Is the Dashhawk still worth getting if I get an AP?

[Champloo]

I've been searching this and Cobb's forum looking for the answer to this question. With data logging in the latest update for the AP, is there any reason still to get a Dashhawk?

I have neither but was planning on getting both. I definitely want to tune so the AP is a must but I also want to data log and be able to monitor any necessary parameters. Can you guys with APs tell me if the AP can access the data for just as many parameters as the Dashhawk? I'm also thinking about other Dashhawk features like warnings.

Was it that Dashhawk that had the valet mode?

Thanks for the help!

 

[dkswim]

yes and no... i still use my dash hawk. you can leave that pluged in all the time. and it has datalogging capability. but apperently there is a new firmware update for the ap that will allow dataloging. with the dash hawk you can moniter more then one function. and you can use the dash hawk on other cars that are can enapled, like if a friend has a trouple code or your mom, gf, wife whatever the case my be.

 

[scatt nasty]

the ap can data log now and imo its much easier to use than the DH... Really the only reason I am holding onto my DH is because I like to be able to see different paramaters, the AP can only display one at a time. Its your personal preference..

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I like the DashHawk because it's easier to have plugged in all the time and easier to mount. I only use my AP for tunes.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

I like the DashHawk because it's easier to have plugged in all the time and easier to mount. I only use my AP for tunes.

What ^ he said.....dh FTW.

 

[Champloo]

I like the DashHawk because it's easier to have plugged in all the time and easier to mount. I only use my AP for tunes.

I've never used either of these awesome products. Why is the DashHawk easier to have plugged in? Because it's smaller and has mounting options? Is the DashHawk just easier to use in general?

Thanks!

 

[AutoEuphoria]

The Dashhawk just has one plug that connects to the OBDII port (which is located basically to the left of your left knee if you're sitting in the driver's seat. The other end of that cord has a USB connection that plugs into the back of the DashHawk. The DH is also rectangular in shape, with a flat bottom. This makes mounting very easy.

The AP on the other hand has a unit that plugs into the OBDII port, then a swivel usb cord that plugs into that, and finally plugs into the AP unit. The way it is set up makes it hang down and be more intrusive in the OBDII port area, which means you might hit your leg on it or something, pull the cord out, etc. Then, the cord eventually plugs into the bottom of the AP unit, which is also curved. You basically have to find a holder for the AP to be able to mount it...a cell phone holder or something, which also adds more clutter.

Here is how I had my DH set up a couple of months ago:

I have since moved it over to the right a little so that all of the gauges are now visible. The DH used to cover the lower part of the speedometer, which I got around by displaying the speed on the DH itself. Now that I moved it over a little, though, everything is visible. Basically, I moved it over so that the right edge of the DH is in line with the right edge of the console cover. The only thing that is really blocked is the odometer/tripometer (which I never care to look at) and the fuel gage idiot light.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

You can see here where the USB plugs into the AP...and its general shape (which makes it hard to mount without some sort of holder)

You can see here the unit that plugs into the OBDII port, and the port on it for a USB cord between the unit and the AP (picture is not of a MS3)

And here you can see the entire package...including the cord that goes between the OBDII unit and the AP. The thing on the right plugs into the OBDII port, then the cord in the middle (with the swivel end) plugs into that and into the actual AP, which is on the left

 

[Champloo]

Thanks a lot for all the pictures and descriptions! That really points out some cons for running the AP all the time. That OBDII plug is huge! I was hoping that the scales would tip in favor of just running the AP so I don't have to buy a DashHawk too but now I'm better understanding why people have both.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Yeah, the plug for the DH is about a half to a third of the height of the AP plug, and the cord goes out the side, not the top. So with the AP you will have the height of that plug plus the height of the USB cord from where it seats inside the plug to the swivel joint. Once it's plugged in, it literally sticks out like 3-4", compared to the DH, which only sticks out about 1-2"

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I'll take some comparison photos tonight.

 

[martin_nj]

thanks Auto, we all appreciate your pics =]

 

[Trader]

From some other posts it looks as if the AP's sampling rate is not as good as the dashhawk. I would appreciate anybody with both elaborating on this. If you log many items with the AP you may not get alot of data.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

OK here we go:

Here is the difference in height on the OBDII port plug

Here is my current DH setup

Hope that helps.

 

[lanceam24]

the dh set-up looks more like it belongs imo

 

[Champloo]

Thanks for the great pics Auto!
I wonder if you could reposition the OBDII port so the AP plug wouldn't stick out so much, like at the end of that little compartment below the current location.
How long is the AP cord?

 

[flyrevs]

OK here we go:

looks real good, I just got a DH (bought off someone on the forum) but I'm in VA on business for about another week so I have not even seen it yet. How did you mount the DH ?

Thanks in advance !

 

[AutoEuphoria]

It came with a little bracket (basically an aluminum "L" shaped bracket), some velcro, and some mounting tape (3M). You mount the DH to the bracket with the double-sided tape, making sure to leave room for the cord to plug in, then attach the bracket/DH to the column with the velcro. This allows you to easily remove the DH if you want to do datalogging.

 

[derspi]

I was hoping that the scales would tip in favor of just running the AP so I don't have to buy a DashHawk too but now I'm better understanding why people have both.

People have both most likely because the DH is the only device that could do datalogging at the time when the AP first came out. TBH, now that the AP can datalog as well, it really does render the DH obsolete considering there is no more support for the DH.

 

[LBV]

Keep in mind guys that the AP will NOT turn itself off after you turn the car off while the DH does. I've got both and the DH is superior in many ways for use as a gauge and for datalogging. The DH has it's own graphing software while the AP outputs a CSV file that you then need to graph from in Excel.

Another plus for the DH is that it has warning set-ups available and with these engines, doing a warning at knock retard of 3 is a must IMHO.