Rec's for ODBII Scanner or software

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va3ux

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Any recommendations for ODBII scanners or ODBII software ?
Recommendations about what NOT to get are also welcome.

I've been doing a bit of research : it appears that I want to avoid basic code Readers and at least go with a more capable "scanner" that will also interpret manufacturer specific codes, read pending codes and record live data. I've browsed units made by Equus Innova, Actron and AutoXray.

The software looks even more intriguing, but it's perhaps not quite as quick and convenient as a handheld box. But running a laptop in the car doesn't bother me a bit. Software I've browsed is AutoTap, Auterra and ODB-2.

Any experience/advice out there ?

Many thanks...Phil
 
I have the scantool.net scanner/reader, it was $60 or so when I got it but has since crept up in price.

They base themselves on the ELM chip and for 3 or 4 different protocols there are seperate chips you have to buy. You can go all GM, all ford, or all chrysler/foreign, or new CANBUS. If I were to stick to one car forever this might make sense. Otherwise go for something that works universally (like most others.)

It failed, no data, probably a bad wire. Haven't figure it out yet. I got one of the $16 ebay code readers (no live data) and found it handy.
 
I'd forgotten about the ScanGuage. Thanks guys. My only concern is whether it will read manufacturer specific codes. If it doesn't then that limits it's usefulness as a DTC scanner. But everything else about it looks pretty good.
 
You'll get manufacturer specific codes but not manufacturer specific data.

As an example, the P1xxx series are manufacturer specific but will read on a generic scan tool. As an example I pulled a P1133, lazy oxygen sensor, on my saturn with the cheezy ebay code reader.

TPS, coolant temp, spark advance are generic data the generic scanners will pick up.

Knock retard, however, is encrypted, and requires a pricier scan tool to pick up.
 
Road rascal, that looks like an elm based scan tool, so my critique of scantool.net applies.
 
It failed but could have been the cable.

I'm not entirely happy with the design, that you have to buy several chips to work all cars. That new thing covers all protocols it seems.
 
I like the idea of an all in one OBD scanner that I can hook up to a laptop to get real data, not just some orange handheld...

But that said, I need it to be able to hook up with OBDII as well as CANBUS and whatnot that come from the euro makers. I dont think that one unit truly does it all, riht off the shelf - but that is what id want...

JMH
 
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Quote:

Knock retard, however, is encrypted, and requires a pricier scan tool to pick up.

Click to expand...


It's not really encrypted, it's just nonstandard. There are standard "legislated" data items that all cars must support. Then there are manufacturer-specific data items that are additional and for which there are no standards.

CANbus, implemented starting in 2003 and mandatory by 2008 or 2009, has more legislated data items than did the preceding bus standards.
 
does $350 buy you much more functionality than some of the tunable freeware or cheap to buy programs???

Do you know of other especially made programs for other brands???

Thanks,

JMH
 
Quote:

does $350 buy you much more functionality than some of the tunable freeware or cheap to buy programs???

Do you know of other especially made programs for other brands???

Thanks,

JMH

Click to expand...

Don't know, but it's fairly popular with the VW/Audi forum gang and I've been told that it provides near-equal functionality to the one used by dealership techs.

http://www.ross-tech.com/

VAG-COM is a VW/Audi exclusive thing...not sure about other brands.
 
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