Friday, July 6, 2012

PLX Kiwi Bluetooth

The PLX Kiwi Bluetooth is a simple device that only does one thing: act as a bridge between your Bluetooth-enabled Android phone and your car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD-II). The 1.25 inch tall by 2.75 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep glossy black plastic box features little more than the "PLX Devices" logo and a small connection status LED marked "LINK" on its top surface and a tiny power switch on one side.

Installation and setup

The Kiwi Bluetooth unit connects to your car via a 6-foot cable with a standard 16-pin OBD-II connector at the other end. That's a generous length of cord for a wireless device, but it's better to have more than you need than not enough to reach. I suppose that the long cord could come in handy, if you wanted to mount the Kiwi Bluetooth somewhere visible. However, PLX has neglected to include any sort of mounting hardware or accessories, so bring your own zip-ties or double-sided tape, attach the Kiwi Bluetooth to the underside of your dashboard, and forget it.

PLX recommends that you connect the Kiwi Bluetooth to your car before starting the engine. With the motor running, the "PLX Devices" logo on the Kiwi's face should glow blue to indicate that the device is active.
From here, you'll finish setup on your Bluetooth-enabled Android smartphone. Jump to the Settings menu, then the Wireless & networks submenu and finally select Bluetooth settings. Scan for Bluetooth devices and select the PLX Device from the list when it appears. You'll be prompted to input the four-digit PIN that is provided in the manual that accompanies the Kiwi Bluetooth. The device and your handset will then be paired and able to communicate with each other.

Performance and apps

By itself, the Kiwi Bluetooth doesn't do very much. However, as an interface for third-party vehicle monitoring apps, the device allows your phone to monitor dozens of OBD-II parameters. It is only limited by which parameters are reported by your car's diagnostics system. In most vehicles, you'll get engine RPM, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, intake air temperature, engine load, and many more. Engines that use forced induction may report boost pressure. Additionally, if your Check Engine light is illuminated, the Kiwi can relay the trouble code.

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