Starlink

[Subie Gal 70]

My introductory Starlink function is ending and I'm being asked to renew. I've never had to use it in 3 years.
What's your opinion -- have you had to use it for SOS or emergency road service? Or if you've had a crash. Does it work? Is it worth having? And most important, does it work if there's no Wi-Fi available?
I live in the mountains and am out of Wi-Fi range a lot. Thanks

 

[Dick Foster]

I never had to use it but I found that Starlink didn't get along with anything plugged in to the OBDII diagnostic port when I installed a Scangauge 3.
Being forced to chose between Starklink that may prove useful after something has happend and the scan gauge that helps avert something happening in the first place, I chose Scangauge and ditched Starlink.

 

[Subie Gal 70]

I never had to use it but I found that Starlink didn't get along with anything plugged in to the OBDII diagnostic port when I installed a Scangauge 3.
Being forced to chose between Starklink that may prove useful after something has happend and the scan gauge that helps avert something happening in the first place, I chose Scangauge and ditched Starlink.

Thanks Dick -- don't think I'd ever get a Scangauge (it's the first I ever heard of it...). But I appreciate your input.

 

[Dick Foster]

Thanks Dick -- don't think I'd ever get a Scangauge (it's the first I ever heard of it...). But I appreciate your input.

It's just since waytokeepyour eye on a lot of stuff. Cars just dont have the gauges they use to. It's also a super gas mileage tracking unit. It's not really a gal kinda thing but for old dinosaur guys like me.

 

[bmart]

How accurate is the MPG? The OEM one in my 2005 GT is off ~1.5 MPG like clockwork.

 

[Dick Foster]

How accurate is the MPG? The OEM one in my 2005 GT is off ~1.5 MPG like clockwork.

It really depends more on trip consistency and how consistent the conditions are altitude, driving style, highway, city etc. all things considered a pretty good tool for that sort of thing. It even helps you track fuel costs.
Take a look at their website. You'd probably like one.
They also have a smaller, cheaper unit the Scangauge 2, but I like the Scangauge 3 because it's mo betta and you don't have to program manufacturers specialized codes into it, just select the vehicle make. Made in the USA too.

 

[bmart]

Thanks, Dick. I think I'd want more of a code snanner and monitor for diagnostics. The bug with the Scangauge (and other things like radar detector) is that with multiple cars, it is a PITA to wire everything. I like the OBD2 connector...but that's where the Cobb goes in one car. One other car is JDM, and many of these devices don't seem to like them.

 

[Dick Foster]

Thanks, Dick. I think I'd want more of a code snanner and monitor for diagnostics. The bug with the Scangauge (and other things like radar detector) is that with multiple cars, it is a PITA to wire everything. I like the OBD2 connector...but that's where the Cobb goes in one car. One other car is JDM, and many of these devices don't seem to like them.

It's a good scanner that can be plugged in all the time too. And i dont think you could beat itasa monitor. I think it's intended more for single car use as an addition rather than as a service tool. There are lots of those out there already.
I got it for the scanning and adding gauges for several parameters for this one car that service scanners aren't set up for.
I guess the name Scan-Gauge tells the story well enough.