ECOROUTE HD

They way I understand ecoroute to work, the data is exchanged between the vehicle and the GPS, and its software and goes nowhere else. The other thread deals with the data going to the insurance company, where it could be used to help you, or not.

I installed one in my car 7 or 8 months ago. Works well, but a few glitches here and there where I have to relink the unit with my 1490T. If you have a need or desire for additional gauges that didn't come installed on your vehicle or want a bit more information about your driving habits, go ahead and get one if your GPS is compatible. I also support my soon-to-be wife's vehicle as well as her mother's vehicle. The code reading and resetting feature has already come in handy and savings on maintenance has paid for the unit itself.

And no it is not like the insurance plug in as it only transmits data (via Bluetooth) to your linked GPS.

This forum link has pages of user experiences with the Ecoroute HD:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=132371...

There is nothing retained in the transmitter. Only your nüvi will have any data recorded. It mostly records fuel consumption (it has been pretty accurate for me). Gauge readings are in real time and are not saved.

Wow..it amazes me how people ask a question and others like to jump on them.

Not according to the Ecoroute HD manual, supported by personal experience.

See the Note at the bottom of page 3:
http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/ecoRouteHD_Instructions_EN...

"NOTE: When ecoRoute HD is not connected with a GPS device, the ecoRoute HD device records the vehicle information and sends the data to the GPS device the next time they connect."

Thanks. I did not know that.

The OP was looking for experiences with the Ecoroute HD. He compared it to the insurance company devices for tracking driving habits. The Progressive Insurance device is interested in hard braking instances, time of day you drive, and how far you drive each day. Some of this data might be gotten from the Ecoroute HD if the transmitter saves your daily trip data.

Thank you for the information. Will have one by Saturday.
The first thing I will find out is how far from the car will it transmit to my 1490 by walking away while holding it.

Here's the original post:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/29987

in addition, it totally screwed up my eco route thing (hard reset fixed that) and my sound did not work right again until I did a defrag on my unit (please, I know some of you don't agree it works and don't need another debate)...I say save your money or, in the alternative, use it to light cigars...same waste, less aggravation!

Instead of another debate, how 'bout resurrecting the first one??

that's what we need :)

You maverick, you!

I received my toy and got a full view of what it does.
All gauges are in real time and not recorded. It only records if you put in a destination and then it records the following:
Start Time, Original Start LAT-LONG, Destinations LONG_LAT, Origin Place, Destination Address (I think that is redundant since position is is already placed), Distance Traveled, Time traveled, MPG (one trip I did 55mpg but the next 27mpg), Fuel cost (it cost me 6 cents to drive a half mile to the drug store, Didn't set it for return), Carbon Footprint (lbs). Overall Eco challenge, Eco Challenge Speed, Eco Challenge Acceleration, Eco Challenge Braking, Eco Challenge Fuel economy.
The manual states it can send up to 33 feet but mine sent only 26 feet but why would I need to be that far from the car? Anyone needing to know where I have been would have to be by my car with a compatible Nuvi when it is running and only the above information is available.
I think it is a nice toy and am now waiting to see what each leg of my trips to California will tell me.

I figured the 33 feet was so you could use it in the back of a large motorhome.

Jim...

I know the port on my 2000 F250 Diesel uses a different diagnostic tool, but was wondering if any of the signals other than diagnostics were usable for speed, milage etc on the Eco Route HD

Jim...

According to Garmin:
The Garmin Website short list of incompatible US sold vehicles is
* 1996 Dodge Intrepid, 2000 Ford F350 7.3L Turbo Diesel, 2003 and 2004 Subaru Forester, All Renault vehicles
If you purchase the ecoRoute HD accessory from a Garmin retailer, and you find it is incompatible with your vehicle, you may contact us at (800) 800-1020 within 7 days of purchase for a full refund.

Short list...Thats's all i needed to hear. I'll be crossing my toes when i get mine next week. I have a 2011 F350 6.7L diesel. So when did this doo-hicky come out? May 2010?. Can't get a refund if it doesn't work since it's a package deal with the 3790. Rob, blow the dust off your wallet, might have something for you.

Thanks I missed the incompatibility list when I looked. I guess if I buy one it will be for my wife's Honda.

Jim...

As I have been using ecoroute HD I noticed that the Garmin would ask if I wanted it to shut down or keep going at certain intersections.
I first thought it an error on the Garmin but I realized it was a flaw in my car.
I drive a Prius and it turns the motor off if stopped for a certain duration and I noticed it then told Garmin to ask if I wanted to have it turn off. It must be the OBD II plug that is the culprit so I am now ignoring the question and when I start up again it disappears.
With the new technology cars I guess we will be the people to test this system.

I like it. I had a Scan Guage before and I much prefer this.

I purchased an OBDII extension cable with a right-angle connector to I could plug it in without any wires popping out and without it being stuck in cramped quarters. I also routed the wire to the center console and tucked the ecoroute HD just under the center console. My thought was that without all of the metal and wires between the ecoroute HD and the nüvi that it should have an easier time communicating via bluetooth. I didn't originally test it under the dash, it was just a thought so I set it up that way.

Mine stays connected. When I get into the car it connects each time. No weirdness there. When I get out everything shuts off and is happy.

I like the extra gauges. I think they did a nice job with that. I like that the nüvi is now getting a more accurate reading from my car in figuring up the MPG and the whole ecoroute-deal.

I don't care about the 'carbon footprint' but I do like keeping an eye on the ecoroute symbol on the display and trying to keep it numerically high/green. I see green as money and the easier I'm driving (which is basically what this thing is measuring) the less fuel I'm using and there is less wear and tear on my vehicle that I have to deal with.

Yes - you could probably make the argument that: Well, for what you paid for the ecoroute HD ($80) compared to what you'll likely save in gas it'll take you n years to pay that off.

Yep - don't know what that figure is. There is a 'isn't it neat'-toy aspect to it, I'll admit.

Anyway, the summary is:
- seems to work
- no connection problems in my car with it (nüvi is 2460)
- I get extra data
- It integrates the car's data with it's internal data to get more accurate MPG readings among other things.

I would like to have the Ecoroute HD for my Elantra, but my Garmins don't support it. I looked at the Scangauge, but went with the Ultragauge instead (http://www.ultra-gauge.com). It was $59.95 (after rebate) plus $8 shipping. I just got back from a 2100 mile trip and let the Ultragauge trip computer accumulate for the duration of the trip. I also kept track of all gas purchases and calculated manually. The trip odometer on the Ultragauge was within 8 miles of the car odometer, and the Ultraguage average MPG was only off by 0.4 MPG from the true calculated MPG. I especially liked the "Instant MPG" reading on the Ultragauge as I was traveling and feel it helped me drive more efficiently. For a distance of over 2100 miles I was pretty impressed with its accuracy. So far I really like the UltraGauge.