wideband o2 sensor - which one can you recommend?

[crazydriver81]

This is a question to all persons, who are running a wideband O2 sensor and display. I do want to have a proper lambda control and the factory ECU will be kept. I have seen, that a lot of people are running an Innovate device. I had a look towards PLX Devices too and I personally like the idea of adding other sensor modules and having them displayed onto one gauge (DM-6) only.

Are there any pros/cons regarding PLX or Innovate devices? Any specific or odd things I need to consider and need to know before purchase of one of the devices?

Thanks for your input guys!

[swinks]

After 4 years with Innovate following Ben's (@Eurospec) advice I changed one for AEM wideband.
I have noticed that Innovate is not accurate in measurements as I wanted to be, and Ben agreed with that, he mentioned that Innovate can be off even approx. 1-2 AFR which is way to much.
AEM stuff hasn't got narrowband emulation, only 0-5V datalogging which work nicely with stock ecu.
Unlike Innovate it's very accurate. And doesn't need re-calibration.

[exevoowner]

oh thought the innovate one were the dogs dangles ???

[peter thomson]

I have the Zeitronix wideband controller which does have narrow band simulation and can also display boost and egt with the extra inputs. Fitted since 2009 with no problems. Decided on this one after a review of other similar devices.

[TAR]

I have the Innovate MTX-L and I'm happy with it. If it were to turn out to be up to 2 AFR out, I would be sending it back as faulty.

From their website....
Q: What is the accuracy of the LM-1 and LC-1?
A: +/- 0.1 AFR

[exevoowner]

this is what i thought as if they were so far out people would be knocking there door down demanding something back in return ????

[Davezj]

I was under the impression that the innovate MTX-L was a good wideband, it does say in the instructions it needs calibating every no and then, i think it is about 2 twice a year i seem to remember read something like that in the instuction.

we will be able to see how good it is when we do the rolling road day a area 52 i will be logging my dyno runs with evoscan which will include logs for my wideband and my boost pressure sensor. so i will be able to get an exact comparison of area 52 wideband and boost pressure sensor compared to mine.

should be interesting.

[swinks]

Are there any pros/cons regarding PLX or Innovate devices? Any specific or odd things I need to consider and need to know before purchase of one of the devices?

Thanks for your input guys!

Back to your original question...
Yes, take PLX one. IMO, better than Innovate.

[crazydriver81]

Thanks for the info so far. Recalibrating the sensors? Is this only an issue for the Innovate product?

Does anyone have a PLX AFR-device installed and can add experiences?

[fassi1]

Using Innovate and very happy with it. Bad thing about AEM is that it only goes up to 10 so if you run lower AFR you will never know.
Controller itself can't be out in my opinion, the only oxygen sensor may be getting old and slow or just needs recalibration.
I have both AEM and MTX-L so may do quick test.

[adaxo]

MTX-L for me, have two of them, one fitted permanently in my car and one 'external' one used for lpg calibration on customers cars, both working flawlessly for few years now, easy to install/set/calibrate and with few extra options in software.

[Nick Mann]

I have a plx with wide band and boost displayed on a dm100. I'd buy it again. No calibration issues at all, good value and reliable. I have had mine for a long time now. The drawbacks are that you can't log the wide band easily and you can't offset the narrow band emulation. Neither of those things bother me though!
Good luck and have fun choosing!

[Gly]

another plx user, more than happy with mine, 3-4 years?

my innovate shat itself after 1 week in car, RMA was terrible wont deal with them again

[Davezj]

my MTX-L failed after i connected it up wrong, i connected the dimmer display to the variable dimm rather than the lights on signal which is bad for the MTX-L and it does say don't do it in the instruction. my gauge was about 13months old and i contacted innovate and with a RMA they replaced it straight for a new unit and did not charge me the $45 standard repair cost. they could not have given me better service.

Since then i have been really happy with it. i have recalibrated it a couple of times since installing it. the calibration prcess is very simple and takes 2 mins.

but that is just my experience with innovate RMA procedure. sorry to hear you had rough time carsten.

[Gly]

yeah took 2-3 months!
when i finally got the replacement i sold it on,

already bought the plx, which was much easier install.
also the innovate can be sensitive to earthing.

the plx is a much simpler unit but without the features of the innovate

[Nick Mann]

I have heard lots of complaints about innovate stuff. I have not heard of anyone complaining about plx or aem. I know several people who have swapped from innovate to plx and they are all happier.

[crazydriver81]

Thanks guys. Very helpful. Then it will be a PLX SM-AFR plus SM-Vac/Boost and a DM-6 gauge.

I've found a set with all mentioned for 260 EUR inc. shipping - which is a steal IMO!

[chris_dono]

my MTX-L failed after i connected it up wrong, i connected the dimmer display to the variable dimm rather than the lights on signal which is bad for the MTX-L and it does say don't do it in the instruction. my gauge was about 13months old and i contacted innovate and with a RMA they replaced it straight for a new unit and did not charge me the $45 standard repair cost. they could not have given me better service.

Since then i have been really happy with it. i have recalibrated it a couple of times since installing it. the calibration prcess is very simple and takes 2 mins.

but that is just my experience with innovate RMA procedure. sorry to hear you had rough time carsten.

Out of interest, what's the procedure for calibration?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Davezj]

this is in the instruction with the MTX-L
you can do it 2 ways one with a PC one without.
i favour the without method because the rear of my gauge is easily accessable, you will see why.
this is the important bit so take note, to avaid having to remove the O2 sensor from the exhaust so it is in clean air, you can do the followin:-

Ensure the car has been left over night so the exhaust is full of air and not exhaust gas, you have to ensure this which ever method of calibration you do.
If you forget to calibrate first thing in the morning and you start the car even after 2 second, you CAN NOT calibrate the gauge, the exhaust will have exhaust gas in to and the calibration will be wrong.

Calibration method:-

1. diconnect Gauge from O2 sensor, either on the cable that come out of the back of the gauge or at the 02 sensor end of the same cable.
2. switch ignition to ON position "DO NOT START THE CAR" you will get and E9 error. (this deletes any calibration the gauge already has)
3. switch ingition OFF.
4. connect gauge back to 02 sensor.
5. Switch ignition ON "DO NOT START THE CAR" the gauge will show CAL wait until it changes to 22.5 (the gauge is now calibrated).

calibration done.

the other method with a computer is:-

1. conect computer to gauge serial cable.
2. switch ignition to ON. "DO NOT START THE CAR"
3. start software for gauge (Logworks 3 i think) press calibrate button in software.

calibration done

i only use the first method because i never remember to take my laptop out side to the car first thing in the morning. I even have to put a post it note on the steering wheel to remind me to do the calibarion when i first get in the car in the morning.

Hope this is what you wanted.

[Davezj]

by the way i think the cheapest i found the MTX-L for on the web was £140 from ebay new.
i bought my gauge from the group buy and i had no dealings with the seller that was not innovate, and when i had my issue innovate still gave me a new MTX-L for free. i did not even have a recipt, only a copy of the group buy invoice that foxdie jason gave me.