Android tools?

[Greatwhitewing]

I am seeing lots of adds for accessories to attach to your phone to make a tool out of it. Seen bore-scopes, stud finders thermal imaging.

My question is do any any of you find any accessories like that really useful in a professional or handyman environment?

If so what are you using and what do you like/dislike about it?

Thanks

 

[V8Reverb]

I've got a borescope that attaches to my shop laptop. Its an old Panasonic toughbook that I upgraded. I use it for obd scanning and manuals too. I'm not sure how much I'd want greasy fingerprints over my new S8 lol

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[ChaseDE]

I use a bluetooth wireless OBDII scanner and the Torque Pro app on my android to scan my cars.

I am very close to pulling the trigger on the Carly for BMW app for android as well, apparently you can do a ton with it for my BMW, but it is like $58.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I've got a borescope that attaches to my shop laptop. Its an old Panasonic toughbook that I upgraded. I use it for obd scanning and manuals too. I'm not sure how much I'd want greasy fingerprints over my new S8 lol

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That bore scope a USB interface?

 

[Codejack]

I have an app called SwissArmyKnife, which has:

-Flashlight (turns on the camera flash)
-Unit converter (currency, SAE to Metric, etc)
-Timer
-Stopwatch
-Compass
-Bubble level
-Magnifying glass
-Mirror
-Ruler

I rarely use anything but the flashlight; I use the bubble level, occasionally.

I know people who have apps that turn their phones into scales, but it's really only useful for weighing small, light stuff that you can keep on the screen, like in a bag...

 

[V8Reverb]

That bore scope a USB interface?

Yep. EBay special.

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[davethorik]

I have an app called SwissArmyKnife, which has:

-Flashlight (turns on the camera flash)
-Unit converter (currency, SAE to Metric, etc)
-Timer
-Stopwatch
-Compass
-Bubble level
-Magnifying glass
-Mirror
-Ruler

I rarely use anything but the flashlight; I use the bubble level, occasionally.

I know people who have apps that turn their phones into scales, but it's really only useful for weighing small, light stuff that you can keep on the screen, like in a bag...

You do know even old android smart phones have flashlight, timer, and stopwatch fuctions already on them, right?
A conversions app would be nice but I usually just google them.

 

[ducksface]

I think the easier question from you might be
Which ones aren't useful?

Smart tools is a nice app for shop and home use.
Garage buddy is also.

But this isn't what you asked of.

Only you can say if it is useful or not.
The little car that makes zoomzoom noises and attaches to a USB port, or the drinking bird USB thing is not useful to me, but your kid might get a real kick out if them.

My 8 dollar ebay Boroscope that has 12 feet of cable, an adjustable light on the end and has a 4mm to infinity focus with zoom was used for the first practical application two days ago. A friend brought over his chainsaw and was peering into the spark plug hole. The boroscope was fun to use.

 

[Codejack]

You do know even old android smart phones have flashlight, timer, and stopwatch fuctions already on them, right?

Mine doesn't have a flashlight; the timer and stopwatch are under the alarm clock, but I can't even make my camera app turn the light on unless it's in video mode and recording... and sometimes I am looking at things that I don't want recorded

A conversions app would be nice but I usually just google them.

I do that in my head

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I use a bluetooth wireless OBDII scanner and the Torque Pro app on my android to scan my cars.

I am very close to pulling the trigger on the Carly for BMW app for android as well, apparently you can do a ton with it for my BMW, but it is like $58.

I used mine to clear a code this morning. Fairly easy to use and it is updated frequently. I would suggest downloading the free version to make sure your bluetooth OBDII adapter works with the software. I tried one of the generic ones and it would not work. Had to buy the Carly version from Amazon. Even with the additional cost it is worth the money. Reading the BMW specific codes makes trouble shooting so much easier. You can code with is as well. Best part is no VIN number restrictions.

 

[ChaseDE]

I used mine to clear a code this morning. Fairly easy to use and it is updated frequently. I would suggest downloading the free version to make sure your bluetooth OBDII adapter works with the software. I tried one of the generic ones and it would not work. Had to buy the Carly version from Amazon. Even with the additional cost it is worth the money. Reading the BMW specific codes makes trouble shooting so much easier. You can code with is as well. Best part is no VIN number restrictions.

Yeah I have tried the free version and I guess was lucky because the functions I COULD try did work with my generic reader just fine.

 

[jgromada]

The Torque app (which is the most popular) has a good article on its web site about some generic ELM-327 chipset devices and why some don't work. If looking for one its a good idea to look in the comments on Amazon for instance and see if people have made sure its compatible with Torque. Mine is from BAFX and it works well, but that being said it will disconnect from time to time and is finicky

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I use the camera and flashlight regularly.
I've used the level, but not when level was very important. The speedometer has come in handy.
I've been wanting to get thermal imaging. Cheap OBD is nice, but I already had the tools before the phone.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

In addition to the ELM/ Torque, I have the Rosstech mobile dohickey, and it's amazing what my old droid can do to a VAG product.

 

[trekgod3]

Android tools

 

[beamrider]

Android tools

I know right? And only took 15 posts!

 

[V8Reverb]

That bore scope a USB interface?

Sorry for the late reply. Yes it's USB.

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