In need of professional opinions for digital guage options

[Robby Avery]

I'm going to be in the market here real soon for a good all around digital gauge setup. I will clarify that I'm searching for real world experience so if you have any of these I want to know the pros and cons so simply chime in with your votes. In looking at the gdp pro monitor stand alone, edge cts2 insight, banks data monster daisy chained with two or three guages, or the ez lynk module to use with auto agent on my phone or tablet.


Keep in mind I only want to monitor live data not load tunes in any of these. They must also be compatible with my 2006 lbz, 2002 lb7, and my wife's 2005 1500 5.3 suburban as I'll handle any tuning that needs to be addressed. I only use single tunes so the more live data bang for my buck will be awesome the better. I'm all ears so please voice pros and cons and opinions as I'm wanting to make the right choice for all three.


Just fwiw I'm really drawn to the gdp pro monitor but not sure if it will work my 05 5.3 or the 02 lb7 any info will be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[coker6365]

Pretty sure you narrowed it to the CTS2 based on vehicle selection. Banks and EZLYNK will require a canbus system to work properly, which the 02 will not work with. 05 is a slim possibility for some parameters but very doubtful. Banks reads most of the parameters properly for my 06, but still requires some additional sensors to be wired in.

Not sure on the GDP, but you may want to check the compatibility with the 02 model as well.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Bdsankey]

As Richard said, the CTS2 is the only one of those devices that will read ECM data on all the vehicles you listed. That said, Banks is currently working on a Pre-Can version of the iDash 1.8 that will support all platforms that all of their other devices support so that should work for you at that point. As a monitor the CTS2 is great but in terms of logging it lacks alot to be desired in regards to frequency and ease of sensor inputs/availability. The Banks iDash 1.8 datamonster is arguably the best logger out of what you have listed but currently only supports CAN systems (no LB7/LLY support) in regards to reading ECM data streams. The iDash 1.8 seems more expensive off the get-go in regards to adding sensors but you have 4 analog inputs per module as well as a major assortment of available sensors.



If you're looking to datalog and tune a GM the best equipment you can get would be efilive. EFI will read all of the vehicles you listed and "should" provide you all the PIDs you need to properly tune the truck.

 

[Robby Avery]

Glad to see both Coker and sankey chime in here as I watched y'all perform on dpc congrats to both of you. I've had efi live since 2007 bought it from guy at social diesel I've been tweaking and tuning since lol 'm guessing I'll have to go the cts route wish the gdp would work as it's my favorite. I have analog egt and 60lbs boost guages just wanted a nice functional digital display to monitor live data you know :thumb:

 

[Robby Avery]

Glad to see both Coker and sankey chime in here as I watched y'all perform on dpc congrats to both of you. I've had efi live since 2007 bought it from guy at socal diesel I've been tweaking and tuning since lol 'm guessing I'll have to go the cts route wish the gdp would work as it's my favorite. I have analog egt and 60lbs boost guages just wanted a nice functional digital display to monitor live data you know :thumb:

 

[Bdsankey]

Glad to see both Coker and sankey chime in here as I watched y'all perform on dpc congrats to both of you. I've had efi live since 2007 bought it from guy at socal diesel I've been tweaking and tuning since lol 'm guessing I'll have to go the cts route wish the gdp would work as it's my favorite. I have analog egt and 60lbs boost guages just wanted a nice functional digital display to monitor live data you know :thumb:

Give the iDash 1.8 a few months unless you need something ASAP. There are 3 main things that have me sold on an iDash system. 1) Expandability, 2) Form factory (looks like a gauge), 3) data logging refresh rate.

 

[bigmackmiller]

I think im going the iDash route myself, seems like I can't get an edge sensor to last more than a couple months

 

[Bdsankey]

I think im going the iDash route myself, seems like I can't get an edge sensor to last more than a couple months

I haven't used Bank's EGT probes. They did send us their k-type thermocouples for air temperature monitoring and they are damn accurate when tested against boiling water/freezing water to establish accuracy. I'm using this sensor on my truck from "the sensor connection" (LINK), going on 3 seasons. It has been nothing but an absolute champ meaning it just works every single time. I've pushed it over 2000f many times without failure, even seen 2380f once on the stock motor sled pulling at 4700rpm (no wonder why it died) on a 68mm and 60s/10mm. The sensor is rated to 2372f continuous duty and also plugs directly into the banks thermocouple module.


The sensor connection also offers an "extreme duty" duty probe that offers much higher refresh rate (0.15 sec vs 1.2 sec) and will be what I am switching to for 2020 season (LINK).

 

[Robby Avery]

Give the iDash 1.8 a few months unless you need something ASAP. There are 3 main things that have me sold on an iDash system. 1) Expandability, 2) Form factory (looks like a gauge), 3) data logging refresh rate.

Good deal I'll be waiting then cause I want something worth the data it presents that will work with the three vehicles I have :thumb:

 

[juddski88]

I haven't used Bank's EGT probes. They did send us their k-type thermocouples for air temperature monitoring and they are damn accurate when tested against boiling water/freezing water to establish accuracy. I'm using this sensor on my truck from "the sensor connection" (LINK), going on 3 seasons. It has been nothing but an absolute champ meaning it just works every single time. I've pushed it over 2000f many times without failure, even seen 2380f once on the stock motor sled pulling at 4700rpm (no wonder why it died) on a 68mm and 60s/10mm. The sensor is rated to 2372f continuous duty and also plugs directly into the banks thermocouple module.


The sensor connection also offers an "extreme duty" duty probe that offers much higher refresh rate (0.15 sec vs 1.2 sec) and will be what I am switching to for 2020 season (LINK).

Biggest threat to RTDs and thermocouples is harmonics, not necessarily exposed heat. Just something to keep in the back of one's mind when selecting type/brand/mounting location etc.

 

[Bdsankey]

Biggest threat to RTDs and thermocouples is harmonics, not necessarily exposed heat. Just something to keep in the back of one's mind when selecting type/brand/mounting location etc.

Correct, but we can't argue that the edge sensors are known to be trash. I've had my probe in the same spot with the same motor mounts and could kill an edge probe in 9-13mo repeatedly on almost any truck.

 

[juddski88]

Correct, but we can't argue that the edge sensors are known to be trash. I've had my probe in the same spot with the same motor mounts and could kill an edge probe in 9-13mo repeatedly on almost any truck.

I don't disagree that the edge probes are crappy, but the harmonics I'm referring to aren't related to engine mounts ..

 

[Robby Avery]

I don't disagree that the edge probes are crappy, but the harmonics I'm referring to aren't related to engine mounts ..

Tim I take it your refering to the exhaust pulse harmonics when the exhaust gases travel across the thermocouple? My banks thermocouple has been in my passenger side manifold since late 06 and never missed a beat it sends the reading to a isspro amplifier box under my dash then to the 1500 ev isspro gauge both have been flawless since my purchase in 06. :thumb: