AP V3: what's your excuse
 

I'm due for some groans, so I figured I'd ask... how many of you that have moved to the V3 feel that it was a worthy investment to shed your V2?

I put this on par with an iPhone midgrade - no tangible value, but it looks pretty. I can't read those 6 tiny parameters while going WOT. There's no audible alerts for KR, fuel pressure values below 1600 in open loop, etc. that would make it valuable.

I can't even excuse buying one over a V2 if you're new to the platform and don't already have an AP.

Fire away.

V2 looks like a brick compared to V3, processor speed alone is worth it. Shift light is pretty badass too. If you can't read the 6 parameters it's time to get some glasses.

Although it would be nice if @Cobb Tuning; fixed the boost bar gauge resolution sometime this century!

V2 has a shift light. If you're looking at your AP for a 4th gear log, you're doing it wrong IMO.

It's more of a quick glance then "oh shit keep it in between the lines" haha

My v2a broke and I figured the only way to get decent money for it was trade in.

I like it, not really sure it's worth it but I like being able to monitor multiple things while cruising (kr, ltft, afrs etc).

Well it's an upgrade over VT which offers no device at all... It's hard to look at a laptop while driving. Lol. I kinda wish I had gone with a V3 for that alone. Not to mention the ability to datalog more parameters. The V2b has a slower logging rate than the V3 IIRC.

I liked the upgrade. The included mount, processor bump and 6 parameter display were awesome. It also has a lot better build quality than the V2 (minus the OBDII cable).

I do have a few gripes. The biggest one is the AP doesn't turn itself off after a period of no connectivity. That's led to 3 dead batteries so far but that my fault for forgetting to turn it off. Another issue is that the plastic clips that hold the cord into the AP broke pretty easily and after only a few uses.

I don't think it was worth the upgrade. My smartphone does the same thing. The only reason I upgraded was because I found a brand new one for $480. Couldn't say no to that.

??!?!?

The faster flashing and increased resolution was the deciding factor for me.

The difference in the amount of data points in a 4th gear log between a V2 and V3 is huge.

I can flash back to my 93 tune in less than 1 min with the V2, and can't put 12 gallons in my car any faster than that.

I haven't seen any appreciable benefit to tuning the car with a V3 vs V2, so I'm not sure where the added resolution is a factor. IMO that is splitting hairs. Anything you can diagnose from a log is apparent with either device.

.

Edit... I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT LOOKS PRETTY!




http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...1&d=1380252523

No kidding, I would love to have that bar gauge for boost, so I could see it moving from the corner of my eye, instead of trying to read the damn number.

way worth it

just ask yourself how much 6 different gauges would cost you (that you can't switch what they monitor), and then factor in everything else it does to the remaining price difference.

it was a no brainer for me

Cobb built the v3 the way the v2 should have been built. Sturdy, comes with a mount and being able to monitor more than one item at a time is the best feature IMO. That and I figure it's only a matter of time till all future maps are formatted for a v3 so might as well


Sent from my phone whilst bojanglen.

The following is 100% "spit ballin" and I welcome someone to tell me this isn't how it works.

Anyways...I dont really think they can ever format the maps any differently. The ecu can probably only read one file type.

Even if they did/could, the ap is basically just a storage device when it comes to transferring maps. Like a fancy flash drive. So I dont see how V2 vs V3 would matter.

If something like this ever happened, I would see it as a money grabbing effort by Cobb. Probably wouldn't go over well with the communities they serve.

Ok so say they are all the same and will indefinitely work with all cobb ap's (which may or may not be true but I don't care to argue the point) the v2 is built like a toy out of the $5 bin at walmart I took very good care of mine and had doubts that it would last for a while. That clip on the bottom of the ap is prone to breaking making the ap essentially useless unless your holding together. So buying the v3 and knowing it won't fall apart was worth it to me, especially since I have both e85 and 93 maps.


Sent from my phone whilst bojanglen.

i think its just fancier, i've seen the v2 and it does look clunky compared to the v3. Now if it had landscape mode....that would b pretty sick but overall i can't wait to get mine delivered.

Had mine since February of 2011. Zero issues. Mostly lives in my glove box.

Ultimately though nce what one someone chooses. Idgaf.

Where did you find one for $480? I want in on that deal.

V3 nice to use when you do use it. I'm not one to use it all the time. Monitor periodically but I'm more likely to forget it once I've had a custom tune, for a while. The V3 is like a V2 and a DashHawk combined. I think that's why I like it so much.

It kinda sucks though, the bar goes from -98 to +98 so it will at most just wiggle when you floor it. Cobb said there was a firmware update that would let you change that, but I'm on the latest firmware and can't find the option for it.

I was pretty hammered when I started this thread and being a douche, no disrespect intended to Cobb's products or the people making the decision to upgrade.
@Goodrich27; makes some valid points about the build quality differences between the two devices.

I like the fact I can have a "mini" log at the track (or wherever) and see the min/max of parameters after a run. Max RPM, MPH, KR, ECT, Boost, etc. are nice to see at a glance and not have to pull out the laptop and download a log. V2 gave me a whopping one parameter.

Now if your just looking to load a tune from an e-tuner a used V2 makes the most sense.