The Scangauge II (and Scangauge before it) has long been a necessary part of practicing EcoDriving effectively. It’s a neat device because it gives you instant feedback, which not only allows you to improve your driving, but also helps you implement various hypermiling tips most effectively. However, Scangauge won’t have a total market share for much longer, as PLX Devices has released a new, and intriguing device called the Kiwi.
Like the Scangauge, the PLX Kiwi takes data from your car’s OBDII diagnostics port. This means that the device is plug and play, making it accessible to most drivers, but will only work on 1996+ vehicles. All older cars (like mine) are out of luck. The Kiwi uses the data is collects to not only show you what fuel economy you’re getting, but also to instruct you on how to get a few more MPGs. This is the part that’s really interesting, and the reason the device costs a steep $299.
PLX’s cute video can say more about how it works than I can, so check it out:
The website claims that the average driver can save quite a bit of fuel. In my experience, this is definitely true, though I don’t know if the Kiwi is really necessary to do it. Most people can realize these improvements without any instrumentation, though those of you looking for more profound savings will probably need instrumentation.
I can’t say yet whether it works or whether I would recommend it, but if you’re motivated I think the purchase price could be recouped in gas savings, especially with gas looking to stay up above $4/gallon. You can bet PLX will be receiving an email from ecomodder as we look to test this thing out with both experienced EcoDrivers and complete newbs.
Faaaaaancy. But it looks like it would just be too fisher price for people like us who KNOW how to get better mpg, and can just go by the "raw" data that the SG provides.
It does have the "ifactor" to it. Which would make it a hit for the masses if its marketed well. Color screen, automated lessons, big honking steal me factor, a scoring system, graphical data output, it is built for the general public.
looks nice but i'd like to see some testing in the real world, not by the own company. I've been wanting to buy a SCII but if this is better with more capability then maybe i should hold out for one of these "kiwi"s
Edit: i don't know now that i've looked at it a bit more. I does look too much like a game. I like the fact that the SC looks more like a "tool" and isn't cartoony
It's good to see the competition. Indicates the need for these types of tools are spreading. I think though that more is not always better. The scangauge fills my need with a minimum of distraction. I would have to see if the additional bells and whistles have a place in my program. To this point I was not aware of any short comings in the SG.
Well their site does have some good info about the thing[i would hope] and it looks like it can show alot of data from various sensors. They only thing i don't like about it still is the gamey look and feel, the even refer to it as a game on the site
I think they played up the "game" aspect to convince inefficient drivers that this isn't hard or a chore to do -- IT'S FUN NOW!!!!! Like mothers hiding medicine in the food for reticent children, they look like they're trying to get people to change their driving habits without their notice (and thus resistance) disguised as games (which smell like mini training modules on how to drive efficiently).
Heck, the whole "scoring" system makes it look like another way to keep the driver motivated or interested. Maybe it works for some people but I'm not sure if the people that really need this, would ever consider buying it. It's the whole "choir preaching" conundrum.
They should release another version for those you just want the facts and info, no corny "game" feel. Drop the whole "kiwi" thing and maybe those who understand the principal of things could enjoy it more
Hmm, does apple have a development kit for the iPhone?
