[EDIT]
While the gear indicator can be useful, it won't necessarily cure instances like the one you described about pulling away in a wrong gear. The indicator goes blank and stays blank if there's any travel in the 3rd pedal for over a couple seconds. So if you are stopped at a light, the indicator will be blank unless the light changes just as soon as you get there in gear.
The indicator displays the gear you are/were in for a little over a second after disengaging the clutch.
Only when your foot is completely off the clutch pedal, will the indicator display your current gear (or shift suggestion). So in the instance you described of pulling away from a stop, the indicator wouldn't help since your foot would be on the clutch for duration greater than a few seconds.
Personally, I rely more on muscle memory and the feel of the relative shifter position in my hand.
While the gear indicator can be useful, it won't necessarily cure instances like the one you described about pulling away in a wrong gear. The indicator goes blank and stays blank if there's any travel in the 3rd pedal for over a couple seconds. So if you are stopped at a light, the indicator will be blank unless the light changes just as soon as you get there in gear.
The indicator displays the gear you are/were in for a little over a second after disengaging the clutch.
Only when your foot is completely off the clutch pedal, will the indicator display your current gear (or shift suggestion). So in the instance you described of pulling away from a stop, the indicator wouldn't help since your foot would be on the clutch for duration greater than a few seconds.
Personally, I rely more on muscle memory and the feel of the relative shifter position in my hand.
