Firstborn10
New member
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.
![IMG_0139[1].jpg](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/94/94972-c92cb756073d3780017d12c3948d36cd.jpg?hash=-YDtFiY0tF "IMG_0139[1].jpg")
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.
![IMG_0133[1].jpg](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/94/94991-b1f455367506e6bd830ea72f88295a81.jpg?hash=GddldRzAl3 "IMG_0133[1].jpg")
The next page give you fuel economy statistics, such as instant MPG, average MPG, fuel flow, fuel lever, and range until empty.
![IMG_0117[1].jpg](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/94/94983-eb93466faed9d3adf221538727f95855.jpg?hash=OoSMkOdEk3 "IMG_0117[1].jpg")
The next is a general stats page, which includes waaaay too many for me to list. I will let the picture do the talking.
![IMG_0135[1].jpg](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/95/95001-bdad70d88babff14ca3e216dc5ee77e9.jpg?hash=jOv-Y34KoY "IMG_0135[1].jpg")
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)!
![IMG_0136[1].PNG](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/95/95022-3b613e690903030d3dae4c2c48a4b1f6.jpg?hash=aZ2g6mcZId "IMG_0136[1].PNG")
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
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
![IMG_0139[1].jpg](/data/attachments/94/94972-c92cb756073d3780017d12c3948d36cd.jpg?hash=-YDtFiY0tF)
![IMG_0117[1].jpg](/data/attachments/94/94983-eb93466faed9d3adf221538727f95855.jpg?hash=OoSMkOdEk3)
![IMG_0133[1].jpg](/data/attachments/94/94991-b1f455367506e6bd830ea72f88295a81.jpg?hash=GddldRzAl3)
![IMG_0135[1].jpg](/data/attachments/95/95001-bdad70d88babff14ca3e216dc5ee77e9.jpg?hash=jOv-Y34KoY)
![IMG_0136[1].PNG](/data/attachments/95/95022-3b613e690903030d3dae4c2c48a4b1f6.jpg?hash=aZ2g6mcZId)
