How to get "Vgate vLinker MC+" displayed in ABRP?

[EgbM]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I probably posted my problem in the wrong place so I'm posting it under the car brand hoping to get an answer now...

 I will be traveling to Norway in less than 1 month and to get the most out of ABRP which I have never used in my Enyaq iV80, I wanted to use an OBD device via ABRP in addition to upgrading to Premium for my 4,000 km journey to get more detailed information.

 I followed the link below in settings, release notes "Note that OBD-BLE adapters are generally insecure - read more here!" and purchased the recommended Vgate vLinker MC+. Additionally, I installed (via the Google Play button at the bottom of this page) the BLE scanner listed in the description as "Install nRF Connect for Mobile on your Android / iOS device". .

Although this scanner is able to "see" the OBD-BLE adapter, I can also read out (display) some information, but the BLE scanner is not bound. Bluetooth settings says "You need an app to use this device".

So, in my opinion the BLE scanner is just to verify whether the dongle is actually there and not actually necessary for usage.
This is my question: "How do I get this OBD-BLE adapter available in ABRP?"

I can't find anything related to OBD in the ABRP settings and Android Bluetooth says it needs an app to use this device...

 

Thx in advance for any help

br Egbert.

[Katya-ABRP]

Hi @EgbM,

I've just checked your account and you don’t appear to have a saved vehicle created yet, this is needed for linking. Please do the following:

1. Go into: Settings (Advanced) > Car model
2. Click the option ‘Add my car’
3. Specify the vehicle model, name it
4. Select a linking option in the list
5. Follow the setup instructions 

For any further assistance please refer to the 'Support & feedback' section at the bottom of the settings menu in the app.

/Katya
 

[EgbM]

@Katya-ABRP
Wow, my car was listed, but maybe I didn't clicked on 'Add my car'
Now there is the everywhere mentioned gear icon behind and hopefully I am able to bind the ODB to ABRP

I will let you know later on, whether I succeeded  (or not)

Thx Egbert.

[EgbM]

Hello @Katya-ABRP,
once you know what to do - it works out of box

I still have 2 final questions regarding 'decouple live data'
and the icon on the lower right corner. What's the meaning of that?

Thx fopr your help
really appreciate  

[Katya-ABRP]

Hi @EgbM,

Great to hear!

'Live-daten entkoppeln' does indeed disconnect the selected live data option.

The calendar button is for the 'my drives' feature, i.e. your saved activities; driving & charging (premium feature available when using live data). Driving should be no issue to have recorded as long as you're driving with the app being active (keeping the Bluetooth connection to the app active) but what can be good to know is that charging may be a little difficult since we're unfortunately not able to get data remotely with the obd connection (such as when you leave the car, exit the app etc.).

/Katya

[EgbM]

@Katya-ABRP
Hello Katya, sorry to bother you again, but it seems that the recommended vLinker MC+ only works with iPhones and not Android Smartphones.
I contacted the manufacturer and he suggested to go back to vLinker MC without the +

When looking on your recommended BLE adapter list, you recommend the  OBDLink CX as a high quality adapter.
When looking for any products like this one, you can read everywhere this adapter has been devoloped for BMW / Mini.
My question: when you tested it, does it works for all car brands (in my case the Skoda Enyaq) or only for BMW?

Thx in advance for your help
Egbert.

[Katya-ABRP]

13 hours ago, EgbM said:

@Katya-ABRP
Hello Katya, sorry to bother you again, but it seems that the recommended vLinker MC+ only works with iPhones and not Android Smartphones.
I contacted the manufacturer and he suggested to go back to vLinker MC without the +

When looking on your recommended BLE adapter list, you recommend the  OBDLink CX as a high quality adapter.
When looking for any products like this one, you can read everywhere this adapter has been devoloped for BMW / Mini.
My question: when you tested it, does it works for all car brands (in my case the Skoda Enyaq) or only for BMW?

Thx in advance for your help
Egbert.

No, the product we link to on Amazon clearly states the vLinker MC+ works for both iOS and Android devices, worked really well during testing the past weekend connected to an Android device. However we also mention that certain devices may have issues with certain phones or even vehicles. The MC model lacking the "+" is NOT compatible with ABRP as it uses Bluetooth 3.0 and cannot support BLE connections whereas the MC+ model uses Bluetooth 4.0 and can support BLE. 

While we cannot test every device in every vehicle model, the OBDLink CX should work for models other than BMW/Mini. If you have doubts I recommend you reach out to the manufacturer or check with other Skoda Enyaq owners.

Read more: https://www.iternio.com/abrp-obd

/Katya

[EgbM]

Hello @Katya-ABRP,
maybe you missunderstood me: I bought the  vLinker MC+, but the manufactures support suggested to choose vLinker MC (without +).
Maybe he meant, when this OBD adapter is displayed in BT search, then you have to selecet the VLinker MC (see attached picture),
but this happend only 1x and then never! 
To change with every new plugin the MAC address is not a secure thing, it is a pain in the ass, because when you make a stop and you unplug you need 15 minutes to get it maybe working again - or not.

btw, that's the reply I received from Vgate:
"Hi

  Dear Egbert.

  Thank you for your email.

   1. Hello If you are using an Android phone, then we recommend you to use vLinker MC
 2. MC+ supports SPP and BLE porfile, BLE devices do not have the discovery function disabled, so BLE devices can be connected without pressing the button
 3. We are developing new products based on iSPP profile, so that IOS mobile phones do not need BLE channel, which can increase the security of products.

Kind Regards,

Sunny Shen 

 

Vgate Professional OBDSolutions ( We do professional OBD II solutions for your business!!)

Email: sale@vgate.com.cn

Web: http://www.vgatemall.com

"

[PRD]

@Katya-ABRP: I have a similar questions regarding the vLinker MC+. I bought it to use live data from a Mercedes EQV 300 in ABRP. However, when I go to the settings -> live data section in the app, it only offers (i) Tronity, (ii) Jeedom, (iii) Generic as data sources - not a bluetooth OBD connectino. Am I missing something here?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[PRD]

Ok, I figured it out - the model does simply not seem to be supported for OBD data reading by ABRP. Is this status final for the EQV or do new car models get added to OBD data reading over time?