ELM327-type OBD Bluetooth devices for Android Apps

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Can someone point me :) in the direction of a good elm327. The cheap one I bought doesn't have the AT commands Leaf Spy needs. Thanks, happy new little leaf owner. :)
 
mayo said:
Can someone point me :) in the direction of a good elm327. The cheap one I bought doesn't have the AT commands Leaf Spy needs. Thanks, happy new little leaf owner. :)

I would like to know this, too. I've purchased 3 of these--all different, generic models at about $15/each--in the last 2 months, and none of them have been consistently reliable. I would GLADLY pay $100 or $200 for a product that's not made-in-China junk that would last and last.
 
I would recommend the OBDLink LX Bluetooth. Faster and supports additional AT commands that LeafSpy will use if detected.

http://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/smart-phone/obdlink-lx.html

It is hard to get a good ELM327 from China now that someone has decided to drop support for commands LeafSpy needs yet label them as version 2.1 which should support more commands.

Or if you are going to switch to the iOS version of LeafSpy get a WiFi OBDII. I recommend the LYL brand on Amazon ($29 & prime). Or you may prefer a short one with a power switch.
 
This one lasted for about a month:
m4ol4_MNk8_Bf_Li0mnrp2r_XRA.jpg



This one worked for about a week:



This one worked very well--for one day:
 
Here is the second one I got. Works great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-ELM327-OBD2-OBDII-Bluetooth-Android-Auto-Scanner-Diagnostics-Tool-Switch-/181636630777?vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
MartinChico said:
This one lasted for about a month:

This one worked for about a week:

This one worked very well--for one day:

I can't believe you're having so many problems with BT adapters. I have two of the ones you claim failed
and have had no problems. Others in this thread don't relate failures like you post. Did the devices actually fail,
or did you not have LeafSpy and your phone always setup properly? Maybe your problem is in your phone/setup.
 
knightmb said:
I bought this one this week Mini V2.1 OBD2 OBDII Bluetooth Interface Auto Viecar Car Diagnostic Scanner Adapter Reader Scan Tool for Android and everything is good up to the point where LeafSpy complains it is "too new" of a version of the ELM327? Is that just a limitation of the free "Lite" version or an indicator that the Pro version will have the same issue?
The "new" ones have dropped support for the commands needed to communicate with the Leaf. They are less capable than the "old" ones. They like to label them as version 2.1 but they are actually not even at the version 1.5 level. They just give it a newer name and give you a cheaper product. If it does not work with the current Lite version it will not work with the other versions of LeafSpy.

The Konnwei KW902 still supports all the needed commands.

Future releases of LeafSpy will support the LELink Bluetooth 4.0 LE OBDII adapter. Which does not require any pairing or other setup other than making sure Bluetooth has been turned on. This will be available in the next iOS release of LeafSpy Pro and is available now as a free test version for anyone with an iOS device at iOS level 8 or higher..
 
knightmb said:
Will this one work?
KONNWEI KW902 Mini Bluetooth Wireless OBD-II Car Auto Diagnostic Scan Tools
It's a shame the newer version throws out the useful stuff, what happens if they stop selling the v1.5? Or is the newer version just for some specific types of vehicles and the v1.5 will always be available?


In Amazon, type in Sannysis V1.5 Mini ELM327 OBD2 OBD11 Bluetooth Adapter Auto Scanner for Android. That is the one that I found recently still works and has lasted me. I went through some trial and error ordering ones that had previously been recommended all to no avail. But this one DOES work! It is short and black and has an on off switch. Cheers!
 
Thanks! I was trying to avoid the guess and test ordering, hard to tell if a device will work from the description sometimes.
 
The "Y" right angle OBD adapter cable mentioned earlier says that it
does not connect all of the 16 pins. Consider the 16-pin right angle
(non "Y") version of the cable instead (an option in this listing):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJAMBI8/?tag=myelecarfor-20&/
 
After reading about the v1.5 vs v2.1 issue about AT commands here on the forum, I ordered this one which Leaf Spy Lite also reports as v1.5 when connected to the device.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300870978320

But it still doesn't work as LeafSpy Lite reports the following message:

"Your ELM327 doesn't support the AT command SH required..."

Is the device version reported correctly? If it is, then why are the commands not supported on v1.5?

Thanks
-Garba
 
The clone manufacturers in China do not need to follow any spec so they can and do put any version number they want on their products. That is why I do not recommend any of these cheap ELM327 clones. The ones that do not support the needed commands like "SH" typically have dropped the dedicated PIC processor and instead put the code in the Bluetooth processor saving them the cost on the PIC.

There is no way to tell what they have done unless you open one up or test the commands it supports.

LeafSpy will be adding support for the LELink Bluetooth 4.0 LE adapter which supports the needed commands and is easier to use at it requires no pairing or port selection.

For the current LeafSpy I would recommend the Konnwei KW-902 Bluetooth OBDII device.
 
Garba said:
After reading about the v1.5 vs v2.1 issue about AT commands here on the forum, I ordered this one which Leaf Spy Lite also reports as v1.5 when connected to the device.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300870978320

But it still doesn't work as LeafSpy Lite reports the following message:

"Your ELM327 doesn't support the AT command SH required..."

Is the device version reported correctly? If it is, then why are the commands not supported on v1.5?

Thanks
-Garba


Read three posts before yours and it gives you an example of another one that works also. It is a small compact one that doesn't get in the way of your legs and has an on/off switch.
 
Garba said:
After reading about the v1.5 vs v2.1 issue about AT commands here on the forum, I ordered this one which Leaf Spy Lite also reports as v1.5 when connected to the device.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300870978320

But it still doesn't work as LeafSpy Lite reports the following message:

"Your ELM327 doesn't support the AT command SH required..."

Is the device version reported correctly? If it is, then why are the commands not supported on v1.5?
Bummer! I bought one that looks identical to that via http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009F4JHHO on Amazon in late June 2015 sold by "ToysNGamesEtc" and it works perfectly. I use it all the time.

It is really too bad that it can almost be like a lottery w/these cheap devices.
 
I bought this one which finally worked (took about 20 days to receive):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XKL5VVY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
 
Is there someone in San Diego that would let me use their device for a few minutes to get a quick AHr reading this weekend?

The first device I ordered turned out to be a v2.1 instead of v1.5 and isn't compatible with LEAF Spy. The second device I ordered was lost in the mail. I'm in the process of getting a 3rd device but I am quickly running out of time on my battery warranty as I will reach the 5 year point on May 3rd.

I have been "exercising" my battery as much as possible and would love to see where I am in relation to the 8 bar loss range. I could meet you at a time/place of your convenience any time this weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).

Please PM me if anyone is available to help. Thanks!!!
 
ChuckSD said:
Is there someone in San Diego that would let me use their device for a few minutes to get a quick AHr reading this weekend?
...
Please PM me if anyone is available to help. Thanks!!!
There are So Cal and San Diego threads at http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewforum.php?f=51.
 
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