ODB readers: Which would you go for?

[D60]

So Otofix will do bidirectional testing, and manufacturer-specific codes from any make/model?

Which Otofix is that? There are 15 different models on Amazon going from $320 up to $1000.

Totally possible that I am not up to date here, trying to get educated.

Yep given the planned obsolescence (read: updates cost as much as a new tablet in a couple years) I'd try the D1 Lite. I think @The Critic is/was running this.

I have the Pro but honestly not sure EXACTLY what I got for the extra ~$650. They all run off the same "base" software and functions are added on at various price points, not much different than a/c or heated seats etc. Supposedly the Pro has a faster processor ... but it ain't fast.

Just FOUR sample pages of marques:

 

[bdc101]

I just bought the Otofix D1 Lite to do calibrations on my Macan's dual clutch transmission and transfer case integration resets. You can download files for pretty much any manufacturer with two years of included updates. I updated the tablet OS and Interface program without issue and then downloaded Porsche, Mazda, Ford, Toyota and Subaru files without hitting any data storage issues. It has an SD slot if you need more space. It does bidirection coding.

Check here:

https://www.otofixtech.com/vehicle-coverage/coverage2

https://www.otofixtech.us/products/...Dscq0Fys2DSaXWKvao-7lqAnEEm9GL30yPOrGYATqIbJ7

This is great feedback! I checked that first link and unfortunately the information at that website is super unhelpful. It says, for example, that it works on Acura MDXs but it doesn't say which year. There is just like 300 pages of things that it does for certain unspecified Acura MDXs. Same for my Mazda, you can look up what it can do for 2002-2008 Mazda 6's but nothing else is specified. Hmmm

Yep given the planned obsolescence (read: updates cost as much as a new tablet in a couple years) I'd try the D1 Lite. I think @The Critic is/was running this.

I have the Pro but honestly not sure EXACTLY what I got for the extra ~$650. They all run off the same "base" software and functions are added on at various price points, not much different than a/c or heated seats etc. Supposedly the Pro has a faster processor ... but it ain't fast.

Just FOUR sample pages of marques:View attachment 343427View attachment 343428View attachment 343429View attachment 343430

Very helpful! I suppose the updates only cover cars that are built in the future though, right? Like, you would never need to get an update for a 10-year old car, right?

Or do you mean that after the 2-years of free updates are over, you can't even download what you need to diagnose old cars?

 

[crashz]

D60 - That looks exactly like my Autel unit. Does Otofix Pro and Autel use the same software?

For my uses the Autel does everything I need and more. I bought it to reprogram key on my Honda and its been so useful from there on with my Fords and VWs. It wasn't cheap when I bought it ~5 years ago and neither is the software updates. But very useful.

 

[tcp71]

This is great feedback! I checked that first link and unfortunately the information at that website is super unhelpful. It says, for example, that it works on Acura MDXs but it doesn't say which year. There is just like 300 pages of things that it does for certain unspecified Acura MDXs. Same for my Mazda, you can look up what it can do for 2002-2008 Mazda 6's but nothing else is specified. Hmmm

Very helpful! I suppose the updates only cover cars that are built in the future though, right? Like, you would never need to get an update for a 10-year old car, right?

Or do you mean that after the 2-years of free updates are over, you can't even download what you need to diagnose old cars?

my understanding is that the manufacturer files are updated for new vehicle parameters over time. There's probably a bit of a lag between new vehicles and being able to code using this device. My newest vehicle is 2017 so I'm pretty sure i've got most things covered. Your downloaded files don't disappear after the free period is up, you just can't download different vehicles or updates to the ones you have. Honestly, just buy a 512gB SD card and download them all right before your two years runs out. You'll be able to work on vehicles older than the download date, but not vehicles or parameters that didn't exist before your two years runs out. An annual subscription seems to be about $115 so that's pretty cheap if you buy a new car and want to use this on it.

edit: You're right. the first link is useless. That states I can' only code F150 older than 2003, which is not true. I got this based on the answers I got asking the same questions you are asking, but on a Porsche forum.

 

[tcp71]

D60 - That looks exactly like my Autel unit. Does Otofix Pro and Autel use the same software?

For my uses the Autel does everything I need and more. I bought it to reprogram key on my Honda and its been so useful from there on with my Fords and VWs. It wasn't cheap when I bought it ~5 years ago and neither is the software updates. But very useful.

Otofix is owned by Autel since 2020, I think. A lot of their stuff crosses over.

 

[bdc101]

Sounds like I need to get me an Otofix D1 Lite, fellas!