Topic: Review: iPod Rev on a GXP

[sunnygator]

Got my Kiwi Wi-Fi OBD-II and hooked up my iPod and ran Rev today for the first time.
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/
http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwiwifi/hardware.html


First impressions - I like it!  The interface is very slick and easy to use.  You can choose from Air Intake Temp, Barometric Pressure, Boost Pressure, Calc. Engine Load, Engine Coolant Temp, EVAP Pressure, Fuel Consumption, Fuel Level, Fuel Trim (LongB1), Fuel Trim (ShortB1), Intake Manifold Pressure, MAss Air Flow, RPM, Throttle Position, Timing Advance, and Vehicle Speed.  All of these can be read on a pretty slick virtual dial gauge on the iPod/iPhone.
   
Checking for any engine codes is very easy, as is setting up the multi-data logger.  I haven't tried exporting files yet.

I would say there are a couple of "minuses" as compared to a DashHawk.  The list of supported parameters on the DashHawk is much bigger.  I used to monitor and log misfires - and these won't show up on Rev unless they are serious enough the create a pending engine trouble code.

Also, there is a very small delay as compared to the GXP's gauges.  Also there are a few Rev parameters that don't work - they show up as "red" and greyed out descriptions.  The only three Rev parameters that are not supported are Fuel Pressure, Fuel Trim (LongB2) and Fuel Trim (ShortB2).

Also, the little Wi-Fi unit does draw some power when the GXP is turned off.  I was hoping I could leave it plugged in and hide it behind the dash - I still might - but it is pretty simple to hook up anyway.  Time will tell.

I took a few photos, but my greasy hands leave fingerprints on the iPod - those of you with an iPod Touch or iPhone know about these!  I see if I can get some better picts later.

Also found a few other programs that use these readers - as I'm a Mac guy, I'm hoping the iPod/iPhone apps will lead to MacOSX apps as well.  A new program called "DashCommand" is coming to the iPodTouch/iPhone, and PLX Logger is available for PCs.....who knows I might try running it under Vista on my wife's Mac.

One final thing....at idle or at constant speed (little or no acceleration) the Rev virtual boost gage will read somewhere between 0 and -10.0 psi, while the DIC on the GXP stays at 0.  When the DIC on the GXP goes above zero (from 0 to 20+psi I have the GMPP Stage II) the Rev iPod virtual gage matches it perfectly......so my question - is that negative reading real?




sunnygator

[GregGXP]

Yes, the negative reading is real. The Rev is measuring manifold vacuum pressure in inches of mercury (in. Hg) which is pretty standard for boost gauges.

[sunnygator]

Here are a couple of picts in my GXP





 

[G8TR]

Thanks, SG, I was waiting for someone else to try this before I bought one. Looks like it works well, and if it's endorsed by a Gator then I guess it must be alright. 

[sunnygator]

Well I must say I still have a few reservations.... 

I did like tracking a few of the other things on the DashHawk that aren't on the Rev gage list. 

And until I do a few runs saving/exporting data, I'll reserve full judgement.  I also wish the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times were like the DashHawk and/or Dynolicious - I think I'll have to export saved data to get those.  Of course, I can still use Dynolicious since I already paid for that....

sunnygator   

[G8TR]

I will await your updates before I do anything. Thanks! 

[sunnygator]

Another read of the Kiwi WiFi says it has a built in "power switch"   

Not quite sure what that means, but I'll try to try it out.....and ask PLX devices too.

[BeachParty]

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this. Been seriously considering getting Rev. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread.

[sunnygator]

Did a little more testing today.  One of the Parameters that Rev says it is tracking OK (a green light) is EVAP.  But the readings always show about -1188psi or jump to about +1200psi.  I gotta believe that this is NOT a real reading, just some kind of on/off reading that Rev doesn't know to ignore, it should give me a "red" (unavailable) light.  All the other readings I posted in the first thread seem to be working OK.

I also tried the data export.  It makes a simple CSV email file that I read into Microsoft Excel.  Now I wasn't flooring it, I was barely moving, as this was just my commute home, hence the little/no boost.   Data is exported about every 0.25 seconds, and reported to the thousandth of a second.  Here is what a fraction of the export looks like:

@BEGIN REV_DATA_FILE 2009-07-06 16:43:57 -0400
"datetime","Vehicle Speed","Boost Pressure","Forward Acceleration","Lateral Acceleration","RPM"
2009-07-06 16:44:04.246,39.76775741577148,-10.63489151000977,-0.102695420384407,-0.03825272247195244,2827
2009-07-06 16:44:04.511,39.14638519287109,-10.63489151000977,-0.09524416923522949,-0.0442434698343277,2800.75
2009-07-06 16:44:04.780,38.5250129699707,-10.48985385894775,-0.0837378203868866,-0.032895278185606,2526
2009-07-06 16:44:05.051,37.90364456176758,-10.48985385894775,-0.08437615633010864,-0.03456626459956169,2316.75

and so on......

Here is what the data looks like in Excel graphs for Speed and Boost:




and here is what about the same section looks like on the iPod (not the exact same start/stop points to be sure)
Red/Yellow are the iPod accelerometers in Gs
Grey is Boost, psi
Green is Speed, MPH
Blue is RPM

[sunnygator]

Another read of the Kiwi WiFi says it has a built in "power switch"   

Not quite sure what that means, but I'll try to try it out.....and ask PLX devices too.

Found the tiny power switch near the cable input to the Kiwi transmitter.......simple on/off manual switch.

[sunnygator]

Here is a better boost export, inported into MS Excel.  I was running up a little hill near my home, not quite WOT....

[elff]

I really like this

Thanks for making my mind up for me.

[klipper]

How much was your OBD Sensor?  Also..awesome mount..where did you get that?

[PURE_Fun]

I saw on the app store that the app is $40 and they had about 12 reviews there was a couple about "delay" in the wifi.  Did you have any problem like that?

There was also a Lite version for free but did not have the CEL and a few others.  The hardware is made in Sunnyvale CA. for $150

All in all this looks like a very affordable solution in which it is stored on your iPhone, I wonder if it can somehow be saved to files on your computer.

[G8TR]

How much was your OBD Sensor?  Also..awesome mount..where did you get that?

http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwiwifi/hardware.html , for the OBD.

I saw on the app store that the app is $40 and they had about 12 reviews there was a couple about "delay" in the wifi.  Did you have any problem like that?

There was also a Lite version for free but did not have the CEL and a few others.  The hardware is made in Sunnyvale CA. for $150

All in all this looks like a very affordable solution in which it is stored on your iPhone, I wonder if it can somehow be saved to files on your computer.

He has already posted graphs he sent to MS Excel in previous posts.

[sunnygator]

I saw on the app store that the app is $40 and they had about 12 reviews there was a couple about "delay" in the wifi.  Did you have any problem like that? ....
I wonder if it can somehow be saved to files on your computer.

There is some delay...when I selected RPM and compared the Rev gage to the Sol's gage, I did notice a small delay.
As G8TR said, see my posts above about exports.  Still a bit crude but effective.

I do like this, but still wish it could see a few more things(misfires, etc.).  I hear a new version of Rev (2.0) is due out soon.

[sunnygator]

How much was your OBD Sensor?  Also..awesome mount..where did you get that?

Sensor was $150.  Mount was made for old iPod Video, not sure if it's still sold.  It is a Griffin Tuneflex.  They have something with that name, but I don't think it's the same thing anymore.

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f15/best-ipod-solution-3472/index16.html#post494992

[klipper]

Ok DDM / JPM / Any Dealer...I want a new A-Pillar that has space to mount my iPhone... Please?  Pretty Please?

[elff]

Tom Tom is coming out with an app and just as important a windshield mount for the iPhone.  My wife has a Tom Tom and the mount is awesome. That's the route I'm going to take.

[klipper]

My only drawback with a lot of mounts out there is they don't really go well if you have any type of case on there.  I have http://ifrogz.com/products.php?cat=432&wrap_overlay=4504|IP3GSoftTouch and any type of mount I've found I"ve had to take the case off the phone first...which is kinda a paint...but if the windshield mount from tom tom works that'll be awesome.

[G8TR]

Been waiting for the tomtom app since it was announced. Sure wish they would get it finished. 

[sol_man]

Thanks for this post SunnyGator!  So you just need the ODBII sensor plugged in under the dash and that will tie into the iPod to give us this data?  Nothing else, right?  I have an iPod Touch and have looked at the Dyno app but it didn't seem to do more than my Passport GT2 Timer but I like the Rev.  Your graphs are cool, nice way to view what the engine is doing.  Do you have a pic of this thing hooked up from the connector to the iPod?

Thanks again!!

[sunnygator]

Thanks for this post SunnyGator!  So you just need the ODBII sensor plugged in under the dash and that will tie into the iPod to give us this data?  Nothing else, right?  I have an iPod Touch and have looked at the Dyno app but it didn't seem to do more than my Passport GT2 Timer but I like the Rev.  Your graphs are cool, nice way to view what the engine is doing.  Do you have a pic of this thing hooked up from the connector to the iPod?

Thanks again!!

You plug the OBD-II WiFi reader into the port, and it communicates wirelessly with the  iPod Touch or iPhone - no further connections required.  But I hear that it will burn through batteries pretty fast on either the iPod or iPhone - not a problem for me, I have power to my mount for my iPod Touch.

Here is what the OBD-II WiFi from PLX looks like:


Here it is plugged into the OBD-II port.....and I ran the cable along the center console


And here it emerges behind the driver's seat, tucked into the netting.



To use it, I turn it on at the tiny switch near the transmitter (then the PLX logo lights up in red), turn on the iPod Touch. 


Finally, I then have to go to "Settings" on the iPod Touch and set the WiFi to use "PLX Device".  Then launch Rev from the iPod Touch like any other application!  When done, turn off the PLX transmitter with the tiny switch.



A few other notes:
1) I did have to set the IP address, subnet and port as detailed in Step 5 of the PLX instructions - still only took a minute to complete setup.
2) Overall I still like it alot - though I still miss a few of the extra things a Dashhawk does that this doesn't (yet)  Let's hope Rev 2 adds some more things.
3) Performance tests (0-60, 1/4 mile, etc.) are much easier on the Dashhawk or Dynolicious - they are not built into this version of Rev, you have to graph it and figure it out yourself.


sunnygator

[elff]

I got my Kiwi Wifi OBD-II reader tonight and hooked everything up.
I found one more Gotcha
With the car off, the Kiwi will draw power and setup the Wifi
My iPhone would not connect until I turned the key to the on position.
Then it immediately connected and I got green dots for all the metrics that can be read.

I played around with some of them.  Rev is definitely a cool tool.  I am really looking forward to the 2.0 Upgrade

I too am a Mac Person and would love to see what there is for the MacOS, but I dual boot my MacBook with WinXP so I could live with a Program that will run in windows and connect to the Kiwi as well.

[sunnygator]

I found one more Gotcha
With the car off, the Kiwi will draw power and setup the Wifi
I too am a Mac Person and would love to see what there is for the MacOS, but I dual boot my MacBook with WinXP so I could live with a Program that will run in windows and connect to the Kiwi as well.

Use the power off switch on the Kiwi to turn it off and avoid the power drain.

I run Vista via Parallels on my better half's MacBook Pro, so I might go that way myself....

sunnygator