I've been playing with this little app the last few days on a Samsung Galaxy Note (the original).

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en
Developers Website: Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle

In my case this is a dedicated device (since I use an iPhone) but would love is there was an iOS version (or I suppose I could switch to an Android).



This is an alternative to the Polar FIS+ Advanced and I'm loving the dials but am in an internal struggle on which way to go.

Torque Pro
Pros:

* The dials. While a digitally displayed number is nice and all, nothing beats what a quick glance at a gauge can provide.
* You can put as many different dials as you can fit on your screen and even then there are multiple screens so you can have different layouts for different purposes.
* GPS. Even without a data connection the device is mapping your trip which is awesome.
* If you are already using an Android device you have most of the hardware already
* Install is literally plug and play (all you need is an OBD to Bluetooth adaptor)
* No (potentially) warranty voiding installation.

Cons:
* You need to mount something in your car which maybe additionally or messy.
* If it's a dedicated device you either have to leave it in there or take it with you. In either case it's an additional "thing" to carry.
* You need to provide power to the device (or charge it out of the car and use for only battery life).


Polar FIS+
Pros:
* After install it's almost 100% OEM looking.
* No additional equipment visible in the car. (ie no device for thieves to see or steal)
* No "extra" power cables or dashboard clutter.
* Control by steering wheel controls.
* Additional functionality (like mirror dipping).
* Software is constantly updated.
* Multiple screens can be set up with different groups of information for different reasons.


Cons:
* Install is far more difficult.
* Potentially warranty implications.
* Digital only display. (bunch of numbers wizzing past)
* Did I mention the install process??


My thoughts:
For me I prefer the fact that the FIS+ is installed behind the scenes and integrates into the existing display but then I prefer the way that Torque Pro displays things.

Polar FIS+ is "always there" so there is no need to set it up or move it in and out of the car like there is with Torque Pro. Of course if you were using an Android phone it's far far less of an issue as it's going to be travelling with you anyway (not the case for me).


If the Polar FIS+ had some basic bar graphs that filled up sort of like this:

Source: http://www.seetron.com/apps/images/bargraf3.jpg

That would just about solve my problem since it would provide a visual representation of the sensor data.

Something like this would be even cooler, maybe boost round the gauge + speed in the middle.

Source: http://www.daiichi-ele.co.jp/product/0053a.jpg

I understand that we will of course be limited by the resolution of the display.