01-18-2012, 12:52 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Indiana
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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?
__________________
Diesel Dave
~Life is an optimization problem.~
~Who says that just because your vehicle weighs over 3 tons that you can't get good mileage?~
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01-18-2012, 01:53 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,352
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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!
__________________
• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 1.4LT 6A
• 2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/SFI 4A
• 2004 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/MFI 4A
• 2003 Ford Focus ZX5 2.0L/Zetec 4A
• 1971 Dodge Charger 318 3A
• 1970½ Plymouth AAR 'Cuda 340/6BBL 4M
• 1968 Dodge Charger 383 3A
• 1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383 4M
• 1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 273 4M
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01-18-2012, 03:16 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Indiana
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man
...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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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.
__________________
Diesel Dave
~Life is an optimization problem.~
~Who says that just because your vehicle weighs over 3 tons that you can't get good mileage?~
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01-18-2012, 03:28 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,352
Thanks: 56
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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.
__________________
• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 1.4LT 6A
• 2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/SFI 4A
• 2004 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/MFI 4A
• 2003 Ford Focus ZX5 2.0L/Zetec 4A
• 1971 Dodge Charger 318 3A
• 1970½ Plymouth AAR 'Cuda 340/6BBL 4M
• 1968 Dodge Charger 383 3A
• 1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383 4M
• 1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 273 4M
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01-18-2012, 03:30 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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NightKnight
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Placerville, CA
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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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01-18-2012, 03:37 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Indiana
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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.
__________________
Diesel Dave
~Life is an optimization problem.~
~Who says that just because your vehicle weighs over 3 tons that you can't get good mileage?~
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01-18-2012, 04:03 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,352
Thanks: 56
Thanked 330 Times in 249 Posts
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...yes, that *IS* a much, much, better deal than what's offered on their website (that you posted).
__________________
• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 1.4LT 6A
• 2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/SFI 4A
• 2004 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/MFI 4A
• 2003 Ford Focus ZX5 2.0L/Zetec 4A
• 1971 Dodge Charger 318 3A
• 1970½ Plymouth AAR 'Cuda 340/6BBL 4M
• 1968 Dodge Charger 383 3A
• 1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383 4M
• 1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 273 4M
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01-18-2012, 05:44 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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NightKnight
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Placerville, CA
Posts: 810
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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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01-22-2012, 11:38 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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The road not so traveled
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New Mexico
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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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01-23-2012, 08:07 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Smash 100 MPG barrier
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Indiana
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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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