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Bluetooth, WiFi and USB OBD2 adapters - user reviewed

Discussion in 'Prius OBDII Third-Party Apps' started by SFO, Mar 19, 2017.

  1. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Searched and couldn't find a comprehensive list of usable products, if one exists please let me know.

    Was hoping people would comment on any success or lack there of with their OBD adapters or dongles (be it a $4 bluetooth version or the $200 fancy version), please include:
    • Where purchased (so others can purchase or avoid)
    • Price paid (if known)
    • Which generation Prius used with
    • Which software packages you have tried (ie. Torque, HybridAssistant, PriiDash, TechStream, etc)
    Many say the Bluetooth versions are less problematic overall, but some can be limited by capture/transfer speeds.

    While researching I came across statements by developers and end users suggesting that some of the available OBD hardware could potentially damage a vehicle or just not work outright.

    Some examples include:

    Attention! "Bad" Bluetooth adapters! - Bluetooth / WiFi OBD-II adapters - OBD Car Doctor Forum: ELM327 WiFi adapter, ELM327

    Bluetooth Adapters - Torque OBD2 Wiki

    eBay Bluetooth OBD issues | PriusChat

    Gen2 Prius: Custom PIDs for Torque (Android App) with formulas | Page 30 | PriusChat
    Please add any links or resources that can help others find a usable device at the right price.

    MODS if this thread should be in another forum please move
     
  2. Ajourney101

    Ajourney101 Member

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  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Purchased the least expensive elm 327 bluetooth adapter I could find at the time.

    Having issues using Torque and the HV IR PIDs for some reason, but could be a user error and nothing to do with the hardware.

    Otherwise it works fairly well for the $3 spent.

    Found this listing that appears to be identical for $1.59 shipped, what a deal.

    Mini Bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 II Auto Car OBD2 Diagnostic Interface Scanner Tool | eBay

    Might consider buying a faster adapter in the future.
     
    tangerino likes this.
  4. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    I have had a OBDII unit in the 08 Gen II Prius, ordered from Amazon in 2012,
    PLX Devices Kiwi 2+ Bluetooth OBD Car to Smartphone Wireless Link and Scan Tool for Android, Windows, Symbian, Linux and N9 it worked really flawlessly!

    In the Leaf I had to buy a different one, the first would not talk to my Iphone. It was a really good one..also ordered from Amazon in 2016.
    LELink Bluetooth Low Energy BLE OBD-II OBD2 Car Diagnostic Tool For iPhone/iPod/iPad

    Now in the KIA Niro I had to purchase a third unit, because the second unit would not work in the KIA. It's also from Amazon ordered a month ago...12/2017
    Foseal Bluetooth OBD2 OBD Scanner Check Engine Light OBDii Bluetooth Car Diagnostic Scan Tool for Android Devices
    It works terrific with Torque! And it's small!

    Go figure.
    The first one was Wifi, and the other two were Bluetooth
    Currently I am using #3 with a Samsung Tab S 8.5" tablet!

     
    Estew808, Raytheeagle and SFO like this.
  5. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    ----USA----
    I use a Palmer Performance bluetooth obdll. Go-point. Cost was 180; 8years ago. Worked flawlessly on all other vehicles, not this 2007 prius yet, combo meter problem in a new thread.
    Recent update has a screen orientation bug, but this is the only issue in all of the years of use.
    Dashboards are great, guage options are nice and plenty of pid's.
    Prius real-time view is available for me to veiw, just not the DTC's-combo meter connection I am guessing...
     
    SFO likes this.
  6. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

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    First one I got was the BAFX Android Bluetooth Wireless OBDII Reader & Scan Tool - For Android Devices Only. It sort of worked for Torque, but not very well for Hybrid Assistant. It would often have trouble reconnecting between startups and wasn't reporting all the relevant data for Hybrid Assistant.

    Then I switched to the OBDLink® LX Bluetooth. It was more expensive, but has worked nearly flawless for both apps. I would definitely recommend it if you want to have real-time updates from your car while driving.
     
    SFO likes this.
  7. Blurredforlife

    Blurredforlife Junior Member

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    Did you use obdlink with Dr Pruis? How did it work as far as hv health?
     
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I use this $28 version with Dr Prius. The hv health functions seem to be reasonably accurate. It won’t fix a bad hv battery but the load test algorithm seems solid. One use tip: Disconnect other bluetooth devices the phone or tablet may be connected to ensure good results. Otherwise I am able to leave the adapter on the car without concern.

     
  9. Ronald Doles

    Ronald Doles Active Member

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    I bought one of the cheap $7 elm327 BT V2.1 from USA Warehouse (ebay). I planned to use it with my Samsung Note phone.

    I purchased the Torque Pro app and downloaded the gen 3 PID's. It seemed to return data from parameters that I created objects for from the ECM but not other ecu's like voltage or resistance from the traction battery.

    I spent a few hours with it but I didn't try it with another phone/tablet so I couldn't say whether it was my phone or the BT adapter. I have since switched back to my ScanGauge and have been busy with other things and have not gotten back to it.
     
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Dr Prius and Car Scanner free apps will get the battery data.
     
  11. Ronald Doles

    Ronald Doles Active Member

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    The TorquePro app has objects for cell voltage and resistance in the Prius Gen3 library but they just didn't work. I created one page that was the 14 cell voltage digital displays and a second page that was the 14 internal resistance digital readouts but I got no data with them. Parameters like RPM or engine temperature work but battery data didn't. Next time I swap out the ScanGauge for the Elm327 adapter I will try the apps you suggested.
     
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The Dr Prius app has recommended obd2 bluetooth scanners that have been tested. The attached pdf is a snapshot of some of my v's battery points using car scanner last year. The link shows various Dr. Prius screens.

    Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus (click on Screenshots)
     

    Attached Files:

  13. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    I can't agree with that list from the Dr Prius app.

    New OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter is better than Carista -

    I love the dr prius app but Carista shouldn't be bought and the $100 adapter I purchased has shown me more information on my car than other adapters. Heck, once I'm done with this tank of gas, the adapter I have could've made Hybrid Assistant report data more accurately...
     
  14. Ohid

    Ohid Member

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