Rtek Forum Discuss the Rtek 2.0 and other Rtek ECU's

Rtek Iphone Controller for Rtek 2.1

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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 12:04 AM
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Iphone Controller for Rtek 2.1

So the new iphone came out and at the same time they released the ability for third parties to make applications.

Ive been looking at the rtek 2.1 for a while and the different pda options. When I thought how cool would it be to control with my iphone? I would buy it tomorrow.

Not sure how doable it is, or if it would be cost effective due to the fairly small market. But I thought it is a neat idea and would be all about it. Make my dreams come true! Anybody else with iphones looking for a standalone option? Just thought I'd throw it out there, keep it in mind.
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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 10:04 AM
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I've been thinking about it..

Anyone else have an iPhone?
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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo2ltr
I've been thinking about it..

Anyone else have an iPhone?
Nope, but support for Windows Moblie (PPC) would be cool.
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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 04:24 PM
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Does the WinMo browser support Javascript/AJAX?
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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 11:43 PM
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+1000 for Windows Mobile support.
I believe Windows mobile 6 can support support Javascript.
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Old Jul 16, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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Aw no mac lovers own fcs? Told the idea to a friend with a s5 t2 and iphone tonight and he thought it was a good idea.
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Old Jul 17, 2008 | 02:44 AM
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I guess if you own one it would be great, but I got my palm m515(just for rtek) in mint condition off ebay for $35 shipped. Much better then the iphone cost(if you dont already own one).
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Old Jul 17, 2008 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by SpikeDerailed
I guess if you own one it would be great, but I got my palm m515(just for rtek) in mint condition off ebay for $35 shipped. Much better then the iphone cost(if you dont already own one).
I completely agree, I just happen to already have one. But yeah I don't see it happening due to the small demand. But I figured I'd suggest it.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 01:29 PM
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i think just regular rs232 out of the serial port would be best. That way you can just port it to whatever platform.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 01:33 PM
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The number of products,(PDAs, phones, laptops) that still uses RS232 is very small these days.

The only universal multi platform interface there is, is the web.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo2ltr
The number of products,(PDAs, phones, laptops) that still uses RS232 is very small these days.

The only universal multi platform interface there is, is the web.
if it spoke something simple such as rs232 then anybody could make an interface for it. Not to really bash you or anything but damn near every piece of Cisco gear in existance has a rs232 console port on it.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 04:58 PM
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Hate to break it to you but the Rtek stage 2 already uses standard RS232.

The problem we are discussing is that there aren't many computer like devices (PDAs, Phones, PCs) that still come with a serial port that could be used for a interface to the ECU..

And since when does cisco make anything that could even remotely apply to what we are talking about... (i.e. A computer-like device that can be used as an interface to the ECU)? I don't see anyone wanting to program a router so it can communicate with an ECU. It wouldn't do any good.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 07:57 PM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by turbo2ltr
Hate to break it to you but the Rtek stage 2 already uses standard RS232.

The problem we are discussing is that there aren't many computer like devices (PDAs, Phones, PCs) that still come with a serial port that could be used for a interface to the ECU..

And since when does cisco make anything that could even remotely apply to what we are talking about... (i.e. A computer-like device that can be used as an interface to the ECU)? I don't see anyone wanting to program a router so it can communicate with an ECU. It wouldn't do any good.
I apologize for not knowing all the specifics on the rtek 2 but there really isn't alot to go on outside of the user manual and a couple topics showing pictures of the inside. If there was a published spec sheet on the way to communicate with the ecu then I am sure somebody could create a new user interface for.

The cisco comment is in regards to how much there cisco gear there is deployed and that to configure them you need a serial port on a laptop. You can pickup a serial to USB adapter for like 15 bucks. I'd much rather pickup one of these instead of a fragile palm pilot with a sketchy connector. Regardless of that I am amazed at what you guys are able to do with 20 year old tech interfacing to a little palm pilot.

The iphone also has a native serial port. granted you need a bit of a trick to get it going (http://devdot.wikispaces.com/Iphone+...+Port+Tutorial) it is still there and can be used.

Trust me. I am not trying to start a flame war. I have an rtek stage 2 and should be installing it here in the next week or 2. I am confident it will be able to meet or exceed all my expectations.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 09:04 PM
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Theres no spec sheet because it's proprietary information. Not that someone couldn't RE it, it *is* only serial data. Releasing this information would be giving up what little we make on the Rtek as it is.

IMO, the serial port on the iPhone is not a consumer level option. I can't say "heres an iPhone app, you need to build the circuit and jailbreak your iPhone for it to work" to a customer. It's just another indicator about how RS232 is going away. Palm has done the same thing with their ports. They aren't true serial ports...In every Palm since the T5, you need to tap you head, rub your tummy and jump on one foot in order to make them work.

In any case, PocketLOGGER 3.0 is platform independent.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 10:17 PM
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well that's good to know on pocketlogger 3. I haven't actually cracked open my rtek stage 2 (still waiting for stage 2.1 chip to show up). I am guessing there is some extremely custom ic's being used? I would have thought that microprocessor costs have come down significantly from the days of old.
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 01:55 AM
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Ok, so then theres the question: why not just get a programmer friend and re-do the whole thing to use a laptop and a USB connection?

Hondata seems like they got it down pretty damn well, why not outsorce it to taiwan or something? I'm shure then it would quickly become the most popular ECU for the FC!
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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Because then you are locked into a windows laptop as the only option. I know the majority of our customers do not mind the Palm and this thread started out asking about an iPhone client, not a PC client.

Either way, its basically no different as what we have now as currently we are locked into a Palm PDA verison. Anything we do in the future will be compatible with multiple platforms.
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 11:41 AM
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Why not just use a palmpilot emulator on your laptop?
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by oinesra
Why not just use a palmpilot emulator on your laptop?
i believe you would still be stuck with a small emulator window, wouldnt be any better than using the palm itself






A lot of PCs have serial, the latitude d820 im on right now has a serial port. Haltech uses serial port, they dont have any problems. the think the most valuable addition to the rtek7 woudl be a PC version of the software, pretty much every other type of aftermarket ECU uses PC. besides, i would think most people tune their cars with older, cheaper laptops that usually came with serial.. not brand new. forget iphone, do a PC version, please!
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 11:25 PM
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I like the palm because my vert is cramped enough without saying "here tweek hold this laptop while I log". Just my opinion which isnt worth a whole lot.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 03:37 AM
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I say no to the PC option
Yes to Iphone..or other PDA/Phone options

or

A deffinite yes for a seperate "Controller" built by Digital Tuning.
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Old Aug 23, 2008 | 09:08 AM
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I would love to control my rtek with my iPhone.
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Old Aug 24, 2008 | 09:32 AM
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Get the palm centro, that's what I'm going to be using when I get it..
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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by ITSWILL
I would love to control my rtek with my iPhone.
Woo! Lets get more of this guy.
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Old Sep 27, 2008 | 11:32 AM
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what would happen if we just dropped the rs232 and went with usb instead?
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