OBD II / ELM327 devices for the car

[Whoey]

Just saw an app that looked neat (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque) and I was thinking about getting one of these bluetooth devices to connect my phone with the car... for curiosity of course...

http://www.plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTBLUETOOTH

any thoughts? They seem to be about $100usd altho there also seem to be cheaper Chinese knockoff versions and of course more expensive higher end ones too... this one seems to be pretty decent looking.

[mvyrmnd]

I use a $7 Bluetooth elm compatible device from eBay, and have Torque installed on my Galaxy Tab, and a suitable windscreen holder. I now have a 7" digital dashboard

Buy the cheap adapter. Don't waste your money.

Torque does all the work translating the info from the ECU. The adapter is just transporting the data. There's no functional difference between a cheap one and an expensive one.

My cheap adapter had been permanently plugged in for over a year now with no issues.

[Whoey]

I was thinking that, but I also like the idea of the 1.8m cable and on/off switch to be able to mount it inside the car and switch it off when I'm not using it without having to unplug the unit, I suppose for the extra $93 I'd save I can allow for an extension...

[mvyrmnd]

Cable? Mine's Bluetooth. Hides up under the dashboard no worries.

[derekmac]

I had looked at getting one of those bluetooth adapters for the OBDII port a while ago, and while I was reading up on them, most recommended getting a cheap ebay one.

Hrm, I think I might have to look at them again   

[Grant Lamontagne]

I feel a sudden rash of eBay sales of Bluetooth OBD II devices coming on! 

I have been thinking of getting one of these on and off over the years.  I think maybe it's time to look into it once again...

Def

[landwomble]

Torque and a cheap ebay bluetooth odbii dongle is awesome. As well as diagnostics it also let's you add oil pressure, boost, MAF gauges etc...

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[Whoey]

I feel a sudden rash of eBay sales of Bluetooth OBD II devices coming on! 

I have been thinking of getting one of these on and off over the years.  I think maybe it's time to look into it once again...

Def

not the first time a thread on this forum has caused a bump in sales of an item...

Probably going to order one later on

[mvyrmnd]

Assuming you already have an android device, then the grand total of $11 (Including the Torque app) is easily the cheapest way to read your ECU

[derekmac]

not the first time a thread on this forum has caused a bump in sales of an item...

Probably going to order one later on

Well I just ordered this one:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140815950583?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_7763wt_897

I ordered one of the mini ones just to make sure it doesn't get in the way of my left leg while shifting.  I imagine it will probably take around two weeks to get here, and I'll report when it arrives.

[Grant Lamontagne]

That one better work Derek as I've just bought the same one!

Def

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[Whoey]

look what I've started... I'm going to look at the socket location before I decide which to get, so not ordering here until tomorrow at earliest.

[derekmac]

That one better work Derek as I've just bought the same one!

Def

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Haha, I did read a couple of reviews that said it works great with Torque on Android, so fingers crossed!!  Now to see who gets theirs first.

look what I've started... I'm going to look at the socket location before I decide which to get, so not ordering here until tomorrow at earliest.

On the Jeep, the normal cheaper one would fit no problem, but I think it would stick out too far on the Jetta.  Might not be an issue for someone under 6'4" that doesn't have children's car seats in the back though. 

[Whoey]

Maybe I should just order one too then...

[jzmtl]

not the first time a thread on this forum has caused a bump in sales of an item...

Probably going to order one later on

Well I just ordered this one:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140815950583?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_7763wt_897

I ordered one of the mini ones just to make sure it doesn't get in the way of my left leg while shifting.  I imagine it will probably take around two weeks to get here, and I'll report when it arrives.

Let us know, I might get one to play with too.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Come on Jie, you don't want to be left out!  Go ahead and get one- be one of the cool kids!

Def

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[jzmtl]

Oh I will, in a week or two after you two posted that it works. 

[mvyrmnd]

My Torque setup:



It's a bit hard to focus at 113.3kph

[Whoey]

I've also ordered the same one...

[Vladimir]

I feel a sudden rash of eBay sales of Bluetooth OBD II devices coming on! 

I have been thinking of getting one of these on and off over the years.  I think maybe it's time to look into it once again...

Def

not the first time a thread on this forum has caused a bump in sales of an item...

Probably going to order one later on

I knew it...I tried resisting, but I failed.
I just ordered similar one from Deal Extreme, now I can't wait to get it.
http://dx.com/p/obdii-bluetooth-car-diagnostic-cable-black-blue-orange-dc-12v-42825

[Grant Lamontagne]

I've also ordered the same one...

I hope it works since we all have the same one!  Of course if it doesn't then we can all blame Derek! 

Def

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[derekmac]

What   Haha, well I'll personally guarantee that there's a chance that they might work :-)

I downloaded Torque, and it looks pretty sweet, well worth $5 I think!

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[Grant Lamontagne]

We are going wheeling tomorrow. Nothing major, just a trip up Pipeline Road in Tantallon if you are interested.

Def

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[derekmac]

What time are you guys thinking?  It's my son's birthday tomorrow, and we're having a party for him in the morning at the Sackville Superstore.  Not sure if I can convince the whole crew to go out not.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

I've actually had to back out tomorrow. They were planning to meet at noon or so at the McDonald's in Tantallon. Jeff isn't going and I'm not going, and James doesn't know where we were going to go so I'm not sure if there's still a plan or not.

Def

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[Whoey]

I feel a sudden rash of eBay sales of Bluetooth OBD II devices coming on! 

I have been thinking of getting one of these on and off over the years.  I think maybe it's time to look into it once again...

Def

not the first time a thread on this forum has caused a bump in sales of an item...

Probably going to order one later on

I knew it...I tried resisting, but I failed.
I just ordered similar one from Deal Extreme, now I can't wait to get it.
http://dx.com/p/obdii-bluetooth-car-diagnostic-cable-black-blue-orange-dc-12v-42825

I was looking at that one on ebay (and it's cheaper on ebay than DX)... before I decided to get the super mini like everyone else. My socket is above my left knee (clutch!) under my dash facing down, so good thing I got a small one as that one would be a bit annoying.

[Vladimir]

My OBD socket is in the glove compartment, so it's out of the way...

[Grant Lamontagne]

To be honest I'm not entirely certain where mine is located, but since there's not much to a Jeep I imagine it'll be easy to find.

Def

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[derekmac]

Most are located near the bottom of the dash under the steering wheel.  Should be pretty easy to spot.

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[Carlos]

I wish this whole OBD business was really more secure. With the after market hw and sw growing we're experiencing each more cases like this http://jalopnik.com/5923802/watch-hackers-steal-a-bmw-in-three-minutes

Also it seems some renaults, namely some megane models, had a rise on thefts via OBD port as well.