Good scan tool for $150ish?

[Uncle Ben]

What I’m looking for may not exist…but I can only spend $150 or less, or possibly up to $200 for a scan tool, and I’m starting to think that a PC-based scanner will give me more bang for the buck. Handheld would be nice, but I care much more about the capabilities of the scanner. Some of the things I’d like to have are:

-Live data and graphing
-Monitoring individual/specific sensors and components
-Ability to “command on” engine components (like commanding on an EGR valve, for example)
-confirm emissions readiness
-view pending codes, not just stored codes
-view specific engine data such as # of misfires per cylinder, for example
-vehicle specific codes would be nice, but I don’t know if that means I have to buy software upgrades for each vehicle/manufacturer…

Also, it seems that some companies sell the software only, and other companies sell the hardware only (interface and cables), and other companies sell it all as a package together, so I get a little confused as to what you are getting when buying from some of these companies while I’m researching online.

Thanks for your input!

 

[amolaver]

can't help but want to see what people recommend as i could use a good-but-inexpensive scanner as well. recently saw the equus 3160 ($199 on amazon) but it doesn't appear to do any OBD1 (according to their little chart) while the cheaper 3120 does OBD1 but lacks the live data view/record and detailed abs faults. i'd really like a tech2 for my truck, but obviously can't justify the cost as a non-pro.

 

[jeffk14]

can't help but want to see what people recommend as i could use a good-but-inexpensive scanner as well. recently saw the equus 3160 ($199 on amazon) but it doesn't appear to do any OBD1 (according to their little chart) while the cheaper 3120 does OBD1 but lacks the live data view/record and detailed abs faults. i'd really like a tech2 for my truck, but obviously can't justify the cost as a non-pro.

I bought the 3160 because of the better OBD II capabilities than the 3120. All my cars are OBD II anyway and if i need to work on a OBD I car, there are usually workarounds and OBD I readers are uber cheap.

 

[Seanbev24]

I think your problem will be your requirement for bi-directional control to "command on" components. I've never heard of this in your price range.

 

[Uncle Ben]

amolaver and jefk14: I was planning on buying the Innova 3160 until I kept seeing auto instructional videos where they were doing things with scanners that the Innova products cannot do, mainly commanding on components, but they also don't provide any vehicle-specific codes, right?

Seanbev24: What you said is also what I was thinking, that the "bi-directional control" (didn't know that's what it was called) would only be in the really hi-end expensive scanners. Are there any scanners that you could recommend in my price range without that feature, since that may be something I have to give up anyway?

 

[amolaver]

i believe there are some vehicle-specific codes in the 3160 (note their reference to abs faults on some US brands) but don't have one in hand. certainly won't be nearly as specific as the high-end ones. while it may not work for a pro, i've had great luck using these type of cheaper scanners, pulling the 'generic' codes, then searching the web for vehicle make/model with that code; i've been able to find the 2 or 3 likely causes for each one and then diagnosed from there. no doubt there will be things this doesn't work for.. still, 4K for a scanner is not in my near-term plans, especially when it essentially is only useful for 1 brand. hell, it would be cheaper to bring the car to a dealership and pay them to run the scanner and give me the results. don't trust most of the 'pros' anyway - waaaay too many knuckle draggers get paid to spin wrenches.

ahm

 

[Buckgnarly]

I could not find anything in that price range that will give you the ability to control stuff. I got the 3160 for under 200 off Fleabay, gives live data but no ability to control stuff...was the best scanner for the under 3k that it seems all the pro stuff starts at....

 

[Uncle Ben]

Thanks guys. I'm strongly considering obd-2.com, but the site is very hard to navigate and I'm waiting to hear back from them on some questions. Looks like it does just about everything I want, but not the "controlling" of components, which appears to be way outside my realm, at least money-wise.

 

[Uncle Ben]

ProScan could be another good option, but I'm wondering what it has that the Innova 3160 does not, and I'm wondering if it covers manufacturer specific codes.

 

[daveblank]

Look into Matco's MD1032

 

[bronc3buster842001]

Check craigslist. Friend of mine picked up an OTC Nemisys for 100 bucks.

 

[dankicksass]

Check craigslist. Friend of mine picked up an OTC Nemisys for 100 bucks.

Your friend is very lucky.

Budget scan tools are all a compromise when it comes to the features. You can do much better with a used pro model from OTC or Snap-On, but depending on where you are there may not be a deal to find. I know my local Craigslist outlets are pretty shallow waters. I'm going to re-post my budget scanner recommendations from an earlier thread. I have two ELM327 OBD-II CAN units, one bluetooth that I keep with me and use with an Android phone, and one USB model for the laptop. Works with VAG-COM for Volkswagens and that makes me happy. Faster, easier and more full featured than my old Actron 9180 I had since that came out, the phone interface works great.

If you've got a laptop, you're well off with a usb tool like this one on Amazon at $29, free shipping. You can find it on ebay cheaper or in a bluetooth model for Android/Windows smartphones. Be advised that bluetooth models don't work with the iPhone or iPod touch due to Apple's choices.

If you want a cheap scanner that works without a PC and shows you real live data without going used on Craigslist, I recommend the C•Reader V, currently $67 on Amazon. It's as full featured as the popular $200-ish models from Equus/Actron, less the pre-96 and ABS coverage of some of the specialty models. The manufacturer has been good about supporting users with updates and the like, and all at no cost.

 

[bronc3buster842001]

There have been a few of the OTC ones one my local craigslist for under 200 bucks.

 

[ducati]

About double the money, I don't know what a used one would go for, but I have Auto Enginuity I think it was about $350 with the Ford Enhancment and has saved me thousands of dollars.

 

[amolaver]

thanks for all the great suggestions - i really like that CReader V and will get one just to get started with something. As far as the OTC's go...Can you make suggestions for what models to look for? ie, someone is selling an OTC 3111 locally - OTC yes, but also appears to be overpriced for what it does so far as i can tell although i could be missing something.

i think one of the biggest problem the 'shade tree' guy has with the obd2 tools is that every vehicle brand has their own specialty model that costs thousands - do the tool truck versions go to the level of detail that a tech2 does on a GM? can it activate the ABS solenoids so i can properly bleed my brakes?

what is the low-end price for a tool that can do that kind of thing? $1K? 2K? 4K?

ahm

 

[dankicksass]

Don't get an OTC 3111, it's the same as an Actron 9580 with minor revisions. Its ABS and Euro coverage is terrible.

 

[mkdive]

I picked up a 3160 about a year ago. It was on sale at amazon for $150, I have been very happy with it for my needs.

 

[amolaver]

what about something like this:

http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usatoolwarehouse/OTC-3696-p-OTC01020101.html

an OTC 3696 for ~$1300. i mean, does it really do 20x more than the CReader V?

ahm

 

[Uncle Ben]

I'm looking pretty hard at these two from Amazon, which is the XiTech XR7 OBD-II /EOBD Pro CanBus Scan Tool ($50), and the 2nd link below is for XiTech XR7 OBD-II Advanced CAN Bus Scan Tool ($30). They are very similar, but it looks like the $50 one reads not only generic, but also manufacturer specific codes. It also says it covers all OBD-II from 2006-2011. The $30 version may also, but I suspect not since the description does not mention that.

The details are not very specific, but here is what it says the features are for each...
$50 version:
Product Features
Cover all 1996-2011 Cars & Trucks; Imports & Domestics
Read and reset diagnostic trouble codes, both generic and manufacturer-specific, and display their meaning
View Realtime Engine Data, Read Emissions Readiness Paramaters
3 Year Product Warranty
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00420SAMY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$30 version:
Product Features
USB-CAN Bus Interface
Read & Erase Trouble Codes - View Live Data
Backwards Compatible with other "Elm327"tm Software Packages
3 Yr Limited Warranty
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M2CSP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can't seem to find more details about these online, but they both seem to be a great price for what they offer.

 

[dankicksass]

All ELM327 USB OBD-II CAN PC interfaces are the same, they use the same chip and function identically. Putting a "PRO" sticker on it or a fancy name doesn't make it worth an extra $20. For more info, go to the source: http://www.elmelectronics.com/DSheets/ELM327DS.pdf

an OTC 3696 for ~$1300. i mean, does it really do 20x more than the CReader V?

I don't think there's any realistic comparison between a Genisys and a C•Reader. One is a serious pro diagnostic tool and one is a decent compact scanner with live data for under a hundred bucks. If you need a Genisys, you're going to make money with it. If you need a C•Reader, you're going to save money with it.

 

[cruiser808]

:

Well said, Dan.

 

[amolaver]

i'm not so sure i'd say that. i don't turn wrenches for a living, but race production-based cars. people spend $1500 a weekend on tires and fuel - if there was a competitive advantage derived from using one of these, people would want to know if 3 would be better... if having something like this in the trailer solved a problem getting us back on track for a session that we would otherwise miss if we only had a CReader, it would be worth every penny to at least half a dozen guys who show up to race with us every event.

ahm