Torque Pro vs Polar FIS+

[The_Hawk]

I've been playing with this little app the last few days on a Samsung Galaxy Note (the original).

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en
Developers Website: Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle

In my case this is a dedicated device (since I use an iPhone) but would love is there was an iOS version (or I suppose I could switch to an Android).



This is an alternative to the Polar FIS+ Advanced and I'm loving the dials but am in an internal struggle on which way to go.

Torque Pro
Pros:

* The dials. While a digitally displayed number is nice and all, nothing beats what a quick glance at a gauge can provide.
* You can put as many different dials as you can fit on your screen and even then there are multiple screens so you can have different layouts for different purposes.
* GPS. Even without a data connection the device is mapping your trip which is awesome.
* If you are already using an Android device you have most of the hardware already
* Install is literally plug and play (all you need is an OBD to Bluetooth adaptor)
* No (potentially) warranty voiding installation.

Cons:
* You need to mount something in your car which maybe additionally or messy.
* If it's a dedicated device you either have to leave it in there or take it with you. In either case it's an additional "thing" to carry.
* You need to provide power to the device (or charge it out of the car and use for only battery life).


Polar FIS+
Pros:
* After install it's almost 100% OEM looking.
* No additional equipment visible in the car. (ie no device for thieves to see or steal)
* No "extra" power cables or dashboard clutter.
* Control by steering wheel controls.
* Additional functionality (like mirror dipping).
* Software is constantly updated.
* Multiple screens can be set up with different groups of information for different reasons.


Cons:
* Install is far more difficult.
* Potentially warranty implications.
* Digital only display. (bunch of numbers wizzing past)
* Did I mention the install process??


My thoughts:
For me I prefer the fact that the FIS+ is installed behind the scenes and integrates into the existing display but then I prefer the way that Torque Pro displays things.

Polar FIS+ is "always there" so there is no need to set it up or move it in and out of the car like there is with Torque Pro. Of course if you were using an Android phone it's far far less of an issue as it's going to be travelling with you anyway (not the case for me).


If the Polar FIS+ had some basic bar graphs that filled up sort of like this:

Source: http://www.seetron.com/apps/images/bargraf3.jpg

That would just about solve my problem since it would provide a visual representation of the sensor data.

Something like this would be even cooler, maybe boost round the gauge + speed in the middle.

Source: http://www.daiichi-ele.co.jp/product/0053a.jpg

I understand that we will of course be limited by the resolution of the display.

[zei20t]

You should mention that the install process for the Polar FIR+ on YOUR car was difficult. Not every car is like that Mine was a 10 min job.

also there is a great product from greddy, the Informeter. I had one on my stagea.

[lankfert]

I am considering doing exactly what you have done (Dedicated Android Device) but had some concerns about the latency.

I have seen some videos where there is a considerable delay (comparing Tacho for Tacho) and thought it could be due to the bluetooth.

How close are the App and Instruments in your car? Are they in Sync or is there a bit of a delay?

[Transporter]

You should mention that the install process for the Polar FIR+ on YOUR car was difficult. Not every car is like that Mine was a 10 min job.

also there is a great product from greddy, the Informeter. I had one on my stagea.

Yeah, but I would hate to think what would happen when the device that is attached to the vehicle fails somewhere on the road (it could be someone else than you driving the car, would they know what to do?) or even worst would damage the vehicle canbus.

It's very unlikely that the obd2 attached bt will cause any harm.

+ it's never 10 minutes install.

[Ryan_R]

Your engine bay installation method is what makes it harder - the method of going via the dash is much easier (and would've saved me the cost of a new windscreen too).

Why don't you ask the FIS guys if a bar graph is possible, using a bunch of IIIIII's might do the trick.

I also have both products and both have their merits. It's nice to get the phone holder back off the screen though. Also saving maximums like Torque Pro can do would be a nice feature for the FIS.

[The_Hawk]

I have seen some videos where there is a considerable delay (comparing Tacho for Tacho) and thought it could be due to the bluetooth.
How close are the App and Instruments in your car? Are they in Sync or is there a bit of a delay?

I'll have to look into that for you as it's not something I looked at closely. I haven't noticed any lag but then I haven't done the side by side comparison. In the vast majority of cases I wouldn't think it would matter if it was out by 0.5 second... In any case I'll look into creating a video for you. For reference I actually have two different bluetooth modules at the moment too so can see if one random china rip off is any better than another random china ripoff of the real chip.


One thing that I have found is that the "Speed" presented by both Torque Pro and the Polar FIS+ is the "uncorrected" (read correct) speed rather than the lies that the analog and stock digital speedo. While it's nice to have a more correct figure it's also sort of dangerous psychology wise...

...for many of us we are programmed to drive a couple of km's over the limit knowing in the back of your mind that the incorrect speedo pretty much corrected that...

...now the displayed speedo is almost dead accurate you need to be very aware that 65 really is 65 and not much closer to 60 as you might have been used to...

for those that are that way inclined anyway

[The_Hawk]

Your engine bay installation method is what makes it harder - the method of going via the dash is much easier (and would've saved me the cost of a new windscreen too).

I accept that the install will be different for different people. Personally I don't have an issue with my method (although the other would make things much easier) but others may.

[Ryan_R]

Slight delay on the phone is quite good since you have a similar inbuilt delay to thinking 'I should check the dial' and then shifting your focus. Whereas on the FIS there's not much point in me having Torque or Boost shown on the MFD since whenever there's a decent value there your eyes are glued to the road (as they should be).

That's not to say we can't write to the developers suggesting ways to improve that

[aussietig]

Definitely cost of Torque Pro & OBD adaptor compared to Polar FIS+ is another Pro!

[dArK5HaD0w]

wat would b better is if all the information, be it FIS or Torque or watever, to be displayed on the headunit (rns or rcd)
just like the fancy graphics in the nissan gtr-35, or the EDI in hsv.