OBD-II tools scanners, USB Bluetooth

Ecomike

NAXJA# 2091
NAXJA Member
Location
MilkyWay Galaxy
I'll let you know - I just dropped a Jackson on an OBD-II BT and I'll be trying it with my tablet in my wife's car (2005 Suzuki Verona.)

I had to find a small one, I plan to leave it plugged in (so I don't have to go looking for my reader when something happens.)

If I like it, I'll put Torque on her tablet as well, and I may upgrade my version (I'm using the freeware version right now, the dongle should be here in a couple of days.)
 
The little experience I had with torque kinda sucked...

do tell.

Paid or free?
What hardware?

I've read that the more graphical stuff you have the need arises to have a pretty powerful android device.
I don't plan on using it for digital dash or anything like that, just codes and data logging for review. I'd like to start keeping logs for all of the cars so I can compare long term fuel trims and performance to keep tabs on 02 sensors and the like.
 
The Torque PRO app is well worth the $5 vs the free app.
 
They're even cheaper than when I bought mine (this is the seller I got mine from), but I still have zero complaints about that combo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-v1-5..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a7644bf09

edit: I see a few of the same model for about $12. Wow.

Once we got passed the minor typical communication issues, comm port # selection, loaded the right driver, I have had no complaints, used it on a 2001 Saturn SL1 and 1996 Ford Taurus. Sooner or later I will buy the $100 wiz bang software, but I really have not needed it yet. Windows XP was harder to install it on, and Vista was an easy install.
 
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Ah, I've only used the paid version of Torque on an Android phone with the BT dongle. I haven't fooled around with the adapter and a PC yet. For $26, I can't fault it, at all.
 
Amazon has the elm237 for 15$shipped. Just picked up a second one. Works great.
Torque Pro is WELL worth the money as well. Even checks the monitors that are required by law meow, for emissions.
 
Decided to give this a try. Picked up all the parts on Amazon for about $20 shipped.

Got the elm327 today in the mail and gave it a shot. Having read a few reviews of people online who couldn't get it to work at all on any vehicle, I made sure that I got some readings on the free version of the program before purchasing the pro version.

Let me just say, the pro version is completely worth it. It's literally plug and play. Plug the elm327 into your obd port, enable bluetooth on your phone and in a matter of seconds they're synced up.

Others mentioned that they've had performance issues on their phone. I'm using a Galaxy S3 and have no issues with it.

One thing I did notice was a performance difference between my vehicles. Hooked it up on the XJ and it was somewhat jumpy and sluggish to respond, but i've noticed my XJ (and older OBD2 Jeeps in general) have always been slow to talk to even the basic scanner. When I hooked it up to my 06 Acrua, I noticed a much smoother and faster response on the program.

Now....to get familiar with all the features of this program. For approx. $25 including the $4.99 cost of the app, you really can't beat this. Plus, my buddy who's had this for a while didn't have to buy it again when he switched phones last month, so no need to buy the program again when you upgrade your phone in the future.

The only problem i've had....getting the software to install on my computer with Windows 7. Not long after it gets started, it throws an error and aborts the install. I'm going to mess with it some more and see if I can't figure out why it's doing that. It'd be great to log some of this to my computer when i'm working in the garage, but if not...at least it works on the phone. Logs can be saved on the phone and e-mailed.
 
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