MSD's DashHawk - Anyone look into this yet?
 

Heya I was wondering if anyone has loked into the DashHawk yet. It seems like it does a lot for the $350 price tag. I was going to check out the FLUX but this sounds like it does more in terms of logging and monitoring. What do you guys think?

It looks like a pretty cool little unit. MSD stuff has always been of good quality. If you are considering it, do a search on Google. I searched it real quick and found one for $275 and another for $260.

Can someone check to see if the MINIs are are equipped with CAN? This is what it says on the MSD site:

http://www.chrisbuettner.com/temp/dashhawk.JPG

If so post your finding and your year of your car. Im mostly insterested if the 2003 MCS might have it. Im assuming no but a confirmation would be appreciated, I cant check as I am at work.

I need to know as well. What the hell is CAN.

It does allot for the money.

Partsman is correct: $260 Google search

Longboard

More Info
 

http://new.minimania.com/imagesbig/nma3065.jpg
DASHHAWK MULTI-FUNCTION VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM W/DISPLAY
• Universal OBDII multi-gauge displays over 100 parameters
• Connects to your vehicle’s diagnostic port
• Display 0 – 60 mph and ¼-mile times with up to five other parameters
• Records maximum values for speed, rpm and water temperature
• Accepts one additional sensor, such as a wideband O2 sensor
• Backlit screen can be set to 16 million colors to match any interior
• Set visual and audible alerts for any value
• Built-in shift light capability
• Check and clear trouble codes
• Any parameter can be displayed on any screen, in any order, in any fashion!

Keep a sharp eye on your vehicle’s performance and vitals with MSD’s new information display, the DashHawk! Your vehicle’s computer contains a wealth of information and the DashHawk lets you tap into it all!
With the DashHawk, you can truly understand how your vehicle is performing - which means you can drive more fuel efficiently on the road, race faster at the track, and spot maintenance issues before they leave you stranded. Since the DashHawk saves and records maximum values (password protected), you can also see how someone else has driven your car when you are not behind the wheel. The DashHawk displays all this information the way you want to see it, either as a bar graph or digitally.
Simply connect the DashHawk to the diagnostic port and you have access to over 100 parameters on 11 separate screens. Navigation through the screens is as simple as the push of a button. Values such as speed, engine rpm, oil pressure, coolant, oil and transmission temps, throttle position, engine load and a host of other parameters can all be viewed via the DashHawk. As if all of that information isn’t enough, the DashHawk will also record 0-60 mph times and even quarter mile times! All of this information can be recorded (up to 90 seconds) and then downloaded to a PC. Once downloaded, you can graph the information using the software supplied. Unlike conventional analog gauges, the DashHawk provides the ability to set both visible and audible alerts when a parameter such as speed or coolant temp reaches a certain value. Set alerts on rpm and the DashHawk also functions as an incredibly precise shift light. The unit can be used as a diagnostic tool by displaying trouble codes (along with a description of each code so you know exactly what the problem is). The DashHawk gives you the ability to clear the code and see if it comes back, which can save a costly trip to the dealer. There’s no need to worry about the DashHawk becoming obsolete either. With a simple Internet connection, MSD will be able to update your DashHawk with the latest vehicles and updated features.

What vehicles are supported by DashHawk?

Many Ford, Chrysler, and GM vehicles started implementing Controller Area Network (CAN) communications in 2004. As new vehicles are introduced, most are CAN compliant. As a result, you have some vehicles in 2004, many more in 2005-2006, most 2007s, and finally by 2008 ALL vehicles sold in the US must be CAN compliant. A matrix for known supported vehicles is shown in the supported vehicles page.

Maybe someone should call MiniMania and ask them. I think this will work for '02-'06, CAN supported or not. Although, I have been wrong before.

I just went out to check mine for you, even though it's like 500 degrees below zero out there, I have no pins in the spaces indicated above.

Hmmm... thanks Partsman, thats what I was expecting. So I am currious if any MINIs have them and if so when they started. Its like -7 here with the windchill, not happy about that!

This looks a lot like the ScanGaugeII--which we know works on all MINIs. What do the CAN pins provide to the gauge if you have them? The SGII sells for $169 shipped and does not provide 0-60 and 1/4 mile data, but all the rest. Also, if I want logging, I want IAT, MAP, etc not just speed and time. So the marginal value of this gauge might not justify the extra cost--but that's the economist in me talking.

cheers,

I don't think ScanGaugeII does any logging. I heard it may be coming, but not yet.
Not mentioned on their website: http://www.scangauge.com/

If I recall correctly, our MINI's are not CAN. Dr. O would not that for sure though...

True.
I'll have a SGII mounted soon.

I emailed minimania, and they confirmed it'll work with all year MINI's.:thumbsup:

SGII does not log, but my point was that the DashHawk doesnt' do much loggin either! 90seconds of speed and time is pretty useless to me. What I want is hours of temperatures and pressures, as well as speeds and times.
Oh well.

I've had the SGII for a while.

Fortunately, I haven't needed logging to date.

With the Chrono Pak and the Innovate AFR gauge, the only real time info I'd still like to get is EGT.

Although a shift light might be nice!

For the few times I ever need 0-60, my G-tech does that fairly consistently.

Actually, when I bought it, I didn't know it gave me a boost reading, so that was an extra.

Since it's constantly on when the car is, if I have to check and clear a CEL, it's much easier than pulling out the Peake device, plugging it in, and then removing it.

A relative steal at the price.

Huh?
 

That the MCS unit will "work" with all MINIs? Fully functional?

So, do either the ScanGuage or the DashHawk have an output port that would allow me to send the information to my Navigation Screen (assuming I installed the appropriate components to accept outside input - like a DVD or similar)? KFD

The SGII does not have an output port currently.

I would love to find something that would give me oil pressure and oil temp, but reading about this widget, I don't think it's going to do it.

Dashhawk says 2007 MINIs only
 

Dashhawk's web page says it supports "2007 BMW MINI Cooper" and "2007 BMW MINI Convertible". Note that the MINI is listed under "BMW" on their site.

This product looks great, especially if Craven or somebody could make a steering column "pod" holder for it instead of mounting a 52 or 60mm round gauge.

I'd want Mini Mania or whoever, to prove to me that it will work fully functional on an '04 MCS.

I want one but really need to know it's going to work.

I want to see boost as well as all the rest.

Longboard

I Cant Hold My Breath Any Longer!!!!

I Want This Thing, Somebody Has To Find Out Soon If It Will Work On My 03 Car.

I Am Starting To Turn Blueeee..........

Boy I Want One Of These! We Need To Find Out Soon If It Will Work On A 03 Mini. Does It Really Read Boost As Well? I Couldnt Tell From The Description Given Above.
Please, Please......work For My Car...

According to the MSD site, here are the PIDs included.
http://www.dashhawk.com/parameters.html
Note that a lot of this stuff is not what you might be looking for. Oil Press and temp are not included for example, unless you have a late model GM. Ford and Dodge have also added a couple of other PIDs of their own.

For me, personally, this widget is not as great as I had thought initially. The display must be VERY small (although I could not find any description other than "not much bigger than a credit card". But mainly, this would not even replace the oil gauges I want (my own top priority as far as supplemental gauges go) even if it does work on my '04.

Even so, I am certain that this list of PIDs has someone drooling, so I'll let you know when I have heard back from MiniMania. I e-mailed them (again) to ask about "fully functional on '02-'06 MC and MCS." I know that someone else already e-mailed them, but I really don't think they understood the question or something. They might know more than the manufacturer, but I don't think so. ON the other hand, I looked up CAN in my MCS Bentley manual, and found that the MINI DOES HAVE a "CAN-bus" in the electrical system, so maybe it does support all the functions of this thing (except the Ford, GM and Dodge)?

Hope they are diligent and get back to me with the precise and accurate info. I'll report when they do.