As someone who spends a lot of time under the hood, having the right tools for diagnostics is crucial. When I first got my hands on my 6.0, I knew I needed a reliable way to read trouble codes and keep an eye on various engine parameters. That’s when I discovered FORScan, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer. Its reputation is well-deserved, and I still rely on it heavily in my shop when I need the full capabilities of a computer-based system. Initially, I paired FORScan with the OHP Ford ELMConfig USB adapter. I opted for the USB version for its straightforward connectivity.
But life in the shop isn’t always stationary. After getting my truck, the need for a more portable and convenient monitoring solution became clear. While my long-term plan includes building a dedicated Mini ITX PC into my dashboard for permanent gauges and alerts, I needed something immediate and mobile. That’s when I started exploring iOS-compatible OBD2 monitors. For this, I decided to try the OHP WiFi Ford ELMConfig adapter.
My goal is to use my iPhone 6+ along with various monitoring apps to get real-time data on the go. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be putting several iOS apps through their paces and will report back on the pros and cons of each. It’s worth noting that I’m focusing specifically on apps that work with standard OBD2 adapters, so anything requiring proprietary hardware like DashBoss or BlueDriver won’t be included in my evaluations.
If you’re considering a similar setup for your iPhone or iPad, one crucial point to remember is Bluetooth compatibility. Many Bluetooth OBD2 readers simply don’t play nicely with iOS devices. It’s often safer to lean towards WiFi-based OBD2 readers for iOS, as they generally bypass these compatibility issues. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check compatibility before making a purchase to avoid any headaches.
**EDIT**
I also want to give a shout-out to the company behind the OHP OBD adapters. Their customer service has been outstanding. They’ve been incredibly responsive to my questions, and in a testament to their confidence in their products, they are even sending me the WiFi version of their adapter for free so I can test it with iOS and provide them with feedback. It’s refreshing to see a company that genuinely supports its products and values customer input, rather than just making a quick sale.
