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Which Wideband?

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:10 am
by Robrover
Which one is recommended? Which is the most accurate, reliable, low maintenance? Do they all require periodic free air calibration? Is data logging really needed? What have been others experiences with these devices

AFX (NGK)
SM-AFR (PLX)
MTX-L (Innovate Motorsports)
Wideband O2 UEGO (AEM)

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:32 am
by DaveEFI
I went for a Tech Edge 2Y. It's available as a self assembly kit, and making it helps me understand how it works and what it does. I did the same with my MS. But then I enjoy making such things.
It works well, and hasn't needed any attention in the three years or so it's been in use.
Ready made, it's more expensive than some others. But then offers more facilities than some too.

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:48 pm
by Alexchim
Im using Wideband O2 UEGO (AEM) no problems so far

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:01 pm
by JSF55
MTX here , seems fine so far :)

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:20 pm
by mgbv8
I just bought a twin Zeitronix kit. Not fitted yet but the feedback from users is good.

Re: Which Wideband?

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:00 pm
by stevieturbo
Robrover wrote:Which one is recommended? Which is the most accurate, reliable, low maintenance? Do they all require periodic free air calibration? Is data logging really needed? What have been others experiences with these devices

AFX (NGK)
SM-AFR (PLX)
MTX-L (Innovate Motorsports)
Wideband O2 UEGO (AEM)
NGK would probably be the best. Hinson Super Cars do them for US$260 with the NTK sensor, which is pretty cheap
And it's a more reliable sensor than the typical Bosch.

Ive never used that specific unit myself though. Of the list above, Ive used the MTX from Innovate, and it is a very good quality piece of kit. Wouldnt have any hesitation recommending it, plus it is very cheap.

And generally none require periodic calibration. It is rare that you need to do this. Usually only when a new sensor is fitted, and this is more or less unique to Innovate.

As for logging or other features. That depends entirely what you are using it for, or in conjunction with.

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:08 am
by Robrover
Interesting. There's now so many to choose from. I agree the NGK looks like a winner although at the moment I looking closely at the Prosports - reasonable price, good reviews and uses the later Bosch 4.9 O2 sensor

http://prosportgauges.com/wideband-Gree ... mber-.aspx

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:32 am
by DaveEFI
The Tech Edge unit allows you to use either Bosch or NGK sensor. It's programmable, so as well as a standard wide and simulated narrowband output, can be set to whatever you want.

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:15 pm
by SimpleSimon
No problems with my Innovate LM2 full kit after flashing firmware shortly after purchase 2 years ago (kept freezing) but according to the forums lots are having problems so I cant recommend, I have heard good things about the Techedge & Zeitronix stuff though, and NGK speaks for itself :D

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2011 7:22 pm
by Eliot
NGK with the NTK would be my reccomendation.
I'm borrowing a freinds Zeitronix at the moment and that seems a pretty good unit as well.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:59 am
by bikealarmblair
SimpleSimon wrote:No problems with my Innovate LM2 full kit after flashing firmware shortly after purchase 2 years ago (kept freezing) but according to the forums lots are having problems so I cant recommend, I have heard good things about the Techedge & Zeitronix stuff though, and NGK speaks for itself :D
That's what I have too, seems to be universally hated on EFILive forum as they appear to eat sensors..

Mine ate the sensor within a few hundred mile BUT I've since been informed that the sensor should be powered whenever it's in the exhaust & mine wasn't only when I was logging so I'm installing a new sensor & will see how it fairs before I replace it with a techedge unit.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:39 am
by DaveEFI
The thing I like about Tech Edge is that the circuit diagrams etc are freely available as it is intended as a DIY unit - so rather like MegaSquirt. Not like some others where they consider such things a trade secret. It also has a 'clever' output which can get round grounding problems so often found with these sort of things.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:29 am
by stevieturbo
Only downside with the Techedge....is that although it's sold as a fully fledged complete unit, it still looks cheap with and cheap looking connectors etc.
But they dont sell for a price that reflects that.

There is no doubt they do work, but that alone would stop me from buying one.

When you compare it to the likes of the Innovate MTX, where every aspect that's visible is excellent quality, you really do wonder where Techedge is putting the money.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:23 pm
by DaveEFI
stevieturbo wrote:Only downside with the Techedge....is that although it's sold as a fully fledged complete unit, it still looks cheap with and cheap looking connectors etc.
But they dont sell for a price that reflects that.
They are industry standard connectors. Which means easy to get replacements for at a reasonable price.
There is no doubt they do work, but that alone would stop me from buying one.
Your decision - but I prefer to buy by performance, not looks.
When you compare it to the likes of the Innovate MTX, where every aspect that's visible is excellent quality, you really do wonder where Techedge is putting the money.
It could just be because of market share, but I read of lots having problems with Innovate products.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:37 pm
by stevieturbo
DaveEFI wrote:
stevieturbo wrote:Only downside with the Techedge....is that although it's sold as a fully fledged complete unit, it still looks cheap with and cheap looking connectors etc.
But they dont sell for a price that reflects that.
They are industry standard connectors. Which means easy to get replacements for at a reasonable price.
There is no doubt they do work, but that alone would stop me from buying one.
Your decision - but I prefer to buy by performance, not looks.
When you compare it to the likes of the Innovate MTX, where every aspect that's visible is excellent quality, you really do wonder where Techedge is putting the money.
It could just be because of market share, but I read of lots having problems with Innovate products.
I'd be concerned if I needed to be replacing the connectors in the first place. And I prefer to buy quality. How they look isnt so important. But if you can buy quality, looks and performance for less money. Where is the downside ?

And the most troublesome Innovate product was the LC-1. It did deserve that reputation. Ive used an LM-1 for about 8 years when tuning various cars, and it only recently failed. I replaced it with another.

Although Ive had an FJO Wideband installed in my car for the last 10 years. It isnt the neatest in some respects, but again it is very high quality, it was bloody expensive, and has been faultless over that entire time.