OBD 2 for HP iPaq

Drdan524 · 01-15-2006, 11:55 AM

I was wondering if anybody uses or knows of any software and/or hardware for use with the Hewlett Packard iPaq? In the shop I use the cable and software from www.obd-2.com but that is pretty much stationary. I am looking for something to get information while I am driving. I have the iPaq pocket PC so I am hoping I can find something to work with that. Also, will the cable from www.obd-2.com work with other programs? And last, it has a serial connector, can I just get a serial to USB converter to use the cable? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks
Dan

JimmyFitz · 01-15-2006, 01:21 PM

Some iPAQ's have a serial and a USB port both built in to the synch connector. Some models (like the 1900 series) only support USB. You need one that also has serial and a serial port synch cable and maybe a null modem adapter. I haven't done this with mine, but I remember seeing this on one of the OBDII hardware vendor sites. Search a little, it wasn't too hard to find. Let us know what you come up with and I will try it too maybe.

Drdan524 · 01-15-2006, 01:50 PM

Thats the thing, I have the RX1950 and I only have the USB sync cable. Will the rs232 to USB converter work? I found some free software for pocket pc, but I can't tell if or how well it works without connecting it to the car. Just looking for any help and I have been, and will keep doing a lot of research and post what I find.

Thanks
Dan

JimmyFitz · 01-15-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Drdan524

Thats the thing, I have the RX1950 and I only have the USB sync cable. Will the rs232 to USB converter work? I found some free software for pocket pc, but I can't tell if or how well it works without connecting it to the car. Just looking for any help and I have been, and will keep doing a lot of research and post what I find.

Thanks
Dan

No, it won't work. The PPC cannot act as a USB host. You might look into using Bluetooth if your PPC has that, along with a BT/serial for the OBDII scanner end. If your 1950 doesn't have BT, I don't think there are any other options. Time for an upgrade?

Drdan524 · 01-16-2006, 01:16 PM

I will have to look for Bluetooth possiblities. I just got the iPaq for christmas and I like the way it works and don't really have the money for a new one since the next step up was over $100 more. I am looking with Snap-on and Matco Tools, but I am going to see what bluetooth possibilities are out there.

THanks
Dan

Drdan524 · 01-18-2006, 07:56 AM

In my search of a bluetooth OBD-2 scan tool, I found a bunch of from software. http://www.qcontinuum.org/obdgauge/ is going to be my software of choice I believe depending on what software the scan tool comes with. For the scan tool, I think I am going to purchase the Car-pal from http://www.vitalengineering.co.uk/ . It's a little pricey at $205 shipped, but I am a mechanic for a living and it seems to be the best all around scan tool to serve the purpose I need. I hope this helps others who are looking.

Thanks
Dan

JimmyFitz · 01-18-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Drdan524

In my search of a bluetooth OBD-2 scan tool, I found a bunch of from software. http://www.qcontinuum.org/obdgauge/ is going to be my software of choice I believe depending on what software the scan tool comes with. For the scan tool, I think I am going to purchase the Car-pal from http://www.vitalengineering.co.uk/ . It's a little pricey at $205 shipped, but I am a mechanic for a living and it seems to be the best all around scan tool to serve the purpose I need. I hope this helps others who are looking.

Thanks
Dan

I just checked out the specs on rx1950 and it doesn't appear to have Bluetooth.

JimmyFitz · 01-18-2006, 11:07 AM

DrDan,
I hope you find a good solution for your PPC-OBDII. I think the Bluetooth wireless would be worth the extra cost for the ability to monitor while your head is under the hood, in the driver's seat or anywhere else near the car. There are some Pocket PC forums where you might find other useful info:

www.pdastreet.com
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_top/bestsites.asp

Drdan524 · 01-18-2006, 08:59 PM

OK, I just upgraded my PPC to a HX 2495, not a lot better but it does have Bluetooth. So does that improve my chances of anything. It's pretty much the same PPC I guess. Just wondering if this helps any. Thanks!!

Dan

JimmyFitz · 01-19-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Drdan524

OK, I just upgraded my PPC to a HX 2495, not a lot better but it does have Bluetooth. So does that improve my chances of anything. It's pretty much the same PPC I guess. Just wondering if this helps any. Thanks!!

Dan

The HX 2495 has bluetooth so that will work if you like the idea of wireless OBDII monitoring. But with that model, you can PROBABLY use the serial port cable and some cheaper OBDII scanners. Here is a link to the sych cable that you could try:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...e=FA122A%23AC3
I can't promise this will work but I read somewhere that it would. You would also need a null modem adapter. Those are cheap. Good luck.

Drdan524 · 01-19-2006, 01:27 PM

OK, now that I have caught up to the 21st century, what is a null modem adapter and what does it do? Also, I have the obd2 cable from www.obd-2.com, will that work or does every software read from the tool differently?

Thanks
Dan

Drdan524 · 01-23-2006, 12:51 PM

OK, another question now since I have the HX2495. Now that I have a iPaq with serial port capabilites, does anybody know of software, preferably free, that can be used with Windows mobile 5.0? I downloaded a couple and they all require eMbedded Visual Basic which doesn't run on Windows mobile 5.0. Does anybody know a fix? Either I need a program that will run on Windows 5.0 or I need a fix so I can run the programs that require Visual basic.

Thanks
Dan

JimmyFitz · 01-23-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Drdan524

OK, now that I have caught up to the 21st century, what is a null modem adapter and what does it do? Also, I have the obd2 cable from www.obd-2.com, will that work or does every software read from the tool differently?

Thanks
Dan

A null modem adapter crosses the transmit/receive lines inside and allows you to connect devices together that weren't necessarily meant to be. If your ODBII device cable and your PPC sych cable are the same sex, you might need an adapter.

I am not familiar with Win Mobile 5 so if you have a particular software app you want, contact the vendor and see if they have a new version in the works. Maybe they will let you beta test for them if they do.

Drdan524 · 01-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Yes, I am definitely going to need a null modem adapter. And I will contact the vendors for the software. The software that I liked the best was http://www.qcontinuum.org/obdgauge/ . But thank you for all your help!!!!

Thanks
Dan

shewan · 01-25-2006, 01:24 PM

By the way with car-pal unit you get free software for your PC, Pocket PC (PDA), Palm even Windows Mobile Smartphone.

The software is also available separately

Shewan