Thank you for choosing Defi products for your vehicle performance monitoring. We value your trust and are committed to providing high-quality, accurate gauges and meters.
It has come to our attention that counterfeit products, mimicking our genuine Defi designs and falsely using our trademarks (including the Defi logo) and company address, are increasingly prevalent in online marketplaces and global markets. Many customers have unfortunately purchased these fake items, mistaking them for authentic Defi gauges.
These counterfeit operations are a serious infringement of our intellectual property rights and pose a significant risk to consumers. Purchasing and installing fake Defi products can lead to numerous disadvantages and potential damage.
Please be acutely aware that Defi, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., cannot accept any liability or responsibility for issues arising from the purchase or use of counterfeit products. This includes damages caused by mistakenly buying fakes, or any malfunctions or breakdowns in Defi products or vehicles resulting from the installation of these fake gauges.
The market is unfortunately saturated with various imitations. Vigilance is crucial to protect yourself from these fraudulent products.
If you encounter suspected fake products, we urge you to report them to us immediately.
Over the past decade, we have diligently worked to combat counterfeiting, submitting takedown requests to auction and video platforms, resulting in the removal of over 750 fake listings. (Data as of February 2025).
Should you encounter products suspected of being counterfeit, we encourage you to inform our nearest official distributor. Providing photographs, especially on our Facebook page, can greatly assist in verifying the authenticity of the product.
Defi, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
Originally Published: November 6, 2010
Last Updated: February 7, 2025
Identifying Fake Defi Products: Key Visual Differences
To help you distinguish genuine Defi products from counterfeits, we have compiled a visual guide highlighting key differences across various product lines. Pay close attention to these details when purchasing what you believe to be a Defi ZD standalone OBD2 or any other Defi gauge.
Sensor Discrepancies
Genuine Defi sensors are engineered for precision and reliability. Counterfeit sensors often exhibit noticeable differences in appearance and, more importantly, performance.
For detailed specifications of genuine Defi sensors, please refer to our official “Sensor Specification.”
(Edit: March 6, 2018)
Meter Wire Color Variations in ADVANCE Series
As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, we implemented a color change in the meter wires for our ADVANCE series products starting from December 2017 shipments. Be wary of counterfeit wires that may mimic older color schemes to appear genuine.
Affected Parts: Meter wires for ADVANCE series (available in 25cm, 50cm, 1m, and 2m lengths)
One of the four wires was changed from orange to blue.
Note: The image displayed is of genuine Defi meter wires (not counterfeit). Please also be aware that some distributors may still have stock of older wires with the original color configuration.
Gauge Backside Markings
Authentic Defi gauges feature manufacturing information printed on a label affixed to the backside. This is consistent across our 80mm, 60mm, and 52mm gauge sizes.
Racer Gauge N2 Counterfeits (Edit: June 24, 2021)
We have confirmed the existence of counterfeit Racer Gauge N2 products.
A YouTube video surfaced showcasing a fake Racer Gauge N2. Key differentiators include:
- Illumination Color: Genuine Racer Gauges N2 have white illumination for numbers and scales (red in US models). The counterfeit version appears to have color-changing illumination.
- Indicator LED: Racer Gauge series (excluding 80mm tachometers) do not have warning or peak indicator functions. Therefore, there is no LED indicator at the bottom right of the dial on genuine units. The counterfeit, however, featured this indicator.
Unfortunately, we have not yet obtained a physical counterfeit Racer Gauge N2 for photographic evidence, but please remain vigilant and aware of these discrepancies.
ADVANCE Control Unit: Identifying Fakes (Edit: March 6, 2018)
The ADVANCE Control Unit is crucial for the functionality of many Defi gauges. Counterfeit units often exhibit several tell-tale signs.
(Edit: July 16, 2019): Later counterfeit versions may have connectors that mimic the genuine shape. Exercise extreme caution to avoid connecting genuine wires to a fake control unit, as this could cause damage.
ADVANCE A1 Series: Spotting Counterfeits (Edit: March 6, 2018)
Counterfeit ADVANCE A1 series gauges have also been identified. Pay attention to these details:
ADVANCE ZD Club Sports Package (CSP) Counterfeit (Edit: July 16, 2019)
The ADVANCE ZD Club Sports Package (CSP) is a set comprising the ADVANCE ZD, ADVANCE Control Unit, one pressure sensor, and two temperature sensors. Crucially, a boost sensor is NOT included in the genuine CSP, but it is often included in fake CSP packages.
Genuine ADVANCE ZD CSP:
Alt text: Contents of a genuine Defi ADVANCE ZD Club Sports Package, showcasing the correct components and packaging.
Counterfeit ADVANCE ZD CSP:
Alt text: Contents of a fake Defi ADVANCE ZD Club Sports Package, clearly showing the inclusion of a boost sensor, which is not part of the genuine package.
While the genuine ADVANCE ZD does not display boost readings, counterfeit versions often include a boost sensor, highlighting a fundamental difference.
ADVANCE ZD Standalone OBD2: Key Differences to Identify Fakes
The ADVANCE ZD standalone unit itself is now being widely counterfeited. Exercise extreme caution when purchasing an ADVANCE ZD, especially from unverified sources. Key points to check for authenticity include:
- ZD Body Appearance: Examine the front and back of the unit for subtle design and finishing inconsistencies.
- Accessories: Verify that all included accessories match the genuine product specifications.
- Manual Page Numbers: Counterfeit manuals may have page numbering errors, and genuine manuals are written in multiple languages, not English only as stated in the original text – this might need correction if manuals are indeed multilingual now.
- Sensor Shape: Compare the shape and build of included sensors against genuine Defi sensor designs.
- Standalone Functionality: While advertised as standalone OBD2, verify the actual OBD2 compatibility and functionalities against official Defi specifications.
- Etc: Be aware of any other discrepancies or inconsistencies in packaging, materials, and overall quality.
【ZD Body Appearance】
Front:
Back:
【Components】
【Manual】
【Temperature Sensor】
Counterfeit temperature sensors often have a shorter sensitive part and different coloring compared to genuine Defi sensors. Note: The standard “DF09701 ADVANCE ZD” package does not include a temperature sensor. This comparison is made with sensors from the CSP package.
Alt text: Comparison of a fake Defi ZD temperature sensor (left) with a genuine sensor (right), emphasizing differences in sensitive part length and color.
【Package】
Unfortunately, counterfeit packaging is often meticulously copied, making package inspection alone insufficient for authentication.
Alt text: Example of a fake Defi ADVANCE ZD package, illustrating how closely counterfeits can mimic genuine packaging, making visual package inspection unreliable.
(Edit: July 16, 2019):
Alt text: Side-by-side comparison of fake Defi ZD units, highlighting whitish covers over sequential indicators and DIM sensor as common traits.
Many counterfeit ZD units feature a whitish cover over the 8 sequential indicators at the top and the left DIM (light control) sensor. Other discrepancies include connector shape, color, and back label variations.
Display and Functionality Differences:
- Genuine ADVANCE ZD display: Amber (orange) organic OELD with red sequential indicators.
- Counterfeit ZD display: Often uses LCD instead of OELD, and the display and indicator colors are often changeable, which is not a feature of genuine Defi ZD. Fake units may also include functions not present in genuine ZD, such as turbo display and odometer value modification.
If the display color of a ZD unit can be changed, it is definitively NOT a genuine Defi ZD.
Defi-Link Meter BF (Discontinued): Replica Identification
Even for discontinued lines like the Defi-Link Meter BF, counterfeits persist.
ADVANCE CR Series Counterfeits
ADVANCE BF Series Counterfeits
ADVANCE C2 Series Counterfeits
Alt text: Examples of fake ADVANCE C2 series packages, highlighting potential packaging inconsistencies.
Alt text: Comparison of contents from a fake ADVANCE C2 package (left) and a genuine Defi package (right), showing differences in included components.
