Inexpensive OBD2 scanner

[cheechi]

Saw the sears BF ad has this for $199. Is it a decent scanner? Is there a better one for less?

I had considered the HF for the price but several reviews say you can't update it and its years out of date. I needed one for the wife's car a few weeks back but don't own one. My car is older and the codes for it are all useless anyway. I'm willing to spend some money to get it but that may be the top of my budget for a seldom used tool like this. Suggestions?

 

[Super Sport]

I bought a cheapo Craftsman one for around $15 that allows me to read and clear codes. I don't see a point for the average DIYer to own one that costs much more.

I have, however, considered buying one that can read other types of codes, like OBDI or ABS and SRS. Those aren't cheap...

 

[ChevyEFI]

if you need codes only and aren't going to delve into live data, freeware and a bluetooth dongle will get you going for $25.

 

[djwyman]

if you need codes only and aren't going to delve into live data, freeware and a bluetooth dongle will get you going for $25.

+1 there are several free android apps that will read info off of those blue tooth ODBII dongles and I am sure they have equivalents for IOS and windows (pc not phone)

 

[shoggoth80]

I've been rocking the $60 Matco code advisor. Reads, gives some details, and clears codes. All I need for the moment. Lol.

 

[Nanashi]

Buy a basic code reader for $50. If you want live data, and, trans and body codes and data check out the crp123. I have the crp129 and I get it out more often for things than I do my bosses MODIS ultra.

The crp123 is $300 check launch USA's website for retailers because there are a lot of phony web sites selling clones or something.

 

[Rosco 62]

My wife's 04 Honda car has a check engine light for the smog system (Ca) A mechanic friend who has a tester says it codes out to the converter being bad.
What tester can I buy to check and clear the code that won't break me ?
I'm looking for another converter , but no aftermarkets built yet for a 50 state
04 Honda car. $1100.00 for a converter from Honda. Thanks , Rosco

 

[Brownsfan]

I have an Innova 3160. Does can/obd1/2 srs and abs. Does live data as well. I believe it was around $250ish. It has been great.

 

[firebox40dash5]

You can go cheaper and not lose much of any consequence to you, or spend a little more and get a better unit with more features, as has been said. I have a cheap old Innova (which is what the ones at Sears are) and if you've just got fairly standard stuff and don't need much beyond check/clear codes, it works great. Check the used market, you're not losing out on stuff like updates as you would buying a used high end scanner. I got mine for about $40.

I've also got a Launch CRP129. It's not bad for what it is, it'll do a lor that the cheap one won't, but there are also things the cheap one does that it won't. The CRP123 ain't bad for $300, and I'd buy it before spending $200 on the one you linked. It won't do OBD1 but as you've found, that's not the most useful thing anyway. Mine is pretty good at live data though, which can mean the difference between having to go to a shop anyway or blindly throw parts at the car, and being able to actually narrow down a problem. A scanner isn't the "oh, here's the part you need to replace" magic bullet some people think it is.

 

[cheechi]

Thanks guys. Wasn't expecting these answers at all, pleasantly surprised. I was expecting to hear I would have to spend more.

so this bluetooth dongle is what I think I'll pick up.

 

[sector9]

Thanks guys. Wasn't expecting these answers at all, pleasantly surprised. I was expecting to hear I would have to spend more.

so this bluetooth dongle is what I think I'll pick up.

I have that same one. Works well as long as you have an Android or jailbroken iOS device

 

[scaron]

i have a craftsman 20890 which i think is a rebadged innova 3130. it does can/obd2 and has live data, emissions, freeze frame, usual stuff but does not do obd1 (no problem for me since i don't/won't ever have any cars that old) or abs/srs (kind of a bummer but not worth an extra $100 to me). i think i paid like $130-140 for it at sears. i'm very happy with the scanner so far, does everything i need and more. great value. i saw the equivalent innova branded scanner on the shelf at o'reillys for like double the price.

 

[032484]

amazon has many for under $20. There's not much science to it, it just reads codes and deletes them. One of the main difference is the higher end ones you do not have to look up the codes online. But I do not mind taking a few minutes to look up a code while there I can check how to fix it or order the part I need.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Saw the sears BF ad has this for $199. Is it a decent scanner? Is there a better one for less?

I had considered the HF for the price but several reviews say you can't update it and its years out of date. I needed one for the wife's car a few weeks back but don't own one. My car is older and the codes for it are all useless anyway. I'm willing to spend some money to get it but that may be the top of my budget for a seldom used tool like this. Suggestions?

Just buy the ebay equivalent if it's for home use. I say this because unless you can do real-time scanning or re-calibrate the vehicle with said scanner it's not worth more than 100 bucks (actually 50 bucks in my opinion). That's something I'm willing to spend money on actually and I'm one of the cheapest s.o.b.s in the universe.

Diagnostic equipment doesn't really do the work for you, it can help diagnose problems but won't do the work for you. When my mom calls I just use the ebay equivalent I paid 18 bucks for because my personal obd2 hardware is manufacturer/model specific, sounds stupid but it is very important for certain things!

 

[nicksnothereman]

Thanks guys. Wasn't expecting these answers at all, pleasantly surprised. I was expecting to hear I would have to spend more.

so this bluetooth dongle is what I think I'll pick up.

No no no. Don't get anything wireless, it won't last if you use it moderately. The simple stuff (corded) will last as long as you don't throw it around. I'm not making this up either, the smaller and more complex the electronics the shorter it's gonna last.

 

[MystralHawk]

I use an ELM327 Bluetooth reader and the Torque Android app ($5) and it is pretty awesome. It can read and reset codes, read current sensor readings if it's supported (such as RPM, water temp, etc.).

It's always being updated for additional support which is kinda neat. Haven't had any issues aside from troubleshooting the Bluetooth dongle (making sure that the data speeds are the same between the app and the dongle...there's a setting for it). Though of course I just wrench on stuff at home so I'm not sure how it will last in a professional environment.