Comma AI self driver assistant On Sale- is it worth it?

[WildBlue]

I am a bit confused. I have been reading threads that suggest that the lightning isn't supported or has issues when starting. I even looked at their discord. Can the lightning use Open Pilot or do you need to install Blue Pilot? Also, I have seen discussion regarding the harness needing some termination resistors added and folks were working on that very recently. I have a 2024 Flash and just want this to be plug and play. Is Comma AI at that point on the lightning or are we still beta testing?

Sponsored

 

[B177y]

I am a bit confused. I have been reading threads that suggest that the lightning isn't supported or has issues when starting. I even looked at their discord. Can the lightning use Open Pilot or do you need to install Blue Pilot?

I tried OpenPilot but it is still a work in progress... ping-pongs left and right on my Lightning. You have to use the download of the OpenPilot nightly version, not the stock OpenPilot. Lightning's are still not supported on the stock OpenPilot version.

BluePilot is made for Fords and works as intended. I use BP 3.0 daily.

Also, I have seen discussion regarding the harness needing some termination resistors added and folks were working on that very recently.

You can make your own USB resistor coupling for the USB cable. Instructions and parts list are in the main Comma thread, somewhere in the middle of the 40 or so pages. This is what I am currently using until the "professionally made" couplings are finished. @UncleTony is getting small USB couplings with the resistor built in manufactured. Again, check the main thread, towards the end. He is making an interest list for orders.

I have a 2024 Flash and just want this to be plug and play. Is Comma AI at that point on the lightning or are we still beta testing?

It's "plug and play" with the current USB resistor box, or the soon-to-be manufactured USB resistor coupling. It still takes some work as the IPMA plug is a pain to get to and a clean install requires running the cable under the A-pillar trim and above the headliner.

In my opinion, the nature of the Comma being open source will always make this a tool for people who are comfortable tinkering physically with their trucks and are comfortable tinkering with computers. There are other cars that are more plug and play with the Comma and the stock OpenPilot, but Fords use different hardware and software than most other cars which requires more work and open source developers like @Ajzride that fork OpenPilot and create BluePilot just for Fords to use.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

I'm intrigued by this thing. Has anyone installed it who also has a Fitcam dashcam? Are the two symbiotic w/r/t to the power supply?

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

I'm intrigued by this thing. Has anyone installed it who also has a Fitcam dashcam? Are the two symbiotic w/r/t to the power supply?

I got it in the mail over the weekend. Have not installed it yet but currently have a fitcam installed. As of right now it looks like I need to lose the fitcam to install this. Otherwise the comma will be sitting right in the middle of the windshield and I would hate the look of that. Will likely play around with it a bit more next weekend.

 

[PJnc284]

I got it in the mail over the weekend. Have not installed it yet but currently have a fitcam installed. As of right now it looks like I need to lose the fitcam to install this. Otherwise the comma will be sitting right in the middle of the windshield and I would hate the look of that. Will likely play around with it a bit more next weekend.

Curious myself. I have a Wolfbox digital rear view mirror that fits over the factory mirror. Comma is supposed to be here Thursday so I'll have to see if it obstructs the front camera of the wolfbox any.

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Curious myself. I have a Wolfbox digital rear view mirror that fits over the factory mirror. Comma is supposed to be here Thursday so I'll have to see if it obstructs the front camera of the wolfbox any.

I may try removing the fitcam off its mirror mount and moving it to the right for clearance. I'll have to stick it on with some adhesive pads. Power wise the two will not have any conflicts as the fitcam uses power off the mirror and the Comma uses power off the IPMA module and OBD2 under the dash.

 

[Ronmard]

Curious myself. I have a Wolfbox digital rear view mirror that fits over the factory mirror. Comma is supposed to be here Thursday so I'll have to see if it obstructs the front camera of the wolfbox any.

I also have wolf box so I’d like to know too. Ordered one but it hasn’t been shipped yet

 

[copbait]

Instead of downloading the nightly openpilot, is it possible to download 0.9.8. that appears to be compatible with the lightning. I'm currently on bluepilot 2.1. for the life of me I can't figure out how to address the Url for 0.9.8

 

[astrand1]

Comma 3x and harness are on sale for $799 + $99 (Ford Q4 harness) over July 4th- Is it worth it (asking those who have installed it)

I returned mine. I have no issue trying out beta items. And it worked ok but there were still quite a few issues with it. It had some errors and I had a lot of help here with some very helpful members. It does have some issue where when you start the truck the dash looks like a Xmas tree with errors because of some issue with the usb cable. It also had issues overheating and turning off because of that. Some of the guys are working on some kind of adapter or something that will fix it but it was grinding at me that I paid full price for a product that’s still in beta. I have BC free for 4 yrs and 1.4 is a decent improvement. So with that and a little weight I made for lane centering while off highway I’m pretty pleased. The comma is pretty cool for what it is. And I think in another year or so once some more bugs have been worked out I may try it again.

 

[PJnc284]

Heck look at how much we paid for a beta truck. lol. Seems the Comma does have a ceiling on what it's capable of though due to Ford's steering algorithms but figured what the heck since it was on sale. Mine will be here Thursday along with the pcb board and resistors to get rid of the errors on startup. Not overly concerned with the errors but was cheap and doesn't look difficult to make so figured what the heck. Quick disconnect mount for easy removal and box to protect the pbc board should be here next week also.

 

[B177y]

I'm intrigued by this thing. Has anyone installed it who also has a Fitcam dashcam? Are the two symbiotic w/r/t to the power supply?

I have it with the fitcamx. I used the stock mount and put it as high as possible which blocked the view of the truck hood plus a little bit of the road that was inconsequential.

I now am using the quick release mount that I purchased from @Ajzride and the Comma sits lower, but works just fine. The mount still blocks the same sliver of road right in front of the hood.

EDIT:
@Howard_Scott_Warshaw , I overlooked the part where you asked about power supply... The Comma and Fitcamx pull off of different power sources, so I haven't seen any power issues. The Fitcam uses the mirror harness, the Comma powers from it's harness that goes to the IPMA. There are options to power both with OBD power too, but that introduces some 12volt battery issues when the truck is off.

 

[PJnc284]

I have it with the fitcamx. I used the stock mount and put it as high as possible which blocked the view of the truck hood plus a little bit of the road that was inconsequential.

I now am using the quick release mount that I purchased from @Ajzride and the Comma sits lower, but works just fine. The mount still blocks the same sliver of road right in front of the hood.

Same thing I noticed with the Wolfbox. Mounted it temporarily by sticking the 3m on the bracket to a Sticker Shield from Amazon. Waiting on the quick disconnect mount but it sounds like it may position it to where it's bit more out of view for me since it sticks out a bit.

 

[Naveen]

A few of us on here retrofitted it into the PRO and base XLTs for the ACC/Lane Centering function.

Good Evening Guys,
I have a 2023 XLT Lightning 311A model and recently added ACC/Lane Centering function. Trying to understand if its worth spending around $1200 (Device, Q4 harness, Mount, Lightning Coupler etc) ? I'm sure we wont be getting Blue cruise on 2023 XLT Lightning so is this the only option left towards Self Driving ?

Any thoughts you can share will be greatly appreciated.

 

[chriserx]

Good Evening Guys,
I have a 2023 XLT Lightning 311A model and recently added ACC/Lane Centering function. Trying to understand if its worth spending around $1200 (Device, Q4 harness, Mount, Lightning Coupler etc) ? I'm sure we wont be getting Blue cruise on 2023 XLT Lightning so is this the only option left towards Self Driving ?

Any thoughts you can share will be greatly appreciated.

I love mine, and since I tend to keep my stuff for a long while, I went with the comma over the BlueCruise's $500 a year. It's far from perfect but is it worth the investment? Absolutely!

 

[3rdgenfan]

Good Evening Guys,
I have a 2023 XLT Lightning 311A model and recently added ACC/Lane Centering function. Trying to understand if its worth spending around $1200 (Device, Q4 harness, Mount, Lightning Coupler etc) ? I'm sure we wont be getting Blue cruise on 2023 XLT Lightning so is this the only option left towards Self Driving ?

Any thoughts you can share will be greatly appreciated.

To me it was worth it, I've used it on long road trips and even if it handles the steering on the highway I don't feel as wrecked after a long stint.

I love seeing the incremental updates and fixes made that make it a smooth experience.

Side note, they'll likely do a Black Friday deal in the next few weeks that may be a free harness or something along those lines, but I've not kept up on what current pricing is.

Sponsored