Bluetooth OBD reader - Best App
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
Likes: 3,282
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Bluetooth OBD reader - Best App
For those of you who use a Bluetooth OBD reader to check for codes on your C6, which app do you use or recommend?
I have a reader already, but there are so many apps out there to choose from, I'm hoping on narrowing down the list to one or two of the better ones based on your suggestions.
I have a reader already, but there are so many apps out there to choose from, I'm hoping on narrowing down the list to one or two of the better ones based on your suggestions.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Sao Paulo SP
For those of you who use a Bluetooth OBD reader to check for codes on your C6, which app do you use or recommend?
I have a reader already, but there are so many apps out there to choose from, I'm hoping on narrowing down the list to one or two of the better ones based on your suggestions.
I have a reader already, but there are so many apps out there to choose from, I'm hoping on narrowing down the list to one or two of the better ones based on your suggestions.
saved my life when I was far from home, and a error didnt let the car start the engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '12
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 323
Likes: 15
From: Clayton NC
I use the paid version, I've used it with the last 4-5 cars and trucks I have owned plus scanned many friends cars when they had issues. It's paid for itself several times over. Plus since I think it is such a great app, I don't mind helping out the creator of it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 141
Says it is free to install but has in app purchases. (no Wifi currently and not by a car anyways, so not going to download it / try it right now.)
The screen shots on the app store do look nice though.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I see Dash Command on the google app store. Is it made by Palmer Performance Engineering? (just to make sure it is the same "dash command" )
Says it is free to install but has in app purchases. (no Wifi currently and not by a car anyways, so not going to download it / try it right now.)
The screen shots on the app store do look nice though.
Says it is free to install but has in app purchases. (no Wifi currently and not by a car anyways, so not going to download it / try it right now.)
The screen shots on the app store do look nice though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 141
I will download it tomorrow and give it a try. Torque app works great for reading codes and all that, but the gauges don't seem to look as good as the ones on dash command, from the screen shots I've seen.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
Likes: 3,282
From: Phoenix area, AZ
I think I'm going to go with the paid version of Torque Pro. I have an android phone, and the app has many positive reviews. I'll be using it this weekend to help diagnose the problem my daughter is having with her Cobalt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
The free version of Torque should let you see most codes - but aside from that and looking at RPM & coolant temp - won't do much else.
You can try that and see if it tells you what you need, but I'd pay a few $$$ and get the Torque Pro app. In fact I'm looking for an EASY way to get Torque Pro on an Kindle Fire that won't acknowledge that there are apps out there other than from the Amazon store...
You can try that and see if it tells you what you need, but I'd pay a few $$$ and get the Torque Pro app. In fact I'm looking for an EASY way to get Torque Pro on an Kindle Fire that won't acknowledge that there are apps out there other than from the Amazon store...
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I saw this the other day? It's a bit old though so not sure it's still accurate
http://www.pcworld.com/article/24447...ndle_fire.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/24447...ndle_fire.html
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
Android phones use the Bluetooth Elms 327,
Apple phones need the WiFi Elm 327 instead.
As for Android, torque works fine, and just depends if you want the free version, or pro version instead. Both will read basic codes and clear them.
As for the glitch, both elms most of the time come with version of Scan master ELM that you can use on your PC, and is better for troubling shooting once you get deep enough into a repair instead.
Now the huge one, a Basic Elm 327 is only go read and clear simple engine type codes, and will not get you down to the BCM/ABS system to read codes / trouble shoot to that level. If you need to get down to this level, then your looking at either a Tech II (clone will work) or dongle with program that starts around the $400 mark instead.
Myself, I have Dash commander on my I phone for quick checks to see if there is a code, and then you Scanmaster ELM for more detail checks on the engine instead (like seeing if I have a lazy O2 sensor and such). If I need to go deeper into BCM/ABS, then just break out my clone Tech II instead since it will get me these level of codes/troubling shooting, re-programing is needed.
Apple phones need the WiFi Elm 327 instead.
As for Android, torque works fine, and just depends if you want the free version, or pro version instead. Both will read basic codes and clear them.
As for the glitch, both elms most of the time come with version of Scan master ELM that you can use on your PC, and is better for troubling shooting once you get deep enough into a repair instead.
Now the huge one, a Basic Elm 327 is only go read and clear simple engine type codes, and will not get you down to the BCM/ABS system to read codes / trouble shoot to that level. If you need to get down to this level, then your looking at either a Tech II (clone will work) or dongle with program that starts around the $400 mark instead.
Myself, I have Dash commander on my I phone for quick checks to see if there is a code, and then you Scanmaster ELM for more detail checks on the engine instead (like seeing if I have a lazy O2 sensor and such). If I need to go deeper into BCM/ABS, then just break out my clone Tech II instead since it will get me these level of codes/troubling shooting, re-programing is needed.