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

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi Neal,

You've got some good points there.  The stand alone devices do have some 
definite advantages.  If I was to use a tablet, I'd start it before 
moving the car and preset the gauges I want to see and then not bother 
it.    Even so, while the tablet might power up automatically when the 
car is turned on, and could be configured to run without a password; I 
don't know if I could set it to autostart the torque program.

Still doing research, but I may go with this:

http://www.ultra-gauge.com/

It has some very advanced configuration options documented in the 
manual, including automatic fill up detection (if the car has the right 
sensors), automatic display dimming, detailed mpg calibration, and 
odometer accuracy calibration.  It displays up to 6 gauges at once and 
costs $ 60.  Looks pretty interesting.

faq - http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/support/FAQ.htm
bigger faq - 
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/support/UltraGauge_Support_LP.html
knowledge base - http://ultra-gauge.com/customer_support/knowledgebase.php
user manual - 
http://ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/support/Ultra_Gauge_EM_1_2_Manual_3_30_13.pdf
product demo - http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/TEN/product_demo.htm

Sincerely,

Ron


On 9/16/2013 10:40 PM, Neal Rhodes wrote:
> >From a safety standpoint I'd stick with the Scanguage.   It's the 
> simplest to place, easiest to read, and you can put it such that you 
> can see it without taking eyes far off the road.
>
> I do have torque and an odb reader and never use it.
>
> Scanguage IIs also can calibrate to your fuel injection system and 
> keep track of your fuel consumption, such that they can predict 
> exactly how many miles you have left before empty.   (basically by 
> counting number and length of each fuel injection pulse)    In the 
> truck, which shows empty when there are 6 gallons left, this is 
> helpful for planning gas stops accurately.    Especially when you have 
> to find USLD instead of gasoline.
>
> I don't recall other Android ODB software doing that in a way that I'd 
> trust.
>
> I really think the 4 button Scanguage is the way to go.   Dorking 
> around with the UI on an Android device while driving is just too 
> distracting.
>
> Neal Rhodes
> MNOP Ltd
>
> On Mon, 2013-09-16 at 19:57 -0400, Ron Frazier (ALE) 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
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Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
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