They are one of many makers of OBD-II data monitors. Wonder if anyone is using one (the company uses MINIs prominently on its website) and what their experience is--especially as they're being sold for "only" $70 today.

 

I've had good results with the cheapos... but I'm only interested in code reading and diagnostics.

 

I'm in the same boat as GeneralSpecific. I bought a $20 bluetooth obd dongle from amazon and hooked it up to the Torque app on my phone ($5). Gives me fault codes and current data such as coolant temp, boost, intake temp. No oil temp or pressure though, which is too bad.

 

Fortunately, I have a little bit of background in this area. When considering a diagnostic tool for a MINI cooper, the real issue becomes: What do you want to do? What modules do you want access to? How much are you willing to spend?

Most diagnostic tools, like for instance Snap-on Diagnostics absolutely SUCK on MINI coopers! Im not saying that they are the worst, but for the money you spend on one, you get very little comparatively. Technicians will fight you all day long on how "great" Snap-On's stuff is on a MINI because they have no idea what a GOOD diagnostic tool looks like or can do. The average diagnostic tool, once you choose anything in the MINI category will default to what we call "Global OBD II" setting. This means that you will get the most basic PIDS (Parameter ID's) like Oxygen Sensors, Evap system monitors and basic sensors (Coolant temp, throttle position, etc). This is all the basic stuff required to be included in generic diagnostic software as mandated by the US federal clean air act. Unfortunately, what you WONT get in most of these generic tools is the ability to get into various modules like the anti-theft system, audio system, body control system, etc. You also wont get the ability to bi-directionally actuate things on your car like cooling fans, throttle motors, ABS pump, windows, locks, etc for testing.

This being said, I always get asked "so what is a GOOD diagnostic tool for a MINI? Unquestionably, if your not using an OEM tool that give you absolute access and programming abilities, the I-Scan 2 WT is hands down the best generic diagnostic tool there is for MINI as well as most Euro cars. Its not cheap with a price tag around 7K USD but the next one I have found that really performed well on MINI's is the G-Scan and G-Scan II by G.I.T. Entry level units are around 3K. There may be some others out there but these are two of the best units I have used on the MINI's I have serviced.

If your looking for a basic code reader, keep in mind that you may get drive train codes from your 80 dollar Auto X Ray unit from O'Reilly's, but your not going to get codes out of a lot of the other modules on your MINI. That is the problem with generic tools. Personally, I dont know how someone works on one of these without a high quality diagnostic tool, but not everyone is going to attempt to do an ABS service bleed or want to take a run at diagnosing a low speed fan problem that would require bi-directional functionality. If your just looking for basic access, the bluetooth app's are great as well, and you cant beat them for the very low price.

Anyway, I have likely already pissed off all the Snap-On drones and confused the basic service guys, so I will shut up about it. What I will say in closing is that I test and evaluate a lot of diagnostic tools and there are a few generic, fairly low priced (less than 1500 bucks) units that do a fairly good job on MINI's. One of them that comes to mind is the OTC Encore, which uses a Android OS and actually lets you get on line while your diagnosing to use services like Identifix, Alldata and Mitchell to get service info for particular codes that commonly pop up on MINI's.

 

Being a geek, I'm more looking to collect data and make it easily understandable. For example, while I've long logged my fillups, I'm also now using Fuelly in parallel, which is telling me I'm averaging just under 30 MPG in my Roadster. While Automatic seems to be a bit more expensive than some of the other devices, it looks to have a pretty well thought out app, as well as a decent app ecosystem.

One concern is that the company admits that the device draws a small amount of power even when the vehicle is off, recommending that you take the device out if the vehicle is going o be sitting for an extended period. I can see no reason why it should draw any power in that situation.