MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 18:41

Title: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 18:41
Because two bluetooth thingies stopped bluetoothing, bought a handheld cable reader. Ok to reset codes but I réally liked the extra data from the various car´s sensors through the Torque Pro app.
Would like to buy anóther dongle but am loath to have it stop again way to soon.
Are there any more reliable offerings?
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: shnazzle on November 13, 2020, 19:17
OBDLink LX 
Expensivr but I've been very pleased
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 19:21
How much have you been paying theyre so cheap only like 3 quid.
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 19:32
Quote from: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 19:21How much have you been paying theyre so cheap only like 3 quid.

You´l be shocked about LX then ;-)

I was looking at VGATE as intermediate.

Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Bossworld on November 13, 2020, 19:33
The ELM237 clones are often cheap crap (I've got one), mine doesn't work with the recommended ELMScan Toyota app and certainly doesn't do any ABS stuff.

Supposedly the Carista dongle for £25 on Amazon has good compatibility with other apps but they notably don't claim support for our cars on their own app website.
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: shnazzle on November 13, 2020, 19:34
Quote from: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 19:21How much have you been paying theyre so cheap only like 3 quid.
I've got about 4 of thr 3 quid ones in my garage.

All work.... Sometimes to most of the time.

The LX always works, is faster, and I can leave plugged in without it costing me my battery
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 19:59
Quote from: shnazzle on November 13, 2020, 19:34
Quote from: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 19:21How much have you been paying theyre so cheap only like 3 quid.
I've got about 4 of thr 3 quid ones in my garage.

All work.... Sometimes to most of the time.

The LX always works, is faster, and I can leave plugged in without it costing me my battery

Still; can´t find one below 85€ incl. shipping.
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 20:00
I've had several of the cheap elm clones and for the money they've worked fine for torque on android
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 21:04
Quote from: 1979scotte on November 13, 2020, 20:00I've had several of the cheap elm clones and for the money they've worked fine for torque on android

Mine worked fine for the money too (torque android) but I want one working better for a bit more ;-)
If possible with stand-by like Shnazzle mentions.
Looking at Vgate for 30€.
The specs say it also logs data but maybe I misread that. Would be véry informative.
Coming with 2 year warranty is nice too.

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/or8AAOSwEC9dlw2h/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 21:25
What the heck... pushed the button. Shoúld be here before december.

Will keep you posted.
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: shnazzle on November 13, 2020, 23:45
It can't log any more data than Torque Pro can. Remember that :) 

And the refresh rate for the data on these ecu is sh1t
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: 1979scotte on November 14, 2020, 07:48
Quote from: Petrus on November 13, 2020, 21:25What the heck... pushed the button. Shoúld be here before december.

Will keep you posted.


Lockdown boredom strikes again.
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on November 14, 2020, 09:55
Quote from: shnazzle on November 13, 2020, 23:45It can't log any more data than Torque Pro can. Remember that :)

And the refresh rate for the data on these ecu is sh1t

Thanks, am aware.
It is not for engine tuning purposes.
Part curiosity, part ´boredom´*, part hoping to get data I con use for the suspension.
Am very curious what centrifugal forces and brake info it registers.
O, and the intake temp ;-)

* yes, confinement in the municipality is increasingly weighing as I úsed to communte between to loves so my brain is trying to escape from my head!
Anyway the plug in is one of the very few ´add ons´ which add no weight
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: BahnStormer on December 13, 2020, 12:19
I always just got those little ELM327's off amazon... for using with TorquePro + ToyoSys... one works perfectly (£10) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014WHK27W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and I had another previous £7 ELM327 from my other car - that also worked in the MR2, but throws an ABS fault if you leave it in the car when you switch it on... works fine if you turn start the car first, then plug it in.   

Note this only works with Android bluetooth - Apple has the required bluetooth features disabled (until they come out with an "i"OBD2 dongle)....
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on February 23, 2021, 15:03
The OB2 Vgate...

I could not get it sorted with Torque. Tried the propietary app and nogo either. It already went wrong with no green led lighting up. It flashed, like the bue and then only red.
Tried all I could think of, nogo.
Had to wait till modern tech savvy son was here for a few days.

He now is so...
It finally works BUT when it is connected before switching on contact it all goes haywire; all leds flash and the abs check light on the dash flashes.
The only way it gives data to my phone is with the proprietary app and with the dongle put in after makinging contact, then connect with the phone, then start.
Pfffff.

The free version of the app is piddle poor. Luckily it does give inlet temp :-)

Another perk is that we checked the connections with the port and for that I took the plastic panel under the steering column off.
Basically out of sight and with its only direct function being the support for the port, I left it off. It does weigh 403 gramms.



Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Iain on February 23, 2021, 17:39
May i jump in and ask what the difference/benefits are between using a dongle with an app or a standard hand held plug in reader?

Thanks
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Carolyn on February 23, 2021, 18:16
Far more detail with the dongle. And (if you must) real time data as the car runs.

A reader just gives you codes - an app will give live readings of fuel ratios, timing, misfires and stuff!
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Ardent on February 23, 2021, 18:49
Oh, that's me now and then. Do like a bit of real time data. Esp fuel trims.

And you can record it for later analysis
Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Petrus on February 23, 2021, 19:29
Quote from: Ardent on February 23, 2021, 18:49And you can record it for later analysis

That was my goal. Seems it will not work, but some real time yes.

Title: Re: Relíable OBD2 dongle?
Post by: Iain on February 23, 2021, 19:32
Quote from: Carolyn on February 23, 2021, 18:16Far more detail with the dongle. And (if you must) real time data as the car runs.

A reader just gives you codes - an app will give live readings of fuel ratios, timing, misfires and stuff!

Thanks