DashCommand - An Alternative to Scangauge

[Firstborn10]

Hey all you guys and gals.



I just recently picked up the app DashCommand, and couldn't find a decent write-up about it, so here it is. An extensive review of the app DashCommand on the App Store in combination with LYL ELM327 WiFi emitter.



It is worth noting that I am doing this with an app only on the App Store. The same can be done for the same price on an Android with the Torque app and an equivalent WiFi emitter.



So the story behind me getting this basically involves me wanting a Scangauge, but not wanting to pay $160 for one.







I was browsing around and i saw this app. I decided it was worth a shot. Boy am I glad I went for it.



This is the WiFi emitter i went with.

http://www.amazon.com/Wirless-Diagn...1-1&keywords=elm327+for+iphone#productDetails



It says it is specifically for IOS applications, but i have a feeling it would work just fine with Android. Nevertheless, it can't hurt to just buy one that says Android certified.



DashCommand, which is available on the App Store, costs $9.99, and is worth every penny.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dashcommand-obd-ii-gauge-dashboards/id321293183?mt=8



The features on this thing are endless.

Here is a full list of features directly from the App Store page



Performance gauges:

- engine speed

- corrected vehicle speed

- open/closed loop

- boost/vacuum combo gauge

- acceleration (and braking)

- power with optional drag correction (air & tire)

- torque



Fuel economy gauges:

- inst. fuel economy

- avg fuel economy

- avg fuel economy over 3 time periods

- distance to empty

- time to empty

- fuel level %

- fuel remaining in tank

- fuel flow rate gauge



Engine gauges:

- timing (spark advance)

- engine coolant temp.

- intake air temp.

- ambient air temp.

- manifold absolute pressure

- mass air flow

- fuel trims, short and long term

- percent engine load

- catalyst temp.

- fuel pressure

- lambda gauge

- air/fuel ratio



DashCommand also contains a sophisticated trip computer that maintains stats for up to 5 trips.

- distance travelled

- fuel consumed

- avg fuel economy

- fuel cost

- elapsed time

- drive time

- average carbon dioxide emission rate

- total carbon dioxide emission

- start date & time

- number of fillups

- avg fuel flow rate

- avg driving speed

- avg trip speed

- avg boost/vacuum

- avg engine speed

- max acceleration

- max engine power and torque at wheels

- number of stops

- max fuel flow rate

- max speed

- idle time

- max boost/vacuum

- max engine speed

- max braking acceleration

- max engine torque

- % distance travelled while not in gear

- % distance travelled in each gear

- % distance travelled in non-optimal gear

- % time spent while not in gear

- % time spent in each gear

- % time spent while in a non-optimal gear



Emissions Testing:

- Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes

- IM Readiness status





Additional Features:



- Professional skidpad showing lateral and accel/braking Gs with min/max indicators

- Race track visually maps out your location, acceleration and braking as you drive laps around the track allows you to visually analyze different race track laps to see how acceleration and braking changed from lap to lap thus helping you to improve your lap times on your next outing.

- Inclinometer shows rolling angle and vehicle pitch for off-roading.

- Full support for OBD-II diagnostics, find out why your check-engine light is on and clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

- Data logging, record and playback log files showing OBD-II and acceleration data



I have not even utilized a quarter of these, and I am more than satisfied.



ELM327

The whole thing comes together starting with the ELM327 emitter. The very first thing you do is connect the emitter to your OBDii port. Once connected, it will emit a constant signal, even when the car is off. This is actually quite nice, because it makes surethat by the time you walk up to your car, you are already connected to the signal. So obviously the first step to getting connected to the WiFi signal just like you would your home network, which is done through settings. Once that is done, you can forget it is ever there and move on to DashCommand.



DashCommand

Now that all that is out of the way, we move on to the app. Upon your first start up of the app, you will have to enter a bunch of vehicle specifics and such, which takes all of about 5 minutes. Now, this is where my only complaint with this setup lies. When you first start up the app when you turn on your car, it is not automatically connected. Your phone will already be connected to the WiFi source, but the app isn't connected to the car. Unfortunately, this takes about thirty seconds or so to do. Now I don't know about you, but i dont sit and wait 30 seconds to get driving.







So for those of who bought this for gas mileage (including myself), that first little bit of driving is not captured in our MPG. However, once the app does connect, it is amazing.



Functions

Once the app is up and running and connected to the car, there are so many functions and abilities, I tend to get a little frisky just thinking about it :naughty: Possibly the biggest advantage of this over a Scangauge other than price would be that you actually get visuals on this app, such as charts, graphs, gauges, and the likes. The most functional area of this app is the dashboard. Within the dashboard you can access a general functions functions page giving you speed, RPM, Boost/Vacuum, Accel, Power, and Torque.







The next page give you fuel economy statistics, such as instant MPG, average MPG, fuel flow, fuel lever, and range until empty.







The next is a general stats page, which includes waaaay too many for me to list. I will let the picture do the talking.







The next page gives engine statistics such as intake temperature, mass air flow, timing, and MAP(not sure what that is, but it tells me)!







One really nice feature about this app is that it allows for custom sensors to be read, such as Transmission Temp, etc.. There are many many more features to this app that I'm not going to go into, but that gives you a general idea of how it works.



Other features of this app include performance recording (i.e. 0-60 timing, quarter mile, etc..), CEL reading, ability to add multiple vehicles, Inclinometer using the phones accelerometer, and many more.



Let me reiterate.. IT ONLY COSTS THIRTY DOLLARS!!!!!! By far the best value on the market if you ask me.



Final Review



Pros:

Insanely cheap versus competitors (Ultragauge ~ &70, Scangauge ~ $160)

Great visual charts and graphs versus competitors.

TONS of features.

Added ability to use your own sensors.

Really cool customization.

Wireless

Ability to read CEL's.

Performance recording

Ability to add multiple vehicles

Inclinometer

Constant updates adding more and more features.



Cons: Doesn't connect automatically, so you don't record EVERY second of driving.

Since you use your phone, you have to remember to pull your phone out of your pocket every time you get in the car.

Uses your phones battery.



Here's a video I made to demonstrate it.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buFeHUPw_8U&feature=youtu.be



I apologize ahead of time for the awful sound quality (I accidentally covered the mic with my finger a couple times), and the overall crappyness of the video quality. My internet was being horribly slow, so my original dream to upload in HD was crumpled up, thrown at a trash can, missed, and lit on fire.



Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope this helps you make a decision on what you decide to get as far as vehicle monitoring is concerned.



And no, for those of you wondering, I don't work for DashCommand lol, i work at Bed Bath and Beyond

 

[WRWhit93]

Awesome! Thanks for the vid and writeup. Definitely a lot better than $160 and looks like it comes with a lot more information is you input everything. I'll have to look into it more.

 

[4Runner4TW]

Have you gotten it to read trans temps? What iPhone are you using?

 

[Firstborn10]

Here's a couple of additional pics.

 

[EatonKyleH]

Solid review man.

I've been running Dash Command with my Iphone and ELM327 on my Pioneer AppRadio3 for awhile now with mirrorlink.

It allows me to pull up dash command on the double DIN touchscreen of the appradio at any time and flip through whatever you want all in dash. My phone sits in the glovebox out of the way.

Its really quite versatile and you can even make your own "dashboards" so it has whatever look you want and displays whatever data you want it to.

 

[sportrunner2001]

well I was looking hard at that scan gauge, now I have to weigh some more options. Thanks for the info and good job with the review!

 

[Firstborn10]

Have you gotten it to read trans temps? What iPhone are you using?

No I have not gotten it to read transmission temps yet, but I didn't expect it to as it was not included in the description of the app. However, it can read transmission temps if you install your own sensor. It has the feature to allow you to add your own sensors to the vehicle. I am using an iPhone 5s, but I tried my old 4s and it worked just fine.

Solid review man.



I've been running Dash Command with my Iphone and ELM327 on my Pioneer AppRadio3 for awhile now with mirrorlink.



It allows me to pull up dash command on the double DIN touchscreen of the appradio at any time and flip through whatever you want all in dash. My phone sits in the glovebox out of the way.



Its really quite versatile and you can even make your own "dashboards" so it has whatever look you want and displays whatever data you want it to.

I appreciate it brother! And that's awesome! I absolutely love this app. No way was I spending $160 on a Scangauge.

 

[Firstborn10]

Awesome! Thanks for the vid and writeup. Definitely a lot better than $160 and looks like it comes with a lot more information is you input everything. I'll have to look into it more.

Not a problem! I enjoy helping out! I know it pisses me off when I want to look for something and can't find anything, so I figured I'd make it myself!

 

[Firstborn10]

well I was looking hard at that scan gauge, now I have to weigh some more options. Thanks for the info and good job with the review!

Thanks dude!

 

[spooky0512]

Awesome

Just ordered one!

 

[Firstborn10]

Just ordered one!

Awesome!! Glad I could be of assistance!

 

[spooky0512]

App???

Is there only the one app or are there other compatible apps

 

[snivilous]

You could buy a tablet and integrate it into the vehicle with this for the same price as a ScanGauge! I might have to consider this... Thanks for the review :faint:

 

[Firstborn10]

Is there only the one app or are there other compatible apps

There are numerous apps compatible with the elm327 wireless emitter. I believe some are even free! This app is just the one that has the best all around reviews and support, and for $10, who can argue?

You could buy a tablet and integrate it into the vehicle with this for the same price as a ScanGauge! I might have to consider this... Thanks for the review :faint:

Exactly! I considered using my old IPhone as a permanent type thing, but I didn't want to leave it attached to my window at all times for fear of someone breaking in, so I just decided to use my phone. But if you do, we need pictures!!!

 

[MStudt]

Did a little more searching on this. The ELM 327 wireless OBD2 will work on Androids. Here is a link for the ELM 327 that is bluetooth and it is $8.40. About half way down on the right there is a review that says "So cheap yet does what you'd expected it to do. Running it with Torque on my Android device and displays seems accurate". You're saving some money with this over the OP's original link.

I was also looking into the scan gauge and still might go that route for the convenience of it. Not really sure about how fast running this app will drain your phone? That would be my main concern, and where you'd mount your phone at. This is great information, and is well worth the investment of a little under $14.

Great write up too!

 

[vm_boy]

Thanks for the write-up. I've been using this for a while on my Android (Nexus 4, to be exact). I'm using the OBDLink LX by Palmer Performance (link). It's $69.95 and uses Bluetooth. They have some other versions which use Wi-fi. Supposedly BT doesn't work very with iOS, so i-Devices have to use wi-fi. I wish I had looked into this ELM version because that would have saved a lot of money. Who knows, maybe there's some other benefit to the LX that I'm not aware of.

Here's what it looks like installed.

 

[vm_boy]

I'll also add that you can buy a license for DashCommand from Palmer's site for $9.95. If you go through the app/store, it will cost $9.99. So save your 4 cents!

I also found that the clinometer doesn't work very well. It's too sensitive for my uses. I have my phone mounted on the ProClip mount, and there's just too much deflection and vibration for the clinometer to be useful. Instead, I use the Clinometer app and it works great.

 

[Firstborn10]

Did a little more searching on this. The ELM 327 wireless OBD2 will work on Androids. Here is a link for the ELM 327 that is bluetooth and it is $8.40. About half way down on the right there is a review that says "So cheap yet does what you'd expected it to do. Running it with Torque on my Android device and displays seems accurate". You're saving some money with this over the OP's original link.

I was also looking into the scan gauge and still might go that route for the convenience of it. Not really sure about how fast running this app will drain your phone? That would be my main concern, and where you'd mount your phone at. This is great information, and is well worth the investment of a little under $14.

Great write up too!

Good find! The cheaper the better! Lol and to answer your question about battery life, it does use quote a bit. Luckily for me I have a battery case, so definitely not worried about it, but you could always put in a car charger.

 

[Firstborn10]

I'll also add that you can buy a license for DashCommand from Palmer's site for $9.95. If you go through the app/store, it will cost $9.99. So save your 4 cents!



I also found that the clinometer doesn't work very well. It's too sensitive for my uses. I have my phone mounted on the ProClip mount, and there's just too much deflection and vibration for the clinometer to be useful. Instead, I use the Clinometer app and it works great.

Good info to know! I have yet to try the inclinometer, but now I know.

 

[MStudt]

Good find! The cheaper the better! Lol and to answer your question about battery life, it does use quote a bit. Luckily for me I have a battery case, so definitely not worried about it, but you could always put in a car charger.

I could do that, and might give it a shot. I've already got enough going on around that area it is. My wife usually has cables spread all over the front, a complete mess most of the time.