Am I missing the point of scangauge?

[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?

 

[carp73]

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

 

[Brian.]

I got one a few weeks ago and like it so far.

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.

 

[LittleCaesar]

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......

 

[TonyB66]

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?

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...

 

[Cree]

Im already using my phone for nav and music, so I like the standalone. You done need it, return it.

 

[carp73]

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.

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

 

[19963.4lsr5]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sogoood]

throwing up an offer but we can trade deal if u want my hilux surf pfm. lol

 

[thegipper]

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.

 

[AntleredRuin]

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

 

[phattyduck]

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.

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

 

[4Runner4Leon]

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.

[MENTION=129892]AntleredRuin[/MENTION], 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):

 

[TonyB66]

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.

 

[AntleredRuin]

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...d=1563368156&s=gateway&sr=8-3#customerReviews

 

[4Runner4Leon]

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[snip]

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...d=1563368156&s=gateway&sr=8-3#customerReviews

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.

 

[AntleredRuin]

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.

 

[TonyB66]

...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.

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

 

[heat]

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.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

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?