Scan Tools

[mechanic380]

I have wanted a Scan Tool for quite a while. I picked out an autoenginuity PC based system. Still haven't purchased it. This was a year ago. When I searched today I found a couple other cheaper options including the Ultra Gauge.
Questions:
Does Ultra Gauge display live data such as misfires?
Anyone with a PC based system have any recommendations?
What is the cheapest full feature scan tool available? Live data, and diagnostic test capability.

 

[Trav]

I have the autoenginuity for a few years now and its a good tool.The only drawback in a way is buying the expansion packs,they were much cheaper when i got them now they are expensive in comparison,the app is very generic OBDII without them,not even ABS.
On the other hand yearly updates are reasonable enough.

 

[finalyzd]

If could I would love to give away our solus pro aka piece of garbage. IMO a over priced code reader. Snap on versus is the way to go!

 

[mechanic380]

I should specify this is for personal use. Price limit of around 300. So the enginuity does not do ABS. What other systems does it not cover. I am mainly interested in engine diagnostics as I know relatively little about ABS or transmissions. Thanks for the input.
I am also much more likely to use this with 2005 and older vehicles for quite a while.
I spent more time on the site and found the features that are not available on the base model. Yes it would be quite expensive to have full capability. It does seem much cheaper than hand held scanners though.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: mechanic380
I should specify this is for personal use. Price limit of around 300. So the enginuity does not do ABS. What other systems does it not cover. I am mainly interested in engine diagnostics as I know relatively little about ABS or transmissions. Thanks for the input.
I am also much more likely to use this with 2005 and older vehicles for quite a while.
I spent more time on the site and found the features that are not available on the base model. Yes it would be quite expensive to have full capability. It does seem much cheaper than hand held scanners though.



The Innova line of tools is very affordable and do a lot for the money including real time data and ABS modes depending on model. I have atleast 6 scan tool, including a GM Tech 2 that costs thousands....guess which one I grab 1st for ease of use? My innova 3130 that I got for under $175.

 

[George7941]

I am not aware of any hand-held sub$300 scan tools which can do testing(bidirectional controls). Autoenginuity, with the expansion modules for the makes you are working on, seems to be the best for that.

I am planning on getting Autoenginuity, with the domestic bundle. It goes for $700 plus.

http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/site/573683/product/SP05

 

[Vikas]

Unless you are willing to spend lots of hundreds, stick with the cheapest tool which supports:-

a) CAN OBD
b) Live Data
c) Mode 6

Harbor Freight sells one for approximately single hundred dollar.
Amazon has another brand which it sells even cheaper but I do not have personal experience with it. I have the HF and I am happy with it.

Another brand is Autel. I have couple of Autel units too with different capability. They sell Domestic / Asian / European with ABS+Airbag but the implementation had few bugs when I had bought it for about $200. You get to select whether you wanted Domestic or Asian or European unit.

Innova (Equus) is another good priced brand which can give you domestic ABS support along with Live Data and CAN support at about $200 price point.

For PC based one, look for Alex Pepper. It is reasonably priced and has very good support for OBD parameters but no ABS or Anti-lock for any vehicle.

Ultra-Gauge is not really well suited for OBD-II unit even though it has most of the capability of a OBD-II unit. Moving from car to car is not its strong suite. But for live data, it can NOT be beat. You can monitor 6 parameters at the same time although its sampling rate is low even if your vehicle could support higher rate. I have got that one too.

Fire away with your specific questions. I am awash with OBD units

 

[mechanic380]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have any more specific requirements. I worked as a mechanic for a short time but never got into diagnostics. So I do not have a lot of knowledge of what I really need. The list of what to look for will really help.

 

[Vikas]

If you are looking to buy a scanner because your earnings depend upon it, then I am the wrong guy but if you are looking to get in to diagnostic game cheaply, I can help you!

Here is the one from Amazon Launch CReader

The price is right at $66 and shipping is free and with Amazon, they will take it back if you ended up hating it.

Unless you buy expensive scanners with additional manufacturer specific extensions, your options are quite limited. However, with the later model CAN protocol vehicles, there are lot more standard PIDs available. With live data, snapshot and graphing support, your diagnostic ability would increase multifold. If you have Mode $6 support in the scanner and if you are lucky to find the free Mode $6 decoder for your specific vehicle over the internet, you would have even more information at your hand allowing you to proactively measure effectiveness of a monitored system.

Two way communication capability in the consumer grade scanners is limited. The scanner does NOT actually control the test but can have ability to tell the car ECM to initiate a test.

Bottom line:- tell me your budget, I will tell you what to buy. The choices are endless and the range of the budget goes from under $100 to over $5000!

- Vikas

 

[Vikas]

Here is the one from Autel for $150 with domestic ABS and airbag capability. Mind you that reviews are mixed and I returned my Japanese version because it had few bugs. The same Amazon return privileges apply, so your risk is minimal.

The Autel MaxiDiag US703 is an innovative multifunctional scan tool created for technicians who need a single tool suitable for both the general troubleshooting of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) on OBD-II/EOBD compliant vehicles, and more focused work on GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Powered by Autel Uni-SCAN technology, the US703 supports all current OBD-II/EOBD protocols, including CAN (Controller Area Network), and provides engine, transmission, ABS and airbag systems code support for GM models 1984-2006, Ford 1984-2006 and Chrysler 1988-2006. OBD-II is the second generation of an onboard diagnostics standard for cars and trucks and has been a mandatory requirement for all vehicles sold in the US since 1996, both domestic and imports EOBD is its European counterpart, required on gasoline models since 2000 and diesel models since 2003.

Along with its compatibility with a variety of makes and models, stretching back to 1984, the US703 also adds additional flexibility to any mechanic's tool box with its wealth of built-in features. These include the ability to retrieve generic and manufacturer-specific codes, a built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library that is updatable via the Internet, O₂ sensor data and live datastream parameters, data graphing (1996 models and newer), memory/battery backup for off-vehicle data review and analysis, trilingual support (English, Spanish, French), the ability to print data via PC, and more.

Complete Features:

* Troubleshoots engine, ABS, transmission and airbags codes
* Global OBD-II/EOBD coverage (US, Asian & European)
* Powered by Uni-SCAN technology with no adapters to buy
* Supports all nine test modes of the latest J1979 OBD-II test specs
* Retrieves generic (P0, P2, P3, and U0) and manufacturer specific (P1, P3, and U1) codes
* Displays DTC definitions on unit screen
* Views freeze frame data
* Displays O₂ sensor data as well as live datastream parameters
* Data graphing – (1996 and newer)
* Reads, stores and plays back live sensor data
* Memory/battery backup for off-vehicle data review and analysis
* Performs modules present test
* Retrieves vehicle information (VIN, CIN and CVN)
* Supports all current OBD-II protocols, including CAN (Controller Area Network)
* Extremely easy to use and highly reliable
* Trilingual support—English, Spanish, French or other combinations
* Software upgradeable via Internet
* Built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library
* Prints data via PC

Product Description
Powered by Autel Uni-SCAN technology, the MaxiDiag an innovative multi-functional scan tool designed for technicians to troubleshoot engine, transmission, ABS and airbag systems for most of the vehicles. Reliable, easy-to-use and affordable, the scan tool is a time saver and a money maker. It supports all nine test modes of the latest J1979 OBD II test specs and retrieves generic as well as manufacturer specific codes. This scanner retrieves vehicle information, performs modules present test, views freeze frame data and displays O2 sensor data as well as live data stream parameters. It comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet. This scanner reads, stores as well as playbacks live sensor data and prints data via PC.

 

[Donald]

How does Torque (runs on a smart phone) compare to say the Innova 3130?

 

[2Fast4U]

Check out proscan.

http://www.myscantool.com/details.php

 

[Trav]

I would probably just go with the Equus 3160,they are sub $200 now.It is full featured inc live data and manufacturer specific codes,the Equus units are good quality that should last for years.

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3160-Professional-Diagnostic-Vehicles/dp/B001QIUGVI

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I would probably just go with the Equus 3160,they are sub $200 now.It is full featured inc live data and manufacturer specific codes,the Equus units are good quality that should last for years.

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3160-Professional-Diagnostic-Vehicles/dp/B001QIUGVI



+1 The Equus 3160 is worth every penny! Check Amazon they run some pretty good deals along with free shipping. I paid well under $200 for mine shipped free.

Thanks Vikas!

 

[Vikas]

Laptop based are great when you have your own shop but otherwise for ability to move from car to car or to keep it in a car, a stand alone unit (or PDA/Phone based unit with blue tooth adapter is lot more user friendly. Buy the laptop based unit as your third or fourth OBD-II unit

You can not go wrong with Equus. If you want to buy local, I recall seeing them in Walmart.

Don't wait until you find the perfect scan tool as your first scan tool. Follow my criteria and buy one now. After you get familiar with the usage and technique then look for an ideal one at your leisure. That is how I ended up with currently 5 units and still counting

- Vikas

 

[Stu_Rock]

Even though you said you're only interested in the powertrain diagnostics, I think you should still look for a model with ABS capability. At some point a hub speed sensor will croak and you'll have to figure out which one to replace. Mark my words; it will happen. Shops will want $80-$120 just to hook up their scanner to tell you which one. The price premium for an ABS diagnostic tool will pay for itself then.

 

[mechanic380]

Well I decided to go with the equus 3130. I will have to do without the ABS for now. The price point is too good on the 3130. I dismissed these products when first recommended because the official website quotes like $400-500. I finally checked Amazon like recommended and for $131 it is worth a try.

It sounds like it will have all the functionality I need at a lower price than the autoenginuity. I will have to wait for that one. I have more important things to spend the extra $100 dollars on. The speed tracer add on sounds fun, but it is not necessary on a family sedan.

Thanks for all the advice and I will post my thoughts about it in a week or two once I fix the two vehicles I need it for.

 

[Vikas]

It is a great scanner, ask DemarPaint It supports Mode $6, known as "NON-CONTINUOUS TEST" in your scanner. Try to see if you can find the decoder ring for your specific model on the web. It will give you real insight on the condition of your engine.

- Vikas

 

[Letter_K]

I'm jealous, the Equus 3160 looks like a nice tool. Years ago, I bought an AutoXray 6000 for about $325. Unfortunately, the company sold to SPX (IIRC) and they haven't updated the software probably in 5 years. Wish I had the transmission/ABS info.

I shouldn't complain too much, I've still got my value out of it.

 

[RnR]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
+1 The Equus 3160 is worth every penny! Check Amazon they run some pretty good deals along with free shipping. I paid well under $200 for mine shipped free.
Hmmm... Just how "well under"... do you recall?