Phone app for Bluetooth OBD2 scanner?

[SedonaBound]

Has anyone found a decent iPhone app to use with a Bluetooth OBD reader? Looking for one specific to GM that reads more than generic CEL codes and does resets.

 

[stvnkrchnr]

DashCommand in the AppStore gets pretty good ratings. I did some research on it a few months back and thought it seemed legit. I lost interest after I saw the Bluetooth OBDII readers were $100 bucks tho.

Do you already have a Bluetooth OBDII reader? If so, which one did you go with?

 

[chaos254]

DashCommand in the AppStore gets pretty good ratings. I did some research on it a few months back and thought it seemed legit. I lost interest after I saw the Bluetooth OBDII readers were $100 bucks tho.

Do you already have a Bluetooth OBDII reader? If so, which one did you go with?

I use the bafx, its $24 and works great

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS

 

[SedonaBound]

I don't have the BT OBD reader yet but I saw several for under $40.

 

[cbetts]

I use Torque on Android. It helped me find a bad coil once. I also like the track recorder which can superimpose gauges on a video capture or even a map.

Here is a video made with Torque:
[video=youtube;WDnGe3fYWks]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDnGe3fYWks[/video]

Forgot to set the units from metric.

 

[stvnkrchnr]

Cool! Ordered a OBDII and downloaded DashCommand. Looking forward to giving this a try.

 

[evldave]

Just a note, for iPhone/iOS you generally can't use a generic BT adapter unless your phone is jailbroken. iOS is very closed and many of the generic OBD adapters aren't 'authorized' - that's why you'll spend $100 for an adapter that is compatible for an iPhone. I briefly used Dashcommand on my jailbroken iPod, but found it wasn't as nice as Torque on Android.

Also, a few more comments on the cheap BT adapters (I use 2 different brands on 2 different cars):

• Refresh rate on the cheaper adapters is generally OK, but if you are pulling a lot of data (lots of gauges in your dashboard), it will probably slow things down.
• The chearper BT adapters don't always read 'extended' PIDs. Some may work great, others not so. Of my 2 adapters, one consistently reads H3 transmission temp, the other does not (Torque allows you to pull in GM extended PIDs).
• They won't always read every vehicle. I have a buddy with a 2002 4Runner...neither of my gauges will read his OBD, but they do read my other friend's '99 Chevy pickup.
• They won't always shut off when the vehicle shuts off or when your phone leaves BT area...this can be a serious issue if you don't drive your vehicle every day. If I forget to unplug my adapter and let the truck sit for a week, it will (and has) drained the battery. USUALLY, they will shut down when they aren't connected to BT, but sometimes they just decide to stay on and it can really mess up your day
• Android (and Torque) work great, much more of an open platform for this

I've used my cheapo BT adapters for years. The biggest frustration I have is the occasional 'stay on' issue - so much so I'm soon going to be buying the $100 adapter that has auto-shut off. The extra bandwidth (faster refresh) is nice, but not enough to justify the 4x the cost - but running my battery down is well worth the $$.

This is what I'll be buying when I get around to it:

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html

And if you just want a code reader, this is what I use when my BT adapters don't work. I've had this for almost 10 years and it's never failed to read a check-engine light...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LEG2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[stvnkrchnr]

Just a note, for iPhone/iOS you generally can't use a generic BT adapter unless your phone is jailbroken. iOS is very closed and many of the generic OBD adapters aren't 'authorized' - that's why you'll spend $100 for an adapter that is compatible for an iPhone. I briefly used Dashcommand on my jailbroken iPod, but found it wasn't as nice as Torque on Android.

Also, a few more comments on the cheap BT adapters (I use 2 different brands on 2 different cars):

• Refresh rate on the cheaper adapters is generally OK, but if you are pulling a lot of data (lots of gauges in your dashboard), it will probably slow things down.
• The chearper BT adapters don't always read 'extended' PIDs. Some may work great, others not so. Of my 2 adapters, one consistently reads H3 transmission temp, the other does not (Torque allows you to pull in GM extended PIDs).
• They won't always read every vehicle. I have a buddy with a 2002 4Runner...neither of my gauges will read his OBD, but they do read my other friend's '99 Chevy pickup.
• They won't always shut off when the vehicle shuts off or when your phone leaves BT area...this can be a serious issue if you don't drive your vehicle every day. If I forget to unplug my adapter and let the truck sit for a week, it will (and has) drained the battery. USUALLY, they will shut down when they aren't connected to BT, but sometimes they just decide to stay on and it can really mess up your day
• Android (and Torque) work great, much more of an open platform for this

I've used my cheapo BT adapters for years. The biggest frustration I have is the occasional 'stay on' issue - so much so I'm soon going to be buying the $100 adapter that has auto-shut off. The extra bandwidth (faster refresh) is nice, but not enough to justify the 4x the cost - but running my battery down is well worth the $$.

This is what I'll be buying when I get around to it:

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html

And if you just want a code reader, this is what I use when my BT adapters don't work. I've had this for almost 10 years and it's never failed to read a check-engine light...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LEG2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All very good info. One work around for iOS, is to use a WiFi OBDII reader. I got a cheaper ELF model off amazon. So far it keeps a connection but very slow to connect on start up. Refresh rate seems ok with a small lag but it doesn't bother me.

Issues I am having are,

No fuel readings for amount of gallons and percent until empty. Not sure if this is a Dash Command or Elf ODBII issue.

Another small issue is the O2 sensor reading is all over the place and seems to freeze while another gauges in the same dash board are working.

I feel it's worth the $24 bucks for the Elf ODBII reader and the $10 for Dash Command, just to be able to read fault codes. Knowing exact temps and fuel consumption were just for an added bonus.

 

[Sennin]

Just a note, for iPhone/iOS you generally can't use a generic BT adapter unless your phone is jailbroken. iOS is very closed and many of the generic OBD adapters aren't 'authorized' - that's why you'll spend $100 for an adapter that is compatible for an iPhone. I briefly used Dashcommand on my jailbroken iPod, but found it wasn't as nice as Torque on Android.

Also, a few more comments on the cheap BT adapters (I use 2 different brands on 2 different cars):

• Refresh rate on the cheaper adapters is generally OK, but if you are pulling a lot of data (lots of gauges in your dashboard), it will probably slow things down.
• The chearper BT adapters don't always read 'extended' PIDs. Some may work great, others not so. Of my 2 adapters, one consistently reads H3 transmission temp, the other does not (Torque allows you to pull in GM extended PIDs).
• They won't always read every vehicle. I have a buddy with a 2002 4Runner...neither of my gauges will read his OBD, but they do read my other friend's '99 Chevy pickup.
• They won't always shut off when the vehicle shuts off or when your phone leaves BT area...this can be a serious issue if you don't drive your vehicle every day. If I forget to unplug my adapter and let the truck sit for a week, it will (and has) drained the battery. USUALLY, they will shut down when they aren't connected to BT, but sometimes they just decide to stay on and it can really mess up your day
• Android (and Torque) work great, much more of an open platform for this

I've used my cheapo BT adapters for years. The biggest frustration I have is the occasional 'stay on' issue - so much so I'm soon going to be buying the $100 adapter that has auto-shut off. The extra bandwidth (faster refresh) is nice, but not enough to justify the 4x the cost - but running my battery down is well worth the $$.

This is what I'll be buying when I get around to it:

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html

And if you just want a code reader, this is what I use when my BT adapters don't work. I've had this for almost 10 years and it's never failed to read a check-engine light...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LEG2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hi evldave,

mind telling me which scanner has the transmission temp available? I'm currently running a bullydog and it doesnt have the function, so going to move it over to my pickup but want to purchase the correct thing this time

 

[evldave]

Hi evldave,

mind telling me which scanner has the transmission temp available? I'm currently running a bullydog and it doesnt have the function, so going to move it over to my pickup but want to purchase the correct thing this time

The reader I'm using is no longer on Amazon, but my order history calls it 'Soliport ELM 327' - I think it's a crapshoot - just buy a cheap OBD reader for $15 and see if it works I can almost guarantee it will work if you buy the nicer one, but the other cheap china ones are a shoot-and-hope deal. Good luck

 

[cbetts]

The reader I'm using is no longer on Amazon, but my order history calls it 'Soliport ELM 327' - I think it's a crapshoot - just buy a cheap OBD reader for $15 and see if it works I can almost guarantee it will work if you buy the nicer one, but the other cheap china ones are a shoot-and-hope deal. Good luck

Here is the one I am running: :link:

I read pretty much same thing about my model being a hit-or-miss. It does suffer when I run many gauges on Torque and lags a bit between readings. Still, A good model if you you just want to play a bit. Not exactly a big investment.

 

[Sennin]

The reader I'm using is no longer on Amazon, but my order history calls it 'Soliport ELM 327' - I think it's a crapshoot - just buy a cheap OBD reader for $15 and see if it works I can almost guarantee it will work if you buy the nicer one, but the other cheap china ones are a shoot-and-hope deal. Good luck

Hehe. Thanks for the feedback. Think i would rather buy a decent one from the start then having to wait 4 to 6 weeks for delivery before i can test [emoji78]. Then i start wondering if a scanguage 2 wont be a better bet than the mx scanner. Mmmmmm choices choices [emoji33]

 

[cbetts]

Hehe. Thanks for the feedback. Think i would rather buy a decent one from the start then having to wait 4 to 6 weeks for delivery before i can test [emoji78]. Then i start wondering if a scanguage 2 wont be a better bet than the mx scanner. Mmmmmm choices choices [emoji33]

For the record, I run both! I normally have the ScanGuage plugged in but I like to run Torque and use the Track Recorder so I can see how my truck runs in videos later.

 

[Sennin]

For the record, I run both! I normally have the ScanGuage plugged in but I like to run Torque and use the Track Recorder so I can see how my truck runs in videos later.

Oooh. Now thats something i havent thaught about [emoji48] [emoji48]

 

[High Five H2]

is there much of a difference between using scan guage and a bluetooth phone reader? I got a windows phone app and I ordered a reader. I was going to get a scanguage, but that seems redundant now. I'll post up how it works if anyone is interested.

 

[Sennin]

is there much of a difference between using scan guage and a bluetooth phone reader? I got a windows phone app and I ordered a reader. I was going to get a scanguage, but that seems redundant now. I'll post up how it works if anyone is interested.

Feedback will be nice. I'm saving up for a decent blue tooth scanner, but in the meantime purchased one of these cheapies. now waiting for the 5-6 week international delivery

[h=1]ini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 II Bluetooth Diagnostic Car Auto Interface Scanner DBX[/h]

 

[SedonaBound]

I'm still kicking this around. Since Bluetooth scanners don't work with Apple phone iOS my only option for using Dash Command is a WiFi OBD scanner. I was amazed that they can make and sell a scanner with its own built-in wifi hot spot for under $30. Has anyone tried this? Suggested models?

 

[evldave]

I'm still kicking this around. Since Bluetooth scanners don't work with Apple phone iOS my only option for using Dash Command is a WiFi OBD scanner. I was amazed that they can make and sell a scanner with its own built-in wifi hot spot for under $30. Has anyone tried this? Suggested models?

Not cheap, but about as good as you can get...and it runs wifi, so compatible with iOS

https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxwf.html

 

[cbetts]

Not cheap, but about as good as you can get...and it runs wifi, so compatible with iOS

https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxwf.html

For that price, you can by a cheap Droid tablet and a generic ELM 327 adapter. Hard to believe the Apple tax is that high.

Then again, you can always jailbreak your iOS device . . .

 

[rsc]

I just picked up the UltraGauge. The latest version MX 1.3 version does read transmission temperature and other GM X-codes for about $80-90. It will read up to 8 gauges at once, but I prefer the look of having 2 big displays and then the 4 smaller displayed values (very flexible interface, you could scroll between several screens at a user-determined speed to see all the different gauges or just put anywhere from 2-8 on one page and leave it there. Best part is that I can quickly adjust the speedometer to read true GPS speed and there is instant, trip and down-to-empty fuel readings. So far I'm very pleased with it as opposed to running it to my android phone.

 

[SedonaBound]

I don't want invest very much until I know if I'm going to get an investment return from a scanner. The iPhone DashCommand app is compatible with my AppRadio, and will show full screen on the 7" display.

 

[clickclickboom]

I still haven't found scanner software that actually has enhanced GM PID's. some, like the scantool say they can read them, but if the software doesn't have them it's a moot point. I've been chasing an ABS issue for a while, but can't find any software to read the codes.

 

[cbetts]

I still haven't found scanner software that actually has enhanced GM PID's. some, like the scantool say they can read them, but if the software doesn't have them it's a moot point. I've been chasing an ABS issue for a while, but can't find any software to read the codes.

The ScanGauge II is a good choice since it does have the caapability to be programmed. However, finding the codes that you want can be a task.

 

[evldave]

The ScanGauge II is a good choice since it does have the caapability to be programmed. However, finding the codes that you want can be a task.

Torque also has a set of GM PIDs you can load (it's in the settings somewhere, it also has Ford and a couple others). It also had the ability to manually enter codes as well, if you know them specifically. I haven't tinkered with it much lately, but know that it does read the H3 transmission temp using the extended GM PIDs.