Since the TC comes with a true wide band, couldnt we purchase an inexpensive digital gauge and monitor the readings?

Vendor's - come up with something!

 

The msd dashhawk can read the wideband from the solstice gxp so it should do the same on the cobalt ss, if it doesnt its probably because the vin check isnt setup for the cobalt ss. But you can simply ask msd to add support, take a peek at their forums http://www.msdignition.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24
The software is constantly updated to add new features, i've never seen so much support from a company for such a product, its outstanding.

 

Good point - but I talking about something cheap - like $50. Similar to this

 

Not possible for it to be so cheap since the reading comes from the obd2 port, the dashhawk is bascially a fancy scantool/datalogger and even basic ones arent that cheap.
That gauge that you posted is simply a volt meter, you simply cant tap into the wideband to get a reading.

 

Why not? The wideband in the SS/TC is the same Bosch unit that feeds those gauges. Puts out the same volts.

Every gauge is simply a voltmeter