New d2 diagnostics app/hardware

[OffTrack]

Thought this was worth posting in the main d2 section, as I know many don't wander into the wilds of the electronic diagnostics forum.

I've just found out about a cheap iOS/Android based diagnostic product called the X431 iDiag from a post by someone discussing d4 diagnostics.

I immediately thought it would be the usually obd-ii only junk, but not so.

Looking at the vehicle support the app/hardware supports:

Td5
V8
Auto
SLABS/SLS
Security
SRS

The glaring omission seems to be BCU support and to a lesser extent ACE.

There is limited ability to write real time data to file, but you can display graphs of the data on screen. The demo mode only shows 1second log intervals but this is no worse than the Nanocom.

This won't fully replace a Hawkeye or Nanocom but will definitely give you access to engine and abs diagnostics which is pretty cool.

The downside is you need a phone/tablet but thiese are pretty ubiquitous. Tvhe app works far better on an iPad than iPhone.

I spoke to a rep from Launch Australia this afternoon and they will have the hardware which is a iPad case and Bluetooth dongle in stock in about 8 weeks. These will be $109 +gst. So $120. The unlimited vehicle unlock is $66 per vehicle type for 12 months.

The info is a bit tricky to find. If you go to the launch aust page then click through to the x431 homepage you'll probably find something:

http://www.launchtech.com.au/Users/home.aspx

Anyway it's an interesting bit of kit, and the price will undoubtably lower the upfront cost of getting a usable diagnostic tool.

Cheers
Paul

[iPom]

Thanks for the heads up Paul. Certainly sounds interesting mate. I have a Nanocom Evo but I like the idea of the iPad interface for viewing data whilst driving. Good price as well.

[Rok_Dr]

Sounds interesting and the idea of no cables with bluetooth appeals...... but I'm not sure abut the $66/year/ vehicle for the unlock code access. After 4-5 years you'd be ahead cost wise buying a nancom if you only had one vehicle unlock.

Cheers

Steve

[OffTrack]

Sounds interesting and the idea of no cables with bluetooth appeals...... but I'm not sure abut the $66/year/ vehicle for the unlock code access. After 4-5 years you'd be ahead cost wise buying a nancom if you only had one vehicle unlock.

Cheers

Steve

True enough but it does lower the cost of entry quite significantly. It's easier to justify a $190 initial outlay than $400+. As an ongoing cost $66 a year subscription is pretty manageable.

The problem for the d2 stuff is there has been no real entry level. There have been a few threads of late where people have needed diagnostics but couldn't afford to stump up $400. That is where this kind of gear is useful.

[Rok_Dr]

True enough but it does lower the cost of entry quite significantly. It's easier to justify a $190 initial outlay than $400+. As an ongoing cost $66 a year subscription is pretty manageable.

The problem for the d2 stuff is there has been no real entry level. There have been a few threads of late where people have needed diagnostics but couldn't afford to stump up $400. That is where this kind of gear is useful.

I can't argue and at the end of the day even though its not my preferred option, having alternatives and giving black box some market competition has to be a good thing.

It will be interesting to see how they go.

Cheers

Steve

[frostyblue]

I read this post about 5 min before adding a nanaccom to the card, maybe ill have off and see what others think

Cheers

Ken

[OffTrack]

I read this post about 5 min before adding a nanaccom to the card, maybe ill have off and see what others think

Cheers

Ken

I'd personally go for the Nanocom, especially if you've already ordered. It's going to be the better tool all round, and you can save yourself buying a boost/egt guage until you really need it. ;)

If you want to have a play you can download the X431 Euro app from the iTunes store or get the Android app from their website and run the demo module. It will give you a pretty good idea of what the interface is like, even if you can't play with the D2 modules.

I'd had hopes that the data logging would have been more usable than it appears to be from the demo. It's pretty much useless as the output format is repeated lists in pdf format and would require a huge amount of manipulation to get into something more useful. If they data was logged to a straight CSV format it would be a much more serious contender.

That said I think the diagnostics that are there should be reasonably solid. Launch sell predominantly in to the professional diagnostics market and the iDiag diagnostic seems to be a few revisions behind the pro versions. That's not going to make any difference for the d2 owner as this support has been included for 7-8 years.

DBSCar, (http://mycar.x431.com/pad/landingPageIndexX431AutoDiag.action)

I'm being a bit cautious about the product until I get a chance to hook up to a D2 and have a play. Based on the specs, the supported vehicles sheet, and the fact that Launch have been selling pro diagnostics gear for at least 8-9 years it does look promising. The only thing I can really fault is the apparent lack of BCM and ACE support.

cheers
Paul