Smart Phones as a tool

[msgtsmithret]

I have been using my smartphone for automotive repair quite a lot lately and wanted to start a thread on this versitile tool. Here are some of the things I do with it . . . please add your experiences.

I have a Nexus 7 (the Google phone) which costs about $650. Don't ask me what all the specs are, I can't even remember the phone number. But here is a list of things I do with it.

Take pictures I take a picture of damage to a car prior to work, kind of a cover my **** thing. Pictures of bad parts get sent to customers phones who aren't in the waiting room. Pictures get texted to my favorite parts counterman for quick ID of correct parts. I also squeeze my camera into tight places, take a picture, then pull it out and zoom in on the photo to ID parts, bolt sizes, read part numbers, etc.

Get repair information Web sites like Identifix (there are many others) and OBD-codes.com provide great info. So do forums like this, and there is a YouTube video for EVERYTHING out there.

Oh yeah, the phone! The parts store is on speed dial, I have used video chat and google hangouts to discuss repairs with customers, call employees to find out why they are late , order lunch, and tell the wife that I'll get the milk and bread on the way home.

Inventory a quick snapshot of all the oil filters (or whatever) and I can do inventory while eating a sandwich. I also take pictures of each toolbox drawer so I can look at how many 15 mm sockets I already have, then buy another one anyway. Yeah I'm a toolholic.

 

[lugnut71]

I snap pic of vin when I pull it in for ordering parts and after its parked outside I snap pic of odometer reading for invoice, easier than writing it down

 

[rshadd]

I used an angle meter app on my iphone to help determine what degree shims I needed to align the driveshaft geometry on my truck after lowering it.

I also track maintenance and fuel mileage with my phone.

 

[ClineWrench]

More and more, smartphones are becoming integrated into our lives. Sadly, mine pretty much controls my day.

My assistant sets up appointments and I atend meeting based on what my phone tells me to do. Like others have mentioned, I even use my phone during repairs when I get stuck (YouTube and Google are my friends).

I may have to get a smartphone just for the garage to keep Greece and oil of the one I use day to day.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I use mine to take pics of vendor problems at work, and to simplify technical explanations with vendors. I also use it to take pics before complex assemblies are worked on, to help with reassembly. Also use to take pics of control wiring before removal to make hook ups easier later. It is used to take pics in tight locations to id motors, model numbers and such. Works well for finding yard sales, auctions and such so I can find the deals easier. Used each workday as a lunchtime wake up alarm for the parking lot naps, and on the days I have to pick up kids, so I won't slip up and forget them when I am engrossed in something.

 

[kawtoy]

I flip vintage cars and motorcycle so I use Ulysse Speedometer app for GPS acurate speeds. Hate to get a ticket because you didn't know the 64 Studebaker you just bought has a speedo that is off by 12 mph. Also will measure top speed. Some other apps will use the built in accelerometer to measure 0-60 or 1/4 times.

 

[Hemlock]

Cline, if you want one for around the garage, pick up a tablet. Cheaper than a phone and a larger screen.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Cline, if you want one for around the garage, pick up a tablet. Cheaper than a phone and a larger screen.

Agree. A buddy of mine uses a tablet in the home garage, and has a google chrome device plugged into his wall mount LCD big screen so he can broadcast from the tablet to the big screen. Why you ask? To watch the ball game while working in the garage of course.

 

[msgtsmithret]

I flip vintage cars and motorcycle so I use Ulysse Speedometer app for GPS acurate speeds. Hate to get a ticket because you didn't know the 64 Studebaker you just bought has a speedo that is off by 12 mph. Also will measure top speed. Some other apps will use the built in accelerometer to measure 0-60 or 1/4 times.

Hey! That is a cool app, thanks!

 

[MrGiggles]

I primarily use Torque and a bluetooth ELM327 for reading codes and data, because I don't have a better scanner available.

Other then that, just the power of Google. Usually when I encounter a problem with a vehicle, a quick Google will bring up the common causes and repairs.

 

[79cmc]

Cool thread. It's not my primary, but I've got an app that let's me use my phone as a flashlight in a pinch. I also use the camera a lot to document the way parts looked before disassembly and capture the process for others.

 

[goldie lox]

know its not a automotive tool, but i seem to always be using my phone as a flashlight

 

[AndrewnTX]

Very useful, for sure. One to add... I have each vehicle I own entered as a contact. In the contact notes are oil filter #, vin, other details so I don't have to look up or write down stuff when I'm headed to the auto parts or DMV, etc. Has come in handy. Especially since 3 of my vehicles do not have the factory motor/trans combination, so can't even look it uP anywhere!

 

[msgtsmithret]

Cool thread. It's not my primary, but I've got an app that let's me use my phone as a flashlight in a pinch. I also use the camera a lot to document the way parts looked before disassembly and capture the process for others.

Ha! I forgot about the flashlight, which I also use.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Very useful, for sure. One to add... I have each vehicle I own entered as a contact. In the contact notes are oil filter #, vin, other details so I don't have to look up or write down stuff when I'm headed to the auto parts or DMV, etc. Has come in handy. Especially since 3 of my vehicles do not have the factory motor/trans combination, so can't even look it uP anywhere!

Great idea!

 

[RedF]

I find a unit conversion app to be very useful.

Camera for taking pics of VINs, or parts.

I have "Maps with me" gps, doesn't require data to use. You just need to download the detailed maps ahead of time.

 

[General Geoff]

the ability to take photos and send them to other people, or reference them later for reassembly is invaluable.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I use my phone as a bluetooth code scanner, flashlight, parts lookup and picture reference for how things to back together.

 

[DieselSaves]

I use my phone as a bluetooth code scanner, flashlight, parts lookup and picture reference for how things to back together.

That's most of my list along with texting pics of parts to parts guys and capturing tire sizes and filter part numbers for runs to town.

 

[59 wagon man]

strange engineering has a driveline angle finder app on smartphone

 

[APEowner]

primarily use Torque and a bluetooth ELM327 for reading codes and data, because I don't have a better scanner available.

I'm not an automotive tech and I actually do have a better scanner available and I still do this often. My phone is already in my pocket and the adapter is so convenient to grab.

 

[jnicolds]

I have a time tracker app that lets me clock in and out when I am on a job. Makes tracking how much time I put into a job super easy. I also take lots of pictures. When I was in construction, we used pictures for all kinds of things. Good protection if you have "before" pictures and a customer says you damaged something and you can prove it was an existing problem with you camera.

 

[msgtsmithret]

I have a time tracker app that lets me clock in and out when I am on a job. Makes tracking how much time I put into a job super easy. I also take lots of pictures. When I was in construction, we used pictures for all kinds of things. Good protection if you have "before" pictures and a customer says you damaged something and you can prove it was an existing problem with you camera.

Amen to that.

 

[Seppala]

I primarily use Torque and a bluetooth ELM327 for reading codes and data, because I don't have a better scanner available.

Other then that, just the power of Google. Usually when I encounter a problem with a vehicle, a quick Google will bring up the common causes and repairs.

Torque Pro for $5 + $20 for a Bluetooth ELM327 = one of the thriftiest options for a scan tool for a shade tree mechanic. I have it on my android phone.

 

[DoyleDee]

Yes, smartphones are tools.. A small computer with a camera, video recorder (I use this for sounds and to see where I cannot get my head) flashlight. ..etc.. I take before and after pics, it makes "you messed up my car" into, well let me show you.. granted I do mostly family and a few friends cars and trucks.

 

[truckdriver]

Very useful, for sure. One to add... I have each vehicle I own entered as a contact. In the contact notes are oil filter #, vin, other details so I don't have to look up or write down stuff when I'm headed to the auto parts or DMV, etc. Has come in handy. Especially since 3 of my vehicles do not have the factory motor/trans combination, so can't even look it uP anywhere!

Same here. Since my truck has a reman engine of a newer series I also keep the engine serial # on there. I also have to keep mileage when I enter exit a state. I used to write it on a notebook but it was hard to write it and be legible while driving. Not to mention all the apps specific to my job.

 

[Anarius]

I use mine to take picture of cars that have damage I could be blamed for, to take pictures of stupid **** I see, to call vendors when I don't feel like being assed to go up front, I have a blue-tooth scanner app for it that is a quick way of getting codes and a little data without waiting for our slow-*** snap-on solus to boot up.

A guy who I work with is a total apple fanboy, and he has a FLIR camera (this) It is really cool to look at thermal images of brakes and engines with it. Not all that practical, but still fun!

 

[Nele]

I use my phone from scanning car trouble codes, can't beat that

 

[truckdriver]

I have a time tracker app that lets me clock in and out when I am on a job. Makes tracking how much time I put into a job super easy. I also take lots of pictures. When I was in construction, we used pictures for all kinds of things. Good protection if you have "before" pictures and a customer says you damaged something and you can prove it was an existing problem with you camera.

I video my safety inspection every time I pick up a trailer/morning. Had a trailer that had a ground problem on a light. D.O.T. officer was going to write me up for it. I showed him my inspection video from 2 hrs earlier. He said the driver always said it was good during inspection but he knew most were BS. He let me go since I could prove it was working just a few hrs earlier.

It also helps prevent a customer claiming I damaged his equipment.

 

[RivennHewn]

My favorite apps are

Fraction Plus calculator
TapDrillTool
dBmeter
Right angle
Mission: Level
Board Feet calculator
Altimeter
Navionics GPS
RadarUS+

I'm amazed at how many times a day I refer to these apps.

Don't want to ever go back to being with out them.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Lots of great input guys. Thanks for all of it. I got some great new app sugestions and an idea for my sons birthday gift. Any more please post them.