 07:20 AM
What´s the difference between Ultra Lites and Ultra Lite II`s?

Thanks

Alex

marks914
05-26-2011, 04:49 AM
One is perimiter lit, the other backlit
Mark

Alex396ss
05-26-2011, 06:52 AM
Ok, thanks!

Alex