Piazza Database iPhone app

General Bellett, Gemini 75-98, Piazza 81-93, Bellel, Florian, 117 Coupe, Minx, Aska technical discussion.
Post Reply
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Piazza Database iPhone app

Post by Piazza_man »

In case no one is aware of it there is a free iPhone app called Piazza Database. Don't know if there is an android equivalent.

My review of the app is that it's good but the main problem is that it's in Japanese. I'll be writing a review on the app website to encourage them to provide an English version, and I encourage others who download the app write a similar request in their review. At least the app has some pics but not enough to wet the appetite.

It would have been nice to have a link or info about getting hold of new and hard to get, or impossible parts that might still be available in Japan. Or even specialised aftermarket parts, bushes, etc.
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Post by Piazza_man »

Just to update, I found the app useless when I tried inputting my own VIN number and option codes. For starters my VIN went something like 14G..., but it wouldn't allow me to input the G or any other letters. Next were the option codes. If you press each field it will provide a list of available options to choose from. Problem was some of the option codes on my car, and most probably for all AUS spec models, does not appear on the list of their available codes. So I left the relevant fields blank and when I pressed Analyse the result came back with an error.

This app is useless unless your car and you live in Japan. I'm removing this app now.
User avatar
Bugle
A total post whore
Posts: 953
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:41 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by Bugle »

Try this website
The "VIN plate code" page explains all the options and the differences of VIN plates from around the world.
http://www.sabitori.com/jreast/

Or through google translate
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... abase.html
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Post by Piazza_man »

Sabitori are the same mob who did the app. They only gave descriptions for the option codes they have supplied, but I'll have a closer look at your links.
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Post by Piazza_man »

Those wacky guys at sabitori.com are st it again with another iphone app. Pitty it's not the 2nd gen digidash.

http://www.sabitori.com/jreast/digital-cruising.html
IZU069
Power Moderator
Power Moderator
Posts: 962
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:59 pm
Location: Melbourne (Orstralia)

Post by IZU069 »

That's one of the risks these days - hundreds of invested hours & dollars to be replaced by a free app. Not that it's that simple for pre-OBD vehicles.
IZU069 - ISUZU means a lot to me.
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Post by Piazza_man »

Yeah I was thinking of you when I saw the app. Stick an ipad mini on top of the steering column and away you go. Mind you when I tested the app on my way home yesterday I found the speedo was correct but the response time was about 3 seconds delay.
IZU069
Power Moderator
Power Moderator
Posts: 962
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:59 pm
Location: Melbourne (Orstralia)

Post by IZU069 »

Yeah - they mention the speedo lag (and dependency on the device's GPS antenna) and the resulting error in acceleration etc. And not that I'm sure how the fuel works...

But I await an OBD port to USB or bluetooth so all your diagnostics and readouts and engine tuning can be done on your phone... if they don't already exist. So much for unmodified ADR vehicles LOL!
And not that that helps the Piazza.

But apps and gadgets may be useful. For example, if I had have realised a GPS was so good for speed, I would not have bothered with my Wasp dash conversion. I might have left the st'd gauges as is (mph) and added other desirables into consoles etc, though I do like having a full size metric speedo and tacho where they should be, as well as idiot lights.
[ I fitted a 1980s-1990 Jackaroo speedo cluster to the Wasp years ago. ATM I'm building a central above-dash console to house the GT Bellett - I mean, Jackaroo gauges (and dc-dc converters and other electronics) so I can move my Alpine (and twin cup holder) from under the dash back into the original radio compartment where the gauges now reside. ]
Ironically I decided a GPS was worthwhile after finding a mate that explained why he gave his >$400 Tom Tom or whatever to his son whilst he kept the superior $80 ex-China GPS. But procrastination meant not getting one until local GPSs hit $90 (now $50) and by then the Jackaroo speedo etc had been fitted. But that's been an interesting exercise anyhow, and I love its low fuel warning, visible high beam indicator, & extra brake fail and low fluid warnings. Of course, I am considering Piazza digidashes instead for all my future Belletts & Florians - none of which have the same rounded dash of the early Wasp & Belletts.

Sorry, that digression is probably a repeat of previous rants. But a couple of weeks ago I made my first eBay buys in over 2 years so I'm now adding edge-emitting LEDs behind standard Wasp lenses to enhance bulbs (whether themselves incandescent or LEDs) and making my front clear/white hazard flashers legal (ie, fitting amber bulbs with amber LED surrounds) noting that they have been dedicated indicators since moving the parkers to the low beam inserts.
I might add normal flat SMD bright white LEDs to the front parker/indicators for use as DRLs or parkers - extinguishing of course whenever the ambers are flashing (at least Audi are now dimming their whites - the number of vehicles that allow amber LED flashers next to full intensity white LEDs astounds me!)

Oh... that was another digression! And I didn't even mention the 17mm x 12mm 2A dc-dc converters to replace cig socket supplies (GPS, cameras, phones, tablets) or dimmer functions (eg, using my 3rd stop LED bar as tails).
Maybe I need some other Isuzu forum so I can rant about my Bellett mods...

Meanwhile I think how lucky I am. The simple replacement parts & enhancements from other cars (Isuzu of course!). Even my flasher relay can be modified for LED flashers (st'd Jackaroo; uses the U2043B or similar flasher/hazard chip). Sorry - I find it hilarious when people add ballast resistors to LEDs - especially for flashers!!! (Adding or keeping ballast bulbs is bad enough, but resistors!!)


Anyhow, enough talk. I have the day off and intend hitting the Wasp - LED installs, driver's electric window upgrade, console build, climate control, and then maybe breakfast...
IZU069 - ISUZU means a lot to me.
User avatar
Piazza_man
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:53 pm

Post by Piazza_man »

IZU069 wrote:Yeah - they mention the speedo lag (and dependency on the device's GPS antenna) and the resulting error in acceleration etc. And not that I'm sure how the fuel works...
you have to input what your average fuel consumption would be, and input how many liters of fuel is in your tank. It will then adjust the virtual fuel gauge and tell you how many kms to empty.

There are already sophisticated apps for realtime obd engine linkups. Torque Pro is one of those and requires an obd ll bluetooth adapter to link to the app:

Image

Pity my motec is not obd compatible, or so I've been told.
IZU069
Power Moderator
Power Moderator
Posts: 962
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:59 pm
Location: Melbourne (Orstralia)

Post by IZU069 »

Oh thank Dog!
I hate it when I'm still ahead of the times and argue what can be done - though I hate it more when I argue with so called "experts" only to find that <whatever> has been in existence for ages (but let's not mention OzGemini or ...)
BTW - did you know that if you shear your collapsible steering shaft pin when trying to remove the steering wheel, you could lose your steering? LOL! I did a bit of a rotflmfao recently when I read an "expert" write that on another Isuzu forum. I pity those readers - well and truly sheered and shawn!

Thanks for the fuel method. I suspected such, and hence IMO how useless it is. IMO the trip meter is just as good. I know to expect 300km around town or 400km country driving on a full tank before the fuel light comes on (which means I have 1/11th of the tank left - ie, 10% of whatever my trip meter is reading - noting that I zero at every (full) tank fill.


Meanwhile, Ive made my first front flasher LED cradle and I'm ready to stick on the LEDs. Geez perspex is expensive!
And I got another roll of LEDs today (5m x 5050 whites). Hopefully he dc-dc cons come next week.
If only I could buy the tie-rod ends I so desperately need. Oh, and an unbroken strut-rod (LOL?).


Cheers.
IZU069 - ISUZU means a lot to me.
Post Reply