OBD2 OBDII Bluetooth devices?

[Kelemvor]

So I'm looking to get one of the OBD2 devices that can talk to my phone via Bluetooth. There's dozens of them out there just on Newegg alone so I'm wondering what makes one better or worse than the other. Or if there are certain ones known to be great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e&Pagesize=100

If anyone has any of these (or one from somewhere else) and would specifically recommend it, let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Vdubchaos]

Seems like its no different than getting one with a wire.

I don't see a point of it being wireless to be honest. When you scan/troubleshoot chances are you will be close to your car anyways.

 

[Kelemvor]

I'll be using it with my phone as I drive so I can see the info. Don't know that it can connect to my phone via a cable... Mainly just looking to know the differences between all the various models.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I'll be using it with my phone as I drive so I can see the info.

Do everyone a favor and don't do that.

 

[phucheneh]

ELM327 is the chip that is interfacing with the car. I don't know its exact origins, but I believe one particular company introduced ELM-based tools, and those that followed are copies of varying quality.

None of them are 'great.' They're plenty useful, and very good for the money. But it is a slow interface, and all the software I've used is a little buggy.

Granted, I've used software direct from carmakers that crashes more frequently. And looks like it was programmed by a six-year-old in VB. *cough* FORD *coughcough*

edit: datalogging FTW. That said, I've driven plenty of cars with a laptop hooked up. Don't be dumb, and ignore the damn thing until you come to a light or a stop sign and can check whatever parameters you're keeping an eye on.

But know that ELM sucks ass for livedata. Updates for many things are too slow to be useful, and I've gotten glitches with many cars that can make it hard to know if you're getting any valid readings. E.g. say you're watching an ECT...you might see something like...100....102.....103....4000...105...110....-100......112...

Ect. Usually the interpretable data is easy to differentiate from the batshit hiccups. But sometimes I have my doubts that what I'm getting is accurate.

 

[Kaido]

If anyone has any of these (or one from somewhere else) and would specifically recommend it, let me know.

I ordered this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/

$23.99, hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth - I use it on Android with Torque Pro ($5). So total investment was about $30. Works great. I'm using a crappy old Vizio Droid tablet I bought off a buddy and it works great! Torque is designed to work with really old versions of Android (version 1.5 & up); I think they're on version 4+ now of Droid, so you should be pretty much good with whatever.

Literally all I use the Droid for is Torque with the Bluetooth OBD-II scanner & it's been working out great so far!

 

[phucheneh]

I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-42300...rds=obd2+cable

I have no idea if it's actually any better than the 'generic' versions. Scantool.net seems to think so, but they could be full of it. I just thought $25 was a reasonable price for knowing it would work right. I will eventually pick up one of the generic bluetooth versions and do a comparison.

 

[snoturtle]

Have the same size one that I use all of the time
Leave my old Galaxy S mounted in the car with this plugged in
Torque works great for showing realtime sensor info while you are driving

Am looking at getting one of the shorter ones as the large one sticks down to far in my subaru

I ordered this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/

$23.99, hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth - I use it on Android with Torque Pro ($5). So total investment was about $30. Works great. I'm using a crappy old Vizio Droid tablet I bought off a buddy and it works great! Torque is designed to work with really old versions of Android (version 1.5 & up); I think they're on version 4+ now of Droid, so you should be pretty much good with whatever.

Literally all I use the Droid for is Torque with the Bluetooth OBD-II scanner & it's been working out great so far!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Seems like its no different than getting one with a wire.

I don't see a point of it being wireless to be honest. When you scan/troubleshoot chances are you will be close to your car anyways.

The value is that for about $30 (~$25 for the wireless ELM327 module plus $5 for Torque Pro) you can get a full-featured scan tool. Compare that to $100+ for a traditional scan tool.

Much cheaper. And you can do basic data logging by plugging the module in and leaving the phone in the glovebox.

I ordered this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/

$23.99, hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth - I use it on Android with Torque Pro ($5). So total investment was about $30. Works great. I'm using a crappy old Vizio Droid tablet I bought off a buddy and it works great! Torque is designed to work with really old versions of Android (version 1.5 & up); I think they're on version 4+ now of Droid, so you should be pretty much good with whatever.

Literally all I use the Droid for is Torque with the Bluetooth OBD-II scanner & it's been working out great so far!

Same one I have. Works great for me too. Torque Pro running on a Droid Bionic.

ZV

 

[franksta]

I ordered this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/

$23.99, hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth - I use it on Android with Torque Pro ($5). So total investment was about $30. Works great. I'm using a crappy old Vizio Droid tablet I bought off a buddy and it works great! Torque is designed to work with really old versions of Android (version 1.5 & up); I think they're on version 4+ now of Droid, so you should be pretty much good with whatever.

Literally all I use the Droid for is Torque with the Bluetooth OBD-II scanner & it's been working out great so far!

I have the same adapter and software. I'm pretty sure I read about them here in the garage. I like being able to upload the data to the website, it will plot all kinds of vehicle data vs. gps location. I haven't had any check engine lights to check using it but supposedly it does that too. It's tough to beat for the price if you have a phone to use it on.

 

[Vdubchaos]

The value is that for about $30 (~$25 for the wireless ELM327 module plus $5 for Torque Pro) you can get a full-featured scan tool. Compare that to $100+ for a traditional scan tool.

I've seen scan tools go for $20 bucks lately. They are dirt cheap!

 

[Kaido]

Have the same size one that I use all of the time
Leave my old Galaxy S mounted in the car with this plugged in
Torque works great for showing realtime sensor info while you are driving

Am looking at getting one of the shorter ones as the large one sticks down to far in my subaru

Do you have a link to the slim one? I'd like to leave mine plugged in all the time, but it sticks out too far by my left leg and is in the way when I get out. I actually bumped it out when I was filling up with gas the other day, drove home, and realized it wasn't there - had to drive back a couple miles to find it sitting on the concrete next to the gas pump - fortunately it wasn't run over :biggrin:

 

[Zenmervolt]

I've seen scan tools go for $20 bucks lately. They are dirt cheap!

Those don't have any data-logging functions, they usually don't even give you a text readout of what the code means, and they generally don't include any manufacturer-specific codes. In short, they offer VASTLY less functionality than a program like Torque Pro.

To get the sort of functionality offered in Torque Pro you're looking at a $100+ scanner and for data logging you're looking at $175+.

ZV

 

[Kelemvor]

This one got good reviews on Amazon and it's tiny:
http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek%C2%AE-B...&keywords=obd2

Seems they are picky about certain cars though so just have to hope for the best...

 

[Zap]

I have this one (purchased from that exact same seller) and it works with my Android phone using Torque.

This one is cheaper but is slightly different. Notice how there is a little clip while on the other one there isn't? When I shopped for mine I read all kinds of reviews and I also saw this video review which influenced my purchasing decision. Maybe the guy got a bad batch? IDK, but mine (from Rakuten link) worked fine.

 

[Kelemvor]

I have this one (purchased from that exact same seller) and it works with my Android phone using Torque.

This one is cheaper but is slightly different. Notice how there is a little clip while on the other one there isn't? When I shopped for mine I read all kinds of reviews and I also saw this video review which influenced my purchasing decision. Maybe the guy got a bad batch? IDK, but mine (from Rakuten link) worked fine.

I watched that same review but his title seems flawed. It states that the adapter doesn't work with Torque which is incorrect. Torque connected to the adapter via BT just fine. The problem is the adapter wasn't able to negotiate and talk to the car. It was a '97 so it might have just had a minor difference that made it not work for whatever reason.

 

[vshah]

i had a generic $25 one, but that didn't work with the phone i was using at the time (galaxy nexus) and my car. I then switched to a plx kiwi bluetooth and it worked perfectly.

just beware, some of the cheap ones have older elm-327 firmware and might have some compatibility issues.

 

[OS]

I have bought two of the mini/half size ones, one as a gift, both work fine on both 2010 I4 accord and 2003 G35. Paired it with gnex, nexus 4 and droid razr. Another friend who bought one uses it on a 2010 mazdaspeed 3 and it also works well for him, paired with a SG2.

As mentioned using Torque Pro, the app reads and updates all kinds of data, however I have not evaluated for realtime, as I do not drive and use my phone. I improperly installed an intake manifold and got a CEL, the app quickly gave details for the code which made troubleshooting really direct and pain free, and even reset the CEL.

This thing is stupid useful for the cost if you are a gearhead. $15 part + $5 software when most people have spent $100+ on tools easy, let alone parts/consumables. Yeah ok, disregarding the higher cost, a separate scanner might do the job also, but it's another loose tool to fumble around for. I just leave the bluetooth adapter plugged in and pull out my phone if i want data.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Do everyone a favor and don't do that.

Make sure you don't check your speedometer, fuel gauge, or any of your dash lights either. Because clearly its dangerous to look down and check any sort of a gauge.. Even if you've set it up prior to putting your vehicle into gear and have your cellphone mounted in a clearly visible place.

 

[phucheneh]

If knowing your speed is the same as trying to read/monitor text off of a phone or laptop for you, stop driving.

 

[vshah]

If knowing your speed is the same as trying to read/monitor text off of a phone or laptop for you, stop driving.

you can set up torque so the gauges are just as big or bigger than your car's dash numbers/temp gauge/boost gauge/whatever. if the phone is mounted high up in the driver's view I don't see a problem.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Picture from an OBD-II app for android. Pretty easy to read IMO.

 

[Palvaran]

I use PLX Devices Kiwi Bluetooth Wireless Trip Computer and OBDII Scanner and it works fairly well. I have not noticed any errors or bugs yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Aikouka]

I ordered this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/

$23.99, hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth - I use it on Android with Torque Pro ($5). So total investment was about $30. Works great. I'm using a crappy old Vizio Droid tablet I bought off a buddy and it works great! Torque is designed to work with really old versions of Android (version 1.5 & up); I think they're on version 4+ now of Droid, so you should be pretty much good with whatever.

Literally all I use the Droid for is Torque with the Bluetooth OBD-II scanner & it's been working out great so far!

That's the one that I use as well. Although, the only problem is that I don't have an Android device anymore. I've contemplated just buying an older Android smartphone to do it as I would want something more portable/stowable than a tablet. Any idea on what would be a good device to use? I'm essentially looking for the holy grail: cheap yet fast enough to be responsive. Obviously, used is fine!

EDIT:

Do everyone a favor and don't do that.

You ever consider that he's talking about LOGGING the data? :\

 

[TheStu]

That's the one that I use as well. Although, the only problem is that I don't have an Android device anymore. I've contemplated just buying an older Android smartphone to do it as I would want something more portable/stowable than a tablet. Any idea on what would be a good device to use? I'm essentially looking for the holy grail: cheap yet fast enough to be responsive. Obviously, used is fine!

EDIT:



You ever consider that he's talking about LOGGING the data? :\

I've thought about this as well, I have an old HTC Incredible floating around somewhere that I could rig up to just give me basic information. Or if Automatic turns out to be a real thing then maybe I'll just go that route. It's more expensive, but looks to be a lot cleaner and gives me more of what I'm actually interested in.