Sorry guys this is so long.
Paul I have watched your 1st video above about inclinometers, and now have watched your second video now that it is installed. I'll comment on that video later. It amazes me the length you are going to let people know how bad my tilt meter install is. There is really something that rubs you the wrong way to go thru all this trouble about my tilt meter install. Maybe you think only you should do tractor Mods.
Though I like the one you bought, I'm not sure I would trust it as much as you think.
I have to disagree with your overall general thoughts about inclinometers as you stated in the above video. I know it was just your opinion but here is my opinion in response.
I really think you are misleading people on the safety value of an inclinometer, whether "you" ever needed one or not.
You said in your video above
"Anything that you physically have to look at to see if you're tipping over, it's too late"
I'm sorry but you don't look at an inclinometer to see if you're tipping over.
You always look at an inclinometer in a stopped position to have an accurate gauge of the slope.
In the video segment, you do your very best to say your new meter is better than anything out there. Even though in the video you just opened the package, you never even used one before and it's a hard to find discontinued item as you admit.
Yet with all that information, you already know before even taking it out of the box. It was better than anything out there including the factory Toyota type meter that I use. I could see it in your face explaining how poorly (you think ) all the other inclinometers work including the one I already installed in my tractor. Making hand gestures etc. to show like it was very hard to decipher what angle you're at. I realize it was only your opinion and I respect that, but you're misleading people in your video, IMO.
The meter you have there was only on the market for about a year or so. And the company stopped making and selling them. No one ever made another one like it so you have one of the few that are left.
That tells me if it was good in would still be selling.
The drawing of my tractor, jeep, car or truck that you refer to turns on the meter, the needle points to the degree listed on the meter. It's really that simple. It works by gears and gravity, no other power needed. Sometimes simple is better.
You don't have to study angles or figure anything out like you portray in your video above.
Same with the ball and tube inclinometer. They will never ever be inaccurate because of the laws of physics .
All inclinometers are only accurate at stopped vehicle position. Even your NOS meter.
Here is a link for the ball and tube meters. I don't think this company thinks they are a gimmick.
Welcome
http://www.tiltmeter.com
Just a little information for anyone who is interested.
The factory Toyota meter was used for about 15 straight years in many different Toyota models. Made in Japan by a Company that still makes them today - Jeco of Japan. The car manufacturers' versions are not cheaply made versions. Even the Late model Toyotas today have an inclinometer option. So does Nissan, Land Rover and Mitsubishi all use the mechanical type jeep version you call it.
Clearly Toyota and others must also disagree with your comments. Toyota and others must have thought it was more a safety feature than a liability or they wouldn't keep offering the tilt meters on their vehicles to this day.
Another quote of yours, Paul - you told me in a reply when I questioned you on youtube, in reference to my mechanical tilt meter
"If you have to take your eyes off the windshield and look at an instrument then it becomes a hazard and shouldn't be in the cab".
I also disagree with you on that.
You look at your instruments when you're stopped or when it's safe to do so, you don't ride around watching your meter. I'm completely capable of glancing at any of my instruments.
The tilt meter is a "gauge" to tell what angle you're at. It does not warn you before you tip over, only operator knowledge will prevent a rollover. A tilt meter helps the operator know for sure without guesswork what the degree slope he is on.
In my opinion, since you gave me yours, that new old stock meter that you have is very dangerous. The operator ends up relying on the electronic meter presets to beep and warn of a coming rollover. It gives you a false sense of comfort - the meter could fail that you rely on and not beep. According to the only review on your meter that's out there, it did not perform well and is unreliable. That is probably why it was discontinued. Here is the review.
http://www.4x4review.com/innovate-motorsports-rad-1-digital-inclinometer/
The mechanical meters including the ball and tube type have been around for many years, tested and proven time and time again by major car manufacturers, the military, firetrucks, farm tractors, heavy equipment, etc.
You're depending on a discontinued item and listening and trusting a beeping noise that could fail instead of your eyes to tell you the grade you're on?
You have a lot of followers and Tilt meters are a safety item, you're telling people the exact opposite.
Anything that you have to rely on a beeping sound to warn you you're tipping over, instead of physically using your eyes and senses it could be too late. A mechanical meter could help with that knowledge.
In my next post I will share your install video of your new meter, the operation of your new meter and the email I sent you after I watched this video above back on March 1st To show your remarks about restraining orders and me being dangerous were unfounded. But I guess it makes for a good video.
I think that way people can watch the two videos, read what was said and come to their own conclusions about tilt meters.
