Is anyone using the PLX Devices, Inc. OBD2 gauge on their R-56? I believe the difference between the DM-100 and DM-200 OBD2 gauges is the diameter (100=52mm, 200=60mm). I am curious how it well it works and how it looks with an Alta or Craven gauge cup with the MINI background (which is down loadable). Photos and actual experience on day and night visibility would be ideal. Thanks in advance.

 

Can you tell it's photoshopped?

 

Sorry, I don't have my Cooper with me here at work to snap a picture for you. I have the 60mm PLX in my car OBD2 in my car in an Alta gauge pod (the reason I went with 60 is that the Alta is only 60mm) to the left of my tach.

I LOVE it! It looks COMPLETELY factory in the R56. My only complaint with the PLX is the screen has suffered burn-in! It is not horrible but definitely is there. It has been installed for a year and a half. I haven't yet downloaded a custom gauge face to it. I use the orange color to match the rest of the dash at night. Actually, that brings up a second complaint, there is no dimmer for night, so either it is a bit dim during the day or a little too bright at night (not horrible).

Functionally the best thing it provides is the water temp. That is the gauge that I have it start up with. Out of the four gauges you can have the screen, I have the Engine Load, battery volts, throttle position. There is something funky with the speed readout (that's what I would like to have also to keep the tach display on instant fuel economy) it will show the correct speed (about 2 less than the tach dispay) for about a minute then it starts fluctuation between the correct speed about about 4 mph lower. PLX claimed that it is something going on with the OBD signal. I think I believe them since every other sensor is stable (when they are supposed to be).

The gauges available in our computer include rpm, throttle position, speed (sort of), fuel level, cat temp, water temp, air temp, air intake temp, barometric pressure, engine load, spark timing, volts. And there is probably a couple I can't remember.


Also, do the sampling rate of many gauges (not the water temp) using the imitation analog gauge doesn't really work as it doesn't "sweep" the "needle" it just jumps. Works fine for the water temp.

 

I found a couple bad pictures on my phone, they will at least will give you an idea.

 

One thing you need to watch out for with the PLX is that it suffers from screen burn-in! I am pretty bummed about it.