So I'm interested in getting one of those little OBD2 scanners (e.g. ELM 327) to use with a mobile app, like Torque. But I've read several threads where guys have said the scanner they got didn't work with a C5, though it worked with their other cars. Also, a lot of the links in the threads are old 'n busted.

Anyone got a known-good link to one of these things they know will work with a C5?

Thanks!

 

First question is, do you have android or apple device? I have android so I will speak to that and bluetooth related devices.

I went with the pricey/safe option OBDLink MX:
I've read of guys using some of the cheaper options on Amazon with decent success. I went the route I did to ensure maximum compatibility with some of the lap timer/logging apps that I use, which all recommend the OBD MX and do testing with that particular unit. I have not done any back to back comparisons myself, but the consensus I found was that the cheaper units generally work, but won't have as good as a refresh/update rate as the OBD MX.

So, if you're just using this monitor a few params once in a while...fast as possible update rate is probably not a big concern. If you're going to using this to datalog for analysis/video overlay, etc., then update rate starts to become a concern. One thing to note is that the C5 PCM is slow by today's standards, so either way you're going to get amazing results. Over bluetooth, I get about a 5-6 hz update rate logging 3 PIDs, so we'll call that 15-18 PID/s. With my EFILive Autocal black box logging, it's way higher.. probably over 100 PID/s. But bluetooth and bringing the data into a phone/app is very convenient, so it may be worth it.

I probably went way more in depth than you care about....if this is stuff you do not care about then I'd get a known good "cheap" alternative for around $30 on Amazon. I'll let the guys who use them comment on which particular model(s) they have used.

 

If you have an Android device you can use the cheap ones. If you have an Apple, you need the expensive one.

As for the cheap ones, the problem is that there are a ton of them on Amazon that look the same, might even be the same, but are hit or miss. I bought one for under $10 and it's worked well for me. It works with Torque as well as Harry's Laptimer.

This isn't the seller that I got mine from but it looks just like it. http://amzn.com/B009F4JHHO For under $10 shipped, I just picked one and hoped for the best.

 

The Bluetooth transmitters like AaronC7 said have a very slow capture rate, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 frame per second, you better scanners (HPTuners/EFILive) can capture up to 10 frames per second and you professional ones can capture as high as 40 frames/sec. The more PID's you are running the slower the updates, that is why your better scanner always say to use 24 or less PID's. They are also convenient to clear DTC's and if you have some codes always throwing on your vette that are meaningless other (like rear O2's with headers) you can use it to delete them as well as find what DTC's are tripped. I have one as well and it works on my Corvette but not my Escalade.

 

What is a "PID" in this context?

 

an engine parameter... RPM, vehicle speed, throttle position, etc.

 

As far as the definition.... really not sure, maybe parameter ID in this case?

 

I have the Goliton Power2 device, $15.00 from Amazon. It's small enough that you won't be bumping it with your leg and it works well with my Android phone and C5. I consider it a fun little toy but certainly worth having for the price.

 

Bringing this thread back from the dead.

I already have a bluetooth adapter and am debating using Torque Pro. Anyone with recent experience with Torque Pro or suggestions for other applications/tools? I just want to log stock paramaters on C5 and check/clear codes. I am not in the market for HP Tuners yet, so I want to keep costs low for now.

 

Yes, Torque pro will work fine. I'm not a big fan of the interface...a bit messy for me, but it will do all of those things for a reasonable price.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I will try it out.