SCANGAUGE2

1) Has it been useful?
Yes.

2) Has it met your expectations?
Yes.

3) What does it actually measure?
A lot of stuff. Take a look at the website.

4) Are their any warranty issues?
No. There shouldn't be.

5) Do you have to remove the unit before taking the car for Toyota service?
I haven't had mine that long. I probably will just unhook it.

6) Is it really as easy to hook up as they say and where is the connector?
Yes. The OBDII port is on the underside of the dash about where your right knee is.

7) Is there a better unit available?
It depends on what you want it to do. There are other options, but I chose this one.

 

I just ordered one yesterday. I considered the Cam View, but what I liked about the Scan Guage was being able to use it on other cars, and the cost. I think I'll get the use out of it playing with it on the prius, and being able to read and clear codes on other cars. It really depends on what you want to use it for.

 

Mine is version 1, which functionally is nearly identical to v.2.
1) Has it been useful?
Very.
2) Has it met your expectations?
Absolutely.
3) What does it actually measure?
Skwyre7 has provided the link. You might consider downloading the user manual, available in PDF format. The only listed engine parameters not available in the Prius are MAP (manifold absolute pressure) and FPR (fuel pressure). These are limitations of the car, not the SG.
4) Are their any warranty issues?
No. It doesn't alter the car; it simply displays data available through the OBDII connection.
5) Do you have to remove the unit before taking the car for Toyota service?
No, though it's easy to do. I would remove it if the shop needs to check for codes or work around where it's located. Otherwise I'd leave it in place.
6) Is it really as easy to hook up as they say and where is the connector?
Answered by Skwyre7.
7) Is there a better unit available?
Many use Can-View, which integrates into the MFD. It provides more data, but it's more expensive and requires some installation. Between that and having more MFD screens added to those I have to switch between already, I chose the SG. I've also read about CarChip. Like the SG, it plugs into your OBDII connector, but it doesn't give you real time readings. Instead it stores data for later upload to a PC. That would have some appeal to me if I could use it and SG simultaneously, but there is only the one connection on the car.

 

1. Is it useful?

I bought one and I don't even have my Prius yet! It's saved the cost of the unit already on the anti-Prius (see below), where I got a "service engine soon" light and was able to diagnose and fix the problem myself. The dealer charges $50 just to read the codes!

You can quickly see why any vehicle is a "gas guzzler" as well. You can even rent first and use it to figure out if you really want to own that vehicle.

It's the coolest useful thing I've added to a vehicle yet. I use it to learn how to drive with maximum efficiency.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DSB @ Feb 9 2007, 08:10 AM) [snapback]387466[/snapback]</div>

On the 2005, the installation is fairly simple. On the 2006, if is probably more difficult, but on that I wouldn't know for certain.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Feb 8 2007, 07:43 AM) [snapback]386937[/snapback]</div>

Not true. Two reasons.
1. My Rav4EV guzzles NO gas.
2. This device won't work on the Rav4EV (different OBD2 protocol.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DSB @ Feb 9 2007, 08:10 AM) [snapback]387466[/snapback]</div>

Hi DSB

The Can-View V4 connects to the OBD II port just the same as the ScanGuage II does. The difference is not the electrical connection. The difference is that you must purchase and install a separate monitor to see the information which the Can-View shows. It is a little more expensive and a little more trouble than the ScanGuage. I have both and I use the Can-View.

For some ideas about installing the extra monitor look here:
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=27906&hl=

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DSB @ Feb 9 2007, 04:28 PM) [snapback]387712[/snapback]</div>

If you are getting a 2006 or 2007 you WILL need an extra LCD monitor. 2004/2005 you can use the existing MFD.

 

having used both, i can say that scangauge is definitely useful, but i really really really miss the CANVIEW.

another thing that is not mentioned here, but Norm, the guy who provides CANVIEW is by far, the most pro-active vendor on this site. on my 04, we were getting updates practically every month. he responds immediately to all queries and concerns. that right there is worth a LOT especially on a product that is not backed by a lot of money.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Feb 9 2007, 09:56 AM) [snapback]387513[/snapback]</div>

Actually, I beg to differ. Unless your Rav4EV has hyjacked the OBDII codes for distance travelled and fuel being used, the Scangauge II will read 9999 for MPG and 0.0 for fuel consumption (gal/hr) yet would read MPH indicating it's under motion, a pretty clear indication it is -NOT- a "gas guzzler".

In contrast, even while coasting, the anti-Prius consumes about 1.5 l/hr (more, the faster you are travelling), indicating you can't really expect to improve fuel economy by coasting to stops, gearing down, etc. Which is why I named it the "anti-Prius". :blink:

How far does that unique vehicle go on a charge, BTW? It's pretty cool!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DSB @ Feb 6 2007, 10:36 AM) [snapback]386034[/snapback]</div>

1) Has it been useful?
Very. It has allowed me to safely use a winter front (block the grille of the Prius), lowering fuel consumption by around 20% in very cold weather. It has helped me learn driving habits that have helped me lower my fuel consumption by around 10% in my Elantra. I've lent it to friends who've lowered their fuel consumption as well.

2) Has it met your expectations?
Not quite. I expected it would report a measurement of the amount of fuel being used. It seems that in most cars, it merely estimates the air intake (using intake manifold pressure, TPS, user reported engine displacement, and RPM) and then estimates the fuel needed for a suitable air/fuel mixture. It approximates the fuel consumption better that I could ever hope to, but it's not a direct measurement. If you tell the ScanGauge the engine displacement doubles, it will double the estimated fuel consumption. On some cars the estimated fuel used in a tank differed from the fill-up measurement by 20-30%. The ScanGauge is designed to and recommends that you use measured fillups to calibrate the fuel consumption estimates. I wouldn't use it to quickly compare fuel consumption in different vehicles.

I was quite disappointed by this but don't regret the purchase. It is still compact, fairly user friendly, and very helpful to me.

3) What does it actually measure?
Well it doesn't measure anything but reports data from the OBD II line.
It only estimates fuel consumed, but the Prius measures and reports that anyways. It does report engine temperature (great for cold weather, safely blocking the grille, protecting the engine, and seeing stage changes), RPM, intake pressure, and estimated gallons per minute and engine load (great for honing the optimal pulse intensity). It also lets me survey how other drive the car by reporting maximum RPM, mph, and engine temperature over that trip, today, and yesterday. It reports much more (everything listed in the documentation except fuel pressure on the Prius), but this is what I've found most useful.

4) Are their any warranty issues?
It would be fun to see Toyota try to show that a problem was caused by reading data using the ScanGauge. Just stay away from using it to send OBD commands.

5) Do you have to remove the unit before taking the car for Toyota service?
Doing so would take less than a minute with a simple installation. I don't. If I was paying for labor by the hour, I might. The techs have found it interesting and enjoyed exploring it; that's fine as long as I'm not paying for that.

6) Is it really as easy to hook up as they say and where is the connector?
After finding the connector, I can now install it in under a minute while sitting in the drivers seat. Plugging it in and entering the settings might take 5-15 minutes the first time.

7) Is there a better unit available?
I would prefer the CanView for a 2004-5 Prius. Lower cost, easier installation, a small dedicated display, and the ability to use the ScanGauge in other cars won me over. Now that some user installed GPS navigation systems can display external video, the new CanView is appealing, althought at a much higher cost.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Feb 13 2007, 01:16 PM) [snapback]389518[/snapback]</div>

Not sure where this question came from but, the answer is no. It is no different than connecting a voltmeter to your battery or a timing light. The ScanGauge does not adjust anything, it just reads and displays information.