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Old 01-18-2012, 12:52 PM   #1 (permalink)
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ODBWiz, anybody using it?

I've been looking into different instrumentation options. Recently, I've come across the OBDWiz software (see website here: ScanTool.net LLC - OBDwiz Automotive Diagnostic Software). You can get the scan tool and the software for $30 on Amazon.

I'm thinking this may be a good option for me to use with an old laptop that I have lying around. One thing I really like is that you can save log files. That way I can analyze things to death One thing that I don't know is whether there'a any limit to how many parameters you can log or how long you can log for.

Is anybody using this or other PC-based instrumentation?


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Old 01-18-2012, 01:53 PM   #2 (permalink)
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...it's ability to "LOG" data is GREAT, especially if you're using it with a tablet that has a USB slot for a thumbdrive!
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Old 01-18-2012, 03:16 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man View Post
...it's ability to "LOG" data is GREAT, especially if you're using it with a tablet that has a USB slot for a thumbdrive!
I've read that sometime the real-time display capability isn't the best, but for me I think I'd prefer logging capability to a nice real-time display.

The way I look at it instrumentation is about two things: accessing the impacts of mods and improving behaviors. In both cases, I'd like it better to go and look and everything in a log file and see what I did right or wrong and then go try it again, and then look at the log again.
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Old 01-18-2012, 03:28 PM   #4 (permalink)
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...looks like, in the end, they "...nickel & dime you to death..." with all their "required" other $79.95 "options" in addition to $149.95 "basic" cost.
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Old 01-18-2012, 03:30 PM   #5 (permalink)
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FYI... I bought some ScanTool SW but never did end up using it... Main reason I wanted it was to log the data along with GPS info so I could track the fuel consumption along my commute route... but then two things happened: 1) I got a Scangauge as well, which was much easier to connect, place in the car, and use, and 2) I moved closer to civilization so that I could actually have a fast enough internet connection so that working from home was feasible... only commute in ~ once a month now.

I have the ScanXL standard and the Dashcommand for Windows; if you are interested I wouldn't mind selling at a fair price. However, this is not the OBDWiz software that comes with the $30 scanner on Amazon! ScanXL Standard plus DashCommand combined is about $170 new. Obviously I wouldn't ask that much for it.

Send me a PM if interested.
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Old 01-18-2012, 03:37 PM   #6 (permalink)
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This is what I'm looking at on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/ElmScan-Compac...pr_product_top

Maybe I'm missing something, but I think everything is included.
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Old 01-18-2012, 04:03 PM   #7 (permalink)
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...yes, that *IS* a much, much, better deal than what's offered on their website (that you posted).
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Old 01-18-2012, 05:44 PM   #8 (permalink)
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There's the software that comes with the adapter and then there's additional software (which you may "purchase separately") that does a bunch more stuff... you'd have to browse through the ScanTool site to understand the diff. I think I chose the additional software because that seemed like the best way to integrate with GPS.

I believe the price for the OBD adapter and the SW is ~$40 on the ScanTool site vs ~$30 on Amazon.
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Old 01-22-2012, 11:38 PM   #9 (permalink)
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I have the basic setup he is looing at, it works pretty good, the realtime update will depend on the vehicle. On my 99 Nissan its pretty slow, but when running diagnostics on a friends 07 it updated much faster.

If your interested in logging they have a software upgrade that will allow you to overlay graphs, I bought it primarilly for the diagnostics capabilities.
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Old 01-23-2012, 08:07 AM   #10 (permalink)
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I use it and love it - out of the box - works just fine - saves log files - resets codes - $35.00 from Amazon - I'm running it on a netbook installed in the car setup like a police cruiser would have for the laptops they use - get the stand from Amazon as well - I'll try to get a picture and post it!


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