POINTERS FOR GENERAL PURPOSE INDICATORS
J. SPENCER · Ergonomics · 1963
This paper surveys the somewhat limited evidence available regarding the effects on performance of different designs of pointers for use with instrument scales. Longer pointers, up to the radius of a circular scale, have been found to give better results than shorter. The pointer tip should closely approach the scale marks. Width and shape of pointer usually have little effect provided the tip is pointed and the pointer makes good contrast with the face of the instrument. Apart from this contrast, colour has little effect. The effect of placing the pointer inside or outside a circular scale is small if the instrument is used for precise quantitative readings, but an inside pointer may be superior for rough check-readings made quickly. The design variables which are important differ somewhat according to which type of reading is required. Brief particulars of two hitherto unpublished experiments are given in an Appendix.