Vehicle Monitoring With The MSD DashHawk
February 8th, 2007
Combination scanner/monitoring gadgets are hot items right now. This is little surprise, because they are able to package the functionality of a vehicle diagnostic tool, a multitude of gauges, and performance recording abilities into a tiny footprint. Additionally, they are a piece of cake to install and can be quite economical.
MSD has a capable offering, with their DashHawk product. The DashHawk can display 2 to 7 parameters at the same time, in various formats on its backlit display. An extensive list of parameters can be monitored, depending on the vehicle. Alerts (audible and visual) can be configured to notify the driver of dangerous situations, such as high temperature levels. 1/4 mile and 0-60 times can also be measured. And, of course, as a scanner, Vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) can be scanned and reset. Recorded data is retained in the unit’s memory and can be transferred to a PC via the supplied USB cable. Included with the device is a slick looking, PC-based graphical analysis and playback application. Some more features include: built in shift light capability, memory of maximum values for certain parameters, and support for input from one additional sensor.
The DashHawk uses the newer Controller Area Network (CAN) OBD-II standard. This limits applications to many 2004+ and all 2008+ US-market vehicles. This likely allows for a more focused effort on CAN-specific abilities, rather than dealing with the various signaling protocols of early OBD-II. Retail price for the DashHawk is $299.
