Ultra Guage users?

[Vhunter]

Hello,
Been away from the forums for a while, so haven't been following all the threads.
Was wondering if anyone has used the UltraGuage OBDii displays units?
I have a ScanGuage in my TDI and Dodge CR Cummins, but this unit looks nicer
and is about 1/3 the cost right now... Thinking I might get one to test out if
no one says they have already tried them and its crap...
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm
Thanks!
Drive ON!

 

[Vhunter]

Got it.

Well, I got it.
It is a nice looking unit, smaller than I thought it would be.
Takes up less room than the scan gauge, and should be easier to mount.
I have it plugged into the Ford today to see if it would light up and work, which it did. Seems to show up nice in daylight or dark.
Messed around for a short time with it this morning, but its to cold to sit in the van and
mess with getting it set up for more than just the basics, but it looks like it will be a winner for so far.
Now, to read more of the manual, get it programmed for exactly what I want to see, on each of the screens and then we will see how it works out on the road..
I might have to get one for the Jetta to replace the scan gauge I have in there! Will know more in a couple of days!
Drive ON!

 

[NB_TDi]

I'm weary, their site is a little on the amateurish side and their product is under-priced.

 

[GenMan]

Looks interesting, please keep us updated.

 

[jettawreck]

Hello,
Been away from the forums for a while, so haven't been following all the threads.
Was wondering if anyone has used the UltraGuage OBDii displays units?
I have a ScanGuage in my TDI and Dodge CR Cummins, but this unit looks nicer
and is about 1/3 the cost right now... Thinking I might get one to test out if
no one says they have already tried them and its crap...
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm
Thanks!
Drive ON!

There was a thread a while ago about the Ultra Gauge.
I bought one to use mostly in my Suburban that I tow with. Posted my thoughts about it there. In short: clumbsy unit/pain to calibrate and fuel up adjustments very poor compared to the ease of the SG.
Anyways, I used it some in the Sub and liked the additional gauges to the generic dash gauges and not having to pull the SG out of one of the TDIs and reset the operating features.
I'm not using it anymore because the stupid suction cup mount let go of the windshield when it got cold and the unit fell between the dash and door pillar. Yes, when I opened the door it slid into the hinge area and before I saw it I shut the door-poof! No more Ultra Gauge screen....
Not really the units fault, I guess. But, it was never going into the TDI.
No comparison to the Scan Gauge for "user friendly" features.
RIP Ultra Gauge (and I never got my rebate from them either)

 

[jettawreck]

I'm weary, their site is a little on the amateurish side and their product is under-priced.

Under-priced??

 

[NB_TDi]

Under-priced??

Yes under priced. Their site states it was $200, on sale for $68, now on sale again for $59.

As with everything else in life, if it sounds too good to be true. It is.

If this was made with quality materials, as the SGII is, this unit would cost nearly $200. The full LCD screen alone is nearly $100 a pop.

These guys are shovelling ****.

 

[740GLE]

LCD for $100? really?

 

[NB_TDi]

I said nearly. The ones that I've used in my gauges we're about $50-$75. These are monochrome displays. Full colour units are about $150, and up. Mostly up.

If they can sustain their business on $58 a pop; they've either found a really good supplier, really cheap components or aren't divulging all the facts.

 

[Vince Waldon]

I'm guessing you're talking the retail price you paid for your LCD displays... at wholesale pricing and large production qualities they are probably paying 5 bucks all-in for the entire circuit board with components...another buck for the case...some cardboard packaging, 10 bucks max out the door... sell for 60... pretty good profit margin...once they've paid for all the engineering development work, of course. ;-)

Mass production electronics are staggeringly cheap in the age of outsourcing.

eBay exposes us mere mortals to some of this wonderfulness... here's a 4.5" touchscreen LCD panel for $2.50 in quantities of 1:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/4-5-inch-Touch-S...019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335c096673

 

[NB_TDi]

My point isn't about the sheer cost, it's the comparison of costs. Similar devices cost double of what they're asking.

Do they know something ScanGauge doesn't? Doubtful. All I'm saying is be weary of this product.

As for that eBay screen. It's just that, an eBay screen. I'm talking quality products. Active matrix, not TFT. TFT is about 15 years out of date. Also no documentation is provided with that screen, as is no controller. You'd be hard pressed to find the correct components to make it work as it was designed to do.

 

[740GLE]

my guess scangauge needs more profit margins,

similar devices like yours?

 

[Fix_Until_Broke]

Looks cool - I like how you can configure the 3 screens with data other than Engine Data (like trip distance, average speed, etc) unlike the SG where you have to go through mulitple menus to see this info. The price is very good as well. I do wonder about quality though and how well it will hold up to -20F start up's and 200F summer temps inside the car over the long term.

My Scangauge has had two screens fail with bad columns of pixles so the extra $100 that the SG costs does not necessairly get you better quality.

Jettawrek - thanks for your comments - Ease of use is definately an important factor if you're using it primarly for MPG's/fillups.

 

[jettawreck]

Looks cool - I like how you can configure the 3 screens with data other than Engine Data (like trip distance, average speed, etc) unlike the SG where you have to go through mulitple menus to see this info. The price is very good as well. I do wonder about quality though and how well it will hold up to -20F start up's and 200F summer temps inside the car over the long term.

My Scangauge has had two screens fail with bad columns of pixles so the extra $100 that the SG costs does not necessairly get you better quality.

Jettawrek - thanks for your comments - Ease of use is definately an important factor if you're using it primarly for MPG's/fillups.

If you can find the old thread from this spring there was a more in-depth review/opinion sharing ramble.

 

[Fix_Until_Broke]

I searched quite a bit, but didn't find anything. If you happen to find the thread somewhere could you post a link?

 

[Dodoma]

I think you should be ok with the gauges that come with the car. While others, like the one we are discussing, are acceptable as long as we have no problem to burn our pockets, they are not oem, otherwise you would see those in the VWs. Also installing them may void warranty. If you do want to install, I suggest you contact VW for opinion.

 

[Honeydew]

I searched quite a bit, but didn't find anything. If you happen to find the thread somewhere could you post a link?

I remember that thread, it's tough to find because ultra gauge isn't the subject. Here is the link:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=287104

 

[lowflyer]

ultragauge doesn`t work on `05 NB TDI

Got an ultragauge after reading some people had used it on their TDI`s. It works on my Tracker but just stays in scan mode on the TDI. I verified good fuse #12 for data link. The fact that it comes on and scans seems to mean that the ultragauge just doesn`t comunicate with the TDI system. I`ll try to email the company.

 

[Fix_Until_Broke]

I remember that thread, it's tough to find because ultra gauge isn't the subject. Here is the link:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=287104

Thanks!!

It's definately cheap but I wonder if something like the DashDaq might be better for me? It's an order of magnitude more expensive, but also does an order of magnitude more stuff as well.

 

[Honeydew]

That DashDaq sure has a lot of capability. I bet you could do some neat things with it. Check out the Interceptor too if you haven't already: http://www.aeroforcetech.com/products_interceptor.html

 

[schultp]

I have the ultragauge on my 98 Jetta TDI. I have yet to calibrate the distance measurement so the MPH display is slightly off. But, I have the fuel economy display calibrated. I do like the instantaneous MPH. It really helps me conserve fuel consumption.

Since I have never owned a SG I cannot do a comparison. But, I don't perceive the screens, the buttons, or the software design to be an issue. I think for the price it was a good purchase.

Clearly the lower price is in large part directly related to their low overhead approach...only web sales, likely very few employees, etc. They only have to maintain a web site and send the product out the door. I am sure the ownder/founder of he business is turning a nice profit at this price point.

 

[hpc]

The UG does not support the KMPS protocol used on the 2004-2005 Passat TDI's -
according to UG, I was only the second person to open a ticket regarding this. The
UG just continually 'scans' and eventually shuts down after a few minutes.

Works find on my NB-TDI (ALH).

Only thing I've noticed is that calibrating distance causes the speed to be off from
radar-checks and GPS-based units. Getting it calibrated so that the speed is accurate
to plus-or-minus one tenth MPH does NOT give accurate distances...oh well.

The percentage difference is small - a few percent.

The SG-II gives inaccurate MPG when you switch from driving a mix of freeway
and city to strictly interstate (like on long trips). Using the MAP/VE function of
the UG gets the MPG readings alot closer in either mix for me.

The DashDAQ is pretty sweet - pricey, though.

 

[canadianvballer]

Had one for about a year. I like being able to see manifold pressure and actual coolant temp since it gets pretty frigid here. It has seen its fair share of -35 to 30 degrees C. One really cold night it stopped working for a couple weeks but it has since sorted itself out and is working fine again. If your looking for precise fuel economy stats, etc. I'm not sure this is the gauge you want, but I got it since it can show boost pressures and pull engine codes and i got it for about 40 bucks.

 

[scarletvw]

I bought an ultragauge (or should I say recieved it for christmas) and I use it in my 2002 New Beetle Turbo S and it works great, I just love it. Now when I plug it into my wifes 2005.5 Jetta TDI BRM it will not connect to the car at all, just sits there scanning and then shuts off.

Ohh well.

But I do love the thing in the beetle, it tells me the coolant temp (very important to me) and speed (which is way off on the cluster).

So all in all I am very happy with the ultragauge.

 

[Vhunter]

Well, I have been using it on the gasser engine in the van, and it seems to work good on it. MPG calcs are very close, and it agrees ithin about 20 miles on DTE from the gauge in the inst. cluster when full, closer on empty...

I have not driven the Jetta this winter, its staying out of the salt as much a possible... but I want to switch the gauge over to the TDI and start driving it by the middle of next month.. I am encouraged from the feed back on here.

Might just have to get one for my Dodge truck too..


Drive ON!

 

[bhutchins]

the data is there, so my vag-com shows. I would love to find a way to make boost and EGT one of the screens on the stock LCD