When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After having a close call with a valley hose letting go, and NO observable data that something was amiss, I went for one of the cabled OBD gauges. Sorry CabrioBob, I wanted something promptly!
I fashioned a simple bracket which slides snugly between the dash and center console without damaging anything in the process, and removed the existing gauge cover for clearance. It is easily observable from the 3-6 opening in the steering wheel while driving and provides me with the audible warnings as well.
I like how you mounted it- - very clever. I looked at one of these last year but never wanted to have a cable going to the top of the dash; however, I like where you installed it. Can you tell us if it completely shuts down when the car is off. Some devices that connect to the OBD2 port never turn off. The device may go off but still have a low power connection.
Apologies to CabrioBob and his superb solution! I can't believe I screwed that name up.
Yes, it is the Autool X50.
As to shutting down , it goes into standby mode 30 seconds after the car shuts down. It's a black screen at that point and I couldn't tell you if it is still drawing power.
I'm in for Cabrio Bob's third round of ADUs. I already use the VGate OBDII Interface that Bob recommends to pair with his unit, but I don't like having to fiddle with the iPhone while driving.
mhminnich, your alternative is certainly cheaper and probably provides a lot of data, but Bob's solution is elegant and attractive. To put it more basically, it's slick as snot!
Last edited by Bill Mack; 11-12-2020 at 10:35 AM.
Reason: usage
I'm in for Cabrio Bob's third round of ADUs. I already use the VGate OBDII Interface that Bob recommends to pair with his unit, but I don't like having to fiddle with the iPhone while driving.
mhminnich, your alternative is certainly cheaper and probably provides a lot of data, but Bob's solution is elegant and attractive. To put it more basically, it's slick as snot!
Glad you got in on Bob's third (and final) round, Bill. The ADU is crazy good.
I have all my stuff on my TSD, gauges and backup camera.
Originally Posted by Sean W
me too
That's the best solution, but it's waay above my DIY ability level. And the cost difference is substantial, just for the parts. My backup cam was $125 and the Autool X50 Plus was $35, or $160 all in with less than 30 minutes to install both. Sure, it's not the greatest but it works for me.
Ah yes - I had forgotten your backup camera display, which is also a neat use for the ashtray. I am close to ordering the Autool X50 for my X-Type. It looks like an interesting device and I'd like to see one in the flesh / plastic.
This is Sean W showing some of the capabilities of his upgrade. It requires that you add a couple of gadgets to the OEM infotainment unit (the unit running the touchscreen). I have NOT attempted this upgrade, so there are others - Sean W, Cee Jay, others I'm sure - much more knowledgeable about how to do it. And there may be other ways to get similar capabilities on your touchscreen display.
All of these solutions start with adding an OBDII scanner to the car. The simplest way to get readouts like this is to install a Bluetooth scanner and an iOS or Android app that shows data on your phone. Simple and cheap, yes, but not as elegant and easy to use as these more sophisticated solutions.
11-11-2020, 04:28 PM
A non-Cambo OBD gauge solution
