[ale] need 5" android tablet / phone for obd car instrumentation

Mon Sep 16 20:25:10 EDT 2013

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the note.  Yes.  Torque is very cool.  I have it on my 10" tablet and it works fine.  But, I take that tablet out of the car every time I get out.  Also, having it sit on the seat beside me and glancing at it is a bit dangerous.  I'm looking for a new small tablet / phone and wired usb obd solution that I can leave in there all the time.  I have some potential security issues with bluetooth for use on a permanent basis and many cheap tablets don't have bluetooth.  I would run torque on the small device.  I looked at some 7" tablets and they're just a bit too big.  I have very little room to mount anything that won't obscure my vision too much or cover some important other controls in the car.  That's why I was looking for something in the 5" range.  So, I'm trying to find a complete solution with the critical components I listed for less than the price of the $ 160 scanguage.

Sincerely,

Ron

"Robert L. Harris" <robert.l.harris at gmail.com> wrote:

>I run "Torque" on my Nexus 7 using a bluetooth ODB-II dongle.  Works
>spectacularly.  I realize that tablet isn't what you want but Torque is
>supposed to work on about any android device and it definitely doesn't
>cost
>$160,  I think the pro version was something like $10.  Since I bought
>it I
>can't see the price but it does get updates and have a lot of options.
>
>
>
>On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 5:57 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) <
>atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm trying to find a good way to add obd based instrumentation to my
>car.
>>  The scangauge product is an obvious choice, but they want $ 160 for
>the 4
>> sensor display model.  I thought I was going to use a 7" tablet, but
>that's
>> just a bit too big, and I really have no good place to mount it.  I'm
>> thinking I could get away with a 5" tablet and mount it under my gps
>(also
>> 5") in the center of the windshield.  However, 5" tablets are almost
>> impossible to find.  So, I wanted to see what you think.  A phone
>could
>> work if and only if it can operate without a cell phone contract or
>> account.  If the total parts count ends up over about $ 130, I'll
>just go
>> with a scangauge.  I know I'll have to add an obd-II - USB cable from
>> amazon for $ 20 - 30.  I want a wired solution rather than a wireless
>> solution for security reasons, since the obd-II adapter will be
>permanently
>> in place.
>>
>> I've tried the following websites searching for tablets: TigerDirect,
>> NewEgg, Micro Center, DealExtreme, ChinaVasion.
>>
>> Here's what I need:
>>
>> Required Items:
>>
>> * 4" - 5" tablet / phone - required
>> * OS: Android 4 or better - required
>> * Google Apps, Play, etc. - required
>> * Screen: capacitive multi touch - required
>> * USB: with OTG Capability - required
>> * USB Adapter: Micro to Standard - probably required
>> * Memory Card Slot - required
>> * WiFi Radio - required
>> * Lack of Memory Flaw - required - All of internal flash memory after
>OS
>> must be available for user apps and data.  Not partitioned as in 1 GB
>/ 3
>> GB.
>> * 512 MB RAM or Better, 4 GB Flash or Better - required
>> * Windshield Mounting System - required
>> * External Power Adapter & Port - required
>>      Powering through usb would be a problem unless the obd port can
>> provide enough power, which I doubt.  The obd-II - USB cable may not
>> provide any power to the tablet at all.  Also, the obd port remains
>powered
>> after the car is turned off, which could drain the car's battery if
>> powering the tablet.
>>
>> Optional Items:
>>
>> * Bluetooth - desired
>> * Gravity Sensor - desired
>> * Accelerometer - desired
>> * GPS - desired
>> * 3G / 4G / Cellular Radio - optional - If present, must be
>compatible
>> with Verizon and the rest of tablet / phone must be able to work
>without a
>> cellular account or contract via wifi only.
>>
>> Any thoughts?  On the chance any of you wanted to sell me used
>equipment,
>> I would have to get the obd-II adapter and confirm successful
>operation
>> before finalizing a purchase.  I would also have to find viable
>solutions
>> for providing power in the car and mounting the device on the
>windshield.
>>
>> Any help is always appreciated.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Ron
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> (PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want
>to
>> call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate
>energy
>> mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very
>> quickly.)
>>
>> Ron Frazier
>> 770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
>> linuxdude AT techstarship.com
>> Litecoin: LZzAJu9rZEWzALxDhAHnWLRvybVAVg**wTh3
>> Bitcoin: 15s3aLVsxm8EuQvT8gUDw3RWqvuY9h**PGUU
>>
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>
>
>
>-- 
>:wq!
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Robert L. Harris
>
>DISCLAIMER:
>      These are MY OPINIONS             With Dreams To Be A King,
>     ALONE.  I speak for                      First One Should Be A Man
>       no-one else.                                     - Manowar
>
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--

Sent from my Android Acer A500 tablet with bluetooth keyboard and K-9 Mail.
Please excuse my potential brevity if I'm typing on the touch screen.

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
Litecoin: LZzAJu9rZEWzALxDhAHnWLRvybVAVgwTh3
Bitcoin: 15s3aLVsxm8EuQvT8gUDw3RWqvuY9hPGUU