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KICKSTART R-Sport Gauges Replica Mass Production

Asked 2 manufacturers. Min order is 500 and 1500. Do we really have that much of 200 series left in the world?
 
I'm contacting more manufacturer.
I might need to separate the gauges and the base into different manufacturers. So they can focus on the things they good at.
 
Somehing I'd look at is pieces like the signal conditioning for 2.4, making so you can plug the thing into a stock wiring harness, having options for the right warning lights, etc. All the little things that would make it convenient to install. That'll increase the potential market.
 
spock345 said:
Somehing I'd look at is pieces like the signal conditioning for 2.4, making so you can plug the thing into a stock wiring harness, having options for the right warning lights, etc. All the little things that would make it convenient to install. That'll increase the potential market.
Click to expand...
This also what I'm thinking.
 
When I started on my dash project I had a brief moment where I considered trying to package and sell dashes, kits, individual parts, etc. The conclusion I came to is that the market for something so specific is too small to get the cost down to something people would accept.

At the time there was a company called ID4Motion making retrofit cluster for various older BMW's, probably a larger market than 86+ 240s, selling plug and play dashes for ~$800-1000 that were pretty well executed, especially compared to what I was making. Most of their social media feedback was complaining about how expensive it was. If people weren't willing to pay that for a complete product, it was unlikely that I was going to be able to sell kits at that price, and a fully tested, commercial product that I would feel comfortable selling to people would have been way more than that. It looks like they've completely scrubbed their website/social media footprint, but here is one of their indiegogos and someone did some reverse engineering on one of their dashes here. Standard stuff for low(er) cost application processor based designs with a SODIMM SBC module with a secondary processor that likely handles the CAN and ADC.

Either way, if there's anyway I can help you get things off the ground, let me know.
 
Linm126 said:
Yep. That's what I'm worried. The manufacturer want a minimum number of 1500 set ( base and gauges)
Click to expand...
You might sell that many in 20 years. Id only do this if it makes you happy because you most likely will lose money doing it but that shouldn't be the only reason to do or not do something.
 
whitfijs said:
When I started on my dash project I had a brief moment where I considered trying to package and sell dashes, kits, individual parts, etc. The conclusion I came to is that the market for something so specific is too small to get the cost down to something people would accept.

At the time there was a company called ID4Motion making retrofit cluster for various older BMW's, probably a larger market than 86+ 240s, selling plug and play dashes for ~$800-1000 that were pretty well executed, especially compared to what I was making. Most of their social media feedback was complaining about how expensive it was. If people weren't willing to pay that for a complete product, it was unlikely that I was going to be able to sell kits at that price, and a fully tested, commercial product that I would feel comfortable selling to people would have been way more than that. It looks like they've completely scrubbed their website/social media footprint, but here is one of their indiegogos and someone did some reverse engineering on one of their dashes here. Standard stuff for low(er) cost application processor based designs with a SODIMM SBC module with a secondary processor that likely handles the CAN and ADC.

Either way, if there's anyway I can help you get things off the ground, let me know.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice.
I just come back from vacation in South Florida.

I have contacted one of my friend who owns a medical equipment company. He said he will let his employee help with the 3D modeling and PCB design. And he will also help if he can find a plastic manufacturer for the base from one of his suppliers.

I'm trying to lower the cost and make it less than 600usd for a set.
Or what price everyone willing to buy one.
Please let me know.
 
If anyone can provide an original R sport dash measurements drawing, it will be very very helpful.
If you have one, please post it here.
Thanks in advance.
 
blkaplan said:
You might sell that many in 20 years. Id only do this if it makes you happy because you most likely will lose money doing it but that shouldn't be the only reason to do or not do something.
Click to expand...
If I just want to make one for myself, I can custom order one with 3D printed dash base and some gauges. It won't be crazy expensive if you find the right manufacturer in China. Some company has very good engineering project management team.
I found out a lot of people might want one but set back by the crazy price.
 
whitfijs said:
When I started on my dash project I had a brief moment where I considered trying to package and sell dashes, kits, individual parts, etc. The conclusion I came to is that the market for something so specific is too small to get the cost down to something people would accept.

At the time there was a company called ID4Motion making retrofit cluster for various older BMW's, probably a larger market than 86+ 240s, selling plug and play dashes for ~$800-1000 that were pretty well executed, especially compared to what I was making. Most of their social media feedback was complaining about how expensive it was. If people weren't willing to pay that for a complete product, it was unlikely that I was going to be able to sell kits at that price, and a fully tested, commercial product that I would feel comfortable selling to people would have been way more than that. It looks like they've completely scrubbed their website/social media footprint, but here is one of their indiegogos and someone did some reverse engineering on one of their dashes here. Standard stuff for low(er) cost application processor based designs with a SODIMM SBC module with a secondary processor that likely handles the CAN and ADC.

Either way, if there's anyway I can help you get things off the ground, let me know.
Click to expand...
Since I'm trying make the gauge as a separate unit. I think I can make the cost much lower than ID4motion.
There are a lot of off-the-shelf product for the gauges. I just need some new gauge faces and change the orientation and make it compatible with Volvo analog signal.
I'm not trying to make some super expensive LED screen and stuff.
 
rearwheelpeel said:
Whoever just bought the last one I restored on ebay says they are scanning it and going to try and make an updated version with new components etc. Was this you op?
Click to expand...
No. It wasn't me. I was looking for a good one but didn't find any. That's why I want to build one.
I would like to know the installation holes diameter and their relative location on the mounting base. And also the outer diameter of the gauge trims.
 
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