People of NAM!

I'be been throwing around the idea of getting a Scangauge for my MCS. I like the idea of being able to see all of the different readings, I like the data logging feature, I like the code scanning ability, I also like the portability aspect of being able to scan and use it on other vehicles.

My only concern here is the refresh rate of the displayed data on the Scangauge. For the people that have them; does the data refresh instantaneously or is there a noticeable delay? I like the look and accuracy and immediacy of mechanical gauges, but the expense of quality gauges and install process is what pains me.

I'm not going to invest both, if the Scangauge II works to accurately and immediately monitor the vehicle's situation, I will go that route.

Any opinions, experiences, comments, and/or concerns would be (as always) greatly welcomed and appreciated.

 

I have had the ScanGaugeII for over a year now and what I will say is that the refresh rate is good enough to be useful. If you are looking for a cheaper way to keep track what your car is doing or clear codes then it works great. But the truth is it can't replace a real gauge for reading boost.

The HP estimates and 0-60 timer etc. work well, but I rarely use them. I mounted mine on the dash with a small piece of velcro. see pic

 

I was about to buy one and read reviews that it starts lagging, freezing and restarting after about 8 months of use. Have you had that problem?
I've also had trouble finding one in Canada.

 

I think my goal is to just be able to monitor things like water temp and intake air temp at a glance without installing expensive gauges that will (when the engine is running well) not move much.

As for boost, it would be nice to be able to monitor the boost more precisely, but I'm sure the Scangauge is accurate enough to be able to notice something wrong. Since this is an N18 powered MCS, I won't have vac to monitor (I've read 2-3in of vac at idle), so I'd have a mechanical boost/vac gauge that doesn't use half its function. Maybe a dedicated gauge could be in the future when the funds become available.

 

Double post

 

I bought mine on Amazon. Mine will occasionally flicker on/off if I hit a big pothole or something, I think it is due to a weak RJ port on the back of the SG. I have heard they will replace/repair it if that happens under warranty (which I think is 1yr).

That's about where I'm at right now.

 

Almost 2 years worth of use and I have never had any of these issues. I have mine mounted on the dash by the window pillar.

 

100%

I've had mine for 8 months now. I love it, no issues.

 

Have had mine since 2008. The first one started 'talking in tongues' after a few months, but was replaced under warranty and has worked fine ever since. It wasn't able to reset the CEL on my '98 Subaru during a road trip, but just being able to read the code on the fly was very helpful without having to bring my more bulky dedicated code reader.

 

Any other scanner that you can recommend ! Iphone connection, etc.

 

I just learned about these, my friend said he had one in his 03 STi and loved it...

http://www.aeroforcetech.com/products_interceptor.html

Anyone ever use one in a Mini? Their website has an application chart that includes 08+ R56's.

 

I was leaning toward this one https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bt1/id471892883?mt=8

and this one http://www.palmerperformance.com/

Anyone ?

 

I had the aeroforce in my Mazdaspeed 3 I had back in the day... it was awesome! I loved it. The only things I ever monitored was boost and hp. Not sure how accurate the HP was but it was a pretty neat feature. I'm prolly gonna get one for the Mini one of these days. I also liked the aeroforce a lot better because its in the shape of a gauge and not the bulky box the scan gauge is in. The gauge goes with the interior much better IMO.

 

They are almost a "must-have" for the enthusiast. If you want to wire up some quality Autometer gauges it's easily a $1000 project. It's a fantastic bang for the buck item. If you're a stickler, it would be nice to still have a mechanical oil pressure gauge instead of a "you're screwed" light like the mini has when oil pressure is low.

 

http://www.auterraweb.com/dashdynopropack.html

I have that on my car and it is AWESOME! Almost everything I want to know.

 

I'm trying to dig up some reviews of that aeroforce. I like the idea of it being a pod gauge so I can use a craven speed mount or similar to keep it looking clean.

I saw this kid around my house that had one of those dash vent gauge installs that the have on OutMotoring.com, would look sick with that aeroforce in there.

 

I have my scanguage mounted below my center stack toggle switches. It tucks perfectly under there and the included velcro holds it in place very well (about a year now). I then tracked the OBD wire up around the footwell and out of sight. I use it every day to track water temp, boost, intake temp, and adjusted mph. Even though it's low in the car, it's easy enough to see and looks stock. Highly recommend it.

 

Did not have this problem on mine since I had it since 2008.

 

Have mine mounted in front of the tach...blocks the mileage I've put on my car...but I don't need to know that as I'm driving.

Little thing is very handy!

 

I appreciate all the input so far. I think as of right now, I'm leaning toward the Aeroforce. I know it's significantly more expensive. I like that it's a 52mm gauge and it also has analog inputs for additional sensory inputs. I've also read the refresh rate is significantly higher than the Scangauge.

Such tough decisions.

 

I am very pleased with my ScanGauge II that I have been using for about a year and a half. I got the Beta upgrade that added the oil temperature. I am hoping they will add the oil pressure also. I read the water temperature, oil temperature, voltage, and one other input (HP or instaneous fuel consumption). I have the refresh set at the slowest rate and it works fine for me. The only weakness I have noticed is the ScanGuage is sensitive to heat. I live in the southeast and park outside, so mine gets hot occasionally even though I protect it with a windshield cover. When it is hot, the display is not as sharp, otherwise it works fine.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

You can't have oil pressure since there isn't not a wide range sensor for that on the engine. It's just a binary on/off switch that communicated with the ECU. Comforting right?!

 

With the Aeroforce, you can use the Cravenspeed tapless adapter
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...e_adpater.html

Along with Aeroforce's sending unit
http://aeroforcetech.com/products_sensors_oil.html

Run the sensor wire to the Aeroforce gauge and you have oil pressure

 

According to the Bentley manual the N16 and N18 engines have an oil pressure sensor. This was one of the changes from the N12 & N14 engines. If this is correct, the ScanGauge II should be able to read the oil pressure.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B