Not sure where to put this question so I posted it to General Technical Help and got no response, so here's another attempt:

I'd like to replace my ScanGuage with an OBD II dongle that will make a Bluetooth connection to my phone, but I find only one or two that claim to be compatible with an iPhone and both of those are a bit pricey.

I'm aware of several that are marketed with WiFi connectivity, and several that work well with Android phones, but would prefer Bluetooth compatibility without changing my phone.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone having experience with an iPhone/Bluetooth OBD II scanner before spending any money?

 

You really don't want to use WiFi connectivity for this purpose with any phone, WiFi uses a lot of power and won't achieve anything Bluetooth won't.

Bluetooth OBDII adapters are cheap, different models have different features. Some even have GPS which is actually quite cool considering the GPS in phones can be somewhat inaccurate due to the size of the antennas.

OBDII applications for iPhone I'm aware of are:
Engine Link ($5.99) and
Dash Command ($9.99)

Dash Command isn't bad, I've used it on Android and for some reason it doesn't get any data from certain sensors. Coolant Temp and MAF Rate don't work on my Discovery. It has a some cool features though, 0-60 time, quarter mile, bla bla bla.

I have no experience with Engine Link, it's iPhone only.
On Android, I use Torque, it has displays for all the sensors that the ECU monitors.
It's also lets you customize everything... I mean EVERYTHING! There's themes for the gauges, you can add/remove the gauges you want, and it has some nice Widgets containing multiple readouts in a more compact and visible forms. It can also show logged, pending, and historic fault codes. As well as clear them.

If I were you, I'd give Dash Command a shot, but know you might have no data from certain sensors. If Engline Link isn't any better, switch to Android and use Torque.

 

Most Bluetooth OBD2 transmitters are not compatible with Apple products/iPhones.

Make sure you confirm that they are iPhone compatible.

 

I could not find one that worked with iPhone over Bluetooth. I ended up getting this one, and using Dash Command.

I had to change the following wifi settings on my phone when I connected to the scanner over wifi:

Once connected to that Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, click the small blue info button next to the network you're connected to to go to the advanced settings for it. Set the IP Address to Static. Configure the IP address to 192.168.0.123 and the Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0. Then, go back and exit the settings. Other guides/videos might tell you to configure an IP as a “router”. That is not only useless but annoying as it would mean your iPhone would attempt to join the Internet through your ELM327 and any data would not come through as it’s connected to your car. Don’t set a router.

This needs to be done so that you can connect to the scanner and be able to use data for maps, internet, or music streaming.

 

I'm an Android guy, and I use software called Torque.

It's worked great with two different cheapo bluetooth adapters so far.

 

I couldn't get a bluetooth one to play nicely with my Apple kit.
Gave up and got one of these:
Super Mini iCar2 Vehicle Wi-Fi OBD-II Code Diagnostic Tool / Clearer - White + Blue - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
and I use Dashcommand and an iPod touch.
Fairly pleased, but sometimes getting it to connect is a bit of a *****.

 

Mike. Tell us more about this blue arrow? Where/what are you talking about? What equipment (iPhone/Android)? What software?

 

I copy pasted that from another site. I went back and edited my post to make it less confusing. It's the little blue circle with the "i" inside it on your iPhone.
After you hook up the OBDII device and connect to it, click the little info circle next to it to go into advanced settings

 

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. I still don't know enough about Bluetooth and the iPhone, so guess I'll have to call those makers who claim iPhone compatibility and see if they can convince me.

My iPhone makes an easy Bluetooth connection in my 2012 Mercedes and with the after-market radio in the Disco (though the Disco is a little too noisy for any real hands-free conversation), so why shouldn't there be an OBD reader that works just as effectively?

 

Hey Steve. I see you're in Traverse City. My sister lives up there. One of my favorite cities in Michigan.