OK, that's the plugin I saw, looks like a neat feature.

I think I'd like to avoid relying on my phone for this functionality on a regular basis, and instead have something more dedicated - maybe the Ultragauge or the Android headunit that you linked.

I'm not familiar with Android headunits in general - does it function like my phone (minus the calling/texting part) but in-dash? So I can use it for Torque, Nav, Podcasts, etc?

The 4Runner radio is unfortunately mounted pretty low on the dash, so not super ideal for nav etc while keeping your eyes on the road, but I'll definitely consider this option, if it works like I think it would.

I have no personal experience with one either, but to my knowledge you are correct.
It's just an android without cell network. Most of them do have WiFi, Bluetooth, and a standalone GPS antenna though. So you can use GPS without 4G.
Now if you have a 4G HotSpot on your phone, you might be able to connect to it and call/text through WiFi.

Theoretically, all Android apps should work, but Android is open source so people can tweak it as they see fit. It also might not have the most up to date version of Android, so apps on the Playstore might be too new to work (you can finagle it, though).
I have an Android TV device that I like (kinda like a firestick) , but I have to run an older version of Netflix I downloaded from the internet because the newer version won't install. Works great other than that, though.
Same concept for the headunit.

Leon, some head units have tilting screens. Quite a few of us here have Pioneer NEX offerings, as an example. Changing the angle might alleviate your concern. I'm quite happy with it. You can see such here, about the 40 second mark.

YouTube

I've got Torque on an unused Galaxy S2 in a cupholder mount. Doesn't interfere with
shifting. I've already got a Sirius in front of one vent or I could position it higher.

I sent the scangauge back, I decided it's not ideal for me.

Based on the inputs from you guys, I'm leaning towards the Android head unit, since it'd allow me to run Torque Pro, Navigation, and my podcasts (that I currently run through an FM Bluetooth adapter).

I'm not knowledgeable about these head units - do they work like my phone? So when I turn the car on and the head unit comes on, I'd select which app to run, be it Nav, Torque, etc? That seems straightforward enough, where I'm not clear is how this would all function if I want to have navigation and Torque Pro running at the same time - is that where the widgets come into play? Maybe I need to find some Youtube videos that explain this.

Tony, since you already have the Pioneer, why do you run the scangauge instead of running Torque Pro on the head unit?

Leon, I believe Torque Pro is not IOS compatible. If that changed, I might indeed go that route, for the alerts primarily. I'd put the gauges on the Pioneer screen at times, but often on our trips we use if for navigation.

I'll check later on Torque Pro to see if there is an IOS version.

One thing that keeps me from picking up a scangauge is how they label everthing.

Tony, thanks - so your Pioneer is set up for Apple CarPlay, which is why you can't run Torque Pro? I'd be getting an Android head unit, so that would not be a problem. Or am I being dense?

If you search those radios you’ll get plenty of forums. I haven’t herd a bad thing about them yet.


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First, I consider myself ignorant on such stuff Leon. The Pioneer unit I have is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. I have one USB cable for each connected to the back of the unit. The blue USB is Apple (IOS), the black one could be used for Android (none in the family), but my wife connects her iPhone to the black one to manage our tunes. I'm connected to the blue one, often for navigation purposes...

If I purchased an Android-based device and purchased the Torque Pro app I'd be able to interface with the Pioneer unit with Torque Pro. But, I'd need to use the proper input, the black USB cable, which my wife uses.

If Torque Pro had an IOS app, I'd be ok. If I'm missing something, that would be great.

There seems to be some mixing of info going on here. While I'm FAR from knowing even a majority of this info, I've done enough research to cover this bit.

There's talk of 2 different types of headunits that are kinda being mushed into one. You have the Apple Carplay and Android Auto options, which basically mirror what's on the phone ~ but REQURIES the phone. For Android Auto, I think it's all wired connections (no clue about Apple, they ran me off 2 decades ago), but I get fuzzy there. Anyway, no Real benefit in my eyes over just using the phone. The one car I have with this setup (OEM Mazda) locks the phone down, so it's not like you can get 2 screens with different info.

And the second type is an actual Android headunit. This is more-or-less like integrating a tablet into your dash. Completely stand-alone, though if you want it to stream music then you'll either be tethering it to your phone or setting up another account for that device. These headunits are most unknown name brands, or rather they're making their Own names.... you won't be buying a Pioneer/Sony/JVC/Alpine/etc... branded unit. 'Joying' is the one name I can pull from memory.

The Android HU's are still in the enthusiast realm. I don't think they're quite to the level of plug-n-play that a traditional HU maintains, meaning that you need to be comfortable working within the android system via computer. But I don't actually know because all I've done is troll the XDA Android Headunit forums and look at different options on Aliexpress. The one negative that drove me off was that these types of HU's take about 30 seconds to boot up when you turn them on. Just like if you were to start your phone from fully off.

So, trade-offs no matter which way you go. I can see why the Scangauge and Ultragauge exist in the market now. For someone who wants a dedicated info display without using a smartphone and is unwilling to venture into the Android HU option.

Tony, Brian, thanks for the overview, that's very helpful. Now I understand why Tony is not using Torque Pro on the Pioneer (it requires an actual Android phone to tether to the head unit).

I also understand the Android head unit concept - sort of like a built-in phone. The 30 sec boot-up and the potential quirks/"enthusiast" issues are a bit of a downer - I'm not sure I'm ready to make a project out of this .

So some advantages of the scangauge and the ultragauge do become more clear - work out of the box, and no need to fiddle with anything.

I think I'll try out the Ultragauge, and see how I like it for the everyday driving. I'll still have Torque Pro on my phone if I want to get fancy. And I'll ponder the Android head unit idea some more.

Thanks guys!

Leon, please do update this thread or elsewhere on the UG. I am so close to getting one too. Would you order the one with the included display, or the "Blue" that makes use of one's device?

I'm thinking of either using the port in the engine bay or a Y-like device or splitter on the cabin one. SC2 and the UG on something like this.



https://smile.amazon.com/Right-Angle...s%2C203&sr=8-3

Tony, sure thing, I'll update this once I figure out a plan! If I got the Ultragauge, I'd get the self contained unit/display.

I don't see the advantage of the "Blue" approach over my Torque Pro app, they both tie up my phone, but I already have the Torque Pro, so why would I spend the money on the UG adapter?

Indeed, for your application, agreed.

UG does not recommend Y cables or splitters. I was wondering if that might be problematic... Having their Bluetooth adaptor in the engine bay with those temps, not a good idea. Warranty is voided above 160F, so either an extension is needed, with a large hole in the firewall, or run the SG2 from that spot...

So, I will try connecting my SG2 to the OBD2 port in the engine bay later today. If it works, I'll likely order the Blue. I'm a bit concerned about each pulling this data at the same time, and the potential for conflict. Hoping that with each on different ports, all will be good...

EDIT/ADD: Well, silly me, the diagnostic port in the engine bay is not an OBD2 one with the same interface. I imagine it's a proprietary Toyota one, possibly allowing for greater access. Regardless, it won't be an option for me to run the UG...

So, I really need to re-think my approach. I might put the SG2 back into my MINI Cooper S and consider the UG dedicated unit. I really like the idea of customizable alerts. I suppose for 10 bucks I can try the Y-cable/splitter first though.