Neat new product

[RickOTR]

Searching the internet for gauges and found this neat new product... http://www.plxdevices.com. Not as nice as the scan gauge or Aeroforce but for $89.00 it's nice if all you are looking for is Speed, RPMs, fuel mileage, temp, and a code reader. Only downfall is it's size.

 

[410Fortune]

$89?

I see from $399???

Show me where that sucker (OBD-II, water, oil, pressure)is $89??????

That is wicked cool! I want 3!!

 

[Carguy3J]

Junk!!!!!

Searching the internet for gauges and found this neat new product... http://www.plxdevices.com. Not as nice as the scan gauge or Aeroforce but for $89.00 it's nice if all you are looking for is Speed, RPMs, fuel mileage, temp, and a code reader. Only downfall is it's size.

PLEASE do NOT buy this thing. If you want wideband O2 and and other datalogging, buy a LM1 (actually now its LM-2) w/ the rpm converter or aux box from Innovate Motorsports. When I was researching wideband O2 monitors, I looked at the PLX. On the surface, it seems like a cool device, with some "cool" extras that Innovate didn't have. Then I called their tech people. to ask some technical questions. Makes sense, right? I knew more about the technology than the tech guy. and I talked to more than one.

I continued my research, and called Innovate. Their people KNOW what their talking about. I won't pretend to understand the engineering stuff that goes into wideband O2, because I don't at least not much beyond the basics. However, as Innovate explained, and I confirmed with avrious corroborating reviews and technical discussions I found in several days of google searches, the Innovate stuff is real, accurate TOOLS. The PLX, and most other wideband gauges out there, are just toys for "tooonurz".

Why? Well, as I understand it, Innovate is the only one who requires that you field calibrate the sensor/controller to both the individual sensor as well as free air. If I remember right, they're also the only ones who can. Also Innovate's philosophy is that they would rather the device report an error condition (such as sensor overheat,timing errors,etc..) and not give you a number, whereas the other devices (PLX,etc..) aren't even capable of recognizing these errors and will just go on happily reporting erroneous A/F ratios.

Seriously, before you purchase a wideband O2/datalogger setup, do the research. Talk to the tech people, then call Innovate. Look at the forums on Innovate Motorsports website. There is real support there.

No, I don't work for them or anything. I just hate to see people buy junk.

 

[Carguy3J]

Oops. I didn't read carefully.....

.......for $89.00 it's nice if all you are looking for is Speed, RPMs, fuel mileage, temp, and a code reader. Only downfall is it's size.

I actually looked at the website, AFTER I wrote my little diatribe there..... Sorry.
Yes, for $89 (Kiwi MPG meter), that's not so bad, considering that a cheap code reader alone is at least $40-$50. I not sure how accurate the mpg is though. I'm curious how they calculate it.
Still, refer to my previous post and you'll see why I'm still not sure I would trust anything from this company.

Not only that, I think that you would be better served to save up a bit more (ok $300 more isn't a "bit", but still) and buy a tuner such as an SCT xcal3. I'd recommend custom tuning from Henson Performance. Not ony did I get more power, but the engine idles smoother, and the trans shifts are 1000% better than stock. With Xcal you'll get the code reader capability, and datalogging as well. Of course no MPG gauge, but I don't really think that thing is that accurate anyway.

 

[aldive]

Very interesting.

For $89 I shall give it a go.

I see a use for it while adjusting the MAF signal while driving with HHO to monitor changes in gas mileage.

 

[Carguy3J]

Al, how do you think they monitor fuel usage. There don't seem to be any details on the website. Monitoring the VSS PID is easy enough to calculate distance, but where are they getting info on how much fuel is being used? Surely, simply using the fuel level sender in the tank can't be accurate or quick enough?
Injector pulse width x flow rate over time?????? Great for new, factory spec injectors. Very inaccurate with different sized injectors, or even worn ones, as flow rate will vary considerably.

Is there actually a fuel flow PID that I haven't seen?????

 

[Bill Kemp]

Probably measure fuel injector pulses & fuel pressure.

 

[RickOTR]

$89?

I see from $399???

Show me where that sucker (OBD-II, water, oil, pressure)is $89??????

That is wicked cool! I want 3!!

Where did you get $399? $89 is just for the MPG and code scanner. For someone on a budget, It's not bad.

 

[RickOTR]

I have an Aeroforce scanner and have had no problems with it so for. Very happy with it. I agree that if you want all the bells and whistles then spend some money and get one that monitors all the engine parameters. I don't know anything about this company, but all companies have there good and bad.

 

[Carguy3J]

Where did you get $399? $89 is just for the MPG and code scanner. For someone on a budget, It's not bad.

I think he was thinking of their wideband controller/datalogger, as was I.

Nonetheless, I took another look at their site. While their products have changed since I last researched it, they are still claiming that the very things that make their product inferior are actually an advantage!?!?! :thumbdwn I'm speaking about their wideband o2 setups) I wouldn't trust anything these people make to be accurate. Sure it will probably be nice and shiny, and it will appear to work, but I seriously doubt the accuracy. This company sells flash and bling to import kids who don't have a clue about tuning, but want to pretend they do.