Volvo Easy Connect App (My Experience)

[jma2@fuse.net]

Last weekend, I installed the Easy Connect Interface on my Volvo 280-G (2016 Cobalt CS3), so I wanted to report on my experience to fellow Cobalt owners and fans. There is very little information about what the app will display for your boat configuration, so hopefully this will help anyone thinking of installing it. In short, to use the app you need to install the Interface, which was about $320 at my local dealer. Installation was easy--just plugged into the engine, and my iPad quickly paired after entering the supplied code. If your boat has EVC, then the app should deliver everything it promises.

My boat is non-EVC, but since my tach can scroll various data points in two small LED screens, e.g., trim, depth, GPH, temperature, water temp, etc..., I thought that the Easy Connect app would likewise display that information. However, this was not the case.

For a non-EVC vessel, the app is very limited and does not provide any more information on your engine and boat than what is already displayed on the analog gauges. It shows engine hours, RPM, speed, coolant temp, volts, oil pressure. Surprisingly, it did not show fuel. Also, it did not show depth, trim, or GPH. I don't have a rudder indicator, but I doubt the app will show it. I called Cobalt and confirmed that non-EVC vessels are not wired with a NMEA 2000 "backbone" which allow the app to display this data; rather Cobalt uses sensor-to-gauge wiring harnesses. Therefore, if you have a non-EVC vessel, you should be aware of the limited information that the app will show.

Knowing what I know now, I can't say that I would have purchased the Interface. However, I'm not totally disappointed. The app will display engine codes and send you an alert, so you can contact your dealer and get the code diagnosed. I'm not sure if it's the marine equivalent of "OBDI" readers that we use for cars, but I would think it would save you the trouble of taking your boat to the shop if the "engine light" comes on. Also, I like having the basic engine data on my iPad, which sits above my dash so I can actually read the gauges--better contrast, and I like the digital display of the information along with the analog dials.

[Scubadeep1]

jma2, thanks for the review, was thinking of getting it for mainly depth gauge but since it won’t show that you just save me some large deer. Thanks.

[Photo_G]

Same here, thanks! The dealer confirmed that my 4.3 Gxi is non-EVC, but he didn't know what the net effect would be.

Your review has saved me a lot of $$ and hassle too.

Take care,
G

[jma2@fuse.net]

Glad I could help.

[notstock4long]

First I have heard of this device. What exactly is it? A little thing that plug in to the diagnostic port on the engine, and talks to the app via bluetooth?

[Southernboatman]

Good info and thanks for posting jma!