ScanGuage II on a 2012 Prius

I'm sure the SG2 is a great tool, and I can see some of the benefits of having one (simplicity of setup, always on and ready to use), but if you already have a smart phone or tablet (or can get your hands one one easily), Torque has some pretty awesome features.

You can record video from your phone/tablet with live data embedded, then upload to youtube with a little bit of effort like this:

 

Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car) - Android Apps on Google Play

It will run on Android 1.5 and up.

 

Great video!!!

 

I see that PLX has a nice (KIWI) wireless dongle for Droid OS's as interface for Torque and such.

 

That is the unit I use. PLX WIKI

 

Torque looks very interesting. One reason I went with a ScangaugeII is because I don't have an Android or a smart phone and because all the information of how to program the Scangauge for the Prius was there. It was not obvious to me that any of the smart phone app would be able to support/read the Prius' unique hybrid systems. So I've been sitting on the sideline with respect to this *new* tech because I've been looking for and waiting for a *killer* application for an Android or smart phone that would justify getting one. The Torque's video recording feature is a step in the right direction.

 

I'll tell you what tipped the scale for me: android's "Navigation" app - basically a GPS for your car, linked directly to Google's Maps database which is always updated. Also, if you ever use public transit, there are some pretty awesome transit features on all smartphone formats which make having a smart phone priceless now.

And then there's Torque...

 

I have a Garminu Nuvi GPS that does all the basics. With respect to mapping information that goes beyond my portable GPS unit - I'm interested traffic lights locations, stop sign locations, toll roads, speed bumps locations, number of lanes per direction, speed limit, temporary construction sites, and elevation changes along a particular route. Google Earth has an elevation route mapping feature --can andriod's Navigation app access the elevation data in Google Earth's Map database?

 

Not yet