ODB readers: Which would you go for?

[D60]

I have the Otofix D1 and it's pretty slow and super slow when doing updates but it does do quite a bit. I prefer the Launch based scan tools over Autel though.

And then I think it's King Bolen?? that's the "BluePoint" of Launch? I may be remembering incorrectly but they're the budget line of somebody

King Bolen: a name only HF could love beside Quinn, Doyle, Bauer, Drummond and Berger. Actually... nah, King Bolen is still cooler. I think he was the cousin of Prince Humperdink in The Princess Bride

 

[bdc101]

For people with a Ford, Forscan application and an inexpensive OBDII adapter are very good. But only Ford.

Also Mazdas! This works even for the post-Ford Mazdas too but I believe it stops at some point.

 

[Donald]

As people consider what they need one important thing is to determine if you need a bidirectional scanner or not.

 

[billt460]

Mucar is sure getting A LOT of attention / advertising lately. I'm seeing it everywhere I click. And I'm not even looking for a scanner.

 

[bdc101]

As people consider what they need one important thing is to determine if you need a bidirectional scanner or not.

I don't know if an amateur mechanic can really say that they "need" a bidirectional scanner for their car, can they?

It seems like any car you could run into a problem that would need bidirectional scanning to diagnose it.

 

[wtd]

As people consider what they need one important thing is to determine if you need a bidirectional scanner or not.

I would not buy a scanner that doesn't have bi-directional controls. You can rule out a lot of things with a bi-directional scanner and determine if something is working or not or if the wiring to a component is good or not.

 

[BuckleSpring]

Just sharing a data point: I picked up an XTool A30M V2.0 last week.

I have a cheap ELM327 for basic live data and diag. I also have an Autel tablet (~$700-800) that's solid but often loaned out to my brother or friends, leaving me without it when I need it oftentimes. Last weekend, I had to renew a ~$200 Autel subscription plus ~$75 FCA access to do some ABS work on a Stellantis vehicle and decided to try something else.

The XTool offers lifetime updates and similar bi-directional capabilities to the Autel at a good price (I paid ~$105). After a few uses, it's excellent... the app is responsive and more intuitive than Autel's interface IMHO. Very pleased so far. The A30X advertises slightly better speed and bluetooth, but I didn't see the need in spending $50 more for what's realistically going to be limited by the car's data bus speed in most cases anyway.

I also considered the Autel AP2500/Hyper Tough HT200, but it only has lifetime updates and bi-directional for one brand, which doesn't work for me. My brother has the bluetooth TopDon model that he likes, but I think it only comes with one year of updates, and the app didn't look that great from the minute or two I messed with it.