Rorinthas wrote:
Midgen wrote:
I have an android device mounted on my dashboard that shows real time OBDII data (speed, fuel consumption rate, RPM's, etc...).
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I would enjoy hearing more about the workings of this phenomenon
I have one of these in my vehicles OBD2 port, sync'd via bluetooth to my Nexus 7 2013 LTE, which runs Torque, and a few other OBD reader apps.
http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NZ ... UTF8&psc=1Some screenshots of it in use. Note that the last screenshot is of a Windows app (the device comes with Windows drivers/software)
The android apps
OBDLink App Torque ProDashCommand OBD DashoardAnd the dash mount I use for the N7
*Sorry, this is on Ebay. It's an excellent mount (for my needs), and this is the only place I've found them*
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xenomix-7-Nevig ... 1015573406My application of this stuff is really ideal. The tablet sits just flush with the dash, above the instrument panel, behind the top of the steering wheel. It does not obstruct my view out of the windshield at all. It is right at my fingertips when I need to use it, although the way it's set up, I rarely have to interact with it at all once I'm driving. I also use this to stream radio and cloud music to my car stereo.
I have a USB power adapter routed off of the fuse box directly to the tablet. It's hidden except for about 6" that sticks out of the dash. It stays plugged in and charging any time the car is running.
I have pondered having a custom shop permanently install the tablet in my dash in place of the double DIN UConnect system that the car came with, but the dash mount and bluetooth connectivity is working fine, so I'm not really motivated to make any drastic changes.
The one real downside (it's a minor nit) is having to power the tablet off/on whenever I get in the car, and having to dismount and stash it to keep it from temping thieves.
Edit:
I forgot to mention. I learned a hard and expensive lesson about OBD2 scanners. If you want to display data in near real time, don't skimp. It needs to be fast (as this one is). If you just want to read static error codes, etc... you can get a cheap one (or just take the car to a local auto parts store). I originally started with a Garmin EcoRoute OBD port reader, but it would not send enough of the right kind of data, fast enough to be of any use. It woked ok with my Garmin 500 GPS, but it only displayed fuel consumption averages over several minute time spans. The setup i'm using now shows fuel consumption in near real time, which means you get feed back as you are accelerating, shifting, braking, coasting, etc... I've improved my fuel economy by 5MPG since I've started paying attention to this stuff. I've also changed the route I take to work as a result, as I've learned the idea driving conditions for optimizing fuel economy.