Initially drawn to the BlueDriver OBD2 scanner for its appealing wireless setup and color LCD gauge interface over simpler text-based displays like the ScanGauge II, my experience took an unexpected turn. The promise of a Bluetooth, cable-free connection seemed ideal, especially with plans to dedicate an old Android phone as a permanent display. However, the reality of using the Bluedriver Obd2 Online revealed a significant limitation.
The Frustration of Mandatory Online Pairing
Contrary to the expectation of a straightforward Bluetooth connection, the BlueDriver OBD2 online system mandates an internet data connection for every vehicle pairing. Yes, you read that right – each and every time you restart your car, or want to use the device, an online connection is required to authenticate and pair with your vehicle’s database. Currently, this necessitates using my primary phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to get the BlueDriver app on the secondary phone to communicate. While the Bluetooth connection then handles the data stream to the display once paired, disabling the hotspot means losing data logging and other online-dependent features. This constant need for an internet connection makes it far from the “set and forget” system I had envisioned.
BlueDriver vs. Android Auto: An Incompatibility Issue
My primary phone is already in use, providing a seamless Android Auto experience with my Kenwood Excelon receiver via USB. Android Auto, in my opinion, offers significantly more value and convenience than monitoring real-time engine data like load percentage or DPF temperature during every drive. Unfortunately, activating Android Auto disables Bluetooth, creating an immediate conflict. Simultaneously running both BlueDriver and Android Auto on the same phone is simply not possible due to this Bluetooth limitation.
Diagnostic Tool or Continuous Monitor? Rethinking BlueDriver’s Purpose
Further investigation into the BlueDriver manual suggests its primary design leans towards a diagnostic tool rather than a system intended for continuous monitoring. While I still intend to utilize the BlueDriver for occasional diagnostics, I now find myself wishing I had opted for the ScanGauge II instead. The online dependency of BlueDriver OBD2 significantly restricts its usability as a truly independent and always-ready vehicle monitoring solution, especially compared to offline alternatives.
