OBD Scanner for Trail Kit
- Thread starter Beowulf
- Start date
teotwaki
Excelsior!
That is what made me want someone here to write it up. In one video it show the guy touching some buttons behind the display and it looked a bit akward. Also it illustrated how small the display may really be.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
How much of a writeup do you want? I've been running an Ultra Gauge since October in 2 different cars (my 99 4runner and my DD 97 Mazda Protege.)
Right now it's back in the 4runner because I'm getting ready to put the Mazda in the shop. Nice thing about the UG is the "DTE" i.e. Distance To Empty which is my de facto gas gauge (3rd gen 4runners are notorious for having inacurrate gas gauges.)
The MPG readings are spot-on once you get calibrated for distance and MPG.
It's also fine for clearing codes. My Mazda throws a P0170 code all the time, I just reset and drive until it goes off again (from what I've seen on Mazda forums, P0170 is a fuel trim malfunction.)
Unfortunately, Ultra-Gauge's business practices are a little shady. They had proxies post a bunch of "reviews" on car-related message boards that were basically Spam.
The other thing is, their "rebate" is kind of a sham, they give you a convoluted process to go through and then they basically tell you that if you didn't get your rebate, it's because you did something wrong in the application process and they will not allow resubmissions nor will they tell you what you did wrong. So when you factor in the price, just understand that your chance of actually getting the rebate is maybe 2 out of 10.
Other than that, it's a great unit. Worked very well all Winter, looking forward to seeing how it does in Summer. Worked fine in Death Valley and MPG display remained very accurate.
EDIT: Here's a picture. The screen is a little smaller than my GPS (Garmin Nuvi 255w.)
The display is easy to see without being so bright it is distracting. Can also be seen in bright daylight even with sunglasses on.
Right now it's back in the 4runner because I'm getting ready to put the Mazda in the shop. Nice thing about the UG is the "DTE" i.e. Distance To Empty which is my de facto gas gauge (3rd gen 4runners are notorious for having inacurrate gas gauges.)
The MPG readings are spot-on once you get calibrated for distance and MPG.
It's also fine for clearing codes. My Mazda throws a P0170 code all the time, I just reset and drive until it goes off again (from what I've seen on Mazda forums, P0170 is a fuel trim malfunction.)
Unfortunately, Ultra-Gauge's business practices are a little shady. They had proxies post a bunch of "reviews" on car-related message boards that were basically Spam.
The other thing is, their "rebate" is kind of a sham, they give you a convoluted process to go through and then they basically tell you that if you didn't get your rebate, it's because you did something wrong in the application process and they will not allow resubmissions nor will they tell you what you did wrong. So when you factor in the price, just understand that your chance of actually getting the rebate is maybe 2 out of 10.
Other than that, it's a great unit. Worked very well all Winter, looking forward to seeing how it does in Summer. Worked fine in Death Valley and MPG display remained very accurate.
EDIT: Here's a picture. The screen is a little smaller than my GPS (Garmin Nuvi 255w.)
The display is easy to see without being so bright it is distracting. Can also be seen in bright daylight even with sunglasses on.
Last edited:
bribassguy
Observer
The rebate is more like a quiz and a liability waiver... you have to read and answer questions correctly about the product to get it then sign a waiver and mail it in.
I didn't bother, the unit it self works great, the buttons aren't hard to reach. There's 3 on the back (basically up down and enter). It's very easy to use.
I can't complain about much and cant see spending 3-4 time extra for the $canGauge. I'm not going to do much more of a write up but if you have questions send me a PM.
I didn't bother, the unit it self works great, the buttons aren't hard to reach. There's 3 on the back (basically up down and enter). It's very easy to use.
I can't complain about much and cant see spending 3-4 time extra for the $canGauge. I'm not going to do much more of a write up but if you have questions send me a PM.
bribassguy
Observer
The rebate is more like a quiz and a liability waiver... you have to read and answer questions correctly about the product to get it then sign a waiver and mail it in.
I didn't bother, the unit it self works great, the buttons aren't hard to reach. There's 3 on the back (basically up down and enter). It's very easy to use.
I can't complain about much and cant see spending 3-4 time extra for the $canGauge. I'm not going to do much more of a write up but if you have questions send me a PM.
I didn't bother, the unit it self works great, the buttons aren't hard to reach. There's 3 on the back (basically up down and enter). It's very easy to use.
I can't complain about much and cant see spending 3-4 time extra for the $canGauge. I'm not going to do much more of a write up but if you have questions send me a PM.
ldivinag
Adventurer
if you have an android phone:
$5 TORQUE app:
http://www.appbrain.com/app/torque/org.prowl.torque
$25-40 fleabay ELM OBD 2 reader:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...l1313&_nkw=elm+odb2&_sacat=See-All-Categories
i bought mine from a vendor in wisconsin. came within a few days and works like a charm in my 04 subaru STi.
i've been reading some people have issues with it. it's like a hit and miss. so that's why i bought it from a US vendor vs an asian one...
only weird thing is that pair code for it 6789. no where on the PDF docs does that mention it. btw it connects via bluetooth.
$5 TORQUE app:
http://www.appbrain.com/app/torque/org.prowl.torque
$25-40 fleabay ELM OBD 2 reader:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...l1313&_nkw=elm+odb2&_sacat=See-All-Categories
i bought mine from a vendor in wisconsin. came within a few days and works like a charm in my 04 subaru STi.
i've been reading some people have issues with it. it's like a hit and miss. so that's why i bought it from a US vendor vs an asian one...
only weird thing is that pair code for it 6789. no where on the PDF docs does that mention it. btw it connects via bluetooth.
teotwaki
Excelsior!
Thanks for that info. I just didn't want to hijack the thread with a bunch of questions or photo requests.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I should probably point out a couple of other things about the UG:
1. The suction cup mount works very well once you get it onto a nice flat surface on your windshield. For some reason I could not stick it to the windshield on my Mazda without it falling off, though.
2. The good news, though, is that it uses an "inverted T" bracket like a satellite radio receiver - which means any Sat Radio receiver bracket should work. In my Mazda I have a stick-on inverted T mount I got from a Satellite radio website and it works great for the UG. I may eventually go to something like that in the 4runner because I'm trying to get away from suction cups on the windshield.
3. I guess the Scangauge has a removable cable so you can route the cable wherever you want to mount the gauge (I've seen photos of people with Scangauges mounted above their rear view mirror, for instance.) Unfortunately, the UG is not like that, the cable is permanently attached to the gauge so your mounting options are a bit more limited. I think there's about 6' of cable on the Ultragauge so it needs to go somewhere on the dash or low on the windshield (depending on where your OBD-II port is.)
4. There are 3 screens on the UG and you can program up to 6 items on each screen, so there are a total of 18 pieces of information that you can display. To switch between screens you just reach behind the unit and push a button. You can also set it so it automatically alternates between screens at a regular interval (which you also set.)
1. The suction cup mount works very well once you get it onto a nice flat surface on your windshield. For some reason I could not stick it to the windshield on my Mazda without it falling off, though.
2. The good news, though, is that it uses an "inverted T" bracket like a satellite radio receiver - which means any Sat Radio receiver bracket should work. In my Mazda I have a stick-on inverted T mount I got from a Satellite radio website and it works great for the UG. I may eventually go to something like that in the 4runner because I'm trying to get away from suction cups on the windshield.
3. I guess the Scangauge has a removable cable so you can route the cable wherever you want to mount the gauge (I've seen photos of people with Scangauges mounted above their rear view mirror, for instance.) Unfortunately, the UG is not like that, the cable is permanently attached to the gauge so your mounting options are a bit more limited. I think there's about 6' of cable on the Ultragauge so it needs to go somewhere on the dash or low on the windshield (depending on where your OBD-II port is.)
4. There are 3 screens on the UG and you can program up to 6 items on each screen, so there are a total of 18 pieces of information that you can display. To switch between screens you just reach behind the unit and push a button. You can also set it so it automatically alternates between screens at a regular interval (which you also set.)
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Nice write-up and sounds like a decent unit...
That's too bad. I absolutely refuse to work a business that isn't honest no matter how good their product is. Otherwise, I'll always be waiting on the other shoe to drop.
http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-wifi.html
Here is one for the iPhone/iPad. I like the idea of having in my iPhone or iPad so that I can review the data later while I eat or in the tent before bed.
Here is one for the iPhone/iPad. I like the idea of having in my iPhone or iPad so that I can review the data later while I eat or in the tent before bed.
And another iPhone OBD:
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/
And another iPhone OBD - DEVTOASTER
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7V-mOTeiM8
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7V-mOTeiM8
charlieaarons
Explorer
Mercedes Star Diagnostic System-with truck plug for Unimog etc.
The IBM T30 doubles as a laptop for satellite internet with my BGAN antenna.
Not the cheapest!
Charlie
The IBM T30 doubles as a laptop for satellite internet with my BGAN antenna.
Not the cheapest!
Charlie
etbadger
Adventurer
Since we always have a laptop with us for GPS navigation, trip-log, work, etc, we went with AutoEnginuity USB with the FORD diagnostic and test extensions. A bit spendy, but has proven very useful when having issues out in the middle of nowhere on a modern computer-laden vehicle of the questionable repute our Ford 6.0L has. http://www.autoenginuity.com/
We are also running an Edge Insight as a set of digital gauges to keep an eye on EGT, Trans temp, etc, and it also reads and clears codes. It has gone nuts on us once and required diagnostics and a re-flash by Edge, otherwise has worked well.
-e
We are also running an Edge Insight as a set of digital gauges to keep an eye on EGT, Trans temp, etc, and it also reads and clears codes. It has gone nuts on us once and required diagnostics and a re-flash by Edge, otherwise has worked well.
-e