Anyone seen Intellistick yet?

[icman95]

Just saw this advertised in Truck Trend Mag and checked out the website. I pull oil samples and send them away to a lab every so often. This sure would be cool if it works as promised. Sent the link to an engineer friend of mine for his input. Can't wait to hear more about it.





http://www.intellistick.com/index.html

 

[JCyrbok]

Looks kinda cool, but for $500, plus the cost for a PDA kinda seems steep for what it does.



J-

 

[tgordon]

Like JC said a little pricey, but if you plan to keep it for a while that could pay off in th elonger oil changes etc. One question I have is how will it work with the long dipsticl on the 5. 9, and it looked like it replaced it, do I have to calibrate the thing? Carry around my old one to check the oil level?

 

[icman95]

Actually, I had the same thought on how to check the oil level. I'm not sure if the thing you put in the dipstick tube has full/add markings on it like the factory one. Something I'd have to ask the vendor.



I agree it's a bit pricey, but you don't need to get a separate PDA for it. If you have a laptop or any other wireless device including a Bluetooth cell phone you can use those. My laptop would do nicely. I'm not sure that I'd buy it just yet. Perhaps the price will come down when it gets out to the public more. My major concern would be the engineering and theory behind how it works. They say it is lab quality results, but can it really be that accurate? I suppose with time some people will buy them and we will see reports in magazine or on TV.

 

[tgordon]

The technology does not supprise me in the least. What I got from the site is about all it does is measure contaminates and addative level. For the guys looking for insight into how soon to overhaul, it will be of little help to them I am guessing. The main benefit will be in letting the operator know the "Ideal" point in the oil life span to replace it. that I am guessing is the way they will market it, longer and the engine will wear out faster, shorter and you are throwing away money in oil changes.



I would think it would be best to have it attach to the dipstick like the heaters, or drill a hole in the pan and install directly. The latter is not as enticing for those who rotate vehicles often, but I am not sure how I would get one down the tube of my old 12v.

 

[VHimes]

it's a cool idea. but my truck is used for my business. so i change my oil way to often anyways. i think the main benefit would be knowing that there were contaminates in my oil. wounder why they don't just build something like that into the oil pan, stock. sure would save a lot of trucks. and they could afford to do it on that level of mass. probly only cost em' dollars per truck

 

[p-Bar]

sure let you know when a injector cut loose. Nice

 

[icman95]

it's a cool idea. but my truck is used for my business. so i change my oil way to often anyways. i think the main benefit would be knowing that there were contaminates in my oil. wounder why they don't just build something like that into the oil pan, stock. sure would save a lot of trucks. and they could afford to do it on that level of mass. probly only cost em' dollars per truck

Now there's a damn good idea! They're putting tire pressure sensors in stock, why not an oil sensor. Even if it were optional, not standard, it would be good. I'm sure the economies of scale on such high volume would get the price down to reasonable.

 

[p-Bar]

and you know what when you trade that truck in you can put it in the new truck. well worth it

 

[Kry226]

Now there's a damn good idea! They're putting tire pressure sensors in stock, why not an oil sensor. Even if it were optional, not standard, it would be good. I'm sure the economies of scale on such high volume would get the price down to reasonable.

And it might actually bring oil prices down by helping to eliminate all those 3,000 or even 5,000 mile OCI's. Bring down demand, prices follow.

 

[JOdell]

And it might actually bring oil prices down by helping to eliminate all those 3,000 or even 5,000 mile OCI's. Bring down demand, prices follow.

I don't think that would happen. They would just raise the price to compensate for you using less oil. -Jason