Scanguage, Ultraguage, or none of the above

[Mo_Mike]

I have been reading with interest the information that can be displayed by the Ultraguage or Scanguage. Especially the MPG and miles til empty. Does anyone have any opinions on them? Which one is better? Or, are they worth the money? 2016 VEGAS here and would like to be able to raise the MPG by varying driving habits

[vkb]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

I have been reading with interest the information that can be displayed by the Ultraguage or Scanguage. Especially the MPG and miles til empty. Does anyone have any opinions on them? Which one is better? Or, are they worth the money? 2016 VEGAS here and would like to be able to raise the MPG by varying driving habits

We have an OBD which shows all the critical information and with another software package, will diagnose all of the info from the on board computer. The device itself, can be fairly reasonable..it is the software that can be pricey.
The info of interest for us if mpg/ temp /miles to die .. etc.
Let all of us know if you come up with a winner on getting better gas mileage.
Depending on where we travel, we get between 9 & 11+ mpg..

[Texan]

Hi,
I use a ScanTool OBDlink MX which is the Wifi version together with an IPad (Bluetooth also available for Android). Either with their own free software or Dash Commander. Both allow you to build your own custom dashboards plus alot more. The MX device is more expensive than the $10-20 ELM devices but has proven to be very reliable so far.

Tex

[JamieGeek]

I use a bluetooth OBD MX device (Android only) with my phone and Forscan software.

Forscan will show many more parameters than standard OBD software as it has Ford specific PIDs included.

[DocMike]

Question for those with the 5 Star Tune-up:


If you do the 5 Star tune up, does that not come with some kind of OBD hookup and monitor?


Doc

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by DocMike

If you do the 5 Star tune up, does that not come with some kind of OBD hookup and monitor?

When I picked up the 5-Star for my F-350 it came with an X4 Flash programmer. The device does let you view vehicle parameters but it is by no means a thing you can just leave on the dash while driving. Its more like a diagnostic tool. (Looking at the 5-Star website it would appear that it still uses the X4.) Although you can get the LiveWire device which is made to sit on the dash for a few $$ more.

X4 Flash

Livewire

5-Star Livewire page

[DocMike]

Jamie,

Thanks for the info.

I am looking around to find someone to help design a custom dash piece to replace the thin plastic part directly over the instrument cluster. In my design there will an extension on both sides to hold my Garmin on one side and a OBD device on the other...that Live Wire looks nice.

BTW: Finally finished the outside WiFi antenna mount (see new posting this site).

Doc

[gbrown]

Instead of paying so much for a Scanguage, I went with the portable solution. I bought the ScanTool ODBLink WiFi and the DashCmd application for my iPhone. One advantage is that the hardware works on both my car and RV, while the software can maintain a profile for each vehicle.

I find it sufficient to use when I change driving profiles (e.g. starting up a mountain) to check MPG and driving style (fast freeway vs. country roads). I chose the WiFi to keep the Bluetooth available for my radio.