~$30 MPG gauge/OBDII Diagnostics

[andru47]

So I was looking around for a cheap way to know my instantaneous MPG without buying an expensive scangauge. I ran into an app for Android phones called Torque which lead me to OBDII bluetooth dongles. You can get cheap ones from hong kong for ~$30 or go all out and get OBDKEY from UK for $150. Either way the app takes the data from the dongle and shows it to you on screen. MPG, Tach, G-forces, boost, error codes etc... I'm gonna get one it will take like 2 weeks to arrive but, I'll let everyone know how it goes! The Dongles come with software for PCs but I doubt you'd want a computer in the car with you. A phone sounds more reasonable. As for iPhone users, Android is better but, I'm sure there is an app similar to Torque on the appstore which can do the same. WinMo phones the same all others, SOL. Enjoy!

Ebay Find (Dongles)

Android software developer's website (Torque)

[Mad Goon]

Nice find! I will be watching this as it would be great to whip out my phone and see whats going on with the car

[Yaris Hilton]

I'm thinking that holding the phone and reading OBDII data would be as distracting as texting. At least mount it up on the dash.

[Revsson]

I think I have read about some GPS units that would take the bluetooth signal from those dongles, but don't have a link just now. That would be safer than holding the
phone, but I do see the "neat" factor in apps these days.

[toy_toronto]

Originally Posted by andru47

So I was looking around for a cheap way to know my instantaneous MPG without buying an expensive scangauge. I ran into an app for Android phones called Torque which lead me to OBDII bluetooth dongles. You can get cheap ones from hong kong for ~$30 or go all out and get OBDKEY from UK for $150. Either way the app takes the data from the dongle and shows it to you on screen. MPG, Tach, G-forces, boost, error codes etc... I'm gonna get one it will take like 2 weeks to arrive but, I'll let everyone know how it goes! The Dongles come with software for PCs but I doubt you'd want a computer in the car with you. A phone sounds more reasonable. As for iPhone users, Android is better but, I'm sure there is an app similar to Torque on the appstore which can do the same. WinMo phones the same all others, SOL. Enjoy!

Ebay Find (Dongles)

Android software developer's website (Torque)

There is one for the iPhone in fact, it's called Rev by DevToaster. However I believe those BT wireless device aren't yet supported by the iPhone except for the Kiwi WiFi wireless OBDII's which are the ones in the $150+ range

I do have a Magellan cradle where I dock my iPhone when I drive.



Getting one of these wireless (wifi)/BT dongles might be a good alternative to the Scangauge as they seem to have more to offer in terms of features -- please do keep us posted!


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[Revsson]

Originally Posted by toy_toronto

.

Not to get too off-topic, but just wondering what you mounted that cradle
to, that you put in the cupholder? Would the airbags in the front pillar
cause that to come flying toward you? I thought I saw it somewhere on
here, but does anyone have a pic of the side impact airbags deployed?

[toy_toronto]

That cradle mount inside the cupholder is actually a solid piece of rubber (used to be three hockey pucks, but were glued together :)) I got the idea from one of the threads here... us crazy canucks.

I doubt my Yaris comes equipped with front pillar airbags though.

.

[KrazyDawg]

Any updates?

[The Architect]

What kind of dongle did you order, ebay or a nicer one? Im interested to to see how quickly it updates in real time and if it will show the cars voltage.

I wont buy one from hong kong etc which is where all the $30 are from so if Im spending 50 bucks I need to know its up to par.

EDIT* It seems voltage is not something commonly supported through OBD2, what a shame. that kills it for me.

[frog13]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

I'm thinking that holding the phone and reading OBDII data would be as distracting as texting. At least mount it up on the dash.

No doubt....just get the scangaugeII...be patient and save your $$$$...will more than likely be more safe!!!.

[MPC Motorsports]

Originally Posted by The Architect

It seems voltage is not something commonly supported through OBD2, what a shame. that kills it for me.

My Scangauge II shows voltage. It is one of the settings I monitor.

[jambo101]

Nice thing about Scan Gauge is it shows average MPG as well as real time MPG..Trying to read Real time MPG gets old fast as the readings are all over the place and really doesnt give you much in the way of worthwhile information.

[The Architect]

Id like to know how and where the scangauge gets its accurate electrical system voltage readings from.

Does any have a subwoofer system and a scangauge that can tell me how quickly the scangaguge reacts to voltage changes?

[andru47]

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been busy with school. I got the dongle in the mail a while back and I played with it a lot today.

The software has updated a lot since I opened this Thread. As for all the talk about the scanguage. This app shows all that and more. Currently I have shown on my screen AVG MPG, Real time MPG, Intake Temp, Voltage, and a Tach! It's really aesthetically pleasing too!

Pictures to come soon. I bought the ebay dongle for someone who asked in an earlier post.

Cheers!