Maxitrip for $100

[cfg83]

biggy boy -

Originally Posted by biggy boy

Hi guys
I too have a Maxitrip AKA Maxicrap
I got mine at Princess Auto about two weeks ago.
I am finding the same problems with distance being to low.
And the current trip litres per 100 KM average is the same as the total.

Do you think if we use the English setting (MPG) instead of the metric settings
the mileage would read out correctly?

This thing is driving me nuts! I'm thinking of returning it and getting a Scanguage II.
I have sent two Emails to the manufacture Via there website, instructing them of the problems and asked when they will be releasing an update. I have not heard back from the MF's yet. The first Email was sent a week ago.

Glen

Welcome to EM!

For the ScanGauge, people have speculated that defaults should be entered in the unit with the better "granularity" in order to help the accuracy of the ScanGauge. This usually(?) means metric input. For instance, liters are smaller than gallons, so inputting the size of the gas tank in liters gives the Scangauge a more accurate default value.

Internally, it's a safe bet that the programming is metric. When the user setting is in English units, that just means the metric values are being converted for display.

CarloSW2

[biggy boy]

Thanks for the welcome

Yes using metric units for the setup does make sense!
That is what I used when I input the setup info.

The only thing I can figure about the inaccuracies of the Maxitrip is,
they rushed the software and didn't test it out for long enough before releasing it to the public.

I noticed at there web site they have software updates for several of their
other products, but not the Maxitrip

I wonder how long this device has been on the market?

I need to make a decision soon
Do I take it back?
Or do I wait for them to hopefully come out with a fixed update.
I like the look and feel of the unit.

But who knows for sure if they are going to update the software at all??
If I wait another week or two or more I probably won't be able to return it.
It really is of no use when the distance is so far off.

[cfg83]

biggy boy -

Originally Posted by biggy boy

Thanks for the welcome

Yes using metric units for the setup does make sense!
That is what I used when I input the setup info.

The only thing I can figure about the inaccuracies of the Maxitrip is,
they rushed the software and didn't test it out for long enough before releasing it to the public.

I noticed at there web site they have software updates for several of their
other products, but not the Maxitrip

I wonder how long this device has been on the market?

I need to make a decision soon
Do I take it back?
Or do I wait for them to hopefully come out with a fixed update.
I like the look and feel of the unit.

But who knows for sure if they are going to update the software at all??
If I wait another week or two or more I probably won't be able to return it.
It really is of no use when the distance is so far off.

I agree. Chances are the MPG algorithm is not robust for the broad spectrum of cars out there. I'll bet they only tested for a narrow range of cars, got "good enough" results for those makes and models, and started selling it.

Scangauge got it right the first time, so they have a respectable track record. Aesthetically I think the Maxitrip looks nice, but it sounds like it can't cut the mustard for MPG.

CarloSW2

[biggy boy]

Ya and it doesn't cut the mustard for litres/100 KM either !

[taredog]

Originally Posted by biggy boy

Thanks for the welcome

Yes using metric units for the setup does make sense!
That is what I used when I input the setup info.

The only thing I can figure about the inaccuracies of the Maxitrip is,
they rushed the software and didn't test it out for long enough before releasing it to the public.

I noticed at there web site they have software updates for several of their
other products, but not the Maxitrip

I wonder how long this device has been on the market?

I need to make a decision soon
Do I take it back?
Or do I wait for them to hopefully come out with a fixed update.
I like the look and feel of the unit.

But who knows for sure if they are going to update the software at all??
If I wait another week or two or more I probably won't be able to return it.
It really is of no use when the distance is so far off.

Welcome again bb.

I tried calibrating this thing in metric units. I'm pretty comfortable in them since I lived in Europe or Asia for about eight years off and on. Did not make any difference! It reads low for total miles or kilometers.

Mine is on it's way back. The main reason I got interested was the USB port. I thought possibly you could get some logs out of it. My thoughts are to spend the extra $30 US and get a SGII if you feel you need more instrumentation.

I am just not sure for myself. The factory CMTC average MPG tracks very closely to miles/gallons figured the old fashioned way.

Bottom line: too many problems and no apparent support.

[biggy boy]

I ordered a Scanguage II last night.
Got an email from the retailer saying it's going in the mail today.
The Maxitrip was returned yesterday.

Glen

[gtg465x]

I too was once on the verge of returning my Maxitrip, but I finally got it figured out.

There is one major bug that throws off a lot of the Maxitrip's calculations. The distance driven is based off speed, but for some reason it's being multiplied by approximately .75. Miles per gallon is calculated using distance, so if the distance is wrong, almost everything is wrong.

To fix it, adjust the speed calibration value so that your distance driven is correct. 1.32 is a good starting point. Obviously your speed will no longer be displayed correctly, but you have a speedometer in your car already so who cares.

After doing that, my mpg readings are very accurate (within 1% of what I calculate when I fill up)

[taredog]

Originally Posted by gtg465x

I too was once on the verge of returning my Maxitrip, but I finally got it figured out.

There is one major bug that throws off a lot of the Maxitrip's calculations. The distance driven is based off speed, but for some reason it's being multiplied by approximately .75. Miles per gallon is calculated using distance, so if the distance is wrong, almost everything is wrong.

To fix it, adjust the speed calibration value so that your distance driven is correct. 1.32 is a good starting point. Obviously your speed will no longer be displayed correctly, but you have a speedometer in your car already so who cares.

After doing that, my mpg readings are very accurate (within 1% of what I calculate when I fill up)

Correct me if I am wrong..

We all adjusted the speed calibration to match the actual speed. Guess we were wrong.

You are saying to experiment with the speed calibration until the distance driven is correct? And live with that? That we must adjust the "speed calibration" to fix the miles driven and live with the other inacuracies?

Thanks for the solution. I guess we all can live with that after spending $100. We didnt't need any of those other readings anyway.

Just curious gtg465x, if you are working presently, who do you work for?

[gtg465x]

Originally Posted by taredog

Correct me if I am wrong..

We all adjusted the speed calibration to match the actual speed. Guess we were wrong.

You weren't "wrong" for adjusting the speed calibration to match the actual speed. Like I said, it's a bug, and I just gave you a workaround.

Originally Posted by taredog

You are saying to experiment with the speed calibration until the distance driven is correct?

Yes.

Originally Posted by taredog

And live with that? That we must adjust the "speed calibration" to fix the miles driven and live with the other inacuracies?

The only inaccuracies you'll have to live with are the instant and average speed. Everything else will be correct. Do you really need these two readings? Your car does have a speedometer right?

Originally Posted by taredog

Thanks for the solution. I guess we all can live with that after spending $100. We didnt't need any of those other readings anyway.

I'm pretty satisfied that I get nearly all the features of a Scangauge for $100. By "any of those other readings", I guess you're just referring to speed lol.

Originally Posted by taredog

Just curious gtg465x, if you are working presently, who do you work for?

I'm a college student. This is what I get for helping people out huh?

[taredog]

Originally Posted by gtg465x

You weren't "wrong" for adjusting the speed calibration to match the actual speed. Like I said, it's a bug, and I just gave you a workaround.

Yes.

The only inaccuracies you'll have to live with are the instant and average speed. Everything else will be correct. Do you really need these two readings? Your car does have a speedometer right?

I'm pretty satisfied that I get nearly all the features of a Scangauge for $100. By "any of those other readings", I guess you're just referring to speed lol.

I'm a college student. This is what I get for helping people out huh?

Yeah, sometimes this is what you get from crotchety old men when you try to help out. Thanks for figuring out the work around.

I just hate to spend my money on a product that does not work as advertised. I get more than enough of that with vendor's software, firmware and hardware at work.