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Engine Monitoring using Bluetooth OBDII Port Scanner - Not Scangauge or Ultragauge

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Old 03-24-2012, 08:56 AM
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Engine Monitoring using Bluetooth OBDII Port Scanner - Not Scangauge or Ultragauge

As the title states, this is for the bluetooth scanner and not for the Scangauge or Ultragauge (There are plenty of threads on those devices already). Keep in mind that while this thread is aimed specifically at the Excursion (gas and diesel), it will work on most 1996 and newer vehicles. I have been doing a little digging into how it works and what it is capable of and am leaning toward getting one soon. Wondering if anyone else has experience with these.

Bluetooth devices:
Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Only $16.75 with FS on Amazon.
For those of you who have deeper pockets here is one from Scantool.net They do offer software called ScanXL that offers Ford Enhanced options, but appears to be all PC based.

Software for:
Android Devices:
Torque Lite - free
Torque Pro - $5

Here is a link to the Android Play (market) with a search of OBDII.

iPhone's (I am not a fan of proprietary software/devices, so someone else will have to post iPhone stuff, but I will be nice and post this one for example):
DashCommand™ for iPhone
Edit: I removed the video as it had died.
 
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Old 03-24-2012, 08:44 PM
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The 1 star reviews complained of the dropped connection with 3 of them, that i looked at, so i wouldn't buy one., I do like the concept...
 
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Old 03-24-2012, 08:51 PM
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Looks like the video has been pulled as well...
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 06:38 AM
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I found where the Torque app was talked about before: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...orque-app.html

So as Curt stated the weakness appears to be the Bluetooth (BT) adapter. In the above thread they talk about the Torque forums. Those forums may be able to recommend a BT adapter that works or that others have had success with. Have to go check those out later. If anyone finds some good input make sure you share it.
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 12:59 PM
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I'm going to order this adapter tonight. I'll let you know how it works with Razr Maxx and Moto Xoom.

Amazon.com: Bluetooth Car Code Reader Compatible with Android / Droid / Torque: Car Electronics
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 08:41 PM
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I have one and I use it on all my vehicles, including my Diesel Ex. Never had a problem with it and it gave me all the info I needed, I have since bought an EDGE insight. However, prior I never had a problem with my ELM327 Adapter. It took some time to connect, but once I got it, it worked like a champ. I used the Android Torque app also.
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BigRy
I have one and I use it on all my vehicles, including my Diesel Ex. Never had a problem with it and it gave me all the info I needed, I have since bought an EDGE insight. However, prior I never had a problem with my ELM327 Adapter. It took some time to connect, but once I got it, it worked like a champ. I used the Android Torque app also.
Hey BigRy, Thanks for the input.

Did you use the one in the first post? Do you have the Torque Pro? Any suggestions?
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 10:25 PM
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Yep, thats the one I have. And yes as well on using Torque Pro. It was only 5 bucks, so I could live with it. There really isnt any suggestions I could offer, its pretty simple. When you plug it in, you have to enter the code which I think is either 1-2-3-4 or 0-0-0-0. Let it sync and you will see the lights start going all crazy and thats pretty much it. You can use it to data log, check gauges and such, I only used it for diagnostic purposes. Hope this helps....
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 10:39 PM
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Thanks Ryan. That does help. I am hoping to either set it up on a tablet or an old Android cell phone. I currently have 2 Android cell phones that I use for MP3 players around the house running off my wifi. I just put the phones in Airplane mode and then turn on the wifi. They work great for that and am sure that they would work great with Torque Pro.

Hoping to do a little more research on the Torque app and what can be programmed in for monitoring purposes. I did read on one forum that you can run up to 12 different monitor points at a time, but it is really slow at that point. I don't think that I would want that many, but the limitation is good to know.
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 10:46 PM
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I put together some gauges on my tablet tonight. I wouldn't want to cram this much on a phone display. I'm curious to see how many pop up and display accurate info.



There are some other really cool features in the paid version. One is the map view. It shows selected gauges over real time Google maps. Another is track recorder which shows selected gauges over images from your devices video camera and Google maps. Both have record features. Looks like fun.
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by william_04_x
I put together some gauges on my tablet tonight. I wouldn't want to cram this much on a phone display. I'm curious to see how many pop up and display accurate info.



There are some other really cool features in the paid version. One is the map view. It shows selected gauges over real time Google maps. Another is track recorder which shows selected gauges over images from your devices video camera and Google maps. Both have record features. Looks like fun.
Looks like a instrument cluster in a plane. Ready for takeoff. That is awesome. I may have to set up the tablet instead of the cell phone. LOL. Thanks
 
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:27 PM
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Wow... I just had mine on my Evo. If you have any hiccups, there is a wikipedia page that offers troubleshooting tips. Good Luck.
 
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Old 03-26-2012, 06:41 AM
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I've been thinking about doing something similar. I've got a code reader and a Snap On Solus Ultra at the shop but wanted something I could leave in the truck. Be a cheap way to monitor things on the tablet or the phone. Got mine on order - now to find a decent way to mount the tablet in the truck!
 
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Old 03-26-2012, 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by tdappleman
I've been thinking about doing something similar. I've got a code reader and a Snap On Solus Ultra at the shop but wanted something I could leave in the truck. Be a cheap way to monitor things on the tablet or the phone. Got mine on order - now to find a decent way to mount the tablet in the truck!
I love this idea, but a little narrower.



 
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Old 03-26-2012, 04:06 PM
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William - Which app did you use with the Xoom?
Torque?
 


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