AlfaOBD ?'s

[jpidgie]

I'm wanting to get setup with AlfaOBD, and have some questions. I think I'm pretty good with the bypass cable requirement, and which one to get, and saw the tutorials on workflow of how to find what you want to modify. My issue is that I own nothing but Apple products, and although I hear that AlfaOBD can be run on IOS devices, I hear that Android is the way to go. LOL... I dont think I even know how to turn on an Android device. Is there a minimum spec for a phone or tablet? Can I literally go into Wally World and buy a $30 Tracfone and have a decent & reliable method of making modifications? TIA.

 

[Chevillac97]

Do you have a windows laptop? AlfaOBD will work on that just as well as on Android. However, I have read that the Android interface is easier to navigate.

You mentioned your bypass cable, which is great, but have you selected your OBD connector? If not, I believe the OBDLink MX+ usually recommended.

As far as an Android device, you should be fine with any cheap device if all you want to do is use it for the app and not expect much as far as performance but just make sure it has bluetooth connectivity built in. Once you get past turning it on you will probably be pretty surprised how similar it is to Apple iOS.

 

[hcooperrn]

I got a cheap blu studio mini phone off Amazon, I think I caught it on sale for $30, looks like they are $60 right now, and it worked fine for me. AlfaOBD is the only thing I'll use it for, so even if it's a little slow, I'll never notice. It seems to be a pretty lightweight program to run.

 

[jpidgie]

@Chevillac97 : I do have a windows PC, but really want something that is going to live in my truck to make adjustments anytime I wanted. I think the OBDLink MX+ is the one that I have in my Amazon cart. Thanks for confirming this.

@hcooperrn : thank you, this is the input that I was looking for, nothing fancy needed.

 

[elephantrider]

go buy a 2nd hand android tablet. samsung tabs are usually cheap. keep it in the truck.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Or pick up a kindle fire cheap and sideload the google apps/play store.

There are some things that you need the Windows version for. Unless it's been fixed, some '20 options (like Trailer TPMS) need to see a '20 BCM and only the Windows version can force override the auto detection of the older MY BCM.

If you don't need those, a cheap phone or tablet will do just fine. I wouldn't go too old in case the OS lags too far behind any other apps you might need. I keep a spare S6 we had around in my truck in addition to a larger tablet I can use.

I don't know if anyone has tried to run the Android version in a Windows VM on Mac (is it still parallels?)

ETA: Looks like you could even try VirtualBox (free) but would need to license Winders of course. Got any students? ;-)

 

[elephantrider]

yah yah, old tech to me is 1 year. I should have clarified that.

 

[jpidgie]

Thanks @brutal, I wasn't aware of the requirement for '20 options only being available via PC. I am planning on adding TTMS pretty soon, so that is probably the way I want to go.

does the same AlfaOBD license work on both android and windows simultaneously? or would a separate license be required for each?

 

[elephantrider]

separate license, but believe you get a discount if you already have one or the other...

 

[Brutal_HO]

Thanks @brutal, I wasn't aware of the requirement for '20 options only being available via PC. I am planning on adding TTMS pretty soon, so that is probably the way I want to go.

does the same AlfaOBD license work on both android and windows simultaneously? or would a separate license be required for each?

separate license, but believe you get a discount if you already have one or the other...

Yes, 50% off an additional license.

 

[craiglud]

Get the android Kindle tablet for cheap. Works great and I leave mine in the truck.