Which scanner is the best?
 

I need a scan tool that will monitor all cylinders while I am driving and show any variances in performance by cylinder such as a miss, air/fuel, spark etc. I don't want to have to watch it. Could be as simple green when OK and red it not. If there is nothing like that a graph by cylinder that I could look at later would be better than nothing.

I would mount it and have it there all the time. I would like it to work on an iPad but I would buy what is needed for another operating system.

Any suggestions?

I use INPA on laptop, good up until ? March 2007 mfg date or so.
For later models after ? March 2007, I use ISTA.

I have INPA. I use it so seldom, every time is like the first time. I've been tying to get it to connect for several days. Last time I used it there was no problem, don't have a clue what happened. Laptop would be a pain to have connected all the time. I sure wish it was more intuitive. I looked on youtube for something to walk me through the start up but can't find any that is applicable. Googled for something in print, no luck. Also did a search here and didn't come up with anything. I seem to recall there was a website or forum that is dedicated to INPA but haven't located that either. Frustrating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You may have to use a different USB port... you gotta to watch which USB port you use with INPA, I was having a similar issue connecting as well. The laptop that I have it downloaded on has like 6 USB ports on it but only one is set up to detect the K+D Can cable. There is a way to change which port is used with device manager for primary. I believe the instructions that I had with my set up so that Port 2 was primary, when I forget which port is used I unplug and try a different one. Maybe this is your problem for connection as well? If you got it to work once then this is the only issue that I can think of off the top of my head.

I wonder if there's a way to mount one of those Microsoft tablets on the dash and run INPA, that would probably be pretty helpful with the rough running monitor. I know driving around with a wide laptop in the passenger seat isn't easy to read with the cord as short as it is...

Are you looking for something to monitor engine knock? or more like having an AFR gauge?

I have a dedicated HP Mini 5103 running INPA, NCSExpert, WinKFP bundles and PA soft only on Win 7.....and nothing else.

It stays on the X5 wherever I go..........and has saved/served me from getting out of trouble....alot of times.

While ISTA-D / ISTA-P and another copy of NCSexpert on Panasonic Toughbook.


For me.....INPA is the best on diagnostics and monitoring....I used it alot.:thumbup:

Brian, look into the Foxwell Schwaben.

This is INPA without all the headaches.

I just got back from a 2200 mile drive to Florida and back, have an ECS Tuning box on the table, ready to unbox mine.

Let me know if you want to use it.

I tried the USB switch though I didn't unplug it when I did the changes. I will try that.

I guess I could find a longer cord for INPA but first choice is wireless.

I want to my reduce anxiety associated with spraying nitrous.----I want to see and record if I can get any more performance when I am using meth and/or nitrous. Basically I want dyno readings available all the time. Not looking for accuracy just deviation.

I can control the amount of meth by percentage of throttle position but so far can't watch whats going on with AFR. My MAF performance goes sour very quickly. I'm guessing it is caused by nitrous. I want to see what happens to MAF readings when I spray to catch fall off sooner. I want to be sure I don't spray when the MAF is not working properly. No knock that can be heard but I would like to watch timing advance.

Have one, recent purchase, great tool! Very intuitive though for me the directions are hard to follow. There is a monitoring section that I am exploring but the scanner has a very short cord and no wireless option to use it for 'daily' driving. I have Bluedriver, Dash Command, and OBD Fusion that are wireless and work fine on my iPad. Dash Command is supposed to be the OS version of Torque but based on what I hear about toque it is not so haven't eliminated that as an option. Each of the scanner I have do some things great but none, which is a bad assumption I know what I am doing, will do all that I want to do. As far as INPA suite I know just enough to be dangerous.

Any other suggestions?

INPA and a screen capture tool to record is a primitive way to achieve what you want. Not sure how to intercept the data and save it in the CSV file.

I'm not sure what ECU the 4.6/4.8is has, but I know that you can use TunerPro with the MS43 ECU used in the 3.0. You can change just about anything you can think of, remove speed and rpm governers, adjust ignition timing, valve timing (you can actually program a lumpy cam into the engine with vanos), launch control.... the list goes on. But the point that I'm trying to make with TunerPro is that it has data logging software that goes with it. The data logger looks like something that you were describing earlier.

I'm sure there's something out there for whatever ECU that's in the 4.6. I'll do more searching.

I can't see using INPA other than in the garage. I need something that will work on an iPAD or tablet with gauges that show in the green when all is well and goes quickly red when it is not. Would be even better if it set off an alarm.

What I need

Timing advance gauge
cylinder miss alarm or goes turns red from some other color
Lean/rich gauge that turn red and with audible alarm for lean condition

Thanks Skeletor. Having a screen like your post would be a big step in the right direction.

That may be a big step in the right direction, but a bigger step would probably be the UltraGauge OBDII monitor, I just found it. I spent hours trying to find a software like tunerpro for the Bosch DME 7.2 ECU that's in the 4.4 + 4.6is and then I remembered.. that generic OBDII monitors exist. I have no idea why the thought of a generic OBDII monitor didn't cross my mind... :doh:

With the UltraGauge, you can set up high and low alarms (so you don't have to be watching it) and it looks like you can pick and choose what parameters you want to monitor and have it show 4,6, and 8 different gauges on one page, each with it's own alarm.

They've got hardwire units with screens on them, and they also have wireless apps to bind with your apple device. You might be able to use your iPad after all!

Wired unit: UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

Wireless Unit: UltraGauge Blue OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

I just browsed through the PDF manual and this thing looks like it should be what you're looking for, maybe some online reviews can be read about it before a decision is made.

Here's a video of someone going through the different gauges: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo9naImUBmE

Here's a screenshot from their website.

Ordered the wireless Ultra Gauge.

Thanks for the help!

Let me know how the scanner works out. I am interested to see how well it does. I'm planning a project for "Number 3" and might need one of these scanners as well.

Will do.

I didn't expedite shipping so it will probably take a week to get here.

Any update on the UltraGauge? I've been looking to put one in my whip and I'm kind of nosey to see how yours is going.

I played with it a few times when it first arrived. It was easy to get up and running. Then I went on vacation and when I got back I was doing mods for a couple more weeks and never got back to it. Before I left I had been thinking about getting something to mount my iPad or securing over the nav screen so the program started with the engine. Since then I have decided it is time to go to an aftermarket touchscreen radio unit that I can use an app that offers similar real time features such as torque.

I will connect it in the next few days and provide more specifics.

Does the Scanner 1.4.0 tool plug into the OBD-II port, under the dash, or is there an alternate factory service port under the hood? Most of the Scanner 1.4.0 packages on E-Bay say they are not compatible with my 2003 X5 E53. I'm thinking this has to do with which port; OBD or Factory; it needs to connect to?

OBDII port under the dash. :thumbup:

any updates on this? I am in the same boat and would like to monitor engine performance etc..

Haven't fired it up yet. Been very busy. Will try to do so soon. What are you interested in monitoring?

basically the same as you, misfires, any spike in temps etc..

That will depend on your BMW. If you want to read all the modules and your BMW is equipped with the 20 pins connector underneath the hood, you will need to get a cable to plug into the 20 pins module, the OBD II port inside the car only provide info for the pollution portion of the computer. My 2001 BMW X5 has the connector underneath the hood so I use that connector with my Carsoft 6.5 and BMW Scanner 1.4 scanner on my laptop. I use the OBD II connector in the car if I get a check engine light. I use that along with a Bluetooth ELM 327 interface for the apps on my android phones or tablet.

I have one of the ultra gauges but I haven't hooked it to the X5. I have played with it in my 323i and my f150. Didn't see anything for monitoring misfires live though. It would read codes and show data in gauge form from the datastream. I can hook it up to the X5 if you want but again I don't remember anything on it about misfires.

Anyone got a link to a BT ODB2 elm327 or whatever that actually works with torque pro? I have 2 and neither of them connect to "ECU".
Or tell me exactly what odb2 protocols are needed. (I have elm identifier and some other crap)

I have BMW Scanner 1.4.0 and INPA (in German) but want some live stuff for my phone/tablet.

Coding isn't an issue, just need some live stats!

I bought this one on 7-21-2015 and it works for me.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/V2-1-OBD2-B...-/290941249230?

Amazed the ebay link is still good to it.

That said there is some differences in the description and what my receipt email shows.

The one I bought shows to be a :

V1.5 ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth Car Wireless Scanner Diagnostic Tool for Android


The one on the ebay link now shows :

V2.1 OBD2 Bluetooth Car Wireless Scanner Diagnostic Tool for Android 48VO


But that is clicking on the link in my receipt email.

hmm... that's one of the ones I have. Looks like I'm out of luck.

And here's the weird thing... we have 2 E53's and they don't work on either. :confused:

I have one of these ELM327 units and it works on my X5 with OBD Fusion on Android...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-ELM327....c100005.m1851

Any chance its the android device that's the problem and not the adapter?

2 separate phones and a nexus 7.

Nexus 7 connects via cable using Deep ODB for BMW, but not Torque Pro, it doesn't like the INPA cable.

Which is all fine, but I don't want a cable draped over my legs while I drive, and Deep ODB isn't as "graphic".

I have used this one for a couple of years. It works with Torque Pro on my Samsung Android. It also worked on my Android head unit.
1. plug it in and turn it on. (not obvious, but some have on/off switch
2. scan in your phone's bluetooth menu
3. initially appears as a hex code, but will display OBD||
4. select and pair, password with mine is 1234
5. open torque pro app, select settings; connection type; select bluetooth.
6. 4 blue icons on top of screen, car symbol will flash until connection is made
7. select real time information, Connected to ECU OK message will appear on top of screen

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Blue...item489e214e6c

Any chance its the Operator error and not the adapter?

Lol, I wish!

In a past life I was a systems developer... I can still write apps for Android.
I gave up people and offices (because I hate them both) to go back to my original trade, spray painting.

Cheers, just ordered it. :thumbup:

6 & 7 are my issues... I can sit there for 20 minutes and ECU never connects.