07-15-2019, 07:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
Posts: 1,973
Real Name: Leon
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
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Real Name: Leon
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Am I missing the point of scangauge?
I bought a scangauge a few weeks ago, planning to eventually install it in the overhead console. I must admit that I had my doubts about its utility for my truck, but I decided to try it, given that everyone else seems to love theirs.
So after a few weeks of driving with the scangauge, I'm ready to send it back. Now, full disclosure, I'm a bit of an odd duck - I have a digital voltmeter and transmission temperature gauges already installed in the dash, so I have no need for these functions in the scangauge (besides the scangauge would not read the trans temps on my '97).
So that leaves the water temperature gauge as the only thing I find interesting to monitor - and even that is of little benefit, as I can look at the analog gauge in the dash. Without an alarm for high water temps (and I can't comprehend why scangauge doesn't include that function, like Ultragage does), I'm not sure how useful it is for me to have that gauge. I don't want to use the scangauge as a $100 water temp gauge.
Moreover, my Torque Pro app can do everything that a scangauge can do, except that Torque Pro is easier to use for scanning fault codes, monitoring various functions, all with a much better graphics interface.
So am I missing something about the scangauge that might make me change my mind?
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
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07-15-2019, 08:07 PM
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#2
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 41
Posts: 60
Real Name: Jeremy
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 41
Posts: 60
Real Name: Jeremy
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I got one a few weeks ago and like it so far. I just installed the supercharger so it's nice to be able to monitor my timing advance. I also have it set to water temp which is good since it takes a lot of variance to make the analog one in the dash move, so I like to see if I'm up a few degrees pulling long hills or towing etc. I also like the fact that I can have an accurate speedometer since mine is off by 13%. And lastly, I monitor the average mpg's but I'm not sure how accurate that function is. So for my uses it's actually been pretty helpful
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07-15-2019, 08:27 PM
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#3
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 862
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carp73
I got one a few weeks ago and like it so far.
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Why did you choose the Scan-gauge over running Torque? They do the same thing, offer the same information. The way I'm reading Leon's post, that's the main question.... why pick a $$$ option rather than a $5 dongle and a phone you most likely already have in your pocket/hand.
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07-15-2019, 08:57 PM
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#4
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Elite Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: OBX, NC and Obamaville
Posts: 6,801
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No, if you can already read volts, ATF, and coolant temp. If you are running Android, then the Torque Pro app should display all and more. I personally like the Scangauge for its size in my 99 but that is just me.
Personally I want to see odd duck Leon return it and put the $$$ towards a set of those Hilux mirrors......
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07-15-2019, 09:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: South SF Bay, CA
Posts: 1,758
Real Name: Tony (no surprise)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: South SF Bay, CA
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Real Name: Tony (no surprise)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Runner4Leon
I bought a scangauge a few weeks ago, planning to eventually install it in the overhead console. I must admit that I had my doubts about its utility for my truck, but I decided to try it, given that everyone else seems to love theirs.
So after a few weeks of driving with the scangauge, I'm ready to send it back. Now, full disclosure, I'm a bit of an odd duck - I have a digital voltmeter and transmission temperature gauges already installed in the dash, so I have no need for these functions in the scangauge (besides the scangauge would not read the trans temps on my '97).
So that leaves the water temperature gauge as the only thing I find interesting to monitor - and even that is of little benefit, as I can look at the analog gauge in the dash. Without an alarm for high water temps (and I can't comprehend why scangauge doesn't include that function, like Ultragage does), I'm not sure how useful it is for me to have that gauge. I don't want to use the scangauge as a $100 water temp gauge.
Moreover, my Torque Pro app can do everything that a scangauge can do, except that Torque Pro is easier to use for scanning fault codes, monitoring various functions, all with a much better graphics interface.
So am I missing something about the scangauge that might make me change my mind?
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Leon, likely much of it has to do with those who have used them for 10 or 15 years, when there were few to no other like options back then. I have a couple cables that I keep routed in two different vehicles...
With today's choices, I can see how the SCII might not be so desirable for some. That said, I'd want a dedicated screen. I personally wouldn't want to tie-up my phone's screen for such, but that's just me. So, for some, that might entail the purchase of another screen device. I also like the size of the SCII, that it is small, not taking-up much real estate, possibly another screen suspended from an arm or bracket. I tend to prefer cleaner, more integrated-looking solutions. As with most things, preferences can play a role...
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07-15-2019, 09:52 PM
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#6
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Olathe KS
Age: 41
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Join Date: May 2013
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Im already using my phone for nav and music, so I like the standalone. You done need it, return it.
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07-15-2019, 11:57 PM
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#7
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 41
Posts: 60
Real Name: Jeremy
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 41
Posts: 60
Real Name: Jeremy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian.
Why did you choose the Scan-gauge over running Torque? They do the same thing, offer the same information. The way I'm reading Leon's post, that's the main question.... why pick a $$$ option rather than a $5 dongle and a phone you most likely already have in your pocket/hand.
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Mainly because the scan gauge is always plugged in and in front of me. I have the dongle and an app for my phone that I use for other things but it's not always hooked up and reading information as soon as I get in the car. Just me but it makes it easier. Not sure if it's really worth the expense but I like it
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07-16-2019, 01:44 AM
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#8
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stouchsburg PA
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I have one in my Saturn S Series, I watch trip average mpg, real time MPG, ignition advance and either engine temp or LTFT depending on how I feel. It’s always there and always on and not hogging up my phone and burning battery time unless a want another cable to charge it.
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07-16-2019, 03:04 AM
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#9
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mill creek, WA
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throwing up an offer but we can trade deal if u want my hilux surf pfm. lol
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2002 Dorado Gold 4runner SR5 fully loaded/leather/JDM goodies
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Awaiting install of TrueNorthFab plate bumper and useless cool jdm parts
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07-16-2019, 07:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Bend, WI
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Real Name: Mike
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I have an ultra gauge in my 97 and I do like it. I went the ultra-gauge route because it did everything better and had more options than a scan-gauge.
I also have the torque app which is definitely the best but I wanted a dedicated device in my truck. It's nice to be able to monitor multiple things on one screen with a device that is always hooked up and automatically turns on. It's definitely not a "must" have item but I've been happy with mine.
The analog temp gauge is pretty useless on these trucks. Supposedly when the needle finally moves from the normal operating temperature mark, the coolant temp is already in the 220ish range. I have an alarm set on my ultra gauge to go off at I believe 203.
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1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
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07-16-2019, 09:15 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 1,196
Real Name: Daniel
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
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I'll admit that I never saw the point in one either, outside of having a 'dedicated' device. The Torque app does much more.
Now, Torque does have a plugin that will allow certain gauges to read over your homescreen or GPS app. You don't need to have the full app up. It's a bit hit or miss, but it works.
I have a cheap 7" tablet that I've been considering getting a dash mount for and just using that as my dedicated Torque dummy. I think the tablet was $30 at MicroCenter last year.
I will second that the temp gauge is useless. Story here:
This is why you need an ODB2 scanner
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07-16-2019, 12:21 PM
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#12
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegipper
The analog temp gauge is pretty useless on these trucks. Supposedly when the needle finally moves from the normal operating temperature mark, the coolant temp is already in the 220ish range. I have an alarm set on my ultra gauge to go off at I believe 203.
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The analog gauge is useless on almost every vehicle.
The 4Runner reads center of the range from ~165*F to ~220*F - useless for detailed monitoring of coolant temps (but good enough to show true overheating). Most other Japanese car gauges read that way too.
Leon, for you, either get an Ultragauge or stick with the Torque app. You don't generally need to monitor anything but trans temp (and even then, not for most daily driving) and you have a standalone gauge for that.
I use it for trans temp, water temp, air intake temp and trip MPG. The upside is that I never have to load an app and the screen is always there (freeing up the phone for music/podcasts/navigation).
-Charlie
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07-16-2019, 04:19 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
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Real Name: Leon
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
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Real Name: Leon
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Thanks for the responses, great food for thought.
I see the main benefits of the scangauge as being an integrated/dedicated "always on" unit, which definitely has its pros (not tying up the phone, easily mountable out of the way, etc).
The main drawbacks are a subjectively poor interface, difficult to set up new gauges, and no warning alarms.
If I were starting from scratch, and I had a 99+, I would probably keep the scangauge, and monitor voltage, trans temp, water temp, and maybe mph (although correct me if I'm wrong, it'll read out OBD mph, which is incorrect due to my tire size, while the Torque Pro can read out both the OBD and GPS mph). But I already have a voltmeter, trans temp, and outside ambient air temp gauges. So the only remaining thing I see as being important to me in the scangauge (not just for curiosity) is the water temp.
As you guys stated, the factory analog water temp gauge is useless, as is the warning light. But, the scangauge does not have an audible alarm for high reading! So unless you're expecting to see high temps and are staring at the scangauge (e.g. when towing uphill), there's a very good chance that you'll miss a high water temp situation (like when your fan belt breaks, etc).
For me, that seems like a dealbreaker. Both Ultragauge and Torque Pro have alarms for high or low readings, so I can't understand why scangauge did not include that feature, but they didn't.
The tradeoff seems to be a compact and dedicated scangauge that's easy to install cleanly (but without alarms) vs. an ultragauge or Torque Pro that are not as easily integrated but have the alarms. I'm leaning towards getting something with an alarm, but I need to make sure that I can get into the habit of always running Torque Pro on my phone, which would be an adjustment to my current routine. Maybe the Ultragauge is a good compromise from that standpoint - a dedicated "always on" unit, with alarms, with the option to fire up Torque Pro for additional data.
@ AntleredRuin
, what is the plugin you use to allow certain gauges to read over your homescreen or GPS app? I saw some widgets, but the reviews are very mixed, including having to completely reset your phone .
The Torque Pro of course has an unparalleled capacity for info displayed. Here's a comparison of the scangauge screen and the Torque Pro (pardon the temporary tape holding the scangauge):
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
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07-16-2019, 04:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: South SF Bay, CA
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Real Name: Tony (no surprise)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: South SF Bay, CA
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Real Name: Tony (no surprise)
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I've long thought about getting UG, just for the alarms/notifications. Have it run in the background on my phone. Phone connected to the Pioneer double DIN, so visual alerts would be seen on that screen. 80 bucks... At some point.
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07-17-2019, 09:02 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: TX
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Real Name: Daniel
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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It's called Torque Dashboard Plugin.
It's a bit finicky; you have to open it, then add whatever gauge, like the actual app. I think it sees when you have the full version purchased and unlocks more.
Here's an example pic of the plugin
If you're willing to spend $150ish on a Scangauge, why not get an Android radio headunit for about the same price? Just install the Torque app straight to your radio.
This one has great reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/ATOTO-Double-...ustomerReviews
Last edited by AntleredRuin; 07-17-2019 at 09:10 AM.
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