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1.) DParker - 07/23/2014
Or, "C'mon Swampy...it's 2014!" :grin:
I decided to abuse my Amazon Prime account once again and picked this little gizmo up the other day ([URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]BAFX Products - Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool[/URL]):
A compact OBD2 scanner with Bluetooth interface for $23.99 that works in conjunction with compatible Android device apps (there are quite a few, and many are free) to produce a robust OBD2 scanning, reporting and fault code-resetting solution. I opted for the Torque Pro app ([URL="http://torque-bhp.com/"]http://torque-bhp.com/[/URL]), which offers so much functionality that I'm still going through it figuring out what all it can do. What makes this so much more useful than the cheap hand-held plug-in scanners is that it works with an app to leverage the computing power of your existing smart phone in order to deliver orders of magnitude more useful and user-friendly functionality than a simple LCD display scanner ever could, without having to pay for all of the dedicated hardware of the more industrial strength OBD2 units. And it does things that even those expensive dedicated units can't do, like incorporate GPS and map data for full-blown trip computer functionality (real-time display of your trip route, miles driven, fuel consumed/remaining, MPG data, etc). And the the pure OBD2 data displays are fully customizable with your choice of what to display and how to display it (graphs, dials, different instrumentation "themes", etc.) Here's just one sample display customized by a Torque app user:
You can create up to 7 different customized instrumentation screens - as busy or as lean as you like - that you can scroll between. Oh, and you can do the usual stuff like scanning for fault codes and resetting them as you see fit (it will give descriptions of the code(s) found too). Also, a number of app plug-ins are available for Torque to extend its functionality for things like vehicle manufacturer-specific fault codes (over and above the generic set), instrument widgets for your homescreen, etc. The Pro version of Torque is $4.99, but there's a free ad-supported version that includes must of the essential functionality...though the Pro version includes enough extras to make it well worth the upgrade. All-in-all a pretty damned powerful tool for a total of $28.98.
There are quite a few less expensive bluetooth-based OBD2 scanners available, but most that I found were Chinese imports/knock-offs that were, according to the product reviews available, quite hit-or-miss when it came to reliably functioning....while the BAFX had pretty solid positive feedback. So far, so good.
I decided to abuse my Amazon Prime account once again and picked this little gizmo up the other day ([URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]BAFX Products - Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool[/URL]):
A compact OBD2 scanner with Bluetooth interface for $23.99 that works in conjunction with compatible Android device apps (there are quite a few, and many are free) to produce a robust OBD2 scanning, reporting and fault code-resetting solution. I opted for the Torque Pro app ([URL="http://torque-bhp.com/"]http://torque-bhp.com/[/URL]), which offers so much functionality that I'm still going through it figuring out what all it can do. What makes this so much more useful than the cheap hand-held plug-in scanners is that it works with an app to leverage the computing power of your existing smart phone in order to deliver orders of magnitude more useful and user-friendly functionality than a simple LCD display scanner ever could, without having to pay for all of the dedicated hardware of the more industrial strength OBD2 units. And it does things that even those expensive dedicated units can't do, like incorporate GPS and map data for full-blown trip computer functionality (real-time display of your trip route, miles driven, fuel consumed/remaining, MPG data, etc). And the the pure OBD2 data displays are fully customizable with your choice of what to display and how to display it (graphs, dials, different instrumentation "themes", etc.) Here's just one sample display customized by a Torque app user:
You can create up to 7 different customized instrumentation screens - as busy or as lean as you like - that you can scroll between. Oh, and you can do the usual stuff like scanning for fault codes and resetting them as you see fit (it will give descriptions of the code(s) found too). Also, a number of app plug-ins are available for Torque to extend its functionality for things like vehicle manufacturer-specific fault codes (over and above the generic set), instrument widgets for your homescreen, etc. The Pro version of Torque is $4.99, but there's a free ad-supported version that includes must of the essential functionality...though the Pro version includes enough extras to make it well worth the upgrade. All-in-all a pretty damned powerful tool for a total of $28.98.
There are quite a few less expensive bluetooth-based OBD2 scanners available, but most that I found were Chinese imports/knock-offs that were, according to the product reviews available, quite hit-or-miss when it came to reliably functioning....while the BAFX had pretty solid positive feedback. So far, so good.
2.) Swamp Fox - 07/23/2014
[QUOTE=DParker;22323]Or, "C'mon Swampy...it's 2014!" :grin:
I decided to abuse my Amazon Prime account once again and picked this little gizmo up the other day:
A compact OBD2 scanner with Bluetooth interface for $23.99 that works in conjunction with compatible Android device apps (there are quite a few, and many are free) to produce a robust OBD2 scanning, reporting and fault code-resetting solution... [/QUOTE]
You lost me at OBD2...
LOL
I decided to abuse my Amazon Prime account once again and picked this little gizmo up the other day:
A compact OBD2 scanner with Bluetooth interface for $23.99 that works in conjunction with compatible Android device apps (there are quite a few, and many are free) to produce a robust OBD2 scanning, reporting and fault code-resetting solution... [/QUOTE]
You lost me at OBD2...
LOL
3.) Floyd - 07/23/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22327]You lost me at OBD2...
LOL[/QUOTE]
Like an R2D2, but smaller.
...much smaller and no lipping off either.
LOL[/QUOTE]
Like an R2D2, but smaller.
...much smaller and no lipping off either.
4.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22327]You lost me at OBD2...
LOL[/QUOTE]
Just look at all the pretty dials and graphs.
LOL[/QUOTE]
Just look at all the pretty dials and graphs.
5.) Triton Rich - 07/24/2014
[B]That's just great. You just rendered my $100 OBDII CAN scan tool obsolete! That is realy kinda cool, I'm picturing having my tablet mounted in the car with a bunch of those guages displayed. Hmmm...........[/B]
6.) bluecat - 07/24/2014
Good luck, whatever it does.
7.) Deerminator - 07/24/2014
NERD:nk:
8.) Triton Rich - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Deerminator;22341]NERD:nk:[/QUOTE]
[B] Me or DP? I'm trying to work out whether I'm offended or not :tap:[/B]
[B] Me or DP? I'm trying to work out whether I'm offended or not :tap:[/B]
9.) Wild Bob - 07/24/2014
Anyone seen my Rand McNally book...? I think I left in on the bumper a while back when I stopped to get Aunt Edna an WTFOB2 at Radio Shack and a latte? :wink
10.) Wild Bob - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Triton Rich;22353][B] Me or DP? I'm trying to work out whether I'm offended or not :tap:[/B][/QUOTE]
Don't be offended; if we give into that, there will be like all of two people on here. :wave:
Don't be offended; if we give into that, there will be like all of two people on here. :wave:
11.) Deerminator - 07/24/2014
DP of course:-)
12.) Wild Bob - 07/24/2014
So where does this thing plug into? The CAN or ECM? And then it interfaces wirelessly with your Smart phone?
This could be really handy in a Rock Crawler or Baja rig...but then you'd need to build a bullet proof holder/display for your phone. I guess based on that it may be better to use it in a less punishing environment...unless I'm misunderstanding how it works...?
This could be really handy in a Rock Crawler or Baja rig...but then you'd need to build a bullet proof holder/display for your phone. I guess based on that it may be better to use it in a less punishing environment...unless I'm misunderstanding how it works...?
13.) Triton Rich - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Deerminator;22356]DP of course:-)[/QUOTE]
[B] Well if we're picking on DP then by all means :co:[/B]
[B] Well if we're picking on DP then by all means :co:[/B]
14.) bluecat - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Triton Rich;22358][B] Well if we're picking on DP then by all means :co:[/B][/QUOTE]
Well duh!
Well duh!
15.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
Technology: It's annoying.
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video]
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video]
16.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
Technology: It's annoying.
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video]
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video]
17.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Floyd;22330]Like an R2D2, but smaller.
...much smaller and no lipping off either.[/QUOTE]
That's a pretty good description...though R2 could actually fix stuff. This thing just tells you what's wrong.
[QUOTE=bluecat;22337]Good luck, whatever it does.[/QUOTE]
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you, and allow you to reset the fault and turn the dash light off. But the software app also uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink
...much smaller and no lipping off either.[/QUOTE]
That's a pretty good description...though R2 could actually fix stuff. This thing just tells you what's wrong.
[QUOTE=bluecat;22337]Good luck, whatever it does.[/QUOTE]
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you, and allow you to reset the fault and turn the dash light off. But the software app also uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink
18.) bluecat - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22361]Technology: It's annoying.
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video][/QUOTE]
:hb:
[video]https://www.facebook.com/melissa.dawdy.7/posts/10152543797884210[/video][/QUOTE]
:hb:
19.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
P.S.
Someone can clue me in on why that didn't post as a video instead of merely as a link, and I will be that much more technologically savvy for your charity.
LOL
Someone can clue me in on why that didn't post as a video instead of merely as a link, and I will be that much more technologically savvy for your charity.
LOL
20.) bluecat - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=DParker;22362]That's a pretty good description...though R2 could actually fix stuff. This thing just tells you what's wrong.
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you. But the software app uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink[/QUOTE]
That helps a lot. Thank you. Too bad it doesn't emulate a gas gauge. My wife's car's gas gauge went out and it's going to involve removing the entire dashboard to replace the sensor. Will be very expensive. We just look at the odometer for now...
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you. But the software app uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink[/QUOTE]
That helps a lot. Thank you. Too bad it doesn't emulate a gas gauge. My wife's car's gas gauge went out and it's going to involve removing the entire dashboard to replace the sensor. Will be very expensive. We just look at the odometer for now...
21.) bluecat - 07/24/2014
Actually, on second look I think it does!
22.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=bluecat;22366]Actually, on second look I think it does![/QUOTE]
Yep...though I haven't yet tested that feature to see how accurate it is.
Yep...though I haven't yet tested that feature to see how accurate it is.
23.) Wild Bob - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=DParker;22362]That's a pretty good description...though R2 could actually fix stuff. This thing just tells you what's wrong.
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you, and allow you to reset the fault and turn the dash light off. But the software app uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink[/QUOTE]
OK, thanks for the more detailed description...that is what I was wanting to know. If you had to loacte the ECM or not...I didn't realize that there is a port located by the fuse block. But, now that you say that, it makes sense because that is where the mechanic usually hooks up a diagnostic scanner. :tu:
Several things. Have you ever had your "Check Engine" light come on, making you think, "I wonder what that means?" This will tell you, and allow you to reset the fault and turn the dash light off. But the software app uses other data from your vehicle's on-board computer, communicated via the standard OBD2 (or more officially, OBD-II) signaling protocols, to display all sorts of real-time information about the subsystems that it monitors (O2 sensors, engine speed, ignition timing, etc). This one also uses other data that your Android device supplies, like GPS coordinates, to give additional functionality like the trip computer stuff I described.
"OBD" is an acronym for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics"][B]O[/B]n-[B]B[/B]oard [B]D[/B]iagnostics[/URL], with OBD-II being the 3rd incarnation of the standard (being preceded by OBD-I and OBD-1.5...stupid Romans never got around to inventing the decimal point). What the little plastic thingy from BAFX Products does is plug into the OBD-II port that's usually located under your dash with the fuse block and communicates with the on-board computer. It then converts that communication to/from a bluetooth signal that allows the Android app running on your bluetooth-capable device (phone, tablet...whatever) to wirelessly communicate with the computer through the scanner thingy, turning your phone/tablet into an automotive diagnostic tool.
Or...when that light comes on or other things go wrong you can just clutch the pearls and take it to a mechanic. :wink[/QUOTE]
OK, thanks for the more detailed description...that is what I was wanting to know. If you had to loacte the ECM or not...I didn't realize that there is a port located by the fuse block. But, now that you say that, it makes sense because that is where the mechanic usually hooks up a diagnostic scanner. :tu:
24.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22364]P.S.
Someone can clue me in on why that didn't post as a video instead of merely as a link, and I will be that much more technologically savvy for your charity.
LOL[/QUOTE]
Because the link isn't to a video resource. It's to a Facebook page that just happens to have a video resource referenced by it.
Or, if you prefer, technology just hates you.
Someone can clue me in on why that didn't post as a video instead of merely as a link, and I will be that much more technologically savvy for your charity.
LOL[/QUOTE]
Because the link isn't to a video resource. It's to a Facebook page that just happens to have a video resource referenced by it.
Or, if you prefer, technology just hates you.
25.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
LOL...
I did the whole "properties" thing and also "embed code" ...blah blah blah...Is there not a way to convert a video on FB to an embeddable video?
I did the whole "properties" thing and also "embed code" ...blah blah blah...Is there not a way to convert a video on FB to an embeddable video?
26.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22370]LOL...
I did the whole "properties" thing and also "embed code" ...blah blah blah...Is there not a way to convert a video on FB to an embeddable video?[/QUOTE]
In this case, probably not. That's because the video is already embedded in the Facebook page via the Adobe Flash player. Someone [I]might[/I] make a tool of some sort to extract the video source info from the player control and allow you to directly reference it, but I don't know of any.
I did the whole "properties" thing and also "embed code" ...blah blah blah...Is there not a way to convert a video on FB to an embeddable video?[/QUOTE]
In this case, probably not. That's because the video is already embedded in the Facebook page via the Adobe Flash player. Someone [I]might[/I] make a tool of some sort to extract the video source info from the player control and allow you to directly reference it, but I don't know of any.
27.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
Well, if such a technological advance occurs, I am counting on you to let me know, so I can run right out and try it...
:wink
:wink
28.) DParker - 07/24/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;22374]I am counting on you...[/QUOTE]
And here I thought you were smarter than that.
And here I thought you were smarter than that.
29.) Swamp Fox - 07/24/2014
LOL...
Delegation is sometimes over-rated, it's true. But look at it this way: I could be getting all my information from the media and news reports...
Even though I don't watch that stuff.
:re::bang:
Delegation is sometimes over-rated, it's true. But look at it this way: I could be getting all my information from the media and news reports...
Even though I don't watch that stuff.
:re::bang: