I picked up my Element (4WD EX automatic, Shoreline Mist) on Saturday. Only put about 125 miles on it so far, but one huge negative:

The instrument panel is an ergonomic disaster!

It is OK (just barely OK) at night, but in daylight, yecchh!!!!

The only thing you can see (especially while wearing sunglasses) is the odometer and the position indicator for the automatic transmission. Reason being -- they're illuminated!

Everything else is a murky dark red/black, and the numerals are not clearly visible, so you kind of have to memorize the scale of each instrument and try to remember whether the needle indicator being in the middle (or left, or right side) is a good thing or a bad thing.

How much cooler (and more visible) would it have been if the gauges were black on white? And the night time illumination in red?

ATTN: HONDA ENGINEERS

Rent a Lexus or BMW and look at the instrument panel. OK? Now replicate one (pick any one, it doesn't matter, and you can do it on the cheap).

Thank you.

There, I feel better now.

Other than that, I like it a lot. Honda has done a great job of delivering up enormous function usability and value in a very affordable package.

But the instruments . . . did I mention that they SUCK!!!!


PS Don't reply back saying my sunglasses must be too dark. They are normal driving glasses and I do not have this problem with "normal" instruments -- white on black, black on white, etc.

Not a "You're wrong!" post but just a different experience....

I had no problems whatsoever with viewing the instruments yesterday, in full sunlight, in that sort of glare-ish sunlight you get when clouds are approaching, or even when the storm hit and hit hard, I could see the instruments fine.

I wear sunglasses that can't be called anything but dark - and I like them that way. They're Maui Jim shades that are also polarized. I go so far as to get them to fit my face so that no little bits of glare sneak in at the side or at the bottom. I'm big on the dark shades, and ya know, they look cool too.

I agree that the black on white instruments are very aesthetically pleasing and possibly better at night.

I really hope this works out for you, JSC.

I don't really find the instruments that difficult to read, but I do find that when I tilt my steering wheel to the position I like I can't really see my speedometer at all. Do you think I can use that as an excuse if I ever get pulled over?! :roll:

Peds-


I don't think that the officer would buy it....unless perhaps they are a big fan of the E and offer a tour or something 8)

Wonder if it's the quality of the sun glasses?

I use Maui Jim's (polarized) too, and have no problems reading the instruments, ... and yes, it's sunny out here. :)

Totally agree about the steering wheel blocking the speedometer, though. That's my only gripe about my E! At 6ft3, I have to roll the seat height all the way down and recline it a notch to see the full speedometer. Unfortunately, this isn't the most comfy position for me.

Did you test drive the car? On the test drive, did you check the instruments to see if they worked for you? They don't cause any problems for me (even with sunglasses) and I can see them fine. A similar post was made some time back, so I made a point of making sure they worked for me.

Maybe their readability varies depending on the color of the interior (mine is green, so the instruments have an olive bezel rather than a charcoal or blue one). And at night, there are no problems.

The steering wheel blocks the top of the speedo for me, but I can manage as I'm learning to use the kph scale that I can see.

i agree with staggie in that the steering column blocks the intruments. i wish the center column indicator was an actual indicator of the gear as i can not see it on the cluster due to the wheel...

i still like the layout and just shift around to see...

[quote:d1639bdbe6="aristoBrat"]Wonder if it's the quality of the sun glasses?

I use Maui Jim's (polarized) too, and have no problems reading the instruments, ... and yes, it's sunny out here. :)

Totally agree about the steering wheel blocking the speedometer, though. That's my only gripe about my E! At 6ft3, I have to roll the seat height all the way down and recline it a notch to see the full speedometer. Unfortunately, this isn't the most comfy position for me.[/quote:d1639bdbe6]

It might be the polarization. My shades are polarized also, but not Maui Jim...Its probably just different, like everything else about the E, that they need to get used to or trade it in. I don't mind it, its not like i stare at it while im driving...

[quote:4fc61f3c34="jsc173"]I picked up my Element (4WD EX automatic, Shoreline Mist) on Saturday. Only put about 125 miles on it so far, but one huge negative:

The instrument panel is an ergonomic disaster!

It is OK (just barely OK) at night, but in daylight, yecchh!!!!

The only thing you can see (especially while wearing sunglasses) is the odometer and the position indicator for the automatic transmission. Reason being -- they're illuminated!.[/quote:4fc61f3c34]

I might just be a personal thing, but my instruments are fine. Easy to read, night or day. I wear my very very dark sunglasses in the car and still have no problem.

I have the problem with the steering wheel being in the way of my speedometer, too. But as far as readibility it's OK. Personally I not a fan of the black on white and the red ilumination. To each his own. I am sure you can pick something up after market

I find the lower speeds on the speedometer harder to read (shading from the bezel?) than the higher speeds during daytime without wearing sunglasses. Just some inside illumination would help (maybe a dim light around the edge of the gauge, etc.). No problems at night - it's well lit then.

I'm 6'1". And yes, I also have issues with the steering column blocking my view of the speedometer. I prefer driving with the seatback completely upright. For the first month of ownership, I thought I could getaway with it, not seeing the 50-70mph arc on the speedo...Didn't work.

So now the seatback's reclined a couple of notches, which seems totally uneccessary given the E's "cowboy-hat-wearin'" headroom. I can see "most" of the speedo now. Not exactly happy about it- but it didn't make the top 10 list of my problems with the E.

Oh, and I wear Ray-Bans...visibility of the speedo in most instances isn't a problem for me. (but I've caught the occasional glare here and there where it wasn't viewable)

I'm average height (5'8") and I was surprised that the steering wheel got in the way of the instruments. I found a decent compromise, but I think they could have given a bit more upward mobility to the steering wheel adjustment.

As for the instrument cluster itself, I personally think it is lacking. I think it got fairly 'glossed over' in design and suffers from a lack of imagination and the colors are just about the most boring on the planet. I've posted before about the turn indicators not being large/bright enough to catch my eye, but I think the whole cluster (aside from the basic shapes) could stand a makeover.

When my backordered accessories came in to my dealership, I received an '03 Civic as a loaner and the colors and visibility of those instruments was very striking. They looked nearly radioactive, glowing purples and oranges. Now that might not be what people want, but my point is that Honda has some pretty cool instrument designs out there. Another example would be the instruments in the Acura RSX-S, which are silver with black numbering in the day, and the black becomes red when you turn the lights on.

Just my $0.02

I cant see the displays at all or just barely. I can only see the top curve of the speedometer. Which luckily is the more important part. But theres seems to be a gigantic amount of dashboard space and the instrument cluster is burried tight behind the massive steering wheel. Seems like a design oversight. headsup display would be nice or a center console speedometer.

[quote:c4fcc77ae2="designguy"]I cant see the displays at all or just barely. I can only see the top curve of the speedometer. Which luckily is the more important part. But theres seems to be a gigantic amount of dashboard space and the instrument cluster is burried tight behind the massive steering wheel. Seems like a design oversight. headsup display would be nice or a center console speedometer.[/quote:c4fcc77ae2]

I imagine it has to do with how you have, or need to place the steering wheel adjustment. I can see everything.

Well, if you have the steering wheel as "HIGH" as it'll go and it's still blocking your view of the speedometer, there's not much more you can do with it. :)

[quote:01bc5de9dc="aristoBrat"]Well, if you have the steering wheel as "HIGH" as it'll go and it's still blocking your view of the speedometer, there's not much more you can do with it. :)[/quote:01bc5de9dc]

Lean the seat back a little bit?

[quote:4df020d19a="designguy"]I imagine it has to do with how you have, or need to place the steering wheel adjustment. I can see everything.[/quote:4df020d19a]
I was referring to this quote about it being a function of the steering wheel adjustment. ;)

[quote:6cc2c64b0d="aristoBrat"]Well, if you have the steering wheel as "HIGH" as it'll go and it's still blocking your view of the speedometer, there's not much more you can do with it. :)[/quote:6cc2c64b0d]

I am about 5' 7" tall. The steering wheel is on the high position and the seat is adjusted at its highest point. The instruments are 100% visible for my height and this adjustment.

[quote:cae872107f="aristoBrat"]Well, if you have the steering wheel as "HIGH" as it'll go and it's still blocking your view of the speedometer, there's not much more you can do with it. :)[/quote:cae872107f]

I agree. As to reclining my seat I like to sit up straight when I drive. What's all that headroom for anyway? I'm just happy that I can see enough so that I can still tell how fast I'm going. I don't have a problem with the side gauges at all and have gotten used to the speedometer now that it's coming up on three weeks of driving. (I'm 5'9, the seats not at the highest setting, and the speedo is still blocked).

As to bright, shiny neon day-glo instruments and red/orange/purple backlighting--it's not for me. I like standard analog gauges and think the E's are great at night--no problems reading them at all ('cept for that steering wheel thing, of course).

[quote:e5f66f23f9="jayharley"]I am about 5' 7" tall. The steering wheel is on the high position and the seat is adjusted at its highest point. The instruments are 100% visible for my height and this adjustment.[/quote:e5f66f23f9]
No problem.

Just pointing out that for someone 6ft3, with the steering wheel at its highest position and the seat at its highest position, the seat needs to be reclined about two inches in order to see the speedometer.

If I lower the seat to its lowest position, I don't have to recline the seat much at all, but then my knees are way higher than my thighs and that gets uncomfy after awhile! :roll:

This is the first car I've had to sit funky in to be able to see how fast I'm going. :)

It seems to be OK for some and a problem for others. We (5'6" short-torso long legged wife and 6'4" long-torso short legged husband) have different views of the instrument panel. We've always put the steering wheel in the highest position, seat all the way back and adjusted the seat height to something that suits both of us. Interestingly enough, given the disparity in heights, there's just a 2" difference in inseam between us. We've only had one car in which I've had to pull the seat forward (Ford F1-50, International Travelall, 72 Ford Bronco, Corolla, Dodge Van and a Civic) which was a Honda civic.

Anyway, I have an uninterupted view of all the guages, unless I'm turning a corner and he has an bisected view. The only problem I have is not noticing that the gas guage is low.

I play the guitar, but find it far too dangerous a practice to do while driving. If you want music, might I suggest the radio feature to the right of the steering wheel?

instrument panel??......the E has one..... :wink: ..just kidding I hate ppl who drive with their blinker on for miles...you know what that means.... :? ...my wife hasn't complained about it, so I can say it works for her..and when I get to drive it I can say that there is very little I can't see....my feet for starters.....but I guess that's another post... :roll:

after I read the first message here I made a special effort to check out my instuments - no problem here reading them. And as far as the speedo - I have a bad habit of not watching my speed anyway - so, oh well - haven't got catch yet! :twisted:

To each - their own. Nuff said.

Sunglasses! When I saw this thread I assumed that it was about the awful steering wheel-instrument cluster arrangement, not how it looked thru sunglasses. Some others have wisely made this same observation. I am amazed that anyone would complain about the color of the dials, yet not notice how hard it is to see THRU THE STEERING WHEEL!! I have purchased many new japanese-made cars. This is the first one that didn't penalize me for being 6' tall- in the headroom department! But...didn't anyone drive one before they gave the final ok to the instruments? I can see them only if I tilt my seat back, and lift the steering wheel completely up. It's tiring to drive in this position for long, however. But if I lower the wheel (much more comfortable) I can see only the top of the speedometer, yet CAN'T see when I am running out of gas. Some choice!

AristoBrat - the Quote you published is attributed to me incorrectly.
Minor Technicality. Not really worth typing about, and yet I have.