Hi guys,

my local auto parts/goodies guy has an Ultragauge in stock for 95$ tax in which is a decent price considering that's less than what it costs to get one of those gadgets shipped to Canada with taxes brokerage and blablabla. I'm thinking of getting it but a friend of mine that just recently purchased a new car has been trying to convince me to just get a bluetooth OBDII reader and get an iPhone app. Also, I've been getting pretty abysmal MPGs so I'd like to keep a closer eye on MPGs to try and see how I can get better mileage out of my 2007 Fit Sport.

Ultragauge is 95$ and is always on
iPhone App + bluetooth OBDII reader is about 15$ total

Is it worth going the extra mile for the Ultragauge?

 

Buuuuuuuump

 

Intriguing. I didn't know there were Bluetooth modules for such a purpose. Can you get a feature comparison between the two? I would think the Bluetooth module would be more capable of having meaningful feature updates over time, if the developer is really dedicated to supporting it.

I guess at $15 it's not much of a risk.

 

Actually the Bluetooth module simply allows a device like a phone to connect and read info from the port.

 

Exactly, which is why you'd be at the mercy of the software developer to design the app to give you the information you want, add features or to correct bugs. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

 

Well, I'd be less at the mercy of software with the Bluetooth because with a code reader, you're stuck with what you got, it's not really upgradeble able unless you buy a better code reader (or Ultragauge). The Bluetooth way, i can use any software available for my device whether it be a computer or a phone or whatever. So I'd say Bluetooth is more "being free" than "at the mercy" of software!

 

Quite true. You just have to be sure to get the Bluetooth dongle that specifies that it can be used with other software. I ran into one on Amazon last night that only worked with its own software. A bit too closed.

Which BT module were you looking at?

 

Iphone will NOT work with bluetooth OBD2 plugs unless jailbroken. Apple only lets other bluetooth APPLE device connect, and very few authorized 3rd party setups

Better off getting a proper scangauge if you need to stick with crApple

 

Oh noes! Don't use crApple! You'll never connect to anything but crApple products! Save yourselves!

 

Yea I did some research and you are correct, my iPhone won't connect via Bluetooth although they do make wifi obd2 adapters that do work with iPhone. I'm still on the fence on this one. 95$ is a lot and more and more I'm starting to think I might have a cracked fuel tank so I'd better save up if I have to buy a new one.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Get the Ultragauge. It's a fantastic device for the money. It even has a heartbeat to remind you that your car still loves you.

 

 

while your iphone's BT is paired to your obd2 transmitter, can you still use BT to make calls through your stereo or steam music? that would be the biggest issue for me using wireless obd2 transmitters.

 

I would suspect so yes but an iPhone can not communicate the data for the OBDII via bluetooth because of some kinda of coding issue. The iPhone needs to be jailbroken for the BT to work. A wifi transmitter was about 40$ so I figured screw it, and I got the ultragauge.

I'm gonna try and get to the bottom of this MPG issue. I'm getting 18 MPG city gonna try and jack up the car the car tomorrow to see if all the wheels are rotating freely and there's no sticking caliper or over tightened hand brake cable. My mechanic recommends an injector cleaning. Another suggested that my catalytic converter might be clogged.

Either that or it's a faulty coilpack! Man I wish I knew how to diagnose this problem. I know my mechanic is gonna rob me of my riches if I start doing this and that to improve MPG without know the exact source of the problem.