Advice re. using a dedicated Android phone w/Torque app & OBDII pls

BarryJI · 03-22-2016, 04:40 PM

I have an iPhone and Dash Command, which I use with an OBDII dongle.

The above combo does not report oil temps from my 2015 N26 228i and it seems that the Android/Torque combo is better across the board. Torque will not work with iPhone. I have no experience with Android devices. Can anyone comment re. how I would go about getting an Android device, not for any other purpose but to pair with Torque to report engine output? Obviously I have no intention of signing up for a cell phone service or any kind of subscription but would use the handheld solely as a dedicated display device for the app. What should I expect to pay for this? What should I be looking for? Would it need a particular operating system installed? And, finally, can I expect it to output oil temps? I'd also like boost output and basically everything else I can get with Dash Command and possibly more. Many thanks.

Zooks527 · 03-22-2016, 07:40 PM

Or just put a ScanGauge with the BMW/Mini F-series firmware under the headlight control or in some other location.

Does it have a real 70s J.C.Whitney feel? Sure. However, no one but the driver can see it, the left 2 columns are visible to the driver all the time, it's not there in the middle of your dash acting as a magnet for some kid to break your window, and your wife won't spend any time chewing your ass for blocking her vent in the summertime. In addition to the data you've asked for, it can also do oil pressure, fuel rail pressure, and so on.

BarryJI · 03-22-2016, 08:06 PM

Thank you. I'd still like to explore the Android option though.

BMWZ4 · 03-22-2016, 08:11 PM

I use android and Torque. Yes, definitely will display oil temps among host of others.

If you just want an android device w/o phone or data plans, then you don't need to get anything terribly powerful really and you'll need to buy an "unlocked" version so there's no carrier tied to it. In terms of price there are a lot of sites out there....I used to buy from expansys.com (US site) and you could probably find a low end samsung model for under a hundred probably even lower.

BarryJI · 03-22-2016, 08:15 PM

That's great info, many thanks.

BMWZ4 · 03-22-2016, 08:25 PM

Forgot to answer one of your questions re android OS version...version 5+ works well with Torque.

BMWZ4 · 03-22-2016, 08:31 PM

I assume you can use your existing OBDII Bluetooth connector. If not, I use the OBDLink brand device. Works great. On amazon for roughly $40 I think?

BarryJI · 03-22-2016, 08:32 PM

Copy all. Thanks again.

bryan_G01 · 03-26-2016, 07:52 PM

I have android, samsung g5 with torque pro and have OIL, temp, boost/vacuum, AMPS,

and whatever else you need all working.

Supernaut · 03-28-2016, 05:36 PM

I use a prepaid Verizon Motorola MotoG I found for $26.99 at Best Buy, never activated. I use it with Torque Pro. It's a smaller phone, so it can sit where the ash tray used to be. Power is from the rear socket.

omega145 · 03-28-2016, 07:06 PM

I like that setup Supernaut...anything to keep the phone from sliding?

Supernaut · 03-28-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega145

I like that setup Supernaut...anything to keep the phone from sliding?

It just sits on the OEM mat and the cable helps to keep in in place. I just got back from a Charity Laps event at Virginia International Raceway - "spirited", but not full tilt driving on the road course - and it did not budge. I will need to rig up something if I go back to running HPDEs.

bryan_G01 · 03-29-2016, 02:11 PM

I use a vent mount for HPDE's and it's solid.

BMWZ4 · 03-30-2016, 01:48 PM

I use this one, works great

https://www.amazon.ca/Generation-Rei...hone+mount+car

BentZero · 03-31-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I use this one, works great

https://www.amazon.ca/Generation-Rei...hone+mount+car

I use my wife's old Galaxy s4 with no issues. It's no longer under contract, but I'm able to get to Google play to download torque. Oil temps work perfectly.

jmwilson125 · 03-31-2016, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supernaut

I use a prepaid Verizon Motorola MotoG I found for $26.99 at Best Buy, never activated. I use it with Torque Pro. It's a smaller phone, so it can sit where the ash tray used to be. Power is from the rear socket.

I have an Android phone and use torque. It works really well. However I would like to have a huge dedicated device I can leave in the car. Just ordered a sweet 7" tablet from Groupon for $50 bucks. I think I will make a custom mount and run that exactly how supernaut has it set up with a few different gauges.

Supernaut how did you get that m background? Was it easy to do? Can you share gauge setup files?

Supernaut · 04-02-2016, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmwilson125

I have an Android phone and use torque. It works really well. However I would like to have a huge dedicated device I can leave in the car. Just ordered a sweet 7" tablet from Groupon for $50 bucks. I think I will make a custom mount and run that exactly how supernaut has it set up with a few different gauges.

Supernaut how did you get that m background? Was it easy to do? Can you share gauge setup files?

I found an image online and kept resizing until it sat correctly with the gauges. It was easy but time consuming. PM me an email and I can try to send the setup files. I'm not sure if you can just send the .dash file or have to send the separate components, though.

03-22-2016, 04:40 PM	#1
BarryJI Captain 424 Rep 980 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Advice re. using a dedicated Android phone w/Torque app & OBDII pls I have an iPhone and Dash Command, which I use with an OBDII dongle. The above combo does not report oil temps from my 2015 N26 228i and it seems that the Android/Torque combo is better across the board. Torque will not work with iPhone. I have no experience with Android devices. Can anyone comment re. how I would go about getting an Android device, not for any other purpose but to pair with Torque to report engine output? Obviously I have no intention of signing up for a cell phone service or any kind of subscription but would use the handheld solely as a dedicated display device for the app. What should I expect to pay for this? What should I be looking for? Would it need a particular operating system installed? And, finally, can I expect it to output oil temps? I'd also like boost output and basically everything else I can get with Dash Command and possibly more. Many thanks. __________________ 2015 BMW 228i M Sport w/Track Handling Package DAP \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 \| DINAN Shockware \| DINAN Free Flow Exhaust \| DINAN Performance Spring Set + Ride Quality and Handling Kit
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03-22-2016, 07:40 PM	#2
Zooks527 Captain 310 Rep 886 Posts Drives: 2015 M235xi / 2005 Tacoma 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mansfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Or just put a ScanGauge with the BMW/Mini F-series firmware under the headlight control or in some other location. Does it have a real 70s J.C.Whitney feel? Sure. However, no one but the driver can see it, the left 2 columns are visible to the driver all the time, it's not there in the middle of your dash acting as a magnet for some kid to break your window, and your wife won't spend any time chewing your ass for blocking her vent in the summertime. In addition to the data you've asked for, it can also do oil pressure, fuel rail pressure, and so on. __________________ 2015 M235xi coupe, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather, Fineline Stream trim, Steptronic, xDrive, ZPP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, 5DP, hk w/BimmerTech amp, Enhanced BT Prior 40 years: 67 BelAir wagon / 68 LeMans Tempest / 70 Mustang Mach 1 / 72 El Dorado / 78 Corvette / 81 Subaru GL wagon 4WD / 83 s10 Blazer 4x4 / 85 Bronco 4x4 / 96 Bronco 4x4 / 04 Passat 4mo / 09 BMW 335xi
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03-22-2016, 08:06 PM	#3
BarryJI Captain 424 Rep 980 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Thank you. I'd still like to explore the Android option though. __________________ 2015 BMW 228i M Sport w/Track Handling Package DAP \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 \| DINAN Shockware \| DINAN Free Flow Exhaust \| DINAN Performance Spring Set + Ride Quality and Handling Kit
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03-22-2016, 08:11 PM	#4
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I use android and Torque. Yes, definitely will display oil temps among host of others. If you just want an android device w/o phone or data plans, then you don't need to get anything terribly powerful really and you'll need to buy an "unlocked" version so there's no carrier tied to it. In terms of price there are a lot of sites out there....I used to buy from expansys.com (US site) and you could probably find a low end samsung model for under a hundred probably even lower. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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03-22-2016, 08:15 PM	#5
BarryJI Captain 424 Rep 980 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	That's great info, many thanks. __________________ 2015 BMW 228i M Sport w/Track Handling Package DAP \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 \| DINAN Shockware \| DINAN Free Flow Exhaust \| DINAN Performance Spring Set + Ride Quality and Handling Kit
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03-22-2016, 08:25 PM	#6
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Forgot to answer one of your questions re android OS version...version 5+ works well with Torque. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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03-22-2016, 08:31 PM	#7
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I assume you can use your existing OBDII Bluetooth connector. If not, I use the OBDLink brand device. Works great. On amazon for roughly $40 I think? __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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03-22-2016, 08:32 PM	#8
BarryJI Captain 424 Rep 980 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Copy all. Thanks again. __________________ 2015 BMW 228i M Sport w/Track Handling Package DAP \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 \| DINAN Shockware \| DINAN Free Flow Exhaust \| DINAN Performance Spring Set + Ride Quality and Handling Kit
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03-26-2016, 07:52 PM	#9
bryan_G01 Lieutenant Colonel 1165 Rep 1,931 Posts Drives: like i stole it... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I have android, samsung g5 with torque pro and have OIL, temp, boost/vacuum, AMPS, and whatever else you need all working. __________________ www.nybmwcca.org Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic
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03-28-2016, 05:36 PM	#10
Supernaut Little Deuce Coupe 391 Rep 635 Posts Drives: SO M2C Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 competi ... [0.00]	I use a prepaid Verizon Motorola MotoG I found for $26.99 at Best Buy, never activated. I use it with Torque Pro. It's a smaller phone, so it can sit where the ash tray used to be. Power is from the rear socket. Attached Images __________________ ex: 2004 Thermonuclear Yellow RX-8\|6MT ex: 2015 Estoril Blue M235i \|6MT\|slicktop\|MP exhaust - PCD 2020 Sunset Orange M2C\|6MT\|Black 788s
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03-28-2016, 07:06 PM	#11
omega145 Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 235 Posts Drives: 2016 M235 Xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	I like that setup Supernaut...anything to keep the phone from sliding?
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03-29-2016, 02:11 PM	#13
bryan_G01 Lieutenant Colonel 1165 Rep 1,931 Posts Drives: like i stole it... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I use a vent mount for HPDE's and it's solid. __________________ www.nybmwcca.org Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic
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03-30-2016, 01:48 PM	#14
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I use this one, works great https://www.amazon.ca/Generation-Rei...hone+mount+car __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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