The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 36 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
WORKS GREAT BUT BE PATIENT DURING SETUP!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was unpleasantly surprised at how long it took to get it up and running. The unit MAY take a few days to fully update and operate as designed. (My install/setup lasted about a week) However, I think its worth the wait because once you're installed and fully updated, the Automatic works great. I have a 2003 KIA Sorento with essentially no "bells & whistles". The Automatic gives me at least some current car "tech" to take advantage of. And the creators are working to speed and smooth the Automatic's setup process. Tech support responded promptly after some setup issues I encountered.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Useful Device
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Overall, I like my Automatic. I have it on my 2011 Subaru Forester and the app is installed on my Samsung Galaxy SIII. I like that it tracks my trips for me and automatically exports it to a spreadsheet on my Google Drive account via IFTTT.com. If you park in a huge parking lot and forget where your car is, the last location will show up on the Automatic App on your smartphone. When the check engine light comes on, Automatic will decipher the problem you're having and can even locate the nearest mechanic. It tracks how many miles you've gone, the MPG on each trip and how much that trip costs (although no one has figured out how they calculate that cost!). I've found that the MPG it calculates is much higher than what I'm actually getting. It'll also give you a score based on your driving habits, like braking too hard, fast starts and "speeding" (getting close to 70 MPH.)
That last part, however, I find annoying. In Colorado, the speed limit is 75, which means most people are doing at least 80 and some are at 85. Automatic is set to sound an alert if you hit 70 MPH. The problem is that if you even get close, say 67 MPH, you'll get beeped and your score goes down. I've driven on the Interstate between my town and Denver at 66 MPH (so I don't get beeped) a couple of times and I've seen some near misses behind me as people are swerving into the other lane to get around me, usually cutting someone else off. On the bright side, I never have to pass anyone!
I'm hoping they make some changes to how they calculate "speeding," like set the limit at whatever the speed limit is in your area and make it more accurate, and also allow us to input what we're paying per gallon for fuel since each location is different.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
it is definately automatic
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
When I first saw this product on the apple store website during Thanksgiving i almost bought it just for the gift card i'd get later. After purchasing my own car and realizing I could improve my overall driving, I decided to get the automatic car link. I have a 2002 Toyota Corolla and it doesnt have a lot of sensors as it is a bare bones model. The initial setup was rather a pain because first it wouldn't link up then it couldn't tell if I started the car. So then I kept trying over and over and then it prompts me with a message later than I would have hoped about having to drive some cars around to let it detect igntiion. So I drove around the best buy parking lot and ended get it to see ignition and then it was smooth sailing for the most part after that. The other issue, however, was getting the device to update. The way it updates is a slow and lengthy process that requires at least 45 minutes of the phone on and near the car, 15 of which the car has to be running. After the update, I was able to use advertised features that were printed on the box. Now that I got the downsides out of the way lets look at all the positives. After the setup and intial update everything is very automatic. It tracks my location and my fuel usage which is quite handy for tax purposes. The app is very well designed and is easy to use. It also keeps track of areas for improvment which is helping me become a better driver. These areas include speed, brakes and acceleration. The more I drive now, the better i drive thanks to the subtle audio ques the automatic link plays. As for the cost to benefit ratio, I think it is close to being worth its money. My engine light has yet to come on, thankfully, but I expect automatic to alert me about why it is going off. According to my family mechanic I could have bought a similar obd to bluetooth adapter and app for way less, however, I would not expect the attention to detail this automatic offers. It is a very function based device and achieves those functions well. Overall this is a great item and was very convenient to buy from my local Best Buy store.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Pays for itself
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Can't complain one bit, the second I connected it I got my codes and was able to fix the problems with my 04 Saturn. Same price of not cheaper than getting codes read and this is permanent so it constantly updates me on so much. Audio alerts helps keep me from speeding and reminds me when I drive a little crazy. Only issue is you need to make sure it's connected or you might miss a trip. My fault due to the settings on my phone that don't allow app refresh in the background.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Ho Hum
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Set up was a bit of a hassle but I was able to get it working after the third try. Once working, it gives me 'points' for my good driving habits e.g., don't drive over 70, + points; don't accelerate hard from a stop, + points; etc). The thing is, if you are a fairly consistent driver, the feedback doesn't vary. It also doesn't seem to tell you anything you don't know.
The only useful tool: if the 'check engine' light goes on, the device will tell you the code and provide a good description of what it means. I'll keep the device for that function alone. Otherwise, don't bother purchasing it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Awesomely geeky
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I like data. There, I said it. And the information provided by Automatic is awesome. The potential for displaying additional information is there, too. They seem to be actively developing both the mobile apps and the web interface to add new features. They also seem to listen to their user base when prioritizing new functionality.
It took about 10 minutes to get everything connected and working, and aside from 2 or 3 instances, it has connected to my phone flawlessly ever since.
its a great tool for viewing your drives and fuel mileage, and I can see it being hugely helpful for someone who drives a lot for work. Don't forget to set up an IFTTT recipe to export your trips to a Google Soreadsheet.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good idea to keep track if your habits
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I got this to keep track of my driving habits. I had a similar thing from Progressive for a few months. I've noticed a definite change in my driving because I'm more aware of hard braking and gunning the gas.
Cool features:
Easy to use- plug and play.
If you get in an accident there is a feature where it will notify a contact via text message automatically.
Remember if you don't keep the Bluetooth on all the time, you have to remember to turn it on before driving.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
2.0 version is better
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you just want a device to read engine codes and help you be more fuel efficient this will help. If you have a hybrid fuel efficiency/usage numbers are not accurate. It also is not compatible with third party apps. For that you will need the 2.0 version.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Neat gadget, but not as useful as hoped
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought the Automatic hoping that it would be able to serve as a trouble diagnostic tool and a neat trip monitor/mpg tracker. The trouble code notifications will prove useful, I'm sure, but I was looking for a device that would also allow me to monitor key engine data like coolant temperature, fuel pressure, and all the other engine information that is typically available through the OBD-II ports these days. Maybe they will add those functions later, but at this point it seems like the Automatic is geared toward people who just want to be told what to do if their car throws a code. Also, hard braking and hard acceleration beep notification threshold seems to be set very very very low for my truck. I almost always get a beep saying I accelerated or braked too hard.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent support
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I like the product and its audible signals for driving tutoring. The app cane be used to track Mileage and fuel consumption. The crash alert feature is really cool as well. I had a small issue adding a contact to the notification feature. Their tech support was very responsive and personable.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Useful tool to keep track of your driving habits
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I use the Android version of the app, which currently has less functionality than the iPhone app. Still, it keeps track of your driving stats, and it gives you audio cues when you brake too much or goo too fast (which will burn more gas).
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Works as advertised
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was very impressed with the easy setup. It connected flawlessly with my iPhone 5s, and has not lost connectivity. Other than the inability to reset high range speed to 75, I love it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Good but not great with Android
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am a car nerd and love tech for the car. The metrics keeping of how my car and driving are doing is great. The product itself was hard to link up at first. I contacted support and they helped me to be patient saying the first link does some updates. How about you update after it is connected? It was great for a while, but the last couple updates have caused it to not respond when connected to Bluetooth. It flakes out every once in a while. I understand I am not on a recent Android device (Droid Bionic) and maybe an iPhone would work better, but I have what I have. I give it an average due to price and how well it has been working lately.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Does not work with my smart phone.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Nothing to offer. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
99 cent app can do 90% of what this does.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Had this for about a month. This plugs into your car and for what ever reason, the developers dont let this thing tap into your most of your cars information.
U can buy an app for a buck that does most of what this $99 hardware does.
Not worth the $$.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This product works great. I'm able to see how I can improve my driving
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
A good start on an interesting idea
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The device works exactly as advertised. I'm more excited about the future capabilities and plugging in to the Internet of Things aspect of the device than with the driving scores, but I am enjoying the device so far.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
It works - could use more features
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Have two of them in different cars, they work with out any user actions. It records the trip and give ratings that has encouraged me to modify my driving habits. The main complaint is that it is too sensitive to braking / acceleration. Often in traffic starting out from a red light it will mark the start as "hard acceleration."
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great little device
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased this device because I wanted to see how much money I was spending on gas while driving. This little device has helped me save some money and also becomes a safer driver.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Cool driving stats
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Overall easy to install and start using product. I can't wait for them to update their app with new features. Basics work fantastic.