Ranger Mods

So I got my OBDLink MX Bluetooth dongle for Christmas ( but only arrived a couple of days ago ) and been playing with a couple of the Android apps, (OBDLink and Forscan Lite.)

Here are my impressions so far. If I have got any glaring errors feel free to correct.

OBDLink App
Pros
- It is FREE, but only works with the genuine Scantool branded OBDLink MX dongles.
-Nice in the way it connects and works seamlessly with the OBDLink dongle ( because it is designed to work with it I guess)
-Very configurable dashboard in terms of colours, size etc of the dials. Nice and easy to set up.
-Lots of options for display features. The HUD ( Head Up Display ) mode looks promising, need to check that out some more.
- can do OBDLink MX dongle firmware updates directly from the app. ( need to have wifi or 4G connectivity on the same phone of course ). App will also warn you when an update is available.
Cons
- does not seem to report DTC fault codes off all the modules. Forscan Lite reported a couple of BCM fault codes that OBD Link did not.
- any Ford unique PIDS have to be entered and configured manually in order to monitor them (e.g trans fluid temp, battery state of charge ). Although thanks to Stewart we do have the config, details for the most important ones.

Forscan Lite
Pros
- Designed specifically for Ford vehicles, so detects and reads all the Ranger modules. ( same as the full PC version of Forscan ).
- All the PIDs are available to select, no need to configure manually. I very easily set it up to read the things that I wanted ( Trans Fluid Temp, Battery Voltage, Battery Current, Battery State of Charge, Vehicle Speed, Engine Coolant Temp ) without having to enter any Hex codes etc. Just need to find and select the right PID from the "All" modules menu. ( Hint: the search function comes in very handy here )
- Picks up DTC fault codes from all modules. ( not sure how important it is, but there were three to do with aircon and the headlights that the OBDLink app not show, which I cleared and have not come back )
Cons
- Costs money for the full version ( about $5.95 ). There is a free demo app you can download to check compatibility with your devices but it is restricted to reading one PID from each module only.
-Not as "pretty" as the OBDLink app, quite basic dials and gauges and no changing of colours etc. For example, you can't make one dial larger than the others like on OBDLink.
- cannot do firmware updates from this app.
- no way to enter user defined PIDs as with OBDLink and Torque Pro ( although not sure why you would need to )
- it is a bit fiddlier to get started after the ignition has been turned off. You have to push the "Play" button every time to get data flowing again. Whereas OBDLink I think it does that automatically.

So I think for me the best solution is to have both on the phone to get full useability. I have a Galaxy S5 phone that has been retired from daily use, but works perfectly with both these apps, so it will become a dedicated OBD reader.

Be interested to hear others impressions of these, maybe add some more pros and cons of each.

Thanks for the write up.

OBDLink app has been updated and additional modules can be purchased to enable DTC reading, BCM etc on Ford modules. Assume it will also applies to the Ranger so it may be an option.

There are pros and cons of both and I think you're right as it is nice to have both as an option.

Thanks for the comparison Evernew1 - it prompted me to try FORScan Lite.

I have now tried Torque Pro, OBD Link & FORScan - Lite.

I would agree with your assessment re FORScan & OBDLink - I particularly like how a much wider range of modules & codes are available by default on FORScan. It would be good if OBDLink could also make these additional modules for Ranger / Everest available - their additional add-on modules only appear to cater for USA Ford Models - Maybe these USA codes would also work with our AUS model Fords? It would be good to know.

Regarding Torque Pro - possibly because the interface does not work very smoothly with my older Xperia Z phone - I would rate it third.

In the meantime, thumbs up again to saeb for his tireless work in reverse engineering the relevant codes for our vehicles

I downloaded forscan lite app (demo) to use while out in case of fault code and thought i could monitor things like EGT, boost pressure and a few others. However all i can seem to do is check error codes?

Am i missing something or is this because i have a cheap wifi adaptor? Connects ok to the car and reads the modules ok

Thanks

Glenn

I think that is the idea of the demo from memory. Check the write up on the store, the demo was aimed at testing to make sure it worked before purchasing the full version from memory.

Either way, even if it can only work with fault codes on the current adaptor, buy it anyway. It's pocket change for the work that is put into it and resetting a fault code with a phone makes it pay for itself straight away.

I still find it hard to believe you will get all modules properly with that adaptor though.

Let me know if you want to try my OBDlink as you are only around the corner, it will give you the answer anyway.

thanks Stewart will do some further reading
It would be good to have a small wifi adapator that could be left installed under the dash panel, i just tried this cheepy to see if this is the type of thing i was after as it appears the better adaptors are in the hundreds of dollars

Glenn

Tell me about it, I have spent way too much on quality hardware, but you get what you pay for. A quality product that works every time and is something you can rely on.

Tata or Ranger? Although the Chinese have started evolve with motor vehicles the quality of some of their cloned hardware is sub par.

If you want to see an Ultragauge in action for everyday monitoring and driving, let me know.

One thing I liked about the OBDLink app was the calculated and phone things, like the acceleration gauge that uses the phone's accelerometer sensors. I also particularly like the way you can input your fuel tank size and it will give you a reading in litres rather than % of tank left. I have the Brown Davis 124 litre LRFT.