This review will be separated into multiple edited posts because I have a life, kinda. Keep checking for more content!
Product: 6x Defi Gauges with Defi Advance Control Unit (From Thailand seller on eBay)
Unboxing:
Won auction and paid on 08/30/2017:
I received the package on 09/18/2017:
Actual Thai label:
And it came with a twine bow:
Once you open the outer box, you see two smaller boxes. It's not packaged exceptionally well, but it got the job done:
The large box contains the Gauges:
The small box contains the Control Unit:
Ok, unpacking the Control Unit box, we have:
1x Control Unit
1x Switch (the remote control)
1x DC Source Cable
1x Meter Output Cable
1x Switch sticker/label
1x Control Unit sticker/label
Switch, with no label:
Control Unit and Switch Assembled, looks pretty good so far!:
Gauges unpacked:
Gauge Pod. Ok this surprised the hell out of me. I was expecting a cheap, abs pod. What I actually got was a Defi/NS molded pod. No counterfitter would go through that much effort...:
Gauge, rear. This also surprised the hell out of me...QC stickers??:
Everything laid out, sensors, wiring, etc. The mounting base is actually metal and the stickers are the good, foam style (not pictured):
Control Unit PCB:
First impressions:
I have been pleased with shipping speed and packaging. Nothing was damaged or out of place. I would recommend buying from this seller just based off of shipping speed and initial product quality(still need to run some test).
The control unit is solid! It uses an STM32F1 series of microcontroller. From the ST site: "Mainstream Performance line, ARM Cortex-M3 MCU with 512 Kbytes Flash, 72 MHz CPU, motor control, USB and CAN" So right out the box, the control unit is coming out strong. Hopefully the chip isn't counterfeit and is the real deal. The PCB looks like a good 4 layer FR4 PCB. There is a bit of flux from probably rework, but it is a clean board with good looking solder joints. Reverse protection diodes, good voltage regulators with thermal vias...etc. Yeah, not bad at all. On the rear of the PCB, there is a sticker that is ripped off...hmmm wonder what that is about?
The switch or remote control...the tact switches feel tough, takes some effort to press. It doesn't feel cheap. (I know you guys know what a cheap push button feels like, yuck) The LCD display is something I believe the "genuine Defi" control unit does not have. +1 for this one.
The gauges and sensors look good. The hardware is a big factor in determining the quality of a kit like this and it does not disappoint. The gauges have no rattling, they have good depth which may indicate a strong stepper motor. The QC stickers, again, very surprising. A 2D barcode with date of inspection stickers? That is very confidence inspiring. Here is a Chinese copy: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...270272241.html
The difference is clear.
The temp sensors are brass, I believe, with braided sleeving for the wires. The oil pressure and boost sensors well, I have no comment right now. We'll leave that for testing to take out the subjective part.
Overall, very happy with the quality for the price.
Product: 6x Defi Gauges with Defi Advance Control Unit (From Thailand seller on eBay)
Unboxing:
Won auction and paid on 08/30/2017:
I received the package on 09/18/2017:
Actual Thai label:
And it came with a twine bow:
Once you open the outer box, you see two smaller boxes. It's not packaged exceptionally well, but it got the job done:
The large box contains the Gauges:
The small box contains the Control Unit:
Ok, unpacking the Control Unit box, we have:
1x Control Unit
1x Switch (the remote control)
1x DC Source Cable
1x Meter Output Cable
1x Switch sticker/label
1x Control Unit sticker/label
Switch, with no label:
Control Unit and Switch Assembled, looks pretty good so far!:
Gauges unpacked:
Gauge Pod. Ok this surprised the hell out of me. I was expecting a cheap, abs pod. What I actually got was a Defi/NS molded pod. No counterfitter would go through that much effort...:
Gauge, rear. This also surprised the hell out of me...QC stickers??:
Everything laid out, sensors, wiring, etc. The mounting base is actually metal and the stickers are the good, foam style (not pictured):
Control Unit PCB:
First impressions:
I have been pleased with shipping speed and packaging. Nothing was damaged or out of place. I would recommend buying from this seller just based off of shipping speed and initial product quality(still need to run some test).
The control unit is solid! It uses an STM32F1 series of microcontroller. From the ST site: "Mainstream Performance line, ARM Cortex-M3 MCU with 512 Kbytes Flash, 72 MHz CPU, motor control, USB and CAN" So right out the box, the control unit is coming out strong. Hopefully the chip isn't counterfeit and is the real deal. The PCB looks like a good 4 layer FR4 PCB. There is a bit of flux from probably rework, but it is a clean board with good looking solder joints. Reverse protection diodes, good voltage regulators with thermal vias...etc. Yeah, not bad at all. On the rear of the PCB, there is a sticker that is ripped off...hmmm wonder what that is about?
The switch or remote control...the tact switches feel tough, takes some effort to press. It doesn't feel cheap. (I know you guys know what a cheap push button feels like, yuck) The LCD display is something I believe the "genuine Defi" control unit does not have. +1 for this one.
The gauges and sensors look good. The hardware is a big factor in determining the quality of a kit like this and it does not disappoint. The gauges have no rattling, they have good depth which may indicate a strong stepper motor. The QC stickers, again, very surprising. A 2D barcode with date of inspection stickers? That is very confidence inspiring. Here is a Chinese copy: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...270272241.html
The difference is clear.
The temp sensors are brass, I believe, with braided sleeving for the wires. The oil pressure and boost sensors well, I have no comment right now. We'll leave that for testing to take out the subjective part.
Overall, very happy with the quality for the price.
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