[The_Ghost]

I just ordered this. It works awesome! A guy at work had one and we tried it on my car and everything I wanted to see worked. I definitely wanted a/f ratio and some other important features....

Amazon.com: Yongtek ELM 327 Bluetooth Obdii Obd2 Diagnostic Scanner, Elm327 Wireless OBD 2 Scan Tool Check Engine Light CAR Code Reader: Automotive

 

[blackbirdracing]

I have had the same one for over a year now and like it.

 

[Seltzinator]

They have one that connects to an app on your phone as well, so you can display a lot of stats and readings in real time. Pretty slick.

 

[blackbirdracing]

Rev for apple, and torque for android

 

[TX08manualGXP]

That is cool. I'm ordering one too. I also have this and have a question. I'm getting a tune soon and have to go thru the putting down a deposit on the cable routine but do you think this is the same thing?
Rob, You have one don't you? is this the same? If so, I'm ordering both.
http://www.amazon.com/OBD2-Diagnostic-Cable-KKL409-1-VAG-COM/dp/B002WIN8VQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1380807169&sr=1-2&keywords=obd2+usb

this one too:

 

[Seltzinator]

That is cool. I'm ordering one too. I also have this and have a question. I'm getting a tune soon and have to go thru the putting down a deposit on the cable routine but do you think this is the same thing? ELM327 V1.4 USB OBD2 OBDII CAN-BUS Diagnostic Scanner USB Cable : Amazon.com : Automotive

Rob, You have one don't you? is this the same? If so, I'm ordering both.

Someone else asked the same question and the answer given was that its not the same thing, and won't work. The cables from Trifecta have some kind of built-in hardware that allows flashing the ECM, which is what makes them expensive.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Hmm. Oh well, it was worth a shot. I guess I'll just get the other then. that would save me a trip down the street for sure.

 

[wspohn]

I bought one of those cables to play with but haven't got around to it.
For $10, why not try it and see - I have a feeling it may work. The Trifecta cable just connects computer to car, it doesn't have software on board - they give you a program that you download and then send you the tune which the program installs. I am told that the program can also call up any codes and can cancel them, a useful thing.

Let us know - I'm sure a lot of people would rather buy a cheap cable than have the hassle of renting/returning one.

 

[The_Ghost]

Um...the one I posted is bluetooth, there is no cable.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

well Bill, I was reading the post that CHAIN made a few days ago whom just did his budget tune and he mentioned that when he connected the cable to the laptop, it recognized the cable. I think that was after he connected it to the OBDII though so I'm not 100%sure. It could very well have a chip in there compatible with their program. Rob said he has his own cable to I'd like to hear from him if he thinks it will work. Lets hope so.

Rob???

 

[Seltzinator]

well Bill, I was reading the post that CHAIN made a few days ago whom just did his budget tune and he mentioned that when he connected the cable to the laptop, it recognized the cable. I think that was after he connected it to the OBDII though so I'm not 100%sure. It could very well have a chip in there compatible with their program. Rob said he has his own cable to I'd like to hear from him if he thinks it will work. Lets hope so.

Rob???

Here's the thread I was thinking of: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f11/trifecta-cable-68571/

The Tactrix box is what allows your computer to flash the ECM. If you're going to buy one of those cables anyway for diagnostic purposes, then go for it, but it won't let you do a tune.

The good thing is that the $200 for the Trifecta cable is only a deposit. You get it back when you return the cable. Besides all this, Vince seems to really be a solid guy, to offer the Budget Tune and be so helpful and responsive. I doubt he worked to make such a good, cheap, canned tune only to try to hose people on a cable deposit. The reason its a $200 deposit is so he gets it back.

 

[wspohn]

Thanks - you are right, I looked further and found several for sale used. Problem is it is all Subaru and Mistu use and won't include the GM capable enhancements. Oh well, no such thing as a free (or cheap) lunch. As you said, nice you can 'borrow' it to tune.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

I know we went off task here ghost and the bluetooth device is the way to go for this and at 11 bucks, you can't beat it.

Back to the cable, I know the $200 is a deposit and I'd want to charge that myself to ensure I got it back. the reason Id want my own is if after a while my car did it's learn down thing or if I wanted to upgrade to a custom tune then if I had a cable I could re-load the tune and be good to go rather than having to put down another deposit, wait for it and then ship it back.
I read that post and what he sends you is more than just a cable so unless you were going to flash your ECM something like every 6 months or something then there's no reason to go out and spend the $200 or whatever for your own. renting it from Vince is definitly the way to go. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[LatinVenom]

I have the ELM-327 but with USB connection.
With this feature then you can buy the TouchScan software for less than $35.00 and you can see all kinds of different information.
You can do logs, however they will be saved in csv for MS excell.
If you want to do more then add the $24.95 professional add on and you can see a few more things.
Here are a couple of links to it:
http://www.obdsoftware.net/trialversion.aspx

http://www.obdsoftware.net/TouchScanInfo.aspx

The software that usually comes with the device is very limited and is text base, no graphics.