Joined
·
3,063 Posts
Just got mine today in the mail after a few week's wait. The KIWI-MPG is the KIWI's little cousin and (I suppose) was supposed to be a contender for the Scangauge market. My initial conclusion after a day of testing?
For half the price of a Scangauge, you get half as much.
Total price was around $87 and for this, you get a neat little chromed package with a short OBD pigtail -permanently- attached (the case is too small to fit a plug and socket, about 1"x2.5" and about 3/8" thick - about half the size of a Scangauge. Unlike the Scangauge's two line LCD, the KIWI display is one line yellow LED, about 3/8" high and two buttons, "mode" and "set". It's so dim that I found it hard to read in the daylight.
The box is impressive but the "instruction book" is a page and a half of small type from some one's laser printer. If you're not familiar with how to use a Scangauge, it probably won't make a whole lot of sense.
KIWI seems to think that you don't need to calibrate the KIWI MPG to get it to read the correct mph. You can do it, but they recommend that you leave it alone. It works exactly the same as the Scangauge so all I can say is: Strange...
Functions? You get the trip computer basics - instantaneous mpg, trip mpg, fuel used, fuel remaining, cost of yada yada, as well as a few basics which probably fit the limited Honda OBD port usage better than some other brands. It shows the current speed, throttle position, coolant temperature, and a couple other things which I can't remember at the moment. If you're interested, there's more info at the manufacturer's web site.
http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwimpg/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When first plugged in, my KIWI MPG kept complaining that my OBD port had failed. Removing it and then plugging back in fixed that problem, but curious enough, it repeats the same pattern every time I plug it in the Element. First time fail, second time works. Strange...
The cord comes straight out the end and that's what you have to work with. There's no "cord hiding" with the KIWI. Also, the pigtail is fairly short so don't expect to put it up above the dash.
Like I mentioned, I found the display so dim that I had trouble reading it during the day. It's just right at night although the LED flickers.
The first time I tried to reset the trip function, the unit locked up. Not remembering that it had a power switch hidden on the end, I had to unplug the wire from the OBD port to reset it. Then I had to unplug and re-plug it again as mentioned above. The next time it locked up, I remembered the power switch and that reset everything just fine.
Other than the problems mentioned, the KIWI MPG seems to be worth the cost. It seems (after one day of testing) to do exactly what the manufacturer claims it'll do. Next tank full of gas, I'll be able to check/set the calibration that they seem to think is already OK as is. Hopefully, by then I'll figure out a decent place to mount it. KIWI includes a piece of Velcro which probably will be perfect for the job.
For half the price of a Scangauge, you get half as much.
Total price was around $87 and for this, you get a neat little chromed package with a short OBD pigtail -permanently- attached (the case is too small to fit a plug and socket, about 1"x2.5" and about 3/8" thick - about half the size of a Scangauge. Unlike the Scangauge's two line LCD, the KIWI display is one line yellow LED, about 3/8" high and two buttons, "mode" and "set". It's so dim that I found it hard to read in the daylight.
The box is impressive but the "instruction book" is a page and a half of small type from some one's laser printer. If you're not familiar with how to use a Scangauge, it probably won't make a whole lot of sense.
KIWI seems to think that you don't need to calibrate the KIWI MPG to get it to read the correct mph. You can do it, but they recommend that you leave it alone. It works exactly the same as the Scangauge so all I can say is: Strange...
Functions? You get the trip computer basics - instantaneous mpg, trip mpg, fuel used, fuel remaining, cost of yada yada, as well as a few basics which probably fit the limited Honda OBD port usage better than some other brands. It shows the current speed, throttle position, coolant temperature, and a couple other things which I can't remember at the moment. If you're interested, there's more info at the manufacturer's web site.
http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwimpg/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When first plugged in, my KIWI MPG kept complaining that my OBD port had failed. Removing it and then plugging back in fixed that problem, but curious enough, it repeats the same pattern every time I plug it in the Element. First time fail, second time works. Strange...
The cord comes straight out the end and that's what you have to work with. There's no "cord hiding" with the KIWI. Also, the pigtail is fairly short so don't expect to put it up above the dash.
Like I mentioned, I found the display so dim that I had trouble reading it during the day. It's just right at night although the LED flickers.
The first time I tried to reset the trip function, the unit locked up. Not remembering that it had a power switch hidden on the end, I had to unplug the wire from the OBD port to reset it. Then I had to unplug and re-plug it again as mentioned above. The next time it locked up, I remembered the power switch and that reset everything just fine.
Other than the problems mentioned, the KIWI MPG seems to be worth the cost. It seems (after one day of testing) to do exactly what the manufacturer claims it'll do. Next tank full of gas, I'll be able to check/set the calibration that they seem to think is already OK as is. Hopefully, by then I'll figure out a decent place to mount it. KIWI includes a piece of Velcro which probably will be perfect for the job.
I even waited in line for it.
