Best value OBD II scanner?

[so2315]

Hello everybody, I am in the market for an OBD II scanner. I have looked at several and read reviews on some but was wondering what is in your tool box? I am leaning towards the Actron unit, but I would really like to get one that will read and pull ABS codes.
I am looking for one that will just pull the codes. I can look up the codes on Google. I see some will recommend a fix and so forth, but I just want to stay around $100.
So, whats in you box?

 

[Sureshot]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UPDA...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c5eff8e73

This is what I just bought. Will let you know how it works.

 

[dankicksass]

Actron's (aka OTC low-end) ABS coverage is very limited. Innova's (aka Craftsman) isn't any better. It's tough to say what a good value scan tool is if you really want ABS capability.

I use a Blue Point Microscan Pro, an Android tool and an old Actron OBD-I tool in my day to day, when needed. The best new scanner under $100, in my opinion, is the C-Reader V, which you can find for $60-75 shipped, but it doesn't cover ABS. It's the lowest priced tool that I know of which has individual sensor readout and graphing.

 

[makgreens]

my buddy bought this one from MAC #ET1205AN

for 160 its not bad at all..ive been thinking about getting it but im still on the fence

 

[amolaver]

per dankicksass recommendation, i gave the CReader V a try and i'm mostly happy with it. the interface is a little slow, but functionality-wise, it kicks all the actron's butts up until around the $200 price point so far as i can tell. the real time graphing works well, and it has some capability to trigger tests (although this is limited and i assume depends on vehicle). for a basic code puller / real time data viewer, its been a great bargain.

ahm

 

[williaty]

per dankicksass recommendation, i gave the CReader V a try and i'm mostly happy with it. the interface is a little slow, but functionality-wise, it kicks all the actron's butts up until around the $200 price point so far as i can tell. the real time graphing works well, and it has some capability to trigger tests (although this is limited and i assume depends on vehicle). for a basic code puller / real time data viewer, its been a great bargain.

ahm

I'll second this. I bought a Launch CReader V to use as my "older-car-compatible, drag it into the parking lot, take on vacation, generally beat up" code reader. For my mainline stuff, I have a laptop-based tool but the CReader is great for just quick work on anything or working on things the laptop-solution doesn't support. AFAIK, it doesn't have any ABS support.

There's a new CReader VI out. As far as I can tell, the new features are a color screen, 4 channel graphing, and faster performance.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Williaty, which laptop-based program are you using, and how do you like it for cost vs. performance?

so2015, I just passed on a chance to buy a slightly used (missing manual) Equus Innova model 3120 because as the reviewers pointed out the unit can't handle 'live data', and doesn't do ABS. So, I am in the same boat as you, looking for a unit with the most bang for the buck!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I was looking at this one, any info on it?
http://www.obdchina.com/maxidiag-md801-6360.html

 

[williaty]

Williaty, which laptop-based program are you using, and how do you like it for cost vs. performance?

I'm using a collection of free open source programs that are specific to recent-model Subarus. A program called LearningView allows me to pull DTCs as well as view the contents of the ECU RAM (fuel trims, learned timing advance/retard, etc). A program called ECUFlash allows me to pull the ROM from the ECU, modify nearly all the parameters, and then write the modified ROM back to the ECU (aka "tune it"). A program called RomRaider allows me to log a BUNCH of parameters (basically all the OBD-II parameters, all the Subaru Select Monitors (aka the dealer special scan tool), and a whole bunch of stuff not even dealer techs have access to), log the data to disk, view the numeric values in real time on-screen, view the parameters as a graph in real time, has a built-in tool for dialing in the MAF scaling, a built in tool for dialing in injector scaling and latency, and a built in software dyno. All of this runs off a OBD-II/CAN to USB cable. The one to support the CAN cars is $170. One that'll support the non-CAN cars only is just $13 on eBay.

It's an absolutely FANTASTIC solution... for the limited range of cars (about 100 year, model, and trim level combinations). If the ECU you're trying to talk to isn't on the supported list, you get jack.

Hence needing the CReader V to talk to older cars.

 

[dankicksass]

If the C-Reader V didn't support CAN, I wouldn't have recommended it to anyone. It will handle new CAN-only cars like the 2011 Camaro and Malibu just fine.

 

[FJF]

A program called ECUFlash allows me to pull the ROM from the ECU, modify nearly all the parameters, and then write the modified ROM back to the ECU (aka "tune it").

I use Ecuflash, as well. To add, there are platform-specific applications that allow one to read/clear codes, along with logging a given number of parameters. For example, as a Mitsubishi Evolution owner, I use Evoscan.

 

[peterbilr98]

go with snap on souls pro to read all your codes

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

go with snap on souls pro to read all your codes

I don't think this fits OP's budget.

 

[Tallpilot]

I am pretty sure the HF scantools are rebranded Autel. For $100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0QQZY7/?tag=atomicindus08-20 has the most capability. The $1,000+ scan tools feature bi-directional controls which can be invaluable during diagnosis but the one I liked will at least scan all modules; which is critical for anything built in the past 10 years or so.

You can probably find a better price than Amazon by searching for model number but it's a good place to read reviews and understand the tool. It has way more capability than the HF one for just a few dollars more.