ScanGauge?

[Forrest]

Anyone tried this on a Mazda3 yet? => ScanGauge 3-in-1 Auto Computer (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/72fc/)

[goldwing2000]

99% sure it won't work. The CAN Bus system we have on our cars won't interface with it.

[Forrest]

Thanks goldwing2000. I found this large list (http://www.auterraweb.com/aboutcan.html) of CAN bus enabled vehicles. I sent an email off to Linear-logic to see what they say, I'll give them a call on Monday also. Some other Mazda forums have good things to say about the company and the device.

[goldwing2000]

Excellent link. I may have to pick one of those up... if I ever get a Palm or a laptop. (shrug)

[Forrest]

Just got an email back from Linear-logic.


Yes it is CAN compatible.

Early ScanGauges (pre-November 2004) did not have CAN. All ScanGauges since (and to come) cover all 5 allowed OBDII protocols (PWM,VPW,ISO,KW2000 and CAN) including their sub versions.

Just sent in my order. (2thumbs)

[goldwing2000]

Nice. And no Palm or laptop required! (cool)

Be sure to post a review when you get yours and have had a chance to play with it.

[chimchim]

I have the ScanGuage for my Honda.

I reviewed it here: http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176981&highlight=scangauge

I've had it in my car for months now and I love it. You'll need to find a good place to mount it and because of the clumsy-ugly case, it fits practically NO WHERE. So, I went on Ebay and got one of those windshield suction cup flexible arm Palm holder thingies. I ran the wire behind the dash panel and zip tied the connector loom neatly under the driver kick panel. I hooked it up to the OBD2 port.

I pretty much mostly view my MPG, water temp, and load. The fourth parameter I view shifts depending on what I want to look at. It's really useful because it automatically accumulates the miles traveled. average MPG, etc every time the car is turned on. Now I know exactly how many miles it takes to get from home to work. I wish it showed even more parameters.

Fun gadget though. My mechanic saw it in my car and wanted to get one.

Note though, because it's OBD, it takes a couple seconds to update. So you can't use it like a tach or a speedo because you'll only get an update every couple seconds.

[chimchim]

Here's a pic:
http://premium1.uploadit.org/kfgecko//scangaugeflexarm.jpg

(http://premium1.uploadit.org/kfgecko//scangaugeflexarm.jpg)

[Forrest]

Sweet chimchim! I've read about other people having an issue with the MPH reading. Some say that Linear-Logic can actually fix that though. That's a fairly big deal if you're keen on proper mileage records IMO.

[NRM]

Hey guys, I'm actually helping organize a group buy for the scangauge. It'll be a 30 dollar discount if we get enough people. $99.95 dollars

http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?p=1706561#post1706561

PM me for more info or if interested.

[Forrest]

ah man... mine's on backorder and I already paid for it. If you can get this shipped this coming week I'll cancel my order (if it's not too late). :(

[NRM]

Well, we only need 4 more to get it running and we're getting it from linear-logic.com, so if you're is on backorder, we'd probably get it in the same batch if we get the 4 over the weekend. It'd be cool if you could help out in the GB and the $30 back isn't so bad either.

[Forrest]

See PM :)

[Forrest]

I got mine (from my original order) and it works great! I've only driven about 20 miles with it so I haven't been able to test the trip computer part yet. You can actually calibrate the MPH inside the unit, as well as set your engine size and fuel capacity, etc. I've only managed to go through half the menus or options so far. The CEL code reader worked fine also.

The red backlight matches Mazda3 interior lights nicely. I'm going to look at integrating into the cig. lighter facia, or maybe a smaller anodized aluminum box to sit on top of the steering wheel column.

[mazpro]

nice. any pics?

[goldwing2000]

Just got mine today. I must say, it's not as bulky and fugly as I had feared.

[mazda3zoom]

will this product hook up to my laptop or is the link in the 3rd post a different thing? i would like to get one of these but would also like to plug my laptop into my car and check things (like the CEL i have ryte now)

[M_3]

hey um whats that does like exactly what

[Forrest]

Here's what the box says...


Scan Tool - Retrieve trouble codes and reset warning lights.
Trip Computer - Display trip data with automatic trip-start feature
Real-time Digital Gauges - Display the current operating conditions of your vehicle in real-time


Read more about it here (http://www.scangage.com/).

[goldwing2000]

will this product hook up to my laptop or is the link in the 3rd post a different thing? i would like to get one of these but would also like to plug my laptop into my car and check things (like the CEL i have ryte now)

No, it only has a plug for the OBD2 connection. No other serial/USB/RS-232/etc. ports.

[M_3]

thats coo, i want one

[mazpro]

so any pics on the car?

[goldwing2000]

Been too busy to install it. :(

[NRM]

Man, I had a hard time finding people for the GB, but it seems like there's interest now.

I'm looking for somewhere to install it on my car. It's about the size of an index card. A lil shorter, but within the size. I've already opened it up to check out what's up, basically circuit board with a screen and the buttons. I plan to make a custom box within the week. Overall, very nice and neat tool. Steal for 100 even.

[M_3]

hey im going to get one too its very nice but i will also be making a custom box cause that one its just not my type

[Forrest]

I have a Mazda3 and I've placed it right on top of the steering wheel column, it's the best place I could find.

I'm still trying to figure it out. I think I screwed up a setting. When I first got it I'd coast down a hill and get 300MPG (engine idle, 60MPH). The other day I used the fillup feature and now I get 30MPG when I coast down a hill. I think I tweaked the trip computer and pooched my measurements.

I'd also like to fabricate a smaller box for it. I'm thinking I could replace the buttons with momentary SPST switches and lay the PCB on it's side (current switches are mounted on the PCB, those would need to be removed). The front display has a little ribbon so it should work. Basically the plan is to halve the height of the box. But as with all things... time and motivation will dictate completion. :)

[mazpro]

you said it's as big as a index card? I thought it was huge on the picture in the honda.

[M_3]

its because the box its huge but the actuall thing its not so huge

[chimchim]

I'd also like to fabricate a smaller box for it. I'm thinking I could replace the buttons with momentary SPST switches and lay the PCB on it's side (current switches are mounted on the PCB, those would need to be removed). The front display has a little ribbon so it should work. Basically the plan is to halve the height of the box. But as with all things... time and motivation will dictate completion. :)

This is exactly what I was planning to do originally. It's a lot of work when the real problem is that the LinearLogic (makers of ScanGuage) didn't even consider the form. The form factor so poorly done that I realized it's not worth it. What you really want is it to be in the form of something like the Belkin timers.

Anyways, like in my pic, if you windshield mount it, it works pretty well.

[M_3]

but its not so much work you could even get it done for some $$$

[M_3]

anyways why did he build it so ugly

[NRM]

you said it's as big as a index card? I thought it was huge on the picture in the honda.
It's about the size of an index card. 5" by 2.7" about. I had all these spots picked out and when I got it, it wouldn't fit anywhere. The custom box won't be THAT hard to do, the whole thing is pretty basic with about 3 components. The buttons, the circuit board, and the display. And luckily they are all held together by just basic screws. Really basic design.

I also either messed up on the fillup or did something wrong with it. I'll probably figure it out in the morning when I get my tank. But I did however reset it back to defaults because I don't like seeing the number 30 over the number 300. Even if it was lying to me.

Hope it wasn't anyways.

[M_3]

hehe could you do mines

lol
jk