Scangauge alternative???

JimIsbell · 03-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Saw this on EBay....#220379719039

It looks like this will do anything the scanguage will except that it displays on a laptop and is $100 cheaper.

If you can have a laptop on the passenger seat....or get one of the really small laptops to set on the console....this would save a bundle of cash.

**uhtrinity** · 03-20-2009, 11:19 AM

I ordered one as I have a laptop and the adapter is dirt cheap. I'll post my results.

JimIsbell · 03-20-2009, 11:39 AM

Great! I will order one if you dont get screwed....#

JimIsbell · 03-20-2009, 12:33 PM

I also found this on EBay. #280316279744

If the software on the previous item is insufficient, perhaps this would be a nice addition at $15.

02insight · 03-20-2009, 06:19 PM

Let us know how it works. I have been looking for some about these OBD to USB things. I think they show alot of usefull stuff on your laptop with that software.

**uhtrinity** · 04-03-2009, 04:46 PM

The USB to OBD adapter showed up today. First of all I had some problems with the driver. The drivers had to be manually installed using the have disk option. It installed two drivers which were telling of the hardware. The first was for "ft232r usb uart", ft232r being a usb to serial chip. There are datasheets and schematics available online for it.

It also came bundled with some different applications on a mini cd. So far I have only installed 2

1. Scantool.net - not sure if this is related to the popular scantool
2. ODBCrazy
3. Scan Master ELM
4. ODB 2 Spy
5. Easy OBD 2

According to the readme file some of the programs are demos, or shareware versions. I hooked it up and took a few screenshots. The programs also have code reading and clearing built in.

http://www.trinitymicro.com/pics/Scantool%202.jpg
http://www.trinitymicro.com/pics/Scantool%202.jpg
http://www.trinitymicro.com/pics/Scantool%203.jpg
http://www.trinitymicro.com/pics/obd2crazy.jpg

02insight · 04-03-2009, 10:23 PM

please do let us know how useful this thing is. From the screenshots it seems to show a whole lot of info about the car.

**gpsman1** · 04-08-2009, 01:03 AM

How about data logging? Does it save data?
That is the only thing else I wish the SG did... save data over time so you can chart x vs. y and so on....

JimIsbell · 04-11-2009, 03:29 PM

I have ordered one of these as well. I think the data logging feature would be in the software, not the hardware. And this thing apparently runs with a whole lot of different software that is available ....for a price.