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.

 

[D60]

I had an Xtool that bricked itself during updates. It was out of warranty and Xtool just shrugged and said "bummer." I'm guessing any manufacturer would do the same, but what annoyed me was that they didn't even try to feign concern.

Perhaps the greater takeaway is that LT updates do you zero good if the hardware bricks.

 

[tcp71]

I used my Otofix D1 Lite to calibrate the gear range and clutch engagement points on my Macan's PDK on Saturday. Dealer quoted $330 to do that. It took 30 minutes and most of that was getting the fluid up above 45C so it would do the calibration. It's paid for itself already just with the transfer case and transmission calibration capabilities.

 

[D60]

An example of bidirectional yesterday: 2007 Ram 5.7 with P0406 EGR position sensor circuit high

I went into active tests and called up the EGR PIDs. With the old EGR valve I commanded various duty cycles and the valve would vibrate, click and whir, but V stayed at 5.000 no matter the position.

I sourced a replacement and repeated. Now V changes with position, highlighted in blue:

 

[STL_G8GT]

I'm looking for the absolutely least expensive scanner that will do transmission adapt resets on a 2004 Lexus RX330. I would imagine an xtool d7s or d8 might do it, and the kingbolen comparable models. Any thoughts?

Edit - my xtool a30m did it!

 

[D60]

I'm looking for the absolutely least expensive scanner that will do transmission adapt resets on a 2004 Lexus RX330. I would imagine an xtool d7s or d8 might do it, and the kingbolen comparable models. Any thoughts?

You might ask Carista if it can do it. AI Google says yes, but I don't trust it.

 

[STL_G8GT]

You might ask Carista if it can do it. AI Google says yes, but I don't trust it.

To answer, my xtool a30m did it. I was shocked.

 

[iCurious]

I had an Xtool that bricked itself during updates. It was out of warranty and Xtool just shrugged and said "bummer." I'm guessing any manufacturer would do the same, but what annoyed me was that they didn't even try to feign concern.

Perhaps the greater takeaway is that LT updates do you zero good if the hardware bricks.

Look into Mucar or Thinkcar. They are free lifetime updates and the price is reasonable.

 

[BuckleSpring]

I had an Xtool that bricked itself during updates. It was out of warranty and Xtool just shrugged and said "bummer." I'm guessing any manufacturer would do the same, but what annoyed me was that they didn't even try to feign concern.

Perhaps the greater takeaway is that LT updates do you zero good if the hardware bricks.

That's unfortunate. Fingers crossed this A30M holds up (updates/software go through the app, rather than the tool itself). I couldn't find anything comparable to it on the market when I was researching a few weeks ago (bluetooth, lifetime updates, full bi-directional, not VIN-locked, not device-locked) without stepping up into the tablet-style scanners that are several hundred more (and I already have one)

It's wild/sad that I could buy one of these XTools a year and still come in at less than half the price of my yearly Autel subscription.

I'm looking for the absolutely least expensive scanner that will do transmission adapt resets on a 2004 Lexus RX330. I would imagine an xtool d7s or d8 might do it, and the kingbolen comparable models. Any thoughts?

Edit - my xtool a30m did it!

I'm very impressed with mine so far as well, the few times I've used it so far. First thing I did was use it on my father's infiniti to reset the turbo actuator calibration and it worked, which my Autel won't even do on that car... I have a J2534 box and a copy of Nissan Consult I've relied on for that purpose

 

[iCurious]

That's unfortunate. Fingers crossed this A30M holds up (updates/software go through the app, rather than the tool itself). I couldn't find anything comparable to it on the market when I was researching a few weeks ago (bluetooth, lifetime updates, full bi-directional, not VIN-locked, not device-locked) without stepping up into the tablet-style scanners that are several hundred more (and I already have one)

It's wild/sad that I could buy one of these XTools a year and still come in at less than half the price of my yearly Autel subscription.



I'm very impressed with mine so far as well, the few times I've used it so far. First thing I did was use it on my father's infiniti to reset the turbo actuator calibration and it worked, which my Autel won't even do on that car... I have a J2534 box and a copy of Nissan Consult I've relied on for that purpose

I would say the TOPDON is the better option.

 

[BuckleSpring]

I would say the TOPDON is the better option.

I considered one, my younger brother has one... Not sure if his is the Topscan Pro or Lite.

It could just be me, but I didn't find the app that intuitive, or that fast in terms of pairing/communication. Topscan only does 1 year of updates, and more limited bi-directional capabilities vs A30M as far as I can tell.

1 Year of Updates Included
$49 Yearly Updates - TopScan Lite
$99 Yearly Updates - TopScan Pro
$129 Yearly Updates - TopScan Master

The Mucar BT200 doesn't seem as capable as A30M in terms of bi-directional service functions (and doesn't support FCA OAuth), same for the KingBolen Elite (unless I'm missing something). The Mucar does have ELM327 compatibility though, which is a bonus.