Android Torque

[Jeeper]

Has anyone used the Android Torque app? I recently purchased it and it seems pretty slick. It can check codes, graphy and log live data. Obviously not dealer level, but for the $25 ($20 bluetooth adapter + $5 app costs), it seems pretty slick. Even has some limited enhanced manufacture PIDs/Codes.

Couple of questions to Torque users on the forum, has anyone done troubleshooting using the Torque app? What else have you done with the app?

 

[leadnbrass]

I haven't used it but it has peaked my interest. What adapter did you use? I looked at the reviews and many said the cheap adapters don't work. This was the main reason I haven't purchased it. I figured if I was going to spend a decent amount of money on the adapter I'd just buy a dedicated scanner.

$20 is a decent price if it works.

 

[Danglerb]

http://torque-bhp.com/forums/?wpforumaction=viewforum&f=1.0

 

[pipsters]

Using it on my 1995 Volvo paired with the 'el cheapo' ELM bluetooth adapter off ebay. I'm using the free version so not all the options are available to me but it works like a charm. Wish I just knew how to evaluate the graphs now.

I mainly use it to scan codes and delete CEL's on my 850 since all the options/sensors aren't there but we recently bought a 2010 Prius so I'm anxious to hook it up to that as well.

 

[db130]

i also have the BT adapter but with the paid version

i use it primarily to reset CELs, but it does have some useful tools like coolant temp gauge

 

[88hurst]

I had thought about buying a used droid just for this. If it works decent, would be a nice little wireless scanner.

 

[Yojinbo]

Have it.

I have noticed a wide variety of the data feeds available by vehicle. I use a BT adapter as well.

 

[garboui]

IMO working in the electronics design business. Don't get too caught up on a "more expensive; probably better quality tool t mate with the app." The cheapest one that works is the best in this case. There are several ELM and ELM clone chips around that all function identically for the most part. Theres not much that changes for this sort of CCT, esp being all digital. As a matter of fact I'm off to ebay now to find an adapter!

 

[Jeeper]

I haven't used it but it has peaked my interest. What adapter did you use? I looked at the reviews and many said the cheap adapters don't work. This was the main reason I haven't purchased it. I figured if I was going to spend a decent amount of money on the adapter I'd just buy a dedicated scanner.

$20 is a decent price if it works.

I bought the first one listed on amazon and it works well. I think its best to follow the advice of some of the reviews and order one where its easy to return in case you recieve a bad one.

I just ran a log and imported into a spreadsheet and making some graphs to make it look like the ford ids screens that Steck posts. should be interesting.

 

[RAYJAY]

Off topic but does any one here use a app to keep track of the part numbers and oil change info ??

 

[Jeeper]

I did some data logging and imported into a spreadsheet. Created some charts in order to get something similar to the Ford IDS tools. This is a capture from my 2005 Ford 150. Nothing in wrong with the truck, just playing around.

 

[Danglerb]

I had thought about buying a used droid just for this. If it works decent, would be a nice little wireless scanner.

Make sure you get at least 1.6. I saw some posts of people with older HTC phones running 1.5 which Torque doesn't run on.

Buying the cheap generic Chinese sourced anything doesn't mean it won't work, or even that getting a refund won't be easy, but you do have a fair risk of wasting your time from any of the following;

Long delivery time, like a month.
Item is a toy that looks like a tool.
Item is a POS, sort of works but not well.
DOA
Seems to work, but with odd quirks, so you never are really sure if its a problem with the car, the adapter, the software, or the android.

Personally if you plan to use the tool much at all, I would buy the best known adapter. The difference in cost is easily worth avoiding the chance of any of the above.