UltraGauge - Initial Observations

I ordered an UltraGauge the other day (self-gifting ). Here are a few observations I've made already:

• It arrived in 2 days - Good!
• It's surprisingly small (~2"x 3" x 1/2"), but very readable - Good!
• The gauge delivers dynamic data in real time - Good!
• It comes with a window mount and that's probably easiest, but I plan to mount mine in front of my shifter in the console on the dash.
• You need to be able to get to the back of the gauge frequently (to scroll through dash and update info (tank refill etc.)
• Calibration for tire size required (good idea always) especially with larger tires etc.
• Engine Size (3.96 Liters) and fuel tank (21.1 Gal) need to be set-up in gauge.
• Any calibration/set-up info is lost if gauge is unplugged.
• Cable does not detach from gauge which may complicate discreet cable routing.
• Interactive website (http://www.ultra-gauge.com/start/) is required part of set-up and consists of a quiz and times-out as you gather required data so remember your answers. You'll be required to get data from the device to complete the online set-up.
• The online set-up needs to be completed to generate the "Rebate" form.
• Rebate requires (1) packing list, (2) Rebate form, (3) Safety Disclaimer, with the latter two signed.
• Rebate documents can be submitted via email, but requires scanning originals.

Small plain brown box arrives via Priority Mail (Viagra?). Just the gauge and windshield mount. No printed "directions" except a warning note directing you to the online set-up where you can also access the User Manual.


I like it on the left corner of my windshield for access, and the OBDC II plug is under dash above left leg. Wherever you mount it, make sure you can easily get to the back of it.


You can put any of the gauges in any of the fields, but this page has my interest. I'd pay more for a graphically-rich representation of Inst MPG so I could train my foot to be light on the pedal. As you can imagine, the number varies from 0 - 90 MPGs as you coast, leave a stop sign, etc., so it's almost useless except to remind you of your bad behavior. The Avg on the right should be your gas pedal report card per tank.


Lots of good data here too. Nice to know when another service or oil change is coming due. Speedo & Tach are redundant, but captivating. There's a whole 'nother page of stuff. All 3 pages can be scrolled through by reaching behind and pushing a button on the back of gauge.


There's enough room for the UltraGauge down here if I scoot the XM over. I'm thinking to make a simple panel and Velcro both to it.

In summary, I like my newest addition. I'll love looking at the updated statistics when I'm on a big trip.

RZ Rob

 

Can you change the color of the screen/gauges like the Scangauge II?

 

looks like some really horrible quality in the screen resolution...

 

That's just iPhone close-up. The resolution is fine. Boring, but fine.

RZ Rob

 

Oh wait...you mean if I take the gauge when parking at the mall or wherever I lose calibration and have to go through that whole mess again?

That's a deal breaker for me if I understand you right.

Does anyone know if Scanguage II has non-volatile memory?

 

This should be a non-issue as it's nowhere near the size of a GPS so highly unlikely to be a tempting item. Plus, the cable does not unplug like a GPS. The 6' pigtail is made onto it.

RZ Rob

 

Okay, MPG is an easy calculation, distance to empty is something you get a good idea for after driving your Tacoma for a while, how much gas you have & rpm is indicated on the trucks gauges. Why did you buy this? Is it just a toy or did you spend real money on this?

 

Kinda reminds me of the people that waste money on GPS. Maps are cheap, if you need directions or want to figure a distance for a trip, use google maps or any other free maps out there, Only good info GPS has is Lat. & Long. and most people would not even know what to do whit that.

 

This is pretty funny because actually it was just a toy and it was cheap. I'm also a GPS fanatic. I've got 4 or 5 different ones for different purposes. I'm also a map fanatic. I love information. I do a lot of roadtrips and I enjoy the dynamic content. As for the GPS in the truck, I find it really helpful when I'm on quick unplanned missions etc.

It's fun.

RZ Rob

 

Again, speedometer info / calculations are not that hard to figure out when you change tire sizes. check: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php As far as engine codes, well Auto Zone or Advance Auto (most parts stores)will plug in and check engine codes for free.

 

RZRob Guess I'm old school. If I don't need to waste money, I don't. If I need quick reference for an "unplanned missions" as you say, That is what the $5.95 Road Atlas is for next to my seat. You say "I love information." , but what info is it that you don't already have? RPM's, MPH, ??? It's all there, you just need to learn how to see it or use it. You can even figure you Lat & Long with the atlas / road map.

 

Me too what ^^^ he said waste of money, better gas mileage slow down. Auto zone will pull codes for free if you need it.

 

It's OK, I can totally see your perspective. These kind of gizmos aren't for everyone. Neither are smart phones. I'm the type that thrives on this kind of stuff. Really on the UltraGauge what appealed to me was seeing dynamic mileage and tank mileage, but as you say, this is easily calculable. For me, it's just fun to see it live. I also like seeing where I'm at between service intervals (again, I can calculate this in a millisecond on my own).

As for the GPS, I'd put my map collection up against the best of them and my geology/geography studies and background leaves me with a thirst for this stuff. It's not for everyone. When I'm in the city, I like gauging progress and seeing for certain the upcoming street without having to stop and review the map.

In the desert I use my GPS to mark camp and then always know at a glance how far and which direction camp is. I've been exploring the wilderness for over 40 years and for me at least, a GPS is money well spent. I also like to get a history and statistics from a past adventure. It's not for everyone though.

RZ Rob

PS: Here's a cool link of GPS stats on a recent adventure: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38709266
Click the green dot and you can cross-tabulate location against other statistics.

 

I thought about the UG but the very informative first post has kind of turned me off, at least for a bit. I have the SGII and it does what I need but it doesn't have the look of the UG. I don't like how access to the back is so important.

I also have a GPS and love it. It gives you a ton of info like where to stop, where the next gas station is and how long until you get there. If you want to pull out an outdated map to do that, suit yourself but it is 1 day from 2011. Technology is there, you may as well use it.

 

I got one from my kids for Xmas. I've wanted one but didn't really want to spend the money on it. Now that I have it I think it's a very useful tool. I still need calibrate it but it's still pretty close even with my larger tires. I was able to mount mine closer to the window in the upper left hand corner by adapting a mount I had left over from an XM radio. I can now use my visor as normal now. I can still access the buttons on the back and can remove it easily if needed.

Dave

 

I bought Innovate OT-2, it is much different but a nicer graphical interface. OT-2B is a bluetooth based device and supports all the smart phones with bluetooth:

 

Nice write-up RZRob. And look, you've already helped a couple of guys decide it would be a waste of their money...

 

What about when your looking for a road you've never been on, or your in a different city, and dont have time to pull over and look on your road atlas, going through page after page to figure out exactly what your looking for?
my gps shows me the name of every road I pass, I can touch the screen a few times and it will show me how to get home if I am lost.. a ton os uses!
Also, you can download updates for a gps, and update it, you have to buy a new map as things change, which is very fast these days!

I unberstand your old, but that doesn't make gps a waste of money...

Fyi, I'm at work bored, so I'm just writing because I have too much time on my hands and I like maps too, for the bush though.

 

I felt the same way about GPS’s at first. I’ve traveled to just about every state in the US with my job and always used Maps and Map Quest before GPS units came out. I still stayed away form them for awhile because I felt like it was a waist of money and I could use Map Quest to guide me from the airport to the job site and back.

My little boy started playing baseball and turned out he is pretty good so we started traveling to different places for baseball. That’s when I decided to buy a GPS and I love it. The first time I used the GPS was when we had a State Tournament in Chattanooga, TN. My Mom went with us and woke up with an abscessed tooth. She called her dentist and he called in a prescription to Walgreens. I had no idea where Walgreens was but a couple of pushes on the GPS and I was on my way to Walgreens. I always put my Hotel in the GPS so I can pick it and return back to the Hotel. I use it to find restaurants and really almost anything I need. We even use it to find a place to eat while driving. Just decide where you want to eat and pick it on the GPS and it will show you where the closest place is.

This year we ended up in North Carolina playing in a 7/8 year old Regional Tournament and the GPS was worth the cost again. On the way one of the parents following me realized he need to go to his Bank Branch to handle some finances after one of his employees called him. Couple of pushes on the GPS and we found his bank branch. We exited the interstate and drove through some town to his bank. This would have been difficult without the GPS and calling a local and getting directions isn’t always very helpful.

I know on one baseball trip before the GPS someone knew a restaurant they wanted to eat at so everybody follows them because no one else knew where it was…45 minutes later we end up at the restaurant…it was only 15 minutes for the ball field.

Does the GPS always work…No but it is a very useful tool.

 

Haha nice!