Topic: OBDLink Bluetooth Module - Custom Mounted into Solsti

[cartmann32]

Since I recently got a smartphone…I decided that I needed somewhere to put this hugeantic thing……only place that made sense was somewhere I look all the time……steering wheel.

So since I put it there, I was going to block some icons on the gauge layout….problem.
How to fix it?  Look for an app that can talk to your car.  Products?  OBD Link…Bluetooth module!  Plugs into your OBD port in your car and can communicate with it like a regular scan tool.  Puts out the information in a Bluetooth signal….smart phone receives in and you’re good to go!

Cheers!!!

Stock steering wheel cover


Getting everything lined up


ABS, Super Super Glue, Epoxy and Duraglas



Waiting for the spot putty to dry


Final Product in the car





OBDLink – Bluetooth Module with cord




On to the gauges

[IBDRINKEN]

thats bad ass, how much was it..

[Kelu]

Looks great, nice skills you have there

I'm debating between iphone ecu softwares (iRev, DashCommand) similar to yours vs Aeroforce gauges vs DashDaq.

Steering column is a pretty neat place for things like this.

[JimVonBaden]

Nice job. Is that software expensive? Does it work with a phone like a Blackberry?

Jim

[Kelu]

Jim: see info about Torque software here: http://torque-bhp.com/

[Critterman]

sweet, but how hared are they to read at a glance?

[cartmann32]

Reading the 'small' analog gauges at a glance is worthless....but the big ones are easy...plus you can do graphs and/or digital readouts as well....the large digital digits are about 2" tall...so more than enough to catch at a glance.

Cord was $160 shipped....got the right angle adapter since it would be hardwired

App was $5.....works on pretty much anything I guess......app inventer is apparently a 'normal' around the app world....so he knows his sh!t.

So far, I'm more than happy.....but it's like when you first put on your new intake/exhaust/turbo/etc.....knowing how many horses you're putting out or torque, engine load, acceleration....all that crap, makes you drive like an indy car racer your first few times using your new product......difinite MUST for all car guys!

[Jebsmith]

is that gonna hold your phone during acceleration or turning?

[DeepBlueGXP]

What about receiving calls on it?

[cartmann32]

is that gonna hold your phone during acceleration or turning?

Ya, it's a tight fit on the sides....so with that and the fact that the case is slip resistant...it's not moving

[cartmann32]

What about receiving calls on it?

Well, it's a phone...sooooo.....

Juuuuust kidding

No, it's an app, so even text messages and what not, can be viewed, recieved, and sent...then once done, it goes back to the app without an issue

[JimVonBaden]

This could very well be the solution I was looking for, and at a reasonable price!

Now to dream up a mount that will work on a variety of phones.

Jim

[cartmann32]

This is a phone dock i made for my office.....i just glassed in a universal phone holder and thus far.....I've had 3 different phones and they all fit perfectly!!





So you could make a place to hold the universal part of it then you'd be good to go

[TomatoSoup]

Hey cartmann, I was thinking of using that same location for my rectangular OBD gauge, but was wondering if there was space under the steering column cover to inset the holder so it's lower - you know, sunk into the cover?

I'm assuming you checked that and there is no room to inset (or did you)??

[cartmann32]

Hey cartmann, I was thinking of using that same location for my rectangular OBD gauge, but was wondering if there was space under the steering column cover to inset the holder so it's lower - you know, sunk into the cover?

I'm assuming you checked that and there is no room to inset (or did you)??

Haha...ya, that was my original plan, but the clearance you have is the thickness of the plastic on the steering wheel cover.  It basically rests on the harnesses and moving parts it covers....so ya....no sinking going on in this car.....built up is the only way you can do it......I was bummed out, cause I've taken off plenty of steering columns before and revealed enough room to hide a small child........I guess I should have known that based on the fact that this is a Solsti....

[jws0318]

Torque is a great little app - I have been using it on my Android phone for several months now.

Also, you don't need to spend a lot for the OBDII dongle - i bought mine on Ebay for under 30 bucks shipped and it works perfectly.  Just search for "ELM327 OBDII Bluetooth" and there are a lot of them available.  You don't need any of the software since the software is all part of the Torque program.

Great idea on a mounting place for the smartphone!