Ultraguage: EM Plus VS. MX 1.3 (2002 Accord LX Automatic)

[KnifeKnut]

I have decided on getting an Ultraguage, but I cannot decide between the two versions. My Current car is a 2002 Accord LX Automatic 2.3, and I plan to stick with Honda in the future.

The EM Plus has * :

• Readiness Monitors indicate what the ECM system is doing. (Do I need this?)
• Performance Measurements (0-60, braking distance, 1/4 mile, etc) [I don't think I need this] {On second thought, this might be useful for coastdown data, but I do not know if this would work.}
• Additional Wide O2 Sensor support to track Stoichiometric AFR via Lambda (This is important, right?)

The MX 1.3 has * :

• the "ability to access manufacturer parameters, if manufacturer codes are known", and "access non-standard manufacturer specific gauges, such as transmission temperature (if supported by the vehicle)". This means it can access and display things like transmission temperature, oil temperature, oil pressure, etc, if the car already has the sensors for it. [The 2002 Accord uses the ISO-9141 standard and does not support this, so I do not yet need this feature, but when I get a newer Honda, wouldn't this stuff be useful?]

I could not find any such comparison or discussion on the forum.

After writing this I am leaning towards the EM Plus as I recall the Fuel/Air ratios as often being discussed on this forum. I don't understand why they do not combine the features of these two in another version. (Besides the "Blue" Version that works with a smartphone, as I do not want or need a smartphone until the technology has fully matured, [but that is a discussion for another place and time.]) Perhaps it would be more expensive?

* I would post links to documentation on what the features do, but as this is my first post, I do not have the 5 posts prerequisite needed. So Here is a .txt file with them.

[Fingie]

The monitoring of AFR would be very useful.

[KnifeKnut]

Couldn't I get a good idea as to what the Fuel air ratio is doing by looking at the oxygen sensor voltage? I really would like the added gauges when I upgrade to a newer Honda. Also, unless I am going for maximum power, I do not need to know the fuel air ratio if I am getting a calculated mpg reading, right?

[compdrag]

I have EM plus and love it. Performance thing for me was cool, because having a civic si I can see what my times are when I add stuff. Plus having access to a bunch of different read outs is also cool. This thing is probably the best bang for the buck because its a Gauge for economy, performance, and Engine codes that your car may throw. Easy install, and easy calibration as well.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by KnifeKnut

Couldn't I get a good idea as to what the Fuel air ratio is doing by looking at the oxygen sensor voltage? I really would like the added gauges when I upgrade to a newer Honda. Also, unless I am going for maximum power, I do not need to know the fuel air ratio if I am getting a calculated mpg reading, right?

Unless you've got specific plans otherwise, the AFR will just flash back and forth around 14.7. It's of limited use really as that's what the ECU is for. The only possible gain is you would know exactly when fuel enrichment is occurring, but that's less important on a NA engine - you'll probably find the open loop indicator is all you need.

SGII does perfromance measurements and reads "ability to access manufacturer parameters, if manufacturer codes are known", they call it Xgauge.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by compdrag

I have EM plus and love it. Performance thing for me was cool, because having a civic si I can see what my times are when I add stuff. Plus having access to a bunch of different read outs is also cool. This thing is probably the best bang for the buck because its a Gauge for economy, performance, and Engine codes that your car may throw. Easy install, and easy calibration as well.

I'd say a Bluetooth ELM237 and Torque is the best bang for the buck, if you have an Android device laying around. You can buy new smart phones for as little as $10 these days. Fully customizable, with custom PIDs.

I'm running it on a $60 LG G Pad tablet that I also use for other things.

There are performance gauges too.

It is nice having a self-contained unit that plugs directly into the OBDII port though. I have 2 Ultragauges in other vehicles, and it's nice not having a USB cable dangling from the dash.

[brian32768]

I see about 50 variations of the ELM327 on eBay. Where did you get yours? I am inclined to get it from the ELM327 web site. The ones on eBay could be junk.

The ODBII connector in my Yaris sticks down, I'd probably need the "mini" bluetooth

Currently that connector has a Garmin EcorouteHD in it. The hardware is there but the Garmin software is so-so. Nice to have it on the map display.

Really wish I could have both; a way to log data to an Android phone and a way to display it on the Garmin Nuvi.