Instruments are readable in either feet or meters by printing a metric altitude scale on the inner surface of a rotating protective crystal that shields the English altitude scale and the indicating needle. The metric altitude scale covers 1,000 meters and extends 33.7.degree. beyond a full circle. A series of kilometer index marks is formed at intervals of 33.7.degree. on the face of a bezel which surrounds the English scale. To use the metric scale, the user holds the bezel to align the index arrow line with the appropriate kilometer index mark, according to the user's elevation. Subsequently, if the needle moves beyond either limit of the metric scale, it is only necessary to rotate the crystal 33.7.degree. in the appropriate direction, thereby aligning the "0" meter line with the adjacent index mark.
A gauge of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a gauge defining a dial. A pointer is rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions relative to the dial. A first scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a first range of vehicle speed. A second scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a second range of vehicle speed. The second scale of numbers corresponds to vehicle speeds that are faster than the first range of vehicle speeds and have like units. The first scale and the second scale of numbers are arranged in a radially offset relationship.
A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.