ScanGaugeII - Review
 

Not sure where this belongs, but since I'm using it primarily as a set of accurate guages I thought this might be appropriate.

First off, the unit is small and easily mountable above the steering column, so I have it sitting in front of the analog dash guages. It fired up and connected immediately with the PCM with no issue, and I set it to display Speed, RPM, Coolant Temp and MPG. I switch between MPG and Ignition advance for that one display, depending on what I want to see. The gauges track well with the car, the company says its a 2 sec delay but the speed tracks almost perfectly with our digital guage and the rpm is spot on.

I don't have and codes, but clearing them is a breeze with this. I can use this with my canscan for quick checks of stuff which is nice.

I'm hoping that they will update the firmware with the ability for us to read our stock wideband, which would be nice.

for an NA car, this is a nice way to get some accurate guages with additional functionality. If I was turbo, I woud likely want a set of guages with Oil Press / Oil Temp, but this is multi use which is nice for me now.

it's nice, but it has flaked out twice on me... I had to unplug it to get it to reset. Overall I still would recommend it.

here's where mine is mounted.

Looks like a cool unit...should I be picking one of these up? Where can I get the AEM Wideband for the cheapest price?

i did contact them a few months ago that they said they were going to work on a datalogging unit and a way to configure the unit to read more guages... however, i don't think anything came out of those efforts yet -shrug-

Does this work with the OEM PCM, or just the Interceptor?

it has nothing to do with the intercetor.

it hooks up to the obd2 port under the driver side dash, and reads from the stock pcm sensors.

toys are for kiddies ....

http://www.aimsports.com/products/auto.html

toys are also much cheaper

you get what you pay for, you can display almost anything off the Canbus on the one I linked, plus datalogging

Hah! so true. No need to jerk off when you got the real deal. Information is power.

those are both cool... brillo you should see if you can make a plate for that unit in the ashtray area... stealth like


teamrx8... those are sweet... you have one? how hard is it to install?

the scangauge2 is just a little unit that is self powered (from obd2 port), has a built in back lit lcd (you can pick the color), allows you to read and reset CELs, plus can display 4 sensor readings at a time. Stuff like intake temp, coolant temp, mpg, etc.

It's $150, similar in cost to obd2 scanners that have no display and require laptops to operate. Or are setup to be hand held, and not mounted in the car...

Buy it for what it is, but don't make fun of it for what it's not.

I'm not making fun of it, but once you add in all the features everyone is asking for you'll be at the same cost and type of display I linked too, which also just plugs into the OBD2 port including the power, you aren't going to get datalogging without using a laptop, the installation of it on an RX-8 has been discussed on the forum, do teh s3arch

I'm seriously considering purchasing one :rock:

What features are being asked? If this doesn't do it, then it doesn't do it.

I have no interest in data logging, I can do that with my fuel management systems. The features on the AIM hardware look nice, but I can think up better things to do with $1000.

In my opinion, the AIM hardware is more of a toy than the scangauge. It's built for a specific purpose, while the SG2 is general purpose. Most people aren't going to find it useful or the cost acceptable.

The mychron3 gold would be great with the ability to read lambda input and datalog, in conjunction with all of the CAN functionality. Now if someone made a unit that did all that AND programmed the interceptor... oh well, only in my dreams.

IMO the scangauge II makes a good code reader.... but as far as mounting it... I think it's a little silly to display mph and rpm right next to the factor tach and speedo. MPG? ehh

Then display ignition timing, engine load, fuel rate, or something else. :)

for what it is, and the fact that its portable, its a hell of a bargin IMO.

I'm thinking about getting the scanguage 2. For $150 dollars on a NA RX-8, its worth it. The only problem I have with it, is how useful will it be if you go FI.

When you're FI, you have a greater chances of getting CELs, you'll want to be able to read them to know if you're getting something unimportant like "system too rich", or something serious.

you need to read them regardless if it's NA or FI

I'm not getting any CELs on my NA despite significant custom mods, but if I do I want to know what and why ... and in the case of the InterceptorX you will always have a CEL so you at least need to check it on a regular basis to make sure if it's the standard CEL issue or some new problem ...

Sure, because you already forked out the money you don't need data logging, but the AIM device does a lot more. Because of it's cost and capability it's not for everyone, just like a backyard mechanic can do fine with Craftsman while a pro mechanic will go with Snap-On. The average person won't need to read EGT per rotor, but for those that do this device can do it with the addition of thermocouples and a whole lot more such as play back lapping displays without a laptop, etc. Frankly I'd rather spend my money on a real CAN scanner than that thing (which I already have), as most of those have data logging too. I'd also rather spend $1k on a useful tool with all the features I need rather than $150 on a toy, that's just me :) I won't have any problem selling it for a decent price either, used ones are snapped up instantly for almost the original sales cost

I also have several laptops, WTF doesn't own one these days?

I've got 6 computers in my house, and 3 laptops. That doesn't mean I want to lug a laptop around in my car, or wait for it to boot up in order to do something.

The scangauge has it's own LCD. It powers up within 1 second from when I turn on the car. It does less than the canscan that most people here own, but it's a lot more convient to use.


You know, brillo wanted to post about what he thought of the scangauge2 on this thread, instead of chiming in, you're ragging on the unit for no reason. What you're doing is like someone from Pettit going to the AFE thread and busting their chops about it not being as good due to ___. If you want to spread the gospel about how great MXL is, why not make your own thread?

i don't mind people chiming in with there thoughts, thats why I have a bunch of qualifiers with the review. If i was FI, I would prolly want a dedicated set of guages like the RB, I already have a stand alone wide band, so with that a boost gauge I would be good.

Even still, the ability to monitor other things like open/closed loop, ign advance, and actual RPM is nice, not to mention the ability to quickly clear CEL.

Its not the perfect solution for everyone, but I bet man folks here would get value from it.

I just purchased mine and it scans correctly, but my traction control light remains on with the scanguage plug in, the cruise on light flashes, and my tach and speedo flash with the current RPM/MPH every other second. Linear-Logic is replacing my unit as my friends works fine in my car. But I agree the simplicity and size of the unit is great. Plus when that check engine light comes on you can quickly see what the issue is and if it needs attention. Plus it comes handy when Auto X as you can track your top speed, RPM and mpg...ect.

Okay so since nobody has said.....Where do you order this from?