Check this out!!! (ECS control module)

[Marc Collins]

I can't wait for that link on where to order one

I am less excited now that I realize (it is there in the Web documentation) you have to fiddle with your phone every time you want to deploy one of the non-stock options. Of course, we can probably expect the Sanbon app to work faster than the KIA UVO one, which is painfully slow and clunky (and quite honestly not worth using except for an emergency I forgot whether I locked the car or the one or two most extreme weather days of the year remote start to pre-cool or pre-heat the car. Otherwise, it's more trouble than its worth.

If some custom setting is just for spirited driving on a favourite road, fine, fiddling with phone is OK. But the real value of this app would be the replacement of the standard Comfort and Sport with something better:

1. I am not sure the harder Sport and softer Comfort defaults Sanbon has picked would necessarily be my choices, but that's what we have Custom options for, right?
2. No, we should be able to replace the car's Comfort and/or Sport with any of the profiles of our choosing, and have them load permanently until we choose something different with the app (again)

If we select the pre-built "Comfort" option, what does that do--presumably change the Comfort drive mode?
If we select the pre-built "Sport" option, does that change the behaviour of the Sport mode?
And if we pick a Custom mode that we configure ourselves, does that change the Custom drive mode?

Do we get all three at the same time whether we want them or not? Do we only get what we tap on the app screen (one or two or three options)?

I strongly suggest, if it is possible (it probably is not), that the phone app selection (as per the above likely operation) remain programmed until the phone app changes it to something else. Otherwise we are stuck with phone fiddling in a car that has a convenient drive mode dial already built into it. Hopefully, at least, the phone app works to complement the drive mode dial. Not needing to do double duty every time we drive (assuming the even the standard modes are nicer than the stock KIA programming) would make this product much more attractive to the consumer.

 

[Ty Davis]

I am less excited now that I realize (it is there in the Web documentation) you have to fiddle with your phone every time you want to deploy one of the non-stock options. Of course, we can probably expect the Sanbon app to work faster than the KIA UVO one, which is painfully slow and clunky (and quite honestly not worth using except for an emergency I forgot whether I locked the car or the one or two most extreme weather days of the year remote start to pre-cool or pre-heat the car. Otherwise, it's more trouble than its worth.

If some custom setting is just for spirited driving on a favourite road, fine, fiddling with phone is OK. But the real value of this app would be the replacement of the standard Comfort and Sport with something better:

1. I am not sure the harder Sport and softer Comfort defaults Sanbon has picked would necessarily be my choices, but that's what we have Custom options for, right?
2. No, we should be able to replace the car's Comfort and/or Sport with any of the profiles of our choosing, and have them load permanently until we choose something different with the app (again)

If we select the pre-built "Comfort" option, what does that do--presumably change the Comfort drive mode?
If we select the pre-built "Sport" option, does that change the behaviour of the Sport mode?
And if we pick a Custom mode that we configure ourselves, does that change the Custom drive mode?

Do we get all three at the same time whether we want them or not? Do we only get what we tap on the app screen (one or two or three options)?

I strongly suggest, if it is possible (it probably is not), that the phone app selection (as per the above likely operation) remain programmed until the phone app changes it to something else. Otherwise we are stuck with phone fiddling in a car that has a convenient drive mode dial already built into it. Hopefully, at least, the phone app works to complement the drive mode dial. Not needing to do double duty every time we drive (assuming the even the standard modes are nicer than the stock KIA programming) would make this product much more attractive to the consumer.

In an ideal world, yes the module would remember whatever we set it to and stay there, until we change it again. However it does seem that we will have to open the app on the phone at each vehicle startup.

I have not let this dull my enthusiasm for the product because I have plans to work around this limitation.

First, I’ll be leaving an old phone in the car somewhere out of sight (after I perfect the module settings). It won’t be tough at all to add in a connection to have this phone permanently powered by the car.

Next, I’ll be using an android automation app such as “Tasker” to automatically open the tuner app and select my settings every time the phone receives “power or charge”.

This way, I don’t have to constantly touch the phone to get my settings restored.

It’s additional setup, but well worth the benefits in my opinion.
That being said, it’s a pity they didn’t make this Tuner less attention hungry. I want to set it and forget it. Ultimately I will, but it would have been nice for that to have been the default configuration.

 

[xot1]

Ok guys I have some more info.

1. You have to turn on the app and connect to the module if you want to apply the settings, otherwise it will remain stock.
2. Once you apply the settings, you can turn off the app, they will remain until the car is turned off.
3. The module leaves no trace so nothing to worry about the warranty.
4. They considered making a tuning module for the EPSS(steering system) but the level of safety is not the same as the suspension and it is harder to get autorized.

 

[xot1]

BTW I keep seeing Sanbon mentioned but they have no involvement in the manufacturing/distribution of this product whatsoever. They are just a shop that does installs.

 

[Callum]

BTW I keep seeing Sanbon mentioned but they have no involvement in the manufacturing/distribution of this product whatsoever. They are just a shop that does installs.

I’m willing to take a risk. Can you PM me the email address so I can get coming?

 

[StingaGT]

@xot1
Do you know where I can buy the module?
I want to buy one from Korea and bring it over to US to install, but I'm not seeing any online stores by searching through Naver.
Some blogs advertise that Part+labor is around 450,000KRW (around 370 USD). I would definitely consider it if I could buy the module around 300~350 USD.

 

[xot1]

It is so easy to install that labor cost is zero.
The module cost is 450KRW.

I asked if they had plans to sell outside of Korea and I was told that they will put it on eBay soon.

 

[Marc Collins]

In an ideal world, yes the module would remember whatever we set it to and stay there, until we change it again. However it does seem that we will have to open the app on the phone at each vehicle startup.

I have not let this dull my enthusiasm for the product because I have plans to work around this limitation.

First, I’ll be leaving an old phone in the car somewhere out of sight (after I perfect the module settings). It won’t be tough at all to add in a connection to have this phone permanently powered by the car.

Next, I’ll be using an android automation app such as “Tasker” to automatically open the tuner app and select my settings every time the phone receives “power or charge”.

This way, I don’t have to constantly touch the phone to get my settings restored.

It’s additional setup, but well worth the benefits in my opinion.
That being said, it’s a pity they didn’t make this Tuner less attention hungry. I want to set it and forget it. Ultimately I will, but it would have been nice for that to have been the default configuration.

That's great and no disrespect intended, but you could be described as the 0.1% enthusiast. Sales to the general enthusiast community (which is still only 1% of all purchasers and probably most of us are members here) would be much higher if the phone fiddling was not required.

An interesting question is whether the app itself could be programmed with an option to auto-set just as my phone is set to automatically unlock and connect via BT to the car as soon as they come into proximity of each other. Or, could Tasker be set to auto load the app (and preferred settings) based on the BT connection to the car? If so, then problems solved.

 

[Marc Collins]

Ok guys I have some more info.

1. You have to turn on the app and connect to the module if you want to apply the settings, otherwise it will remain stock.
2. Once you apply the settings, you can turn off the app, they will remain until the car is turned off.
3. The module leaves no trace so nothing to worry about the warranty.
4. They considered making a tuning module for the EPSS(steering system) but the level of safety is not the same as the suspension and it is harder to get autorized.

As per my prior message, please ask them if they think there is any automated routine that can be built into the app itself or if it could work with a facilitator app like Tasker. The lack of set-once-and-don't-touch-again until you are unhappy and need to change settings will be a deal-breaker for most people who are not super hard core. I'd love to see them sell a ton of these as it sends a very strong message to manufacturers to wake-up and provide these sorts of options in the first place. The hardware is already capable!!!

 

[xot1]

I don't know what is the Tasker you talk about.
Can you be more specific?

 

[Marc Collins]

I don't know what is the Tasker you talk about.
Can you be more specific?

See reply yesterday from @Ty Davis. He is the expert on it and I am sure will reply soon.

 

[Tonkabob]

I am less excited now that I realize (it is there in the Web documentation) you have to fiddle with your phone every time you want to deploy one of the non-stock options. Of course, we can probably expect the Sanbon app to work faster than the KIA UVO one, which is painfully slow and clunky (and quite honestly not worth using except for an emergency I forgot whether I locked the car or the one or two most extreme weather days of the year remote start to pre-cool or pre-heat the car. Otherwise, it's more trouble than its worth.

If some custom setting is just for spirited driving on a favourite road, fine, fiddling with phone is OK. But the real value of this app would be the replacement of the standard Comfort and Sport with something better:

1. I am not sure the harder Sport and softer Comfort defaults Sanbon has picked would necessarily be my choices, but that's what we have Custom options for, right?
2. No, we should be able to replace the car's Comfort and/or Sport with any of the profiles of our choosing, and have them load permanently until we choose something different with the app (again)

If we select the pre-built "Comfort" option, what does that do--presumably change the Comfort drive mode?
If we select the pre-built "Sport" option, does that change the behaviour of the Sport mode?
And if we pick a Custom mode that we configure ourselves, does that change the Custom drive mode?

Do we get all three at the same time whether we want them or not? Do we only get what we tap on the app screen (one or two or three options)?

I strongly suggest, if it is possible (it probably is not), that the phone app selection (as per the above likely operation) remain programmed until the phone app changes it to something else. Otherwise we are stuck with phone fiddling in a car that has a convenient drive mode dial already built into it. Hopefully, at least, the phone app works to complement the drive mode dial. Not needing to do double duty every time we drive (assuming the even the standard modes are nicer than the stock KIA programming) would make this product much more attractive to the consumer.

I think the translation is still vague. You need a phone to make the suspension setting change but im not convinced yet it returns to defaults each time.

 

[xot1]

I think the translation is still vague. You need a phone to make the suspension setting change but im not convinced yet it returns to defaults each time.

It does.
I have asked the questions to the manufacturer.

 

[robz32]

450,000KRW is about $371 and that includes parts and labor from the shop. Which means the module itself should be around $250. There are a few panels that need to be removed (center panel below steering wheel and lower steering column cover) plus app setup, so $121 on labor sounds about right.

 

[xot1]

450,000KRW is about $371 and that includes parts and labor from the shop. Which means the module itself should be around $250. There are a few panels that need to be removed (center panel below steering wheel and lower steering column cover) plus app setup, so $121 on labor sounds about right.

I asked to the manufacturer and they said the price was 450K, installed or not. They sayb its a 15 min job so at 50K per hour you're looking at a 10ish bucks labor cost.

 

[Ty Davis]

I’m willing to take a risk. Can you PM me the email address so I can get coming?

@xot1
Do you know where I can buy the module?
I want to buy one from Korea and bring it over to US to install, but I'm not seeing any online stores by searching through Naver.
Some blogs advertise that Part+labor is around 450,000KRW (around 370 USD). I would definitely consider it if I could buy the module around 300~350 USD.

As I watch this thread, I notice a distinct and deliberate effort on the part of @xot1 to avoid providing contact info or to assist members in actually procuring this module. It’s safe to say, he has his reasons for his behavior, but it looks like we are on our own as far as getting this delivered.

I am continuing to work on it and will report back here and share with the community, the instant I get a suitable contact, order link, or lead. Hopefully it won’t be long.

 

[SteveCo]

As I watch this thread, I notice a distinct and deliberate effort on the part of @xot1 to avoid providing contact info or to assist members in actually procuring this module.

If it wasn't for @xot1 posting about this 2 days ago, we wouldn't know it existed.

In the short time since then, he's checked with the manufacturer to get additional information, and said they will be putting up an Ebay listing for it soon. Perhaps that is their preference for marketing - works for me.

 

[Ty Davis]

If it wasn't for @xot1 posting about this 2 days ago, we wouldn't know it existed.

In the short time since then, he's checked with the manufacturer to get additional information, and said they will be putting up an Ebay listing for it soon. Perhaps that is their preference for marketing - works for me.

This was not intended to bash @xot1.
It was a heads up that those looking for the product ASAP, likely will have to find help outside of xot1, as there are details it seems he cannot or will not share with the community as of yet.

 

[Marc Collins]

This was not intended to bash @xot1.
It was a heads up that those looking for the product ASAP, likely will have to find help outside of xot1, as there are details it seems he cannot or will not share with the community as of yet.

Calm down. @xot1 has only been helpful to date. Would you like to learn Korean so you can communicate directly with the supplier?

If there is some ulterior motive (and I see no evidence of that so far), we will all find out about it soon enough and can comment/react accordingly. Until then, let's just be patient to discover all the ins and outs of this interesting product and not bite the hand that feeds us useful information.

 

[Ty Davis]

Calm down. @xot1 has only been helpful to date. Would you like to learn Korean so you can communicate directly with the supplier?

If there is some ulterior motive (and I see no evidence of that so far), we will all find out about it soon enough and can comment/react accordingly. Until then, let's just be patient to discover all the ins and outs of this interesting product and not bite the hand that feeds us useful information.

Again, I will state that this was not a bash of xot1. Anyone who brings reprieve from the Stingers poor stock suspension calibration should be wholeheartedly appreciated. I said, nor meant, anything negative of xot1. He broke news of a groundbreaking Stinger Mod. Kudos to him for that.

That being said, my statement remains. Those looking to make an *immediate* connect with the makers of the tuner via an email address, phone number, contact name, purchase link or whatever would probably be well served to pursue an avenue outside of Xot1. I simply stated there seems to be things he cannot or will not share at this point.

I make no judgements, assumptions, or statements about that. He owns the community absolutely nothing. Furthermore as it stands, his contribution is monumental!

A couple more things. I don’t claim he has an ulterior motive. Additionally, no request has been made that anyone learn any language. No request has been made that he speak with a supplier on anyone’s behalf.

The only things that have been asked for here is a contact, an email address, a link, etc.
It is ok if he cannot, or will not, share those information. Again nothing is owed here. He’s already done us a huge service by alerting us to this awesome product.

If we have to do some leg work to get it in our driveways, I am willing to do what I can.
Patience is in healthy supply, here. Similarly, if I can assist I will. I am not one to sit back and watch someone else do all of the heavy lifting, when I too will reap the benefits. Even with my limited Korean vocabulary, I’ve made a flurry of calls, emails, and correspondence to help this product come to the USA.

Xot1, should not have to go at this alone. I’m doing what I can to help and have enlisted others in the project as well.

Again, for anyone who misunderstood my post, I’ll say it again here, more clearly now...
Kudos Xot1! Great job! Now let’s help him bring the product here.