OBD II Bluetooth Reader Discussion Thread

Old Jul 27, 2012 | 01:49 PM
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OBD II Bluetooth Reader Discussion Thread

With more of these popping up on the market now I thought I would start a thread to discuss which ones you guys are using or interested in purchasing, which ones you like or have issues with, etc.

I've been considering purchasing the GoPoint BT1 (Bluetooth OBDII adapter) which connects to an app on your iOS device to log OBD II dat. Have any of you used this one, or can recommend something that does something similar if not better than it does? I'm thinking about biting the bullet and just buying it because I'm going on a long road trip next Friday and I'd love to put this through a long test to see how it and my car does during the road trip.

http://gopointtech.com/products/

There's also the following products as well that I just wanted to mention to get the discussion going...

iOS:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rev/id302420711?mt=8
http://gopointtech.com/products/

Android:
Amazon Amazon
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 01:57 PM
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Just wanted to correct something. GoPoint offers a BT adapter that works with Android as well.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 02:25 PM
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I've been using the cheapo ELM327 off ebay and have had no issues

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-v1-5-...item2c664ce4d6

Also, I use Torque for Android. Everything works perfectly.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by WILLDOGS
I've been using the cheapo ELM327 off ebay and have had no issues

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-v1-5-...item2c664ce4d6

Also, I use Torque for Android. Everything works perfectly.
Maybe I'll pick one of those up. Only issue is finding an app to use. The only ones for iOS that seem to provide good functionality are Rev ($40) and DashCommand ($50). Seems like Rev Lite can't do anything with OBD information, and theres nothing for the price of Torque that has the abilities I want. And since I have an iPhone and iPad, iOS would be my only option.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by MaxMike93
Maybe I'll pick one of those up. Only issue is finding an app to use. The only ones for iOS that seem to provide good functionality are Rev ($40) and DashCommand ($50). Seems like Rev Lite can't do anything with OBD information, and theres nothing for the price of Torque that has the abilities I want. And since I have an iPhone and iPad, iOS would be my only option.
I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered the BT1 Adapter. Going to purchase DashCommand and see how it goes.

If you want, wait it out and I can let you know what I think of DashCommand on my iPad and iPhone.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered the BT1 Adapter. Going to purchase DashCommand and see how it goes.

If you want, wait it out and I can let you know what I think of DashCommand on my iPad and iPhone.
Sure, I'd like to hear some feedback on it. Only thing is that I'd probably get that $15 adapter, not the GoPoint BT1. I just don't want to spend all the money on DashCommand. But I do have a $50 iTunes gift card from buying my iPad for school, and my Pioneer head unit has AppMode that can show what would be on my iPhone on the head unit. Maybe I'll end up buying the app just for the hell of it
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 04:23 PM
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It actually seems like the BT1 is one of the very few Bluetooth adapters that works with the iPhone, and that is why it is so pricey compared to say the ELM327. Probably will have to wait a while if I decide to buy everything to have a good rig for my car. But even then, it will probably be more for show than for actual usefulness for me
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 04:29 PM
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Yea, I searched and couldn't find anything else that worked with the iPhone and since I know I'm not planning on switching to Android anytime soon I'm kinda stuck with that choice.

I'll certainly post up my feedback to help you make a decision. It may take about a week or two though because I don't get it till Tuesday and I leave on Friday for a 5 day trip. I'll try to post while I'm on vacation, but can't guarantee I'll have detailed feedback until I return.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 04:33 PM
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I have the BT1 and the DashCommand app also. Works really well. I've been wanting to take some screenshots and do a review for the longest so I guess now would be the time..
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by WILLDOGS
I've been using the cheapo ELM327 off ebay and have had no issues

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-v1-5-...item2c664ce4d6

Also, I use Torque for Android. Everything works perfectly.
Just so we're clear - are you using that eBay ELM327 with Torque? How much is Torque?
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 05:31 PM
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I loved Torque on Android. The ELM327 adapter though didnt last long, unfortunately.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ttribe
Just so we're clear - are you using that eBay ELM327 with Torque? How much is Torque?
Yes, correct. ELM327 in conjunction with the Torque app.

I think I had to do a few tweaks to get it to work but not much. I really dont remember since it was long ago.

Torque has a free version and a paid version. I suggest getting the free version first to make sure it works correctly, then buy the paid app since it has more features

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by civicdrivr
I loved Torque on Android. The ELM327 adapter though didnt last long, unfortunately.
How long did it work for you? I'm thinking about getting it and even if I can't use it on my iPhone, I can find some cheap software to view some stuff on my laptop. Maybe when I have some more money (part time and wanting weekends off during the summer doesn't help) I'll get a nicer setup and get DashCommand. But some of those adapters listed on the site of who makes DashCommand are crazy with their prices
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by MaxMike93
How long did it work for you? I'm thinking about getting it and even if I can't use it on my iPhone, I can find some cheap software to view some stuff on my laptop. Maybe when I have some more money (part time and wanting weekends off during the summer doesn't help) I'll get a nicer setup and get DashCommand. But some of those adapters listed on the site of who makes DashCommand are crazy with their prices
About a two months, maybe less. It sucks cuz I really liked it. If I decided to run Torque again, Ill get a better adapter. But the novelty kinda wore off

It is nice to read trouble codes using the phone though.
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by civicdrivr
About a two months, maybe less. It sucks cuz I really liked it. If I decided to run Torque again, Ill get a better adapter. But the novelty kinda wore off

It is nice to read trouble codes using the phone though.
What the hell were you doing with it? Using it 24/7?

I have owned it for almost 2 years and still works fine. I only plug it in when needed and throw it in my glove box when not in use.

Agree with the novelty wearing off eventually. Good thing I didn't go with the more expensive adapters
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 08:38 PM
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I used it a handful of times, otherwise it was in the glove box. Then it just stopped working. Maybe I just got a faulty adapter
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 09:55 PM
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I think I'm gonna have to go with one of the cheap wi-fi adapters that you can find on eBay since that is really the only kind that will work with my iOS devices. Then I just have to hope that any app I try doesn't need the developers own designed device. Otherwise I guess I'll be giving it a try with programs that I can run on my MacBook Pro
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Old Jul 31, 2012 | 09:37 AM
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Received my GoPoint Yesterday. Gonna try it out tonight after work.
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Old Jul 31, 2012 | 10:37 AM
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I didn't see this thread. I posted in your Avant thread, Sly.

I recently picked up a used PLX Kiwi Wifi and downloaded the Rev app. I've only used it once in the S4, and have been playing around with it more in the 335i. In the 335i, it picks up the ECT, boost, IAT, and some other stuff. I mainly want to see the ECT and boost.

Another reason for this purchase is to work with the Harry's LapTimer app. For the track junkies, this app is awesome but with the OBDII reader, I now can have RPM info to overlay on my future track videos.

For those with DashCommand, how do you like it? I'm debating whether I should download this app in addition to Rev.
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Old Jul 31, 2012 | 11:07 AM
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I purchased DashCommand yesterday, gonna try it out tonight as well.
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
I purchased DashCommand yesterday, gonna try it out tonight as well.
Did you try it out last night? What took you so long?
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 07:20 PM
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I tried out DashCommand, it seems really informative. From a programming standpoint, I think they could have made the interface a little bit better. But it gets the information across.

I'll take some screenshots and post them up and a more thorough review. Sorry, just been really busy finishing up my work because we leave for our trip this Friday and don't get back until Thursday of next week.
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Old Aug 2, 2012 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
I tried out DashCommand, it seems really informative. From a programming standpoint, I think they could have made the interface a little bit better. But it gets the information across.

I'll take some screenshots and post them up and a more thorough review. Sorry, just been really busy finishing up my work because we leave for our trip this Friday and don't get back until Thursday of next week.
I was just messing with you yesterday.

With Rev, I've created a config to show RPM, ECT, IAT, Boost, and Timing Advance. In the BMW, I get readings for all of those. However, the S4 doesn't. I tried Rev again in the S4 this morning on my way to work. The S4's OBD doesn't support IAT and Boost. I haven't tried other parameters yet, but I suspect that the S4 will have less info available.
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Old Aug 2, 2012 | 10:51 AM
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IIRC, my A4 does report IAT, will verify and report back. I don't remember seeing Boost on mine.
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