[Mach 1]

I think if you have electrical problems or a low battery, you have bigger problems to worry about than your gauges. If have electrical problems or a weak battery, you shouldnt even be driving the car, unless you like to get stuck somewhere. Your gauge readings wouldnt even be a concern at this point.

And if installed correctly, you should never have to worry about shorts, opens, or bad connections.

I think the routing of fluids into your interior is a bad idea no matter what, and with the easy installation and reliability of electrical gauges, theres just no good reason for it.

but a lot of people like mechanical gauges, and they work fine also.

whatever you prefer. Its just safer to run electrical