Instrument and OBD bluetooth smart phone apps

[photo_van]

I was given an extra "smart" phone and was thinking of installing it as a scan gauge. I have a code reader that plugs into my laptop, but I like the idea of always having one available on trips.

I've read that some of the OBD bluetooth transmitters are junk. Anybody out there using there smart phone for this or can recommend an OBD bluetooth device and app?

Thanks

[photo_van]

Got a $10 OBD blue tooth on ebay, Torque pro app $4.95, used Droid free. The thing is great. All codes, all sensors read in real time. Transmission temp, actual GPS speed which is nice since my spedo is off due to gear swap and tires. MPG, altimeter etc, etc.

I'm kind of wondering about the trans temp as it seems low (125° to 145°).

[LiftedAWDAstro]

With a trans cooler and winter colder temps, your trans temps sound right. Mine used to run in the 125 range in winter. Can you post up pics of how the app looks on the phone as well as what the blue tooth device looks like?

[photo_van]

I just returned from a long desert trip where air temps were in the 40° to 70° range. Trans temp took about two hours of hwy driving to reach ~125°. It ran cooler a lot of the time ~117°. On one long, 2nd gear, dirt uphill it got to 172°. Coolant maxed out several times at 199.8° so I'm assuming a 200° thermostat?

Also found it extremely interesting how the mpg plummeted on dirt roads; not 4wd, just slow, bumpy dirt/rock. Not sure about accuracy but the comparisons are probably real: 23 mpg on the highway and 4-6 mpg on dirt!

Heres a pick of the OBD transmitter

The Torque app allows for an infinite selection of display types and combinations. I picked digital instruments because my eyes aren't good enough anymore to read the cool looking analog meters.

Also, the App allows for many screens (a dozen or more I think) that you can easily scroll through with the swipe of your finger across the screen.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Nice little setup! Thanks for the pics.

[Vanjoe]

Nice! I've been looking at bluetooth obd devices. These pull up trans temp without having to install a temp sensor? I have a 98.
I would like to have that reading before I tow my camper 1000+ miles.
Any more input on these apps, bt devices?

[photo_van]

nothing more that I can add other than it's been working great! Oh, and to unplug the phone if the car is going to sit for a long time; ran my battery dead