Posted: 7/12/2015 12:13:14 AM EDT
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I want an OBD II scan tool for home use. There are a plethora of scan tools out there but I want a good one that will give me the best results.
The MAC and Snap-On tool truck both stop by at my place of employment and through my limited research I am leaning towards these: http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Diagnostics-and-Testing/Code-Readers/ET1205ANX/Mac-TaskPlus-Trilingual-OBD-II-EOBD-and-CAN-Scan-Tool or maybe this one http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Diagnostics-and-Testing/Code-Readers/ET1505ANX/Mac-TaskConnect-Trilingual-OBD-II-CAN-ABS-and-Airbag-Scan-Tool I'm an avionics technician by trade and really want something that will give me the most bang for the buck. I recently had a problem with my wife's car which had me driving to a mechanic a few miles away. After they scanned my codes the vehicle left me stranded for a while as I had to let the engine cool off before I was able to drive it again. It had a bad MAF sensor which also incorporates the IAT sensor on a 2006 Ford Freestyle. If I had my own scan tool I could have done this at the house and saved myself a lot of time. |
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I picked up a launch Creaderpro CRP123. It works as well as some of the more expensive scanners, Does logging and live views. resets abs, airbag, and engine lights. 130 bucks.
I have used the hell out of it, more so than the OTC genesis. In the time it takes to pull out the OTC and hook it up and boot it the little Creader will have already reset the light. |
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I picked up a launch Creaderpro CRP123. It works as well as some of the more expensive scanners, Does logging and live views. resets abs, airbag, and engine lights. 130 bucks. I have used the hell out of it, more so than the OTC genesis. In the time it takes to pull out the OTC and hook it up and boot it the little Creader will have already reset the light. I'll go check this out, thanks. |
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I picked up a launch Creaderpro CRP123. It works as well as some of the more expensive scanners, Does logging and live views. resets abs, airbag, and engine lights. 130 bucks. I have used the hell out of it, more so than the OTC genesis. In the time it takes to pull out the OTC and hook it up and boot it the little Creader will have already reset the light. I'll go check this out, thanks. |
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If all you want to do is gets codes and turn the check engine light out a scan tool is a scan tool and can be had for less than $25. If you want one that can give you real time info the price goes up. Buying Mac or Snap-On and so on just for home use is a waste of money IMO, unless you have the money and wish to waste it. |
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If all you want to do is gets codes and turn the check engine light out a scan tool is a scan tool and can be had for less than $25. If you want one that can give you real time info the price goes up. Buying Mac or Snap-On and so on just for home use is a waste of money IMO, unless you have the money and wish to waste it. I really like the idea of having real time info reported to better troubleshoot symptoms. I work on commercial aircraft, I like as much data as possible to come to a conclusion when fixing a problem plus I don't mind spending the money on something that is useful. |
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I have some cheapo one off amazon. Interfaces with torque, works as advertised. I can reset codes as well as check them with no issues. Can't imagine what else I would need.
I don't have it handy, but most of the cheap ones seem to be about the same. Torque will report real time running info to your phone. |
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you're wasting your money on anything more than 25$ the elm27s on amazon/fleabay.
you dont get anything more until you step up to the several hundred/thousands of dollars range. Then you can get into bidirectional control of outputs and proprietary mfg pids, enter and clear other modules (TCM etc) you cant really do that without spending big bucks. |
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I really like the idea of having real time info reported to better troubleshoot symptoms. I work on commercial aircraft, I like as much data as possible to come to a conclusion when fixing a problem plus I don't mind spending the money on something that is useful. Quoted:
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If all you want to do is gets codes and turn the check engine light out a scan tool is a scan tool and can be had for less than $25. If you want one that can give you real time info the price goes up. Buying Mac or Snap-On and so on just for home use is a waste of money IMO, unless you have the money and wish to waste it. I really like the idea of having real time info reported to better troubleshoot symptoms. I work on commercial aircraft, I like as much data as possible to come to a conclusion when fixing a problem plus I don't mind spending the money on something that is useful. Torque does this. The app is free and a good bluetooth adapter is like $20. |
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Quoted: I have some cheapo one off amazon. Interfaces with torque, works as advertised. I can reset codes as well as check them with no issues. Can't imagine what else I would need. I don't have it handy, but most of the cheap ones seem to be about the same. Torque will report real time running info to your phone. I also bought some $10 bluetooth ODB2 scanner off Amazon and it works fine using my Android phone via Bluetooth and the free Torque app. I can read codes, reset the code and see real time data. |
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Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. |
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Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. Quoted:
Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. *facepalm* |
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Torque does this. The app is free and a good bluetooth adapter is like $20. Quoted:
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If all you want to do is gets codes and turn the check engine light out a scan tool is a scan tool and can be had for less than $25. If you want one that can give you real time info the price goes up. Buying Mac or Snap-On and so on just for home use is a waste of money IMO, unless you have the money and wish to waste it. I really like the idea of having real time info reported to better troubleshoot symptoms. I work on commercial aircraft, I like as much data as possible to come to a conclusion when fixing a problem plus I don't mind spending the money on something that is useful. Torque does this. The app is free and a good bluetooth adapter is like $20. Okay, I understand now. Torque is an app for a smart phone device and all I would need is an adapter. After looking at what Torque does it should provide enough data. Thanks, I appreciate it! I guess I thought my options for OBD II were only for plug and play hand held scanners but didn't realize that now there are apps and bluetooth compatible devices to use on your smart phone. I love technology. |
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*facepalm* Quoted:
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Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. *facepalm* I know, I'm slow 
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I know, I'm slow
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Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. *facepalm* I know, I'm slow
Torque is awesome. I keep the adapter plugged in and use it a lot. It's neat just seeing info your gauges won't tell you driving down the road. Not to mention the ability to read/reset codes etc. A top of the line adapter is about $20 on Amazon. A cheap one is less than $10. App is free. Can't beat it for a DIY'er. |
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Torque is awesome. I keep the adapter plugged in and use it a lot. It's neat just seeing info your gauges won't tell you driving down the road. Not to mention the ability to read/reset codes etc. A top of the line adapter is about $20 on Amazon. A cheap one is less than $10. App is free. Can't beat it for a DIY'er. Quoted:
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Now that is cool! I would really like a nice display as well for my older eyes. Using a tablet or smart phone is a great idea, thanks. *facepalm* I know, I'm slow
Torque is awesome. I keep the adapter plugged in and use it a lot. It's neat just seeing info your gauges won't tell you driving down the road. Not to mention the ability to read/reset codes etc. A top of the line adapter is about $20 on Amazon. A cheap one is less than $10. App is free. Can't beat it for a DIY'er. I'm going to go this route, I really appreciate your input and help. |
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Just bought this and am downloading the Torque App now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-Bluetooth-Adapter-Scanner-Torque-Android-OBD2-OBDII-Code-Reader-Scan-Tool-/320864288463?hash=item4ab5007ecf&item=320864288463&vxp=mtr |
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+1 on the blue driver. The Mac and Snap-On guys aren't going to get you an OBD II Scanner that will read SRS and ABS codes for less than $400 bucks, even though I have spent plenty of $$$ on both trucks over the years. |
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Realize, at this level any tool is onky going to give you minimal information which may not be adiquate for all diagnostics.
A plug in launch or autel in the sub $100 range is probably your best bet. The bluetooth type scanners are annoying, when your really trying to capture live data and a communication error occures its, annoying. Code readers that operates on wifi rather then bluetooth have better reliability. |
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Why would you do anything other than torque + cheap bluetooth OBD2 adapter? Because I'm old and have an iPhone 4 and can't see shit on that little fucking screen. And that brings me to my question - is anybody using one of these OBD2 adapters with a Windows PC? I don't have any Android devices, and the iPhone is a problem. But I have several laptops and tablets to choose from that run XP, Win7, and Win8.1. All the listings on Amazon say Windows compatible, but no mention of software. So, is there software like Torque for Windows? Has anybody here tried it? |
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Why would you do anything other than torque + cheap bluetooth OBD2 adapter? I don't think that Torque (as far as I am aware) will do ABS codes, Won't bleed the ABS pump. Doesn't do any of the airbag codes, or transmission codes. Some of the scan tools will show you the voltages to sensors and other neat stuff. But that's the difference between an several thousand dollar snapon and a free app. That being said, it depends how in depth you are at trying to do it yourself. I use Torque, I like it, it works good, but there a many things it won't do. |
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Clears codes and acts as a set of gauges. Can set alarms for oil mileage and a bunch of other stuff. Have one in the Mazda.
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/ |
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I have a cheap bluetooth OBD2 and a regular wired one. Each cost around $30. Both will pull check-engine-light codes, and reset them. Get the code, look up the likely troubleshooting on the internet. The more expensive MAC tools you linked to will do live sensor data, which will help you if the internet troubleshooting fails. It looks like only the $429 one does ABS and trans codes. |
| The ones you linked to by mac are made by otc, the first one is this one. The second is this one. I would recommend one from launch. The crp line, the 123,129,229. All have free updates from launch. Engine,trans one the 123, that plus abs and some brake pad function along with monitor resets on the 129 All have live data, codes and code descriptions. The 229 will do all of that plus the rest of the modules on the vehicle and more resets. |
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+1 on the blue driver. The Mac and Snap-On guys aren't going to get you an OBD II Scanner that will read SRS and ABS codes for less than $400 bucks, even though I have spent plenty of $$$ on both trucks over the years. Quoted:
+1 on the blue driver. The Mac and Snap-On guys aren't going to get you an OBD II Scanner that will read SRS and ABS codes for less than $400 bucks, even though I have spent plenty of $$$ on both trucks over the years. My 130 dollar Creader does just that. SRS, ABS, TCU, ECU, live data stream, logging and it will even reset tire lights on certain cars. That being said... I might have to tinker with a blue driver setup for shits and grins. Oh yeah... That OTC Genysis I use.... Its a steaming pile of shit. Battery has never held since it was new, The USB dongle that came with it fried the computer it was attached to during the update, and it is so slow to boot. Oh, and their support sucks dick. Don't get me started on the OTC scope that worked twice before it died. 
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Oh yeah... That OTC Genysis I use.... Its a steaming pile of shit. Battery has never held since it was new, The USB dongle that came with it fried the computer it was attached to during the update, and it is so slow to boot. Oh, and their support sucks dick. Don't get me started on the OTC scope that worked twice before it died. Yes the genysis that came out in the 90s has run its course, that's why it has been replaced and is going away. |
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Yes the genysis that came out in the 90s has run its course, that's why it has been replaced and is going away. Quoted:
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Oh yeah... That OTC Genysis I use.... Its a steaming pile of shit. Battery has never held since it was new, The USB dongle that came with it fried the computer it was attached to during the update, and it is so slow to boot. Oh, and their support sucks dick. Don't get me started on the OTC scope that worked twice before it died. Yes the genysis that came out in the 90s has run its course, that's why it has been replaced and is going away. True. I will say though, that Creader Pro is a solid piece of kit for the money. I can do everything from American specific mfrs to Aussie to European cars with it. Hell I even have Skoda in there... LOL Not that I will ever need to scan a Skoda. |
| Thanks for everyone's input to this thread. I have the bluetooth adapter coming in the mail along with the Torque app that I've downloaded. I also acquired a Launch CreaderV+ OBDII/EOBD that is also CAN compatible. I just wanted to try both of these out to see which I liked better. |