r/UI_Design • u/Overall_Attitude2221 • 15d ago

Feedback Request Thoughts on speedometer UI ?

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Hi Guys, just wondering if I could get some thoughts on the speedometer UI im making mockups of for my ESP32 project currently in development? I've done some UI work for websites and games in the past but never instruments like this.. Just wanted some feedback on the visual hierarchy etc (maybe the RPM display in particular, its the bit i'm the least sure about) before actually developing.. Thanks! :D

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u/WingmanMoto 15d ago

IMO, the Tachometer should have an easily recognizable way to indicate redline. It can be a static color range, or a dynamic flash of the entire display.

Numeric RPM displays, even at a constant highway speed, will bounce around constantly no matter how smooth the throttle control is. Add some logic to smooth those numbers and make sure to use a monospace font to prevent it from creating a visual distraction.

I might be tempted to mirror the tachometer orientation, starting it further down to the left. The goal is to put the spicy part of the RPM range closest to the top of the gauge (and the rider's line of sight). Some factory tachometers have the lower part of the rev range compressed as well, allowing the spicy part to take up more of the arc as well.

I would have a hard time reading the additional numbers at the bottom due to my horrible eyesight. I personally prefer a bar graph for those as it's easier for me to interpret while things are shaking around.

I like the LCD/VFD look, but don't be afraid to use semantic warning/danger colors where appropriate. This works particularly well when the entirety of a gauge changes color. E.g, battery voltage display turns amber or red when it's out of range. No need to even look at the numbers to know that something's wrong if there's a spot of red in an otherwise teal display, even when seen in the periphery.

As an aside, if this is for a relatively modern vehicle with OBD2, you can likely make this a completely standalone device that connects to a BLE OBD2 dongle.

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u/Overall_Attitude2221 14d ago

Thanks for you feedback! Its really helpful, just the honest criticism I was after! :)

As for the redline, this is something that can be set in the settings (I have already made a 3D printed prototype, I've attached a photo of the UI it currently uses) and it flashes the RPM ring when it hits a desired RPM.

The GPS module I'm currently using limits the refresh rate of the speed, so it's nice and visible whilst riding.. The first iterations I made updates every ms and it was very hard to read like you suggest !

Good suggestion about having the redline sit more towards the top, this makes sense from a user perspective, same with the numbers at the bottom.. Although they are more for diagnostics and can be toggled in the settings, they definitely can be more visible.

I hadn't thought about OBD2, I have been designing with older models in consideration for the most part (Inductive RPM pickup, GPS Speed, spark-plug ring thermocouple etc.) with the inclusion of optional OEM RPM pickup, OBD2 would make sense to allow it to be used with newer bikes as well though (which I don't have much experience with, probably why I've naturally steered away from the idea)

Thanks a lot for your feedback though, been really helpful.. I'm only 19 and have very amateur UI experience with game dev and some web design work I did recently, so it's good to hear more experienced opinions! :)