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

Mon Sep 16 21:05:44 EDT 2013

Well there is the Galaxy Note 2, but that won't fit your budget. Plus you
would have other security concerns (as window breakage to get to it). Have
you considered mounting the tablet on the sun visor rather than on the
dash? I would think that a 7" tablet could be made to fit comfortably there.

Greg Clifton

On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 8:25 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) <
atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>
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