IIDTool - Leave connected?

[OldGuy]

Have just received my Gap IIDTool, thanks Matts59, the introduction/warnings piece of paper that come in the box mentions it is not designed to be left in place for long periods.

What is the general view on this? If I were on an extended outback trip I would be inclined to leave it there plugged in for the entire time, probably just leave it there even when back home, or is this a bad idea.

regards
Geoff

[Milton477]

Mine has been connected permanently for close on 5 years now.

[Geedublya]

I've had two Bluetooth modules fail now. Not so bad on the D4 with the instrument cluster display but no good on the RRS. I'm thinking I won't leave it connected full time for the next one.

[Tombie]

Heaven forbid the designer/manufacturer would know the limits of their hardware [emoji41]

[OldGuy]

Heaven forbid the designer/manufacturer would know the limits of their hardware [emoji41]

Is that a bit like saying "our product is the best thing ever you will never need to buy anything else"

I was just asking what people are doing in general with their IID tool

regards
Geoff

[gavinwibrow]

Is that a bit like saying "our product is the best thing ever you will never need to buy anything else"

I was just asking what people are doing in general with their IID tool

regards
Geoff


Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I took it that Mike was saying follow the manufacturer's recommendation
(from someone who does forget to remove it now and again and usually uses it as an instrument gauge on trips and/or towing). Cheers

[Tombie]

It would depend on the manufacturers design criteria and components used. If they built the tool using components designed for infrequent use then by leaving it connected you are shortening the design life significantly.

As most diagnostic work is 20-30min, running it 24/7 is a significant increase in duty cycle and will obviously have an impact on component life.

Not my property, not my issue.

[OldGuy]

Not my property, not my issue.[/QUOTE]


That seems reasonable am planning on using my gear, no one elses'

[DiscoDB]

If you do leave connected, make sure you disconnect from the phone Bluetooth when not using as the power drain is high when connected.

Also consider locking to your device, an open Bluetooth OBD2 device can be a security issue if left connected to the port as it can be connected to by anyone from outside your car. Not an issue in remote areas, but could be in major city centres. The Gap tool is very powerful - unlike other devices which can only read information.

I have another OBD adaptor (OBDLink Mx+) which I do often leave connected but it is paired securely to only a few devices, only has read access, and goes into full sleep mode when the engine is off. Unlike the Gap tool it is designed to be left connected.

[OldGuy]

Thanks DiscoDB, good points re locking the device and disconnection of bluetooth. We have a fairly lengthy 3 to 4 month trip planned next year and will be towing. Will probably leave it connected for the journey to keep an eye on temps with the above provisos in place, then leave it in the drawer until needed. Hopefully not until the next trip...

regards
Geoff

[gavinwibrow]

If you do leave connected, make sure you disconnect from the phone Bluetooth when not using as the power drain is high when connected.

Also consider locking to your device, an open Bluetooth OBD2 device can be a security issue if left connected to the port as it can be connected to by anyone from outside your car. Not an issue in remote areas, but could be in major city centres. The Gap tool is very powerful - unlike other devices which can only read information.

I have another OBD adaptor (OBDLink Mx+) which I do often leave connected but it is paired securely to only a few devices, only has read access, and goes into full sleep mode when the engine is off. Unlike the Gap tool it is designed to be left connected.



OBDLink MX+ currently $149.95 at Amazon AU - other price I saw was +$100

[DiscoDB]

OBDLink LX is also a potentially lower cost alternative for live instrument read outs. Meant to have all the same features as the MX+, but without the proprietary Ford and GM support. Also designed to be left connected.

[PerthDisco]

OBDLink LX is also a potentially lower cost alternative for live instrument read outs. Meant to have all the same features as the MX+, but without the proprietary Ford and GM support. Also designed to be left connected.

Will the MX and LX read with as much detail and clear fault codes equally as well as the IID? They won’t allow 3rd party patches and tunes to be uploaded I assume?

[loanrangie]

Just buy a switched extension cable, sorted.

[DiscoDB]

Will the MX and LX read with as much detail and clear fault codes equally as well as the IID? They won’t allow 3rd party patches and tunes to be uploaded I assume?

For fault code reading, diagnostics, and programming you definitely need the IID tool. If you only buy one diagnostic tool then this is the one to get.

The OBDLink adapters are for monitoring instruments and are better suited to being left connected permanently if you set up a dashboard on your iOS or Android device.

The IID tool is too expensive to risk leaving it permanently connected in my mind.

And for a simple and cheap instrument set up, can always start with a basic ELM327 adapter and use with TorquePro but this only works on Android.

When you set up an adapter, also get a low profile OBD extension cable. I run a cable up behind the access panel beneath the dash and it sticks out just under the steering column. Makes it easy to connect an adapter and prevents it from being damaged.

[OldGuy]

Good points DiscoDB, I already have a basic ELM327 adapter and use with TorquePro which costs very little. I guess to just monitor temps etc it would be more than adequate, bit like a scanguage. Could just use the IID Tool for issues, the only question now is that if I use it to raise the suspension say in rough gravel road conditions where I would usually travel about 70Km, give or take, does the IID need to remain connected??

thanks for you comments

regards

Geoff

[Ferret]

... the only question now is that if I use it to raise the suspension say in rough gravel road conditions where I would usually travel about 70Km, give or take, does the IID need to remain connected??

No, you can disconnect once raised. Reconnect it later to return suspension to normal height.

[DiscoDB]

For a device which has a warning saying not to leave plugged in for long periods, it certainly has plenty of nice features which tempt you to use it for long periods.

I also love the warning in the live values section which says the driver should not observe a live value while driving. I choose to interpret that warning differently.

[DiscoDB]

And for anyone that uses iOS devices, OBD Fusion is the paid version of the OBDLink app and should work with an ELM327 compatible Wi-Fi adapter.