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iPhone OSBII scan tools

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Paulkenosha

Well-known member
Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
229
Location
Kenosha, WI
I never used the iPhone one. I know from using the android one torque2 that if the iPhone one is half as good it would be a good app. The iPhone one I want it's just too expensive for the good one, almost cheaper to just by A separate handheld obd reader.
 

kunkernator

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Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
2,438
Location
US of A
I looked into this as well. The cheapest way you can do it is buy a $30 Chinese dongle off feebay, then buy the iPhone app for $50. About $80 and you get minimal features, plus it is WiFi, so connection speed is MUCH slower than Bluetooth. Don't get it, I know it sounds nifty and cool, just buy a handheld OBD reader.
 

Nosferatu

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Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
471
Location
Neither here nor there
Nifty, but not very future proof. I think the standard ODB port is more likely to be around in 10 years than whatever iPhone/USB iteration there is right now.

I looked into them a bit for Android and just decided to buy a handheld scanner. I got a Craftsman one for around $80 that allows me to read and erase codes. That's all I really need.
 

E.rodz

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Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
2,434
Location
st.paul MN.
looking at this as well not sure why you would want to use wifi. torq app on my android is like 5$ a adapter cable is like 25$ this will be a awesome tool in my book. I will let you know if it works as well as I have heard.
 

kunkernator

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Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
2,438
Location
US of A
looking at this as well not sure why you would want to use wifi. torq app on my android is like 5$ a adapter cable is like 25$ this will be a awesome tool in my book. I will let you know if it works as well as I have heard.

Because of Apple's restrictions on third-party bluetooth usage on the iPhone, there is no commercially available dongle/app for bluetooth. The reason why WiFi is used is because of this. WiFi for this is known to be horrible, but that is the only way. Android on the other hand has open-source bluetooth, so third parties can make software/dongles that are bluetooth based.

I kinda wish Apple would lift this restriction, but if not, maybe a company comes out with a direct-connect adaptor for the dock connector.
 

ImLow78

Active member
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Messages
28
Location
in a state of confusion.
Because of Apple's restrictions on third-party bluetooth usage on the iPhone, there is no commercially available dongle/app for bluetooth. The reason why WiFi is used is because of this. WiFi for this is known to be horrible, but that is the only way. Android on the other hand has open-source bluetooth, so third parties can make software/dongles that are bluetooth based.

I kinda wish Apple would lift this restriction, but if not, maybe a company comes out with a direct-connect adaptor for the dock connector.

Could this be fixed with Jailbreaking the phone?

Shannon
 

kunkernator

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Sep 27, 2012
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Could this be fixed with Jailbreaking the phone?

Shannon

Kinda. Jailbreaking the phone COULD unrestrict the bluetooth capabilities, but then you are looking for a bluetooth enabled OBD app for the iPhone. The apps already out there are for WiFi, I guess you could do some fancy programming and stuff to make them work with bluetooth (if you do tell me :) ), but it would just be easier to buy a handheld. And Cydia (the 'jailbreak App Store') does not have any OBD apps, probably pretty low on the hackers' list of things to do.
 

Bullitt427

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
244
Because of Apple's restrictions on third-party bluetooth usage on the iPhone, there is no commercially available dongle/app for bluetooth. The reason why WiFi is used is because of this. WiFi for this is known to be horrible, but that is the only way. Android on the other hand has open-source bluetooth, so third parties can make software/dongles that are bluetooth based.

I kinda wish Apple would lift this restriction, but if not, maybe a company comes out with a direct-connect adaptor for the dock connector.

DashBoss www.dashboss.com

Josh
 

pipsters

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Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Messages
4,899
Location
USA
I have the Bluetooth adapter and torque app, it works well for $30 for the I paid for the adapter. I would assume the iPhone has a similar app for it. Not only does it read and clear codes but you can put custom PIDs on it to pull vehicle specific info.
 
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KSwiss

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Dec 26, 2011
Messages
111
Location
Indianapolis
Nifty, but not very future proof. I think the standard ODB port is more likely to be around in 10 years than whatever iPhone/USB iteration there is right now.

Even if the ports change or new iPhones come out doesn't mean I would get rid of the old phone. Infact it would be a good way to provide a use for the phone after you upgrade.

I think that of they work fine, an iPhone is an ideal platform. Easier to get software updates. Can download different software if needed. Can browse to look up the codes it pulls etc.
 

kunkernator

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Interesting. I wonder how well the "gateway" Bluetooth connector works. At $170, it is a little steep just to have the convenience of an iPhone. If it were me I would still just buy a comparable Innova off of Amazon.

Still not denying it is cool. If I had the money, I would get it.
 

byoungblood

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Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
2,590
Location
Berryville, VA
I am using one of the $20 ELM Bluetooth adapters with my iPhone, here's the rundown on what it takes to get it to work.

1) Jailbreak the phone.
2) Download ROQY Bluetooth from Cydia, pay the $3-4 license fee, and install the OBD plugin.

That's it. The OBD plugin assigns the adapter an IP address (127.0.0.1) that most of the iPhone apps out there can look for, so the app itself doesn't specifically have to support connections to Bluetooth adapters natively,

However, that being said, Torque is more customizable, and significantly cheaper. I'm just using mine with Rev lite to pull codes since my wife is the one with the Android phone. I just did that to see if I could get it to work with my iPhone in the off chance that someone offers a more reasonably priced iPhone app at some point.
 
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mf44

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Joined
Nov 17, 2011
Messages
67
If you're keen on using the iPhone, there is an 'Apple approved' dongle. It's not cheap, but have a look:

http://gopointtech.com/products/

A lot of guys are using this with Harry's LapTimer with good results, so I'm sure it'd be fine for what you need.
 
Last edited:

Bullitt427

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
244
Interesting. I wonder how well the "gateway" Bluetooth connector works. At $170, it is a little steep just to have the convenience of an iPhone. If it were me I would still just buy a comparable Innova off of Amazon.

Still not denying it is cool. If I had the money, I would get it.

It works fantastic and has a huge following with Ford 6.0/6.4 diesel owners.

Here is a write-up on a Ford 6.0 forum...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1196550-dashboss-digital-gauges-for-ford-6-0-a.html

Josh
 

Nosferatu

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Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
471
Location
Neither here nor there
Even if the ports change or new iPhones come out doesn't mean I would get rid of the old phone. Infact it would be a good way to provide a use for the phone after you upgrade.

I think that of they work fine, an iPhone is an ideal platform. Easier to get software updates. Can download different software if needed. Can browse to look up the codes it pulls etc.

True, but batteries & other parts don't last forever. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to buy a 9V battery in 10 years. I can't say the same for any phone battery.
 

kunkernator

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
2,438
Location
US of A
I am using one of the $20 ELM Bluetooth adapters with my iPhone, here's the rundown on what it takes to get it to work.

1) Jailbreak the phone.
2) Download ROQY Bluetooth from Cydia, pay the $3-4 license fee, and install the OBD plugin.

That's it. The OBD plugin assigns the adapter an IP address (127.0.0.1) that most of the iPhone apps out there can look for, so the app itself doesn't specifically have to support connections to Bluetooth adapters natively,

However, that being said, Torque is more customizable, and significantly cheaper. I'm just using mine with Rev lite to pull codes since my wife is the one with the Android phone. I just did that to see if I could get it to work with my iPhone in the off chance that someone offers a more reasonably priced iPhone app at some point.

Hmm, guess I am learning everyday. I searched cydia for rqqy Bluetooth and nothing came up. Your sure that is what it is called? I would like to give this a shot.
 

Dave.R

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
383
Location
Grand Rapids MI
I have Torque pro for android, and use it on my tablet. I love it, clears codes, charts values, does a lot of cool things.
 

E.rodz

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
2,434
Location
st.paul MN.
This is why we love this site so much if you don't know how or with what someone on here does.Thanks to everyone for sharing info!:beer:
 

Seanbev24

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
1,000
Location
Lynnwood, Wa
At the time of my post, it was on sale for $44. Even $69 is good for the amount of info you can get from such a small tool.
 
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KSwiss

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Messages
111
Location
Indianapolis
Stingray, the reviews on iTunes are saying it has compatibility issues with iO6 have you had any issues?
 
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