Scan Tool Recommendations - Need to purchase one

[kev2015]

Please drop your two cents about a a scan tool that you have found to be user friendly, gets the job done, & something you would recommend.

Work Application: I will be using one (or multiple) for teaching high school students. I want to provide them a basic but well functioning scan tool that they can use easily, retrieve codes, basic graphing, & use as a GUIDE to trouble shoot various automotive related issues. Only need OBDII and needs to be $500 or under as that is the max amount of the grant I'm writing for this tooling.

Thanks!!

 

[DC73]

You might visit ScanTool.net and see what they have to offer. I have one of their older Bluetooth units. I can connect it to my laptop with a cable or use the Bluetooth to connect to my Android phone. The devices come with basic software and you can upgrade to a higher end software called ScanXL. There is a good Android app called Torque that interfaces nicely with my unit.

DC

 

[gtae07]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Each kid can buy their own and use it with Torque on their smartphones.

 

[ryolse]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Each kid can buy their own and use it with Torque on their smartphones.

Couldn't agree more! I got a Bluetooth OBD2 for $20 off eBay and have been using it with the Android Torque app for several years now on all of my cars including the Rally car. Cheap, reliable, plays great with almost everyone.

 

[Showkey]

OP if your teaching you obviously know there are different levels of OBDII access. The generic list and data can be found on many devices as mentioned. Generic is known for ID an EGR problem but will not tell you if the EGR valve, pressure sensor, temp sensor, position sensor or cooler is the real problem. Often the word ENHANCED OBD will be used to discribe a full featured scanner.

If you looking for complete data list similar to a factory scanner ? You might want to look at Autel. The Autel MD802 can be found for $200 -$300 and will give complete OBDII, SRS, ABS, TRANS and some models have complete body module access. It is not bi directional so it can't learn but it is able to give some limited test commands. It will vary with manufacture and model.

EXample : MB Sprinter and many other manufacturemodels are notorious for doing OBD stuff different or only supplying the bare minimums in data and code ID ( truly generic OBD) . The Autel gives complete access to all the data.
On a Honda in generic mode might supply 32-40 data lines. Full access might give 130 lines of data.
Autel MD 708 offer bi directional communication but above that original budget.

I have no connection to Autel....just a user. There a few other scanners that are offering factory level scanners on many platforms. The prices will vary for $200 to $7000 and up. Some with great support and others with no support.

I do agree generic OBD might be enough in your case and can be had for little or no money on windows platform or smart phone.

Here's a link to comparison chart. There are dozens and dozens of choices. ( I have no idea if the comparisons correct, just offered as for information on what's in the market on enhanced OBD.) some scanners might work great on Ford and not connect to a Toyota even though they are both 100% OBD compliant.

http://scantoolcenter.com/comparision-table/

 

[softailgarage]

Launch CRP 123 or CRP229
http://www.launchtechusa.com/assets/products/CRP_229_SS.pdf

Whatever you do, avoid Snap On. I know, but they're over rated and over priced.

 

[softailgarage]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Each kid can buy their own and use it with Torque on their smartphones.

Yeah, but it needs to be something professional, real shop application. I have a dongle & Torque too, but I've never seen them used in a professional shop .

 

[DC73]

The link I posted has units that can access GM SW-CAN & Ford MS-CAN networks in addition to standard OBD-II protocols. The pro software (ScanXL Pro) has optional modules you can purchase for enhanced diagnostics of systems such as powertrain, hybrid, transmission, ABS, airbag and other proprietary systems.

DC

 

[493 scamp]

Our shop has a Tech2 for GM up to 2011,OTC Genysis (older),Mac Mentor(newer same as OTC),Launch 431,Newer Launch Tablet with touch screen,Old Snap on brick,Windows PC Laptop with Vag com software,and 2 out of 3 techs have generic code reader/clearers. I use the Newer Launch tablet 95% of the time unless I want mode6 info from a ford or some Tech2 features. It gets into most computers on most cars and does bidirectional commands on some things,uses blue tooth dongle,includes camera and printer,lots more features as well. I know it's more than $500 but would fit what you need.

 

[jimindm]

First I would call all of the tool dealers that sell scan tools. At least the ones that have trucks running around.

I do know that SO does have a industrial side, and a school would be that. I have a tool dealer of 20 years, that took a position as the industrial rep. He has told me many times that the pricing structure is just plain astronomical compared to the end user he dealt with so many years.

SO has several different models of scan tools to choose from, and they have a great network of independents that may help you on a used one.

 

[kev2015]

Thanks guys. Yes I'd love to just purchase several bidirectional control scanners but a high school shop budget won't get me that far. I'm tempted to try a blue tooth model as mentioned by some of you. I just recently got an older launch donated so I hope that works well. I'm gonna go out on a limb, after some research, and pick up two Innova 3130c scan tools with a grant if it's approved. Thanks guys for the feedback

 

[gtae07]

Yeah, but it needs to be something professional, real shop application. I have a dongle & Torque too, but I've never seen them used in a professional shop .

OP's teaching high school kids and has a limited budget. I don't think you need professional equipment to teach the simple stuff at a basic level.

IMO the bluetooth solution is perfect for this application because it's cheap and covers the basics, and the kids can buy their own and use it at home. You could also afford to have several of them (vs. only one or two "pro" models), so depending on the assignment you can have one scanner for every two or three students instead of one or two for the whole class. More hands-on time, basically. Alternatively, you could buy one nice used pro model and several bluetooth ones; that's probably your best value dollar-wise.

 

[JonnyMac]

This is my 2 cents worth and in no way reflective of yours or any other teaching method.
I see plenty of techs come into my environment with excellent user skills for a particular tool on which they have been trained, they can be very experienced techs. However the fundamentals that underpin the way the tools work always seem to be somewhat ignored by whoever taught them.
I would spend some money on a diagnostic tool which is more of a pass through device and spend some money on pc based software to suit particular vehicles.
Things such as legislated PIDs, CAN protocols, OBD legislation and strong core knowledge is more important than the operation of the tool. By getting a pc based tool you are able to break into the actual CAN message structue rather than using a generic tool to extract fault codes and run component tests. Sure it wont have some of the variety that you get with plug in code readers but its far more educational. It is something they will probably never have the time to learn in the future either as most shops are focused on fast turn around times.
Most people think the ford tool is IDS.. but we dont use that in development. In my world the ids is almost an aftermarket tool. What gets used to really drill into the vehicle coms is a myCanic with the ford software also from eePod. If you contact them they might even cut you a deal...
Its an admirable job you have there too... good luck

 

[theoldwizard1]

I see plenty of techs come into my environment with excellent user skills for a particular tool on which they have been trained, they can be very experienced techs. However the fundamentals that underpin the way the tools work always seem to be somewhat ignored by whoever taught them.

This true in the computer world today !

Too many "hot shot" kids that were trained on Windows, but don't have a clue on what is going on "underneath".


I learned my SysAdmin computer skills in the 80s and 90s before PCs (or Macs) existed. The company I worked for had a wide-area network that literally went around the world with no dedicated Network Admins ! Ethernet was done over a orange (or yellow) hose. Memory and disk were expensive and had to be managed closely.

Sorry. Reminiscing about the past.

 

[Kmt803]

I bought the Autel Al619 on Amazon, just a little over $100 and am very happy with it reads abs and Srs airbag codes, I was able to find a short in my airbag system with this tool. I had the Innova 3150 but it did not read airbag codes.

 

[WhiffySpark]

OP's teaching high school kids and has a limited budget. I don't think you need professional equipment to teach the simple stuff at a basic level.

IMO the bluetooth solution is perfect for this application because it's cheap and covers the basics, and the kids can buy their own and use it at home. You could also afford to have several of them (vs. only one or two "pro" models), so depending on the assignment you can have one scanner for every two or three students instead of one or two for the whole class. More hands-on time, basically. Alternatively, you could buy one nice used pro model and several bluetooth ones; that's probably your best value dollar-wise.

We had a modis in our high school class

 

[WhiffySpark]

And most schools aren't going to allow smart phone use during class