Experiences with widebands equipped with Bosch 4.9?

[HIturbo]

I'm really having a hard time figuring out which wideband to get. Theres plenty of info out there on old set ups but seems limited on the new Bosch 4.9 sensor equipped widebands. Who has some input on widebands equipped with the Bosch 4.9?

[kjones6039]

FWIW............ The Spartan Lambda controller (the one I use) from 14point7<dot>com uses the 4.9 sensor.................. I suspect there several others also.

My experience with the 14point7 unit has been nothing but positive, if that's what you're asking.

Ken

[MWPau]

The 14point7 units look great, and have good reviews, but the guy running the company is *shocking* at sales & support.
I wanted to buy a Spartan2, but needed some more info. I sent him an email, asked on his forum, asked on his facebook page. It took him ~3 weeks to reply to me, and i got a vague reply which did not answer my question.
On looking around more, it seems this and people never receiving the units they've paid for is a common problem.

Innovate are now selling 4.9 enabled LC2's and similar products.
They haven't been out long though so there aren't many reviews around yet.

The other company i know of is TechEdge.
There are lots of good reports about their products.

[kjones6039]

The 14point7 units look great, and have good reviews, but the guy running the company is *shocking* at sales & support.
I wanted to buy a Spartan2, but needed some more info. I sent him an email, asked on his forum, asked on his facebook page. It took him ~3 weeks to reply to me, and i got a vague reply which did not answer my question.
On looking around more, it seems this and people never receiving the units they've paid for is a common problem.

I understand your frustration. Alan is not real good at looking after his clientele. All-in-all, I have personally gotten fairly good service from Alan.

Innovate are now selling 4.9 enabled LC2's and similar products.
They haven't been out long though so there aren't many reviews around yet.

I know I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I would not have an Innovate as a precious gift! I have several in my shop that I use for door stops, paper weights, etc. Wanna buy one???

The other company i know of is TechEdge.
There are lots of good reports about their products.

TechEdge may well be a good choice. I have seen a lot of good comments from any number of users, on several forums, including this one of course.

Ken

[wes kiser]

I have purchased a little over a dozen spartan's (both old "cables", 4.2 controllers, and 4.9 controllers). They work great. I don't really care about support, as it isn't really the type of thing that requires support. I do have about a 20% infant mortality rate, but never a failure of a working "good" one. He has always been quite good about sending replacements, and I always buy more than one at a time so no big deal.

[prof315]

I have purchased a little over a dozen spartan's (both old "cables", 4.2 controllers, and 4.9 controllers). They work great. I don't really care about support, as it isn't really the type of thing that requires support. I do have about a 20% infant mortality rate, but never a failure of a working "good" one. He has always been quite good about sending replacements, and I always buy more than one at a time so no big deal.

Ditto except I'm seeing about 10% "infant mortality.

[HIturbo]

I actually ended buying a new mtlx because after calling around, the guy at innovate definitely sounded much more knowledgable on the topic and I also found out that innovate since last week has begun shipping all widebands with the updated bosch 4.9. They guaranteed me that the new sensor will not have any significant real world gains over the 4.2 and if I can get a good deal on a 4.2 that it's perfectly fine and I shouldn't care. Well since the 4.2 is being phased out anyways, I decided I would want to get the updated 4.9 sensor. Luckily I found out that 949 restocks innovative stuff every week so they should have the new 4.9. The item number is apparently the same so the only way you can tell the difference is by looking at the box appreantly. Anyways, I put in a order with 949 and its on its way. at $160 I'm suuper happy

[gui67]

I understand your frustration. Alan is not real good at looking after his clientele. All-in-all, I have personally gotten fairly good service from Alan.

Ken

I must be very lucky then, I have a LC1 since 2007 and it is still working fine. I just had to replace the sensor last year after 7 years. I bought a new 4.2 for 70$ and it is working fine again.
I bought an LC2 for an other project, I hope it will hold as long as the LC1.

[EspeNS]

What I have figured out is that AEM use LSU 4.9 in all new wideband kits, thoug you still find some old stock with 4.2. Not long ago i buyed 2 AEM kits with 4.9.
After several failures of LC-1 and MT-X's from Inovate I want to try another brand. The funny thing is that all Inovate widebands I have used in my own cars have worked flawless, but none of the installs I have done in other cars.

[MWPau]

I must be very lucky then, I have a LC1 since 2007 and it is still working fine. I just had to replace the sensor last year after 7 years. I bought a new 4.2 for 70$ and it is working fine again.
I bought an LC2 for an other project, I hope it will hold as long as the LC1.

Yeah, same here. My LC1 works just fine.
I thought it had died, hence looking at 14point7 units, but since have got the LC1 working again.
It was a problem with serial communications to my TinyIOx. It was due to cable length, easily fixed with better cables.
Knowing that the reading from the LC1 is accurate (no analog drift/ground issues since its digital) is very reassuring.

[HIturbo]

New 4.9 sensor, check







I'm pretty sure I'll be going with the white face to match my oem gauges but either way I'l be painting the black surround flat black. I want this thing to stay low key. I'll give a try at making a good write up with plenty of pictures. Tips are welcome

[slow_hemi6]

Those mtxl still using the one ground wire for both heater and controller? If so my guess you will soon be posting to find out why you have an offset between the gauge and tuner studio. Anyways with regards to looking for the best salesman to get the best product.... well good luck with that.
Fishermen have a saying that "most lures are designed to catch fishermen, not fish."

[HIturbo]

[kjones6039]

Yep!! Just what Luke was alluding to! The heater and controller share the same ground!

Ken

[EspeNS]

If I've read right, the lsu 4.9 should use quite a bit lesser current than the 4.2.
That could result in lower offset?

[HIturbo]

7.5 on the 4.9 compared to 10? on the 4.2. http://www.bosch-motorsport.com/media/c ... 083pdf.pdf

I have no idea how this will play a role. LOL

[slow_hemi6]

This is the type of issue others have had with the mtx-l's output. http://www.msextra.com/forums/viewtopic ... 93#p406893

[old guy]

You can get the ALM board with the 4.9 sensor here for $129. It uses the Bosch CJ125 controller chip that they recommend for this sensor. http://www.ecotrons.com/products/wideba ... alm-board/

[9secz]

You can get the ALM board with the 4.9 sensor here for $129. It uses the Bosch CJ125 controller chip that they recommend for this sensor. http://www.ecotrons.com/products/wideba ... alm-board/

Has anybody connected an ALM-S to their MS3 via CAN?

I'm ready to abandon my old LC1/TinyIOx setup, but I like the noise immunity of digital AFR data transmission.

Jeff

[racingmini_mtl]

I'm ready to abandon my old LC1/TinyIOx setup

It's a bit off topic but can you tell me why you want to abandon it?

Jean