A $13 Hand Held, Portable Dyno?

The iPhone is an amazing product. Yes, it has a few warts and while the new 3G version is currently experiencing some “growing pains,” it is truly in a class of its own. All-in-all, this innovative multi-purpose cell phone has more in common with a handheld computer than it does a standard cell phone.

With the release of the new 3G iPhone came a new 2.0 operating system that not only is included with the new model, but can be downloaded to the first generation iPhones as well as the non-phone iTouch. This upgrade brings with it a number of new features, most notably is the ability to download applications from Apple’s new App Store.  For the first time, Apple is allowing and encouraging third-party software designers to offer new programs that enhance its usage. Some of these new programs are free and others carry a price tag.

One new application that was just introduced this week caught my attention as it “could” be of some usage to riders.  It’s called “Dynolicious” and, simply stated is a handheld Dynamometer. While I have yet to test this program as it was just released yesterday, this is on my list of Videos to produce for TheVOG. With that said, let me take a moment to explain the features this program is designed to perform.

The Dynolicious is designed to measure the performance characteristics of a vehicle without the use of wires or any external equipment.  It’s billed as a Performance Meter and uses the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer to measure the performance characteristics of your vehicle. The accelerometer is the iPhone feature that allows it to automatically resize the images on the screen when you turn it from the vertical to the horizontal position. The manufacturer, BunsenTech states, “Simply slip the iPhone into a cradle or cup holder and go.”

After downloading the application to an iPhone, you start by entering the vehicle’s weight and estimated horsepower and it promises to calculate the actual wheel horsepower and drivetrain efficiency. Multiple vehicles can be setup with this program and the accumulated data is recorded and stored in the iPhone’s memory. I have to admit, that this sounds a bit strange and in no way can this be as accurate as a real Dyno. But, until it’s tested, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.

Here’s what the manufacturer states as the information that can be delivered from the Dynolicious software:

Features Measurements
• 0-60 MPH
• Other Speed Tests (0-10 MPH through 0-100 MPH in 10MPH increments)
• Quarter Mile Elapsed Time
• Quarter Mile Trap Speed
• Elapsed Time and Trap Speed for standard intervals (60', 330', 1/8 Mi, 1000')
• Lateral G's (current and peak)
• Braking G's (current and peak)
• Wheel Horsepower
• Estimated Engine Horsepower

Results Presentation
• Realtime Speedometer and Graphs
• Realtime graphical skidpad display
• View results for latest test run or any saved run
• View averages based on vehicle, date, or modification
• Compare results between vehicles, dates, or before-and-after modifications

Configuration
• Rollout 0" to 24" (separate settings for 0-60 and Quarter Mile tests)
• Stores vehicle weight and drivetrain efficiency in your vehicle's profile
• Calibration routine gets the maximum accuracy possible with the built-in accelerometers
AccuracyAccuracy
• 0-60 MPH: +/- 0.08 sec*
• Quarter Mile: +/- 0.10 sec*, +/- 1.5 MPH*
*Results based on preliminary testing.

So, what do you think? Are you interested in a full “hands-on” review of this software? I have to admit that I’m a bit skeptical of this program, but keeping an open mind, I’ll be giving it a shot and let you know what I find out.  

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Keywords: Dyno Performance IPhone Andy Blog

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