Thread: Smartphone Apps for Car Guys

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Just recently we finally upgraded to the 'new to us' technology of smartphones. I have to admit some of the smartphone apps are really neat. I was wondering if any of you have found any very cool apps for car crazy people like us? What is your favorite automotive related app?

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike52

Just recently we finally upgraded to the 'new to us' technology of smartphones. I have to admit some of the smartphone apps are really neat. I was wondering if any of you have found any very cool apps for car crazy people like us? What is your favorite automotive related app?

Mike

So are you Droid or I-Phone? Here's a link, easy to Google Best Phone Apps for Car Guys 10 Best Automotive Smartphone Apps

Roger, I've got a Droid phone. After a little browsing around I found an interesting app called Torque Pro that uses a bluetooth interface adapter (very cheap from ebay) that plugs into the vehicle's OBD port that will send a signal to the phone to display real time functions plus a DTC code reader, etc, etc. Check out this YouTube video.

Mike

Originally Posted by Evolvo

I'm technologically challenged, but I was thinking it would be cool to have a little "bug" you could put in your car so you could find it by interfacing with the phones GPS. In case the car was stolen. Sort of like a Lo Jack for your phone. Somebody will do this and become a gazillionaire, too bad it won't be me!



a

Originally Posted by Mike52

Roger, I've got a Droid phone. After a little browsing around I found an interesting app called Torque Pro that uses a bluetooth interface adapter (very cheap from ebay) that plugs into the vehicle's OBD port that will send a signal to the phone to display real time functions plus a DTC code reader, etc, etc. Check out this YouTube video.

Mike

Mike,
I somehow missed this Droid app post, but it's super cool! I'm going to look into it a bit more using your other links, and see about snagging it!

Alan,
Garmin's ahead of you on the "bug" idea - it's called the GTU 10, and it works fantastic as long as you keep it charged up http://www8.garmin.com/ces/gtu10.html. Every time I leave home I get an e-mail telling me "33 Hiboy has left the assigned area", and I have a free Garmin tracking app on my Droid phone that tracks the GTU 10, updating according to the setup I entered. I've not yet hardwired it into the car electrical system, but that's coming.

Roger, I've already got the Torque Pro app on my Galaxy S II and the Elm 327 OBD reader. It's soooo cool, in fact, I brought it to work this morning to show the guys, had it connected and running in 'Realtime' all the way to work. Granted the Blazer isn't a speed demon but it was fun checking out the 0-60mph time, ¼ mile e.t, vacuum readings, throttle position, etc. Just a couple of days ago my wife said the MIL came on in her vehicle, I scanned the DTC code, tightened the loose gas cap, cleared the code and all is well now. At $24 for the Elm 327 and $4.95 for the app, this thing is cheap, fun and educational at the same time.

If you are serious about snagging it, I can offer advise on the best Elm 327 to get, the China knock offs have a bad rap.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike52

.....If you are serious about snagging it, I can offer advise on the best Elm 327 to get, the China knock offs have a bad rap.
Mike

Sure Mike, I'm interested in which one's good. I looked on Ebay and while many say US... they don't list a country of origin.

Roger, this is the one I got, seller is Cleareyes20. Avoid the units with the orange/blue label.

Mike