Technical 2014 500L Trekking ODB2

[Nonnymoose]

I'm having difficulty finding something which will work with my 2014 500L Dualogic. I'm trying to get a Head Up Display unit which will work from the ODB2 socket and will put the important information onto the windscreen. I've tried a couple of devices without any success so I'm wondering if FIAT have done something to stop people doing this.

If only it were possible to swap the speedo with the rev counter. Apart from that, I've had the car for a couple of months and not being able to see the speedo is the only niggle I have. Yes, I know I can display the speed on the EVIC display but as I'm chasing up and down the motorways, keeping an eye on my fuel is quite important especially given the cost of diesel at motorway service areas.

Many thanks

Rich in Plymouth, Devonshire

 

[MJG]

I'm having difficulty finding something which will work with my 2014 500L Dualogic. I'm trying to get a Head Up Display unit which will work from the ODB2 socket and will put the important information onto the windscreen. I've tried a couple of devices without any success so I'm wondering if FIAT have done something to stop people doing this.

If only it were possible to swap the speedo with the rev counter. Apart from that, I've had the car for a couple of months and not being able to see the speedo is the only niggle I have. Yes, I know I can display the speed on the EVIC display but as I'm chasing up and down the motorways, keeping an eye on my fuel is quite important especially given the cost of diesel at motorway service areas.

Many thanks

Rich in Plymouth, Devonshire

That's an interesting work around, and it's a shame it doesn't seem to work. I have no idea if FIAT have specifically prevented it but it would seem an odd thing to do if thet have.

Welcome to the forum and let us know if you get something to work as a few on here would welcome the info.

Have you thought about going the GPS route?

 

[Yorks500L]

It's an interesting idea - I certainly might be interested in some sort of HUD if it could be done - I will take a look into the idea, but it sounds like you have more of a clue already having looked into it.

Do let us know if you work anything out

 

[MJG]

It's an interesting idea - I certainly might be interested in some sort of HUD if it could be done - I will take a look into the idea, but it sounds like you have more of a clue already having looked into it.

Do let us know if you work anything out

It is certainly possible on some makes to duplicate the speedo. My daughters driving school car (kio Rio) had this. The instructor had to duplicate the speedo because on that model she could not see the standard one on the drivers side from the passenger seat and of course they are obliged to be aware of the vehicle speed when instructing others. I don't know if it used the onboard diagnostic socket though.

This thread has prompted me to look further into this too.

 

[Nonnymoose]

Hello all, many thanks for the interest. This has been driving me potty ever since I got the car. I've contacted FIAT tech people to see if they have any ideas. I'll certainly pass on any results I get. I've been using a Bluetooth module connected to my phone for a couple of years without and major problems.

Incidentally, I borrowed a Garmin HUD+ this afternoon and it links to my smartphone by Bluetooth and does exactly what I need and it projects parts of my route if I have one programmed on the phone. The only down side is that it relies on the phone's GPS for positional data and road speed.

 

[pkam]

I have downloaded HUD app to my phone and using a gel pad placed it near the base of the windscreen, this works pretty well, there a slight lag in speed reading during hard ??? acceleration or hard braking. There is also a bit of a double image due to the thickness of the glass, The phone retains all its bluetooth functions as expected

 

[Nonnymoose]

Update ...

Thanks for the feedback and the suggestions.

I've been sent a new Bluetooth ODB2 thingy and it actually works, much to my surprise. It comes with a variety of software so it can be used with Windows, Windows Phone and Android.

I've also acquired a Garmin HUD+ which also works well with the added bonus that I can re-locate my phone out of my eye line. I found sticking it just aft of the junction of the instrument binnacle and the main dash panel, about 1" up the binnacle. I get no extra reflections and for me, that's perfect both in daylight and at night. The only real problem is once the pad is firmly stuck down, the HUD unit is fixed and becomes a target for those less than law abiding members of society ... unless someone knows different .. :worship:

I'm spoilt for choice now Ahhhh :bang:

 

[MJG]

Update ...

Thanks for the feedback and the suggestions.

I've been sent a new Bluetooth ODB2 thingy and it actually works, much to my surprise. It comes with a variety of software so it can be used with Windows, Windows Phone and Android.

I've also acquired a Garmin HUD+ which also works well with the added bonus that I can re-locate my phone out of my eye line. I found sticking it just aft of the junction of the instrument binnacle and the main dash panel, about 1" up the binnacle. I get no extra reflections and for me, that's perfect both in daylight and at night. The only real problem is once the pad is firmly stuck down, the HUD unit is fixed and becomes a target for those less than law abiding members of society ... unless someone knows different .. :worship:

I'm spoilt for choice now Ahhhh :bang:

Thanks for the update. Do you have any links or more product details of what you are using..

I have been looking at GPS speedos but they seem to be silly money for what they do.

 

[Nonnymoose]

The Garmin HUD came from Maplins and the ODB2 thingy (Mini V1.5 ELM327 Bluetooth Wireless Auto Car Diagnostic Tool OBD2 Interface Scanner for Android) came from Amazon. The seller is Andoer and they're in Portsmouth.

Sorry I can't leave any links, the system won't let me because I haven't made enough posts yet. I'll have to see about doing something about that

The first ODB2 thingy they sent was faulty, but they replaced it quite quickly without any fuss.

All the best

 

[Yorks500L]

Excellent find Nonnymoose - the link to the Amazon site is [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Bluetooth-Interface-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B00DY3EZSI[/ame] - and for £3.68 is a bargain.

Looks like people are using this with the Torque pro app which is £2.99 from the android play store, so all in all not a massive price to pay.

Have you used this with your phone/android device, as I would be interested to see what kind of real time information you can display on the phone. I already have a decent position for my phone which would make it a great option for HUD information.

Hope this works as great as it sounds!!!

 

[chips1]

Plymouth, Devonshire

Nothing to do with this post but Devonshire? I only thought it was one of my suppliers that put that lol.


Anyhooooo, you'll have to post a pic of your car, might have seen it out and about

 

[Nonnymoose]

Chips1, thanks for posting the link. I think the delay in allowing people to post is a good one. Pity more forums don't do it.

I'm using the supplied version (1.6 I think) of Torque and it works so wel that I'm thinking of buying the latest version.

I prefer Devonshire. There's a lot of history in that name, and I'm a bit of a history buff. My car is a bright antisocially yellow 500L Trekking auto and I'll wait until it's clean before I post any pictures of it so watch this space or one very like it.

All the best

 

[chips1]

As much as I would like to take the credit for the posted link, this was not me

 

[Nonnymoose]

OOps, Sorry ... I meant to thank Yorks500L. Senility is leaping up at me. So thanks Yorks500L and yes, it does seem to work well as does the Garmin HUD+.

Many thanks to all who responded.

 

[Yorks500L]

Just received my ODBII Bluetooth adapter today....came from China as mentioned in the Amazon listing. Downloaded the torque 2 app from the play store...plugged in the adapter to the car...phone picked up the adapter straight away, torque app is great, pretty simple to use, especially if you use android apps regularly and features a dial or digital display of the mph and a whole raft of other things (fuel level, mpg etc)....makes me wonder what the paid app (under £2) contains.

For a grand total of just under £4, and a few weeks wait...this is probably the best way to make a HUD for your car.

Thanks Nonnymoose for the inspiration, well worth the effort, cheers!