Here is my perspective on the 3 gauge pillar pod... Keep in mind I have a ZF6 and a T4/SXE, so my experience is not like most.

When I first installed the ISSPRO EGT, Boost and Fuel Pressure gauges (top to bottom) I was very happy with them. I don't drive much at night, so the brightness was not a big deal and I have the dimmer **** anyway. I was running the MST with Gear Head tunes and towing a 37ft 5th wheel cross country. Having the EGT gauge right there in front of my face was a good thing. The boost and FP was geewhiz information that was good to have as well.

Now that I have the T4/SXE I have thought about moving the gauges because I don't use them much anymore. I don't want to remove them, but I no longer need them at eye level.

I don't feel the pillar pod blocks a lot of real estate when looking around the pillar out the windshield, but obviously it does block some. In my opinion I don't find it a hindrance when driving or backing and checking the corners, but if it ever does then I will move the gauges.

It is easy to pick your poison on the type/brand of gauges, but it is more difficult to pick the location. Knowing you have a 4R100, if you install a transmission temperature gauge that is a good one to have at eye level. Of course, some gauges like ISSPRO have alarms you can set in case they are out of sight.

Forscan and TP can be used in conjunction with gauges, but I prefer to use those as troubleshooting tools instead of monitoring tools like gauges are in my opinion. There are Android based stereo head units that can run Forscan or TP as well.

There are tons of options for gauges and pods and it is up to you to find the best solution for your application.

 

As with anything it's always up to me ! But like i posted the other day no More reading! I read there is a lot more info i need to see from my truck to know whats actually going on, so i need to run guages to see what is not monitored with forscan.

as always i appreciate everyone's insight and input, give me something to think about as i am shopping around

 

Sous brings up a couple good points.
1) trans temp is important, I read mine on the CTS from the PCM
2) the brightness of the gauges can be annoying.

The autometer sport comp II gauges are a bit bright. I added a resistor to dim mine. My personal preference is dim gauges so the road is more visible.

To clarify, the pillar mount doesn’t impede my vision while normal driving like interstate or main roads. It creates a blind spot (for me) on the twisty back roads in my area. I’m in WV so we do have some tight turns. Again not a huge issue but it has bit me one time when I cut the corner a little. No accident but I totally didn’t see that car coming from around the left hand corner. Felt like a total moron....

 

Like I said in different words earlier, figure your NEEDED gauges and WANTED gauges and build from that. I prefer the dedicated gauges for the NEED and the laptop, tablet or smartphone for the wanted when they become needed.

Does that make sense? It does in my mind...

 

I’ll snap a pic of my center mount quad gauges to show but yes, it is the second link you posted. I had to remove my rear view mirror but I never used it, between driving trucks with no rear mirror and having stuff constantly block my back window I just used my side mirrors for everything. But now I’m wanting the 08+ style mirrors.


Not the best but you get the general idea. Left to right is Boost, HPOP, fuel pressure and oil pressure.