Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

If you are considering Dolphin for a set of 5 inch quad gauges you might want to consider my experience. I installed a set last July in my 54 Chevy and noticed on the first night ride the illumination between the two buckets was significantly different with the speedo nice and bright and the gauge bucket very dim. Thinking I had wiring it incorrectly I checked everything and confirmed my grounds. Everything checked out. I contacted the Dolphin Tech line and was informed they were aware of the problem and were working on a new gauge bucket with brighter lighting. I was told to call back in a month and they would swap the unit I had out with a new one. Sounded good to me.

Two months later I called to see if the new buckets were available and was informed they will not be fixing the problem and they suggested I wiring in a resistor to reduce the lighting level of the speedo to match the gauge bucket. This is not an acceptable solution to me. If the problem had been know going into the purchase I would not have selected this product.

I requested they buy back gauges from me or refund my purchase price to which I have not received a reply.

I have attached a pic of the gauges at night. While the gauges can be read it is not as easy as the speedo which is obvious. If you would be happy with this level of lighting or only drive during the day then these might be the instruments for you but to me they are a second rate product which will be included in my next swap meet material.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended (UPDATE)
 

Wanted to provide an update to this:
I have had an email discussion with Dolphin regarding this problem. Seems it got the attention of someone high enough on the ladder to give a green light to corrective action.

I think it bodes well they are doing something positive to address the issue instead of shooting the messager.

If the fix solves the problem I will be back to let you know.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Please keep us updated on this . I just bought a set for the 49' and have not even opened the box .

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

After giving this company many opportunities to correct the problem either by providing me with a new gauge bucket with updated lighting or refunding me some of the initial cost I am tossing in the towel.

Since I made my initial post I contacted Dolphin several times. Each time I was told the fix was in process. The Fix has never been done. Their 5" quad gauge is a poor product. The company knows of the problem but continues to sell it.

Please do not waste your time and money as I have by dealing with this company.

It is a shame that the magazines continue to take this companies dollars for advertising. I guess they do not care about us either and just want the money.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

That's odd a company that won't stand behid there products.If they won't fix it you could try adding some leds to it should work.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

That sucks,
I was considering picking up a set. Thanks for the review.

Smitty

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

man that sucks. i wonder how they even make the lighting that far off, knowing as soon as its on it will be noticeable. good luck to ya

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Has anyone had any problems with the AutoMeter quads? Just curious.. I am going with a quad set up- but NOT Dolphin!

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Man that sux, I was planning on using those gauges in my truck but guess I'll look for something else. Glad I found this post, I should be ordering some soon

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Wow Houston! Your original post was a year ago. You have way more patience than I do. :lol:

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Since I have seen several people opting to use these guages during the past year I thought I would give this a bump in the hope others who may be thinking of using these guages will be aware of the problems.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

btt

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Thanks for bumping this up...I always thought Dolphin made a nice looking product, and I am half-heartedly looking for some gauges to replace a set of Autoloc gauges I'm not entirely happy with. I will take this into consideration on my next purchase.

Maybe direct them to this thread? If they see enough people are changing their mind because of it maybe they will do something about it?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

I have used Dolphin gauges for over 6 years, I have always been satisfied with their quality. I dont particularly care for their customer service just because talking to someone or getting emails back in a timely manner is like flossing alligator teeth. I have had a few issues with a guage here and there, they have always sent a new one without question, all though I didnt know they did until I get a package at my door.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Has anyone used the 5 or 6 gauge sets ? The price is close to VDO 5 gauge set for a 6 gauge Dolphin or Shark set

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

I have both. a 6 guage and a 5 guage, both work fine.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

This thread is specific to their 5" quad set. I do not have any opinion about any of their other products other than based on my current experience I would look elsewhere first.

This company is aware of this thread and others I have posted on similar sites. I am only sharing my experience with this company and with this specific product so others can be aware of its shortcomings. The gauges have worked well for the 3 years and 37K miles I have been running them and fortunately most of those miles are in the day light.

They have my contact information and have opted not to make an effort to resolve my issues with this product.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Don't mean to hijack thread. But, was wondering if anyone has wiring procedure for these on a '69?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

wiring procedures? they are pretty straight forward, what are you looking for exactly?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Looks like you "mean it" to me.

I dont care if they have "some" good products. Customer service means a lot to me. I had looked at their line of gauges but after seeing this thread without any attempt by Dolphin to respond , I sure wont be doing any business with them.
after telling the OP to wire in a resistor, at the very least they should have sent said resistor with wire harness if that is their fix

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

emailed the company

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

I was also considering gauges from Dolphin.

After reading this thread I sent them an email.

Their reply to me was that the light issue was only an issue if using a programmable speedo and it was not an issue if using a mechanical speedo.

Iwonder if that is the underlying problem for real?

scott

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

If that is true, then the mechanical speedo will be as dim as the quad gauge posted above.

Way to dim for night driving imo.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

heck one looks yellow and one white
way to dark.....
not gona buy that one

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Bump.....Glad I found this, was going to go with Dolphin Gauges!!!

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

The fix is now in place for the gauges.Radio Shack part number 276-1115 which is a 1/2 watt 470 ohm resistor to put in the yellow wire of the speedometer for the illumination issue

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Does this also work on the electronic speedo? also what about the other gauges that are dim

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

It brings the led brightness of the new one touch speedo to match the others

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Are the new guages all LED lights? can we order the LEDs to go in where the incandecents are ?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Leds are readily available at most parts stores in the rubber plug format like the dolphin incandescent style if you chose to put them in to have all the gauges with led brightness

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

OK, I have all Dolphin and all are dim other than the TACH I just got. Do you know which ones will work? Or do I have to take everything apart to make sure I get the right size?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Ill check for you for sizing.Just to clarify,you want led brightness in your other gauges?

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Yes sir, thank you!

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Once I get the sizes Ill shoot a reply to this thread

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

In my initial post I specified my experience is only with the quad gauges so that is all I can provide my experience on.

The "fix" being touted here by EZ Wire is the same one they proposed to me years back. The "fix" does not increase the lighting of the gauge bucket but instead reduces the brightness of the speedometer bucket so that it is similar to the gauge bucket.

I have no problem with the speedometer light level. I wanted the gauge bucket to be brighter.

It seems the manufacturer is not comprehending the initial problem and skirting the issue.

If they are serious about addressing the issue I would welcome a package in the mail that included a new set of instruments with brighter lighting that is consistent between the two units.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

thanks for the tip. not buying now.

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

Ez are you gonna offer up some info like you said you would?
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Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

looking at these gauges- the quad, but now re-considering. thought i would bump this back up and see if the company wants to respond again- since it seems they dropped off the face of the earth when put to the test to back up what they claim????

Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

I have the dolphin gauges and because of the speedo is more lit up than the others. I'm going to Autometer gauges
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Re: Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended
 

I have the six gauge set in my '66, I have the electronic speedo and it is a little brighter and whiter than the other gauges, but my bigger problem is that the speedometer is always showing 5-10 mph when I'm not moving, and the tach jumps around a lot even when I'm cruising down the highway. The quality is mediocre as far as I can tell, but I guess I can't expect much better when I got the whole set and the aluminum panel they set in for the price of a speedometer from AutoMeter.