Datalogit vs FC Hako
 

Recently in Dale's Yahoo Group the topic of the FC Hako came up. It's about $100 cheaper than the Datalogit. I've got no issues with buying a DL but it if does the same thing saving $100 is saving $100.

Any thoughts, experiences, or suggestions?

Thank you.

Well it certainly sounds like a good deal, considering it already uses a USB connection and does have analog inputs for logging.

So this allows you to run the FC Edit software as well (same as Datalogit) if I understand correctly? Very interesting...

That is my question...if it runs the FC Edit Software I may bite the bullet and try it out.

Edit: Apparently it does according to their site. I'm going to order one this week.

I personally would buy the Datalogit so you get support from them, and it in turn supports them in developing their software which is regularly updated.
For $100 I think support is worth it. The guy saving you $100 is not making software, therefore is creaming profit far more than FC-Datalogit who make and develope software too.

I think I will get the Hako. I just don't like how closed the datalogit people and group are.

Thats because they want you to buy it, why would they share info which they have paid for.
Its like doing an EFI University course; why share the info you had to pay to learn. And in this case only an extra $100, plus the reasons I outlined above.
I realise that likely won't convince you, more just an explanation for others stumbling over this thread.

1) Nige do you have any affiliation with the Datalogit Developers?

2) Reading through the site looks like the FC Hako is updated frequently. Also seems to have the advantage of using more than just FC Edit Software.

3) I like the idea of having something not many others in the US do.

4) I find it interesting that you feel that FC Hako is "Stealing" somehow from the Datalogit guys. If I understand correctly, by reverse engineering proprietary Apexi software, didn't the Datalogit developers steal from Apexi first? Perhaps I'm wrong about that but it is my understand that Datalogit didn't create the tuning software from scratch.

Thank you.

this was all I was refering to, the rest I agree with:
And yes I do know the Datalogit people, New Zealand isn't a large place, especially when modifying cars.
I understand the reasoning that you don't want to throw away $100 unnecessarily, I was merely trying to point out that if you don't buy their product, don't expect to complain that their product group won't share with you.
If I have misinterpreted that then I apologise.

Nige,

We were just approaching the same topic from different directions. I agree with what you are saying 100% and personally would expect the DL developers to tell me to kiss their ass if I ever needed help with their software.

I think it was wise and nice of you to point this out because we both know someone, somewhere, would buy the FC Hako and then get mad at the DL developers if something went pear shaped and they didn't help him.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if DL didn't try and create an update to keep FC Edit from working on the FC Hako but as time has proved, this is probably not worth the effort as an software protection can be overcome. =)

I do appreciate your sharing your thoughts and they are a beneficial point of view to others reading this thread. I'll be the first person to let you say, "Told you so" if this bites me in the ass!

If I read it correctly it is only hardware to connect the PFC to a computer.
You still need software on the computer to massage the data.
What will that cost?

^ cewrx7r1, from what this post says I believe you just use the fc edit software.



John

From what I can see on the FC Hako webpage there doesn't appear to be a pass through for the commander. Also there appears to be only 2 analog inputs.

Just observations, may not be an issue for anyone, but might be for some (would be for me)...

I don't care about the Commander but during further reading and discovering only 2 analog inputs = not interested.

2 analog inputs is all that 90+ % of people are going to need. I have wideband plus front and rear EGT inputs on my DL box, and I hardly ever use EGT.

Arghx...that is all you need for tuning?

I think (assume) it feeds all PFC data but you need the APEXI PFC software which is not free.
Why not contact them for clarification if YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED?

Chuck I had a funny little message I was going to post to tweak you a bit about sitting under a flickering light bulb in your tool shed waiting for your latest issue of Popular Mechanics and complaining about those young whipper snappers and their goldurn intrawebs. That being said, humor doesn't always translate well in a post.

The question you pose I previously answered in this thread...there are actually about a 1/2 dozen PFC related editors that the FC-Hako is supposedly supporting. My understanding is that the FC Edit software was basically stolen from the Apexi software. Please correct me if I'm wrong. That being the case, I've got no issues in using FC Edit software if a disc should happen to appear mysteriously.

The software to edit PFC Maps should be Open Source imho...but that is a different conversation. =)

FC Edit was made from scratch as far as I know.

All intellectual property arguments aside, I don't see how this FC-Hako box won't meet the hardware needs of 90+ % of people. Most people just use a wideband which requires 1 or 2 inputs depending on how you wire it up.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1291817582

That's a screenshot from their website. It claims compatability with all the major PFC software. As far as I know, only FC Datalogit has full and dependable functionality on Rx-7 Power FC's. The actual Apex'i FC Pro software is dated and unusable. I have it and it sucks. This isn't surprising because Apex'i, Greddy, HKS, etc are all basically stuck in the 90s still.

what else external to the powerfc do you need to datalog that 2 channels wont conver?

you can always pick up a dataq for like $50 8 channels and it is USB
http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148.htm

I used DI148 to build a compression tester and works great.

Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, Gearbox Temp, Diff Temp... you are right though, it depends on the application and most using a PowerFC probably don't get that carried away. They'd tend to move to a different stand-alone instead possibly.

Can anyone confirm that the Hako works flawlessly with FC-Edit? Has anyone tuned their car with it? Any problems?

I tune my car with the FC Hako. It works the same as my buddies Datalogit.

I did ask if it worked flawlessly though. Going by our private messages, You're having problems with different readings between the AFR gauge and readings on FC-Edit and it sounds as though you're exhausted a lot of possible solutions yet the problem still isn't solved.