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OBD II scanners: which scanner under $300 do you like? Login/Join 
Nature is full of
magnificent creatures
posted
There are a lot of choices. I'd like something that would work well for my price range, and do more than I need for now.

Amazon has a lot of choices, some of which stand up to fakespot, and some of which fakespot says probably have fake reviews.

I do not need a $4k Snapon tool, but I'd like something that can read stored codes which do not necessarily show up on the dash. Something that might help me keep an eye on and diagnose unknown issues to help keep our vehicles healthy.

For example, my brother has an ABS light on in his truck. I've felt transmission issues in my car, and I hear things I wonder about in my wife's car's engine harmonics when I drive it.

Something a curious engineer might get in a lot of trouble with. Smile

What do you use and like?

I prefer a tool which physically connects to the car, not a bluetooth dongle with an app.
 
Posts: 6273 | Registered: March 24, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by deepocean:

I prefer a tool which physically connects to the car, not a bluetooth dongle with an app.


Sure? Because the reader at that point is ~$25 and the app is a much easier software update (and choices within the marketplace) than a dedicated device.

My app of choice is currently EngineLink HD, on the iPad. Allows dashboards, etc. The hardware is a generic plugin, though mine is WiFi and not Bluetooth (mistake on my part).


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Posts: 2427 | Location: Roswell, GA | Registered: March 10, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The Scangauge II has worked well for me for several years.
 
Posts: 2384 | Registered: October 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-A...525&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Works great for reading codes and resetting a CEL but not sure about using it to monitor possible problems. There is a better model for $10 more, 45 vs 35; has an updated display and more functions.



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Posts: 699 | Location: DFW | Registered: August 15, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have been looking at the Bluedriver pro. Bluetooth for your phone. Around $100.00.
I have read good things about it.

https://www.bluedriver.com/pro...bluedriver-scan-tool


ARman
 
Posts: 3258 | Registered: May 19, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Raptorman
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You'll need a scanner with ABS codes.

The Harbor Tools reader will do just fine.

It's what I have.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...-with-abs-63807.html


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Posts: 34579 | Location: North, GA | Registered: October 09, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have an ultra gauge. Like the blue driver it is wireless which allows it to monitor in real time while you are driving and track performance details which may not be stored by the vehicle and retrieved later.



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Posts: 3950 | Location: Jacksonville, FL | Registered: September 10, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have the Blue Driver with the app. Works great and was ~$100 as I recall.


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Posts: 21008 | Location: Montana | Registered: November 01, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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https://www.harborfreight.com/...FixAssist-63806.html

This is what I have. It’s a bargain for what all it does. Scanners just keep getting cheaper and cheaper with more and more features.


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Posts: 4052 | Location: Northeast Georgia | Registered: November 18, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Not really from Vienna
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quote:
Originally posted by bryan11:
The Scangauge II has worked well for me for several years.


This. I keep mine plugged in all the time on my 01 suburban to monitor mileage, coolant temp, trip cost etc.
 
Posts: 27280 | Location: SW of Hovey, Texas | Registered: January 30, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have a seekone SK860. Works great. Screen easy to read nad it comes in a nice zippered case.

Silent
 
Posts: 1060 | Registered: February 02, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I got the ODBLink MX WI FI to use with my Windows Tablet.
Still learning but it seems very capable and includes free Software.
Buying an all-in-one device did not make sense to me to pay for cheap electronics.
YMMV
 
Posts: 23414 | Location: Houston, TX | Registered: June 11, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
eh-TEE-oh-clez
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I have a Scanguage II that's been hooked up to my Subaru outback since 2012 and 135,000 miles without issue. I use it for coolant temp, battery voltage, trip average mpg, and engine load for climbing hills. It reads and resets the occasional trouble code that I get.

It didn't read codes for my wife's BMW, so I got a $20 Bluetooth dongle for my phone.
 
Posts: 13067 | Location: Orange County, California | Registered: May 19, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I got the Blue Driver with app. Works for me.
 
Posts: 2012 | Location: DFW Texas | Registered: March 13, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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+1 for the BlueDriver. Works great on every car I have used it on.


"Strange days have found us, strange days have tracked us down." JM
 
Posts: 807 | Location: Pacific NW | Registered: September 21, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
I have been looking at the Bluedriver pro. Bluetooth for your phone. Around $100.00.
I have read good things about it.

https://www.bluedriver.com/pro...bluedriver-scan-tool


ARman


I have this one, and it's fantastic. Definitely recommend it.

quote:
Originally posted by deepocean:

I prefer a tool which physically connects to the car, not a bluetooth dongle with an app.


You'll change your mind if you get something like the bluedriver. The space saving alone is worth it. You can carry the Bluedriver in a shirt pocket and forget it's there.


~Alan

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Posts: 31169 | Location: Elv. 7,000 feet, Utah | Registered: October 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I too was hesitant about the wireless app based units.
I made the jump to ODBlink and their products are top notch.
If you buy the MX+ all the upgraded options are free for unlimited vehicles. It used to be just a single free upgrade.


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Posts: 25838 | Registered: September 06, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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About 18 months ago a member here was very kind and sent me a bluetooth OBDII device. I tried two apps and so far haven't been able to get it to work. It's probably me. Smile

The older I get, the more I prefer simple. Probably I should let one of my kids have a try at it.
 
Posts: 6273 | Registered: March 24, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by deepocean:

I prefer a tool which physically connects to the car, not a bluetooth dongle with an app.


You'll change your mind if you get something like the bluedriver. The space saving alone is worth it. You can carry the Bluedriver in a shirt pocket and forget it's there.[/QUOTE]

Sometimes what you want, isn't what you need.

Break the leash and go bluetooth!





Hedley Lamarr: Wait, wait, wait. I'm unarmed.
Bart: Alright, we'll settle this like men, with our fists.
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Posts: 6916 | Location: Atlanta | Registered: April 23, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
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Unless you live in the boondocks, have little access to auto parts stores or just want to own one, there's really no reason to buy one.

Every auto parts store will loan you one for free to go out and check and clear codes, and they keep up to date with the latest software, they have to since any type of vehicle owner could show up.
 
Posts: 24665 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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