Budget WBO2 wideband controller roundup

I wanted some wideband o2 in the car. Partly because almost all EFI controllers will still rely on a separate wbo2 controller. Partly just to have a gauge which I can keep an eye on. I prepared a small comparison about the controllers I've found.

The goals

• opensource / DIY kit preferred over an assembled product (and DIY must not mean cheap looks or quality)
• cheap/replaceable sensor, so it should be a Bosch LSU 4.9
• gauge is not a must, preferably some digital LCD gauge, a big round thing just wouldn't go with the car
• simulated narrow band output (so I can integrate with the existing Ke-jet using just the new sensor)

Given goal #1 I searched for completely DIY solutions, without much luck. I found that WBO2 has to be driven properly. The sensor itself does not give a reading, some current must be pumped through it, and the actual reading is related to the actual current. Given this, and no prior WBO2 experience I eliminated building from scratch.

AEM 30-4110

Advertised as "the original", it's still unique in that it has the controller built into the gauge housing. It's got a very nice and professional looking display.

pros: pro looking, integrated controller, acceptable price

cons: 0 extra features

Innovate LC-2

The standard gauge is really ugly, and it really only includes a 2+1 digit LCD in the middle. They have some nice gauges, but neither of them convinced me at all.

pros: 2 outputs, serial to PC

cons: ugly gauges

LD Performance wideband controller

It's an OK controller with a more appealing price tag. Gauge is ugly still, but at least doesn't try not to look ugly (it's just a 2+1 digit LCD).

pros: lowest price for a full kit

cons: no narrowband out

Tech Edge / wbo2.com

They have a wide product range a very narrow sense of webdesign. It's a headache just to find the different models. However price tags narrow down the scope quite fast, only the 2Y2 model comes down to the €200 range, and that's still a DIY kit. The only outstanding / interesting feature I found is the internal memory for logging. Also, only this has a vertical led bar combined with numerical display (though it looks very homemade).

pros: logging to internal memory (or PC), supports even NTK sensors

cons: pricey for what it is

VEMS Round V2

I'm not a big fan of VEMS and their wbo2 kit haven't changed a thing neither. It looks like something you'd put next to a flux capacitor, back in 1984. Not something you'd buy in the XXI century. Still I have to mention that for the (otherwise the so far highest) price you get a boost and/or idle controller as well, making it an ideal companion for mechanical injection or a carb.

pros: additional features

cons: obsolete looks and connectors (got printer?)

PLX Devices

Another very nice product. Their DM-6 gauge is a multi-function color touchscreen gauge. Also they have a range of sensor modules which can be daisy chained, should that make sense or not. Still, their most awesome product is the bluetooth adapter to connect to your phone or whatever.

pros: professional product, very nice gauge

cons: price

EfiO2meter

I'm a bit in trouble regarding this one. It looks promising, with a bluetooth connection and acceptable price, though their store says "demo store no orders shall be fullfilled" and very old wiki updates. I'd be afraid to make an actual order. The BT connectivity is pretty much the only useful feature they have, and the only reason this controller got into this roundup at all.

14point7 SLC free

I saved my favourite for last. The only unique feature is that it displays the sensor temp (which is not EGT!). Nothing really outstanding apart from this, but hey, look at the price! It's not really free, but starts from just $35 and it came just a tad over €100 sensor included. The only drawback is that it's really a DIY kit. No enclosure and no cable included, and you have to select before ordering if you want a valueless bar graph or values without bars. The display is a plain 16*2 lcd, which looks dumb but wait, fits exactly in a 25yrs car! Also one can buy these LCDs in many colors, so the supplied blue one can easily be replaced.

pros: price, price, price, opensource

cons: no enclosure, might or might not integrate well, either bar graph or numbers (unless you change the chip), no cable

The roundup and conclusions

Product	Display	Narrow	Logging	Other	Price*
AEM	combined	yes	-	pro looks	€160
Innovate LC2	2+1	-	serial PC	-	€185
LD Performance	2+1	-	-	-	€140
Tech edge 2Y2	combined	yes	internal/serial	-	€245
VEMS Round	combined	yes	yes	extra in/outs	€240
PLX	combined	yes	-	BT available	€175
EfiO2meter	-	???	???	BT	€155
SLC free	2*16	yes	no	diy kit	€102

* = price with 4.9 probe and shipping to EU

The SLC free is a total winner for me because the price, because it's a DIY kit, because it has narrow output and because I can integrate the 16x2 LCD into my dash nicely.
If not that, I'd consider one of the yellow ones. They're pretty close in price, and have just slightly different features. 

The rest may, or may not solve some problems. I will use my controller for a custom EFI system. If one does so, then logging, and connection could (and should) be handled by the ecu itself.

+1

Let me mention one more product, which do not qualify for a standalone WBO2 controller with gauge, but is rather bare controllers. It also comes from 14point7, but for the log: I have no connection to them apart from that I'm their customer.

14point7 Sigma

The Sigma is "just" a shield to be added in a custom EFI system. No display, just connect the sensor and it gives narrow and wide outputs. The only extra is that it can do I2C communications which might be of interest, though haven't seen an EFI controller to do it (yet).