which wideband

[TRSblader]

I read a few older threads about wideband performance, and basically came up with just about all of them perform just as well as any other wideband. I was wondering, with the newer technology out here now, which wideband you guys prefer and why. Also wondering which wideband is easiest to install these days, and which seems to work best with ECMLink V3.

Open to any and all suggestions, from the cheapest to the most expensive ones out there. Thanks guys

 

[DGajre777]

LC-1 Lambda Cable with 02 Sensor : Wideband Controller Cable for Dyno, ECU, Data Acquisition, or Gauge Applications

 

[snowborder714]

I would say AEM is the cheapest, as it includes a gauge with the kit. This can usually be had for just over $200. But, I would not recommend it if you plan on logging it with DSMlink, as I've only read and experienced not good situations.

I personally have the Innovate LC-1 and love it, as well as others on this forum and the makers of DSMlink. I picked this one because it won the wideband shootout. It is not the easiest to wire up/install, but once you get it in, it works great! It logs very well in DSMlink and is very accurate to what my gauge (XD-16) says. I did have a few issues with it (1 D.O.A. unit and one killed when trying to flash), but Innovate was great to work with and sent me new units until I got one that worked.

The PLX is another unit I have heard good things about, but I don't know too much about it.

 

[PRJTstealth]

i have the autometer c2 wideband, i like it. i here nothing but great things about the aem uego. thats gonna be the next one i get. if i need one.

 

[TRSblader]

Thanks snowboarder, I had not read yet about the AEM problem with DSMLink, but did know a lot were going towards Innovate. Customer service is a big plus to me, so that's also good to know.

That link you posted was really helpful, big thanks for that!

 

[snowborder714]

Please fix your signature per our rules.
DSM Forums - FAQ: Site Rules & Guidelines

 

[TRSblader]

Please fix your signature per our rules.
DSM Forums - FAQ: Site Rules & Guidelines

Sorry, thought it fell under a quick summary. Has been removed

 

[snowborder714]

You could have left your name

It's always nicer to refer to people by their actual name vs. their user name.

 

[TRSblader]

Added a little bit better info, and included the name Should be all set now, and I'll stop swaying the topic away from my original question about widebands

 

[snowborder714]

Another thing to consider is do you want a gauge or not. If you'll be logging through DSMlink, it's not totally necessary. But I find it nice to have since I don't always have the laptop with me. And then if you decide on wanting a gauge, then you get to decide on what gauge. And that might also sway your decision (although it shouldnt'), pending on price and looks

 

[lacroixdp]

I have the AEM UEGO and I like it for the most part - it's a bit too flashy for me though. I'm ditching mine in favor of the Innovate LC-1.

 

[zckry]

I have the Uego also, but like Snowboarder said, I had trouble with datalogging it on the link.
The numbers were always different from what I was getting from the gauge

 

[TRSblader]

I would like a gauge, just as a little safety precaution. My laptop I'll be using is my mac, so I definitely won't be leaving that in the car and walking away from it (no where to hide it in the car), plus I need it for my everyday life.

I will be replacing my narrowband from the previous owner, so I need/want a gauge that is 52mm to fit in the pod. If I needed to switch a gauge around to fit that pod (3 gauge pod) and then mount the wideband elsewhere, that wouldn't be the end of the world to me either. The other gauges are all white faced, but as long as the wideband is straight white or black faced, I'm ok with that. The "carbon" ones I think are cheesy, but that's just me. Also don't really care what color the "rim" around the face is.

I have one additional question. I've never used a wideband personally, and don't really pay attention to them in youtube videos or anything else. When you get off the throttle and it (AEM is what I'm referencing) heads to 20.0 for a split second, how do the LED's react? Does the AEM and other LED widebands turn into a narrowband light show, or does it stay where it was from the reading when you were WOT?

Note: I just thought about the above question, and didn't research it one bit (shame on me), so if it doesn't make sense, just ignore it.

 

[zckry]

I would like a gauge, just as a little safety precaution. My laptop I'll be using is my mac, so I definitely won't be leaving that in the car and walking away from it (no where to hide it in the car), plus I need it for my everyday life.

I will be replacing my narrowband from the previous owner, so I need/want a gauge that is 52mm to fit in the pod. If I needed to switch a gauge around to fit that pod (3 gauge pod) and then mount the wideband elsewhere, that wouldn't be the end of the world to me either. The other gauges are all white faced, but as long as the wideband is straight white or black faced, I'm ok with that. The "carbon" ones I think are cheesy, but that's just me. Also don't really care what color the "rim" around the face is.

Well, that's the good thing about the AEM unit, it's a nice and neat 52mm gauge and you can change the faceplates and other things on it.
My problem with link wasn't actually all that bad, it would just give a different reading from the gauge so I never knew which one to go by (the gauge or the datalog on link).

 

[snowborder714]

The wideband gauges have both wideband and "narrowband" functionality. By this, I mean they have the numbers in the middle as well as the light show around the outside. The light show on the outside relates to the numbers. If it goes lean, they follow. If it goes rich, the go the opposite way. I don't know if they react as fast as the numbers do or not though.

 

[TRSblader]

That's really what I wanted to know pretty much. I want the digital readout as it's quick and easy to read on the go, and no mistake. No "was it on the 11.2 line, the 11.4 line or in the middle?" but I think at night having the LED's changing a bunch might just be more of a distraction. Again, I've never used a wideband, and just things I've thought of, so figured I'd throw it out there

 

[snowborder714]

I can't say I've ever seen a wideband that just has the light show. All of them have the digital readout, and some have the light show in addition. Some even come in a needle form! It's really not that bad at night.

Here's an Innovate kit that has a digital gauge (also comes in red).
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=20615&cat=1055&page=1

 

[TRSblader]

Sorry for the confusion, I know the LED ones also have the digital readout, like the AEM, glowshift, etc.

Thanks for all the replies from everyone, especially you Brian. I know some of those questions were probably a little on the dumb side. Just want to be sure I'll buy a product that I'll be completely satisfied with since I'm a student and can't afford to buy a wideband, be disappointed with it, and need to buy another one.

So far I think I'm going to go with the Innovate and spend a little bit extra.

If anyone has experience with glowshift, I'd like to hear your opinion about it. It wasn't on the wideband shootout link, and don't seem to be any reviews on the site about them.

 

[PIMking]

Had the AEM and it sucked now I have the LC-1 kit and love it. I have yet to wire it up to my ecu for Link (kinda retarted but I will get it soon)

 

[knochgoon24]

That's really what I wanted to know pretty much. I want the digital readout as it's quick and easy to read on the go, and no mistake. No "was it on the 11.2 line, the 11.4 line or in the middle?" but I think at night having the LED's changing a bunch might just be more of a distraction. Again, I've never used a wideband, and just things I've thought of, so figured I'd throw it out there

I actually wired a switch in that kills the 12v power to all my gauges. On long night drives, it was just too annoying with 3 gauges glaring blue.

It's also nice if a cop pulls you over. Just flick the gauges off so you don't seem like such an "import street racer".

EDIT: I run the LC-1. Once I figured out that my gauge was broken and not the unit itself, all my confusion was gone. I rewired the unit several times trying to get the gauge to work. I bought the LC-1, 2 Sensors (1 New, 1 Used), and the old style blue DB gauge used for $99 on eBay, so I'm not crushed that it doesn't read right.

I use EvoScan to datalog, and it supports the LC-1, as do several other dataloggers. The outputs are easily programmable using the included software.

 

[lacroixdp]

If anyone has experience with glowshift, I'd like to hear your opinion about it. It wasn't on the wideband shootout link, and don't seem to be any reviews on the site about them.

Glowshift is a Defi knock-off - there's another knock-off that looks exactly like them too whose name I can't think of right at the moment. The feedback has been mostly negative on here, especially for the oil sending unit. I would avoid them personally.

 

[TRSblader]

Thanks for the tip on glowshift. I googled quickly and found that people around middle of last year were complaining about reset issue with the narrowband emulation. Since none of you have mentioned that I would assume it's no longer an issue? People had been saying that even when they sent them back, they got feedback saying they couldn't figure out why the gauge wasn't working at the time.

 

[boostin3030]

Great information. I just bought an AEM setup and can't wait to get it up and running.

 

[ed_GST]

I have installed on my car a Innovate LC-1 with DB Gauge so far so good
I removed the front O2 and simulate it with the LC-1
Also for tuning other cars a use Innovate LM-2 excellent tuning tool

Props for Innovate Motor Sports

 

[jrohner]

The glowshift one doesn't even have any kind of output to use. All you have is the gauge and that's it, so it's pretty useless when you can't log it or run it to your ECU or anything.

I vote on the Innovate LC1. You can get it with the gauge for $199; and the gauge is really nice and comes in red or blue. It's easily readable in any light conditions and isn't blindingly bright either, although I think you can even hook it up to your dimmer switch. It has two configurable outputs, so you can use one for logging and displaying, and one for simulating a narrowband which definitely gains you gas mileage both because of the quick warmup and accuracy, and because you can lean the closed loop out by setting changing the points on the output.