Have you ever thought your ECU was smarter than you? I mean, it seems to know what the hash marks between two letters in an analog gauge mean, even when you dismissively assume it means "normal." But the guys at A'PEXi leveled the playing field with the introduction of their i-moni (or i-monitor for those of you with abbreviation complexes). With a little help from this electronic wonder, you'll know just as much as your computer does.
The recently released i-moni is the first in a series of electronics that allows users to access vital data detected by the stock vehicle-sensors and relayed to the user in real time. The catch is you have to have a 1996 or newer vehicle with an ISO 14320 OBD-II port. In this case, you're OK if you own a Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki or Daihatsu. Mazda folks are outta luck for now.
Our initial assessment of the i-moni was that it is a hint understated: a gray case with four buttons labeled A, B, C and D. The red LCD display has an easily viewed font size and complimented the dash of our test vehicle (a 2005 Acura RSX Type-S).
It's a straightforward plug-and-play system. Once you've located the OBD-II port under the dash and figured out a location for the screen you're well on your way. The included double-sided tape gives you the flexibility to mount the screen almost anywhere.
The i-moni has several monitoring capabilities, including rpm, voltage, water temperature, intake temperature and vehicle speed. Some vehicles will not display all of the available functions. For those that do work, switching between the different features is seamless. The buttons are a little small and might be a challenge to push if you're driving or racing and need to toggle between features. But there is an audible beep that lets you know the keystroke was recognized.
Engine speedFunction A is engine speed, measured in rpm. This feature gives the user a digital tachometer. The ECU gets the same signal as the i-moni, in real time. It's quite accurate. We tested the i-moni against a timing gun and found the readings were within a few hundred revs at any given moment. This demonstrates the signal going to the ECU is in real time and that the i-moni is able to interpret that signal in real time to the user.