JapCarForum Cars, Cars, Cars! Car Audio/Video/Electronics/Security ODB2 Bluetooth Adaptor

ODB2 Bluetooth Adaptor

ODB2 Bluetooth Adaptor

Pages (2): 1 2 Next
el_gencer
Junior Member
46
08-12-2018, 10:13 AM
#1
Well i received my cheap ebay ELM327/ODB2 bluetooth adaptor today so thought i'd give everyone a quick review of it.

This is the one i ordered.
[Image: picture.php?albumid=128&pictureid=782]

The first thing that i noticed when plugging it in, is that it draws power straight away. This could be an issue if you wanted it permanently connected.

The next issue i found was the ABS light flashes when the device is connected. After a bit of searching, it turns out it also does the same on MR2s. Might be a Toyota thing with the ELM327 ? It didn't convince me to leave it in as permanent solution.

Pairing with an SGS went smoothly and Torque-lite picked it up. However it's a bit laggy to say the least. Even with tweaking the software settings there is a huge delay on the dials in the app. I can probably rule out the SGS as the issue as it has a 1ghz cpu with hardly anything running in the background. Which either leaves the app at fault or the device. I'm going for the device as plenty people seem to be happy with Torque-lite and, on their website they mention that the cheap ebay adaptors may not work correctly.

All in all i'm not particularly impressed so far, but for £12 i'm not going to cry about it.

Maybe we could do a review section on these adaptors to help people who want to purchase an ODB2 adaptor ?
el_gencer
08-12-2018, 10:13 AM #1

Well i received my cheap ebay ELM327/ODB2 bluetooth adaptor today so thought i'd give everyone a quick review of it.

This is the one i ordered.
[Image: picture.php?albumid=128&pictureid=782]

The first thing that i noticed when plugging it in, is that it draws power straight away. This could be an issue if you wanted it permanently connected.

The next issue i found was the ABS light flashes when the device is connected. After a bit of searching, it turns out it also does the same on MR2s. Might be a Toyota thing with the ELM327 ? It didn't convince me to leave it in as permanent solution.

Pairing with an SGS went smoothly and Torque-lite picked it up. However it's a bit laggy to say the least. Even with tweaking the software settings there is a huge delay on the dials in the app. I can probably rule out the SGS as the issue as it has a 1ghz cpu with hardly anything running in the background. Which either leaves the app at fault or the device. I'm going for the device as plenty people seem to be happy with Torque-lite and, on their website they mention that the cheap ebay adaptors may not work correctly.

All in all i'm not particularly impressed so far, but for £12 i'm not going to cry about it.

Maybe we could do a review section on these adaptors to help people who want to purchase an ODB2 adaptor ?

Sparkystav
Administrator
14,683
08-12-2018, 10:30 AM
#2
your OBD port always has power so if it doesnt have an on/off switch youll have battery issues.

good review though

OutlawJapClub Admin Team
Sparkystav
08-12-2018, 10:30 AM #2

your OBD port always has power so if it doesnt have an on/off switch youll have battery issues.

good review though


OutlawJapClub Admin Team

DaveEdin
Posting Freak
5,657
08-12-2018, 10:37 AM
#3
I use a kiwi plx Bluetooth adaptor with Torque on mine and it's great, no lag or anything...

IS200 Sport - Sold
Mazda 6 MPS - Zoom Zoom!

Modifications
Completed:

Currently 280bhp/295lbft; 3" Meercat custom exhaust; KW Suspension; FMIC; SSP; HPFP; Custom Stainless Steel Dials - for the moment, the only set in the world!! (Till the group buy for MPSOC anyway :lol: )

In Progress:

E-Tuning remap ongoing via Cobb Accessport; Braided brake lines; Stubby aerial; Tinted repeaters and sidelights; 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid; 3" HTP Intake
DaveEdin
08-12-2018, 10:37 AM #3

I use a kiwi plx Bluetooth adaptor with Torque on mine and it's great, no lag or anything...


IS200 Sport - Sold
Mazda 6 MPS - Zoom Zoom!

Modifications
Completed:

Currently 280bhp/295lbft; 3" Meercat custom exhaust; KW Suspension; FMIC; SSP; HPFP; Custom Stainless Steel Dials - for the moment, the only set in the world!! (Till the group buy for MPSOC anyway :lol: )

In Progress:

E-Tuning remap ongoing via Cobb Accessport; Braided brake lines; Stubby aerial; Tinted repeaters and sidelights; 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid; 3" HTP Intake

toxo
Posting Freak
4,843
08-12-2018, 11:16 AM
#4
WRT your power issues, some adaptors have a thing where they power off after a certain amount of inactivity and then power up again when the engine starts.

My friend who writes Torque did a review of all the adaptors he's managed to get his hands on:

http://torque-bhp.com/software/torque-an...-adapters/

There is a wiki as well where people using his software can add notes about adaptor performance and support:

http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Bluetooth_Adapters

No use to you as you've already bought one but useful for others :thumbup1:
Edited 19-01-2012, 08:57 PM by toxo.
toxo
08-12-2018, 11:16 AM #4

WRT your power issues, some adaptors have a thing where they power off after a certain amount of inactivity and then power up again when the engine starts.

My friend who writes Torque did a review of all the adaptors he's managed to get his hands on:

http://torque-bhp.com/software/torque-an...-adapters/

There is a wiki as well where people using his software can add notes about adaptor performance and support:

http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Bluetooth_Adapters

No use to you as you've already bought one but useful for others :thumbup1:

el_gencer
Junior Member
46
08-12-2018, 02:30 PM
#5
My thinking was "what the hell it's £12". I'm going to see if it's related to the SGS by using another android device or i'm guessing that the elm327 is just slow at either pulling data from the ecu or converting it to bluetooth. TBH i have no idea what the speed of an ODB2 connection is or how fast the ecu is relaying the data. I'm going to test it on another car as might not like toyota ecu's.
el_gencer
08-12-2018, 02:30 PM #5

My thinking was "what the hell it's £12". I'm going to see if it's related to the SGS by using another android device or i'm guessing that the elm327 is just slow at either pulling data from the ecu or converting it to bluetooth. TBH i have no idea what the speed of an ODB2 connection is or how fast the ecu is relaying the data. I'm going to test it on another car as might not like toyota ecu's.

DaveEdin
Posting Freak
5,657
08-12-2018, 04:01 PM
#6
el_gencer My thinking was "what the hell it's £12". I'm going to see if it's related to the SGS by using another android device or i'm guessing that the elm327 is just slow at either pulling data from the ecu or converting it to bluetooth. TBH i have no idea what the speed of an ODB2 connection is or how fast the ecu is relaying the data. I'm going to test it on another car as might not like toyota ecu's.

I did the same thing at first with the free version of Torque and I picked up a cheap adapter for a fiver, it proved that the setup worked (albeit poorly, but then I knew the adapter was rubbish) so I bought the decent adapter, and coughed the three quid for the full Torque app. Well worth it in my opinion!

IS200 Sport - Sold
Mazda 6 MPS - Zoom Zoom!

Modifications
Completed:

Currently 280bhp/295lbft; 3" Meercat custom exhaust; KW Suspension; FMIC; SSP; HPFP; Custom Stainless Steel Dials - for the moment, the only set in the world!! (Till the group buy for MPSOC anyway :lol: )

In Progress:

E-Tuning remap ongoing via Cobb Accessport; Braided brake lines; Stubby aerial; Tinted repeaters and sidelights; 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid; 3" HTP Intake
DaveEdin
08-12-2018, 04:01 PM #6

el_gencer My thinking was "what the hell it's £12". I'm going to see if it's related to the SGS by using another android device or i'm guessing that the elm327 is just slow at either pulling data from the ecu or converting it to bluetooth. TBH i have no idea what the speed of an ODB2 connection is or how fast the ecu is relaying the data. I'm going to test it on another car as might not like toyota ecu's.

I did the same thing at first with the free version of Torque and I picked up a cheap adapter for a fiver, it proved that the setup worked (albeit poorly, but then I knew the adapter was rubbish) so I bought the decent adapter, and coughed the three quid for the full Torque app. Well worth it in my opinion!


IS200 Sport - Sold
Mazda 6 MPS - Zoom Zoom!

Modifications
Completed:

Currently 280bhp/295lbft; 3" Meercat custom exhaust; KW Suspension; FMIC; SSP; HPFP; Custom Stainless Steel Dials - for the moment, the only set in the world!! (Till the group buy for MPSOC anyway :lol: )

In Progress:

E-Tuning remap ongoing via Cobb Accessport; Braided brake lines; Stubby aerial; Tinted repeaters and sidelights; 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid; 3" HTP Intake

toxo
Posting Freak
4,843
09-12-2018, 01:21 AM
#7
FWIW Toyota ECUs are amongst the fastest responding of all modern manufacturers.
toxo
09-12-2018, 01:21 AM #7

FWIW Toyota ECUs are amongst the fastest responding of all modern manufacturers.

el_gencer
Junior Member
46
09-12-2018, 04:34 AM
#8
Good to know that ecu is pumping out the data at good rate then Smile
As Dave said it's a cheap way of getting a good idea of if it works or not. I shall now look at one the recommended adaptors. Probably the kiwi as it has a 6ft cable. The last thing you want to do when driving is end up kicking the adaptor out and have stuck in the footwell somewhere. From what i gathered these cheaps ones are a mixed bag and it's pot luck as to whether you get a good one or a naff one.
el_gencer
09-12-2018, 04:34 AM #8

Good to know that ecu is pumping out the data at good rate then Smile
As Dave said it's a cheap way of getting a good idea of if it works or not. I shall now look at one the recommended adaptors. Probably the kiwi as it has a 6ft cable. The last thing you want to do when driving is end up kicking the adaptor out and have stuck in the footwell somewhere. From what i gathered these cheaps ones are a mixed bag and it's pot luck as to whether you get a good one or a naff one.

toxo
Posting Freak
4,843
09-12-2018, 08:25 AM
#9
I'd relocate the OBD port whatever you do, it's in a daft place on the IS200 IIRC! Anything sticking out of it will get in the way but they are just clipped in place.
toxo
09-12-2018, 08:25 AM #9

I'd relocate the OBD port whatever you do, it's in a daft place on the IS200 IIRC! Anything sticking out of it will get in the way but they are just clipped in place.

Dark Samurai
Posting Freak
4,957
09-12-2018, 09:04 AM
#10
Your ABS light will flash, our scangauge did it, just unplug it and plug it back in whilst turning the key off and on a few times worked?

Lexus IS300 Sportcross in Platinum Ice.
Click here for garage.

PSN ID: O3107 
Dark Samurai
09-12-2018, 09:04 AM #10

Your ABS light will flash, our scangauge did it, just unplug it and plug it back in whilst turning the key off and on a few times worked?


Lexus IS300 Sportcross in Platinum Ice.
Click here for garage.

PSN ID: O3107 

Pages (2): 1 2 Next
Recently Browsing
 1 Guest(s)
Recently Browsing
 1 Guest(s)
Related Threads…
Replies 2
Views 1,195
04-11-2021, 01:49 PM
Last Post by FOSSIL FUELS
Replies 5
Views 654
20-02-2018, 12:54 AM
Last Post by parthiban