Kevin4317
Active member
Is any one out there using a laptop based scan tool. If so what type and is there one that does abs??? Thanks Kevin
Laptop based scant tools
- Thread starter Kevin4317
- Start date
For European cars (VW comes to mind), Ross Tech makes the Vag Com programs. The folks over at TDIclub swear by it and it's pretty much considered a necessity on the VW diesels.
Autoenginuity gets some good reviews but I'm not familiar with it.
Plug some of the above terms into Google and you'll probably be busy for the day.
Autoenginuity gets some good reviews but I'm not familiar with it.
Plug some of the above terms into Google and you'll probably be busy for the day.
Last edited:
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Ive got the AE, with the "Big Three Enhanced Suite", for the $ I like it, I also have a graphing snap-on scanner, that I use for basically pulling codes, I only break out the AE on "problem children". I bought it for I wanted a BIG *** screen work from, not some tiny little black and white LCD window.
You might find it a PIA to use a laptop just to grab codes, that's why I use both. I only work on domestic garbage, Im pretty well covered.
There have been several threads on this subject, on GJ, go to google and enter the keywords and you will see them. V-bulletin does not like searches that have less than 3 characters, or something like that, so searching for AE, doesn't work, and the search function on this site, not so much either for full words, no idea why, I just use google.
You might find it a PIA to use a laptop just to grab codes, that's why I use both. I only work on domestic garbage, Im pretty well covered.
There have been several threads on this subject, on GJ, go to google and enter the keywords and you will see them. V-bulletin does not like searches that have less than 3 characters, or something like that, so searching for AE, doesn't work, and the search function on this site, not so much either for full words, no idea why, I just use google.
tophand127
Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2010
- Messages
- 8
Re: Laptop based scan tools
I'm currently in the market for a reader and I'm leaning toward the AE. Being new to the OBD world I am looking for the most comprehensive, least expensive, most easily expandable/update-able unit I can find, that has real time capability, two way communication and component actuation ability. Short of a multi thousand dollar OEM setup is AE going to be my best bet? Presently, I've got an F150, a Dodge Cummins, an Infinity QX4 and a VW Passat TDI.
I'm currently in the market for a reader and I'm leaning toward the AE. Being new to the OBD world I am looking for the most comprehensive, least expensive, most easily expandable/update-able unit I can find, that has real time capability, two way communication and component actuation ability. Short of a multi thousand dollar OEM setup is AE going to be my best bet? Presently, I've got an F150, a Dodge Cummins, an Infinity QX4 and a VW Passat TDI.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Re: Laptop based scan tools
Your description, is basically what my parameters where, that's how I ended up a AE. Id love to have the DRBIII, but used and somewhat updated, your looking at $3k-3500, depending on options, and then your only doing dodge... If there is a better "value" OBDII tool out there, Id like to hear about it myself...
Oh, as a side note, I have not idea about your infiniti or V-dub, as to how the tool works past the standard OBDII data, I'm speaking about the enhanced options. About all I can do is vouch for the software works as advertised, the OBDII connector is of acceptable quality, and found it to be a good deal. But that is just my opinion. Ive also not updated it for the lastest revision,,. so I dont know what if anything changed. Ive got a buddy that borrows it and uses it more than I do... and he does have a Snap-On 2500 scanner.
Ive also got it running on a brand new IBM notebook, that Ive never got on the internet with and run no other programs on. Its dedicated to the scanner. I figured that would keeps problems to a mininum.
Your description, is basically what my parameters where, that's how I ended up a AE. Id love to have the DRBIII, but used and somewhat updated, your looking at $3k-3500, depending on options, and then your only doing dodge... If there is a better "value" OBDII tool out there, Id like to hear about it myself...
Oh, as a side note, I have not idea about your infiniti or V-dub, as to how the tool works past the standard OBDII data, I'm speaking about the enhanced options. About all I can do is vouch for the software works as advertised, the OBDII connector is of acceptable quality, and found it to be a good deal. But that is just my opinion. Ive also not updated it for the lastest revision,,. so I dont know what if anything changed. Ive got a buddy that borrows it and uses it more than I do... and he does have a Snap-On 2500 scanner.
Ive also got it running on a brand new IBM notebook, that Ive never got on the internet with and run no other programs on. Its dedicated to the scanner. I figured that would keeps problems to a mininum.
I have the Vag-com for my VW, goes much deeper than just reading codes. VW's are a pain, you need the Vag-com for the simplest things, like changing out bad throttle body, brakes, believe it or not door locks.
Use Autoengenuity for my Chysler vehicles, both products work great.
Use Autoengenuity for my Chysler vehicles, both products work great.
billymade
Well-known member
I also have the Vag-com for my VW (they seem to be calling it "vcds" now); paid for itself the first time I used it!
http://www.ross-tech.com/products.html
http://www.ross-tech.com/products.html
acamato
Well-known member
Check out ScanXL. http://www.scantool.net/ppe-software-comparison.html It can do airbag & ABS.
Here is the interface to use the software: http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-bluetooth.html
Here is the interface to use the software: http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-bluetooth.html