Banks IDash 1.8 Review

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texanbrit
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Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by texanbrit » Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:21 pm

In my quest to get better/easier data logging I thought the Banks iDash 1.8 seemed like an attractive proposition.

It's a customizable gauge that reads from the OBD2 port and according to the sales blurb it is also capable of data logging any parameter it can see over the port.
idash_datamonster.jpg
idash_datamonster.jpg (65.32 KiB) Viewed 7464 times
It's also capable of reading and clearing any DTC codes, emission statuses etc.

So basically it's Torque or Dashcommand all wrapped up in an easy to use package.

It currently sells for $310 so it's not cheap, but if you factor in the cost of a tablet/phone, a dongle and an app it's not that unreasonable for a dedicated solution.

SETUP
Initial setup is very straight forward. The supplied cable plugs into your ODB2 port, and the other end plugs into the rear of the gauge.
Connection
Connection
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With the car on and a touch of the button the gauge springs to life and does....nothing.

SETUP (AGAIN)
So the gauge came supplied with version 1.18 of the firmware. This doesn't seem to be compatible with my FIATs bus.
To fix this you'll need:
- a microSD memory card (32gig maximum size)
- a computer to download the correct firmware, unzip the files and transfer them to the SD card

Once the files are copied to the SD card you can slide the card in the front of the gauge.
SDcard
SDcard
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Select upgrade firmware in the menu, select the version you want to install and then follow the prompts.
Update firmware
Update firmware
0C62A02C-6383-48DE-9806-4E5394B661BE.jpeg (277.63 KiB) Viewed 7461 times
Choose file
Choose file
E2D92395-BFFB-4987-82AF-62406C92DAA2.jpeg (243.86 KiB) Viewed 7461 times
So I tried the latest version of the firmware (1.19 in July 2020) and that didn't work either. However version 1.17.2 did work and gauge can read the ODB2 bus with that version.

CONFIGURATION
There are sooo many options, but I decided to start simply with a 2 value screen showing AFR and EGT. I also set the text colors to orange, bar graphs to red and everything else to black to make it as clean as possible and match the 2013 dash in the Abarth.
Final gauge
Final gauge
53520E6C-DA14-4273-BB0C-1AFBBAA55B7F.jpeg (211.74 KiB) Viewed 7461 times
DATA LOGGING
So your supposed to be able to log to the SD-card, selecting the appropriate PIDs in the menu. However dropping back to 1.17.2 seems to have disabled those options in the menu and I've been unable to make it work. I have a request into Banks for assistance but no help yet.

CONCLUSION
It's cool, but I'm not sure it is $300 cool. I'm disappointed that the data logging doesn't work at this point. Hopefully that will get resolved in the future. I like that it's something I can use in any of my newer FIATs, without messing around with dongles and configuring an app.
Last edited by texanbrit on Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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retrophit
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Re: Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by retrophit » Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:04 pm

Thanks for the review. And thanks for posting it here. Please keep us updated.
2013 500C Abarth
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MadFiat
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Re: Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by MadFiat » Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:26 am

It's very disappointing, to the point of false advertising, that the datalogging doesn't work.
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
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texanbrit
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Re: Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by texanbrit » Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:39 pm

I could probably send it back, but I can be stubborn
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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Re: Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by BIGSILK » Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:56 pm

texanbrit wrote: Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:39 pm I could probably send it back, but I can be stubborn
Thanks for the post!

I'm trying to get mine working and these guys at banks go home 3:30pm their time for support :evil:

Are you sure you got the datamonster which has datalogging? I thought I did but mistakenly ordered just a idash supergauge. They really need to make a better distinction between the two it was very confusing.

Also how did you get a hold of that firmware update!? I can only find the newest so far. Thanks!

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texanbrit
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Re: Banks IDash 1.8 Review

Post by texanbrit » Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:13 am

I'm not sure of the distinction, but bought through Speedmotive who said it datalogged. It had datalogging options until I installed the firmware version that took them away. So it seems that my choices are run the old firmware with no datalogging or run the new firmware with nothing to log except the engine capacity.

I got the firmware from someone else that got a response from Banks support I think with Speedmotive's assistance. I haven't had much of a response from either Speedmotive or Banks though.

I've shared it here if you want it: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoFbd0rcEyU98CvFhjU ... Z?e=xJZdRH
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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