moronmountain
Well-known member
I have come to the point that I REALLY need some kind of scanner. Can y'all recommend the best portable, bang for the buck, scanner out there? FWIW, I mostly work on Ford, Honda, and Dodge.
Scanner?
- Thread starter moronmountain
- Start date
I got this one from Cornwell for $300. It is a cool little scanner. I don't know what else has this range for the price but I didn't research much.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWWSSWQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWWSSWQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
OP
moronmountain
Well-known member
So I assume your Cornwell one is the same thing rebranded? Do you find it suits most shop needs?
critter
Well-known member
Iphone app with bluetooth OBD adaptor? Android do them also.
KPSquared
Well-known member
I'm partial to AutoEnginuity because it works so well with my 7.3 diesel. None of the cheapo scanners can pull **** from it.
It gets pricey with all the ad-ons though.
My buddy picked up an older Snap-on red brick with all the cartidges for pretty cheap at the pawn shop the other day. That would work. . .
It gets pricey with all the ad-ons though.
My buddy picked up an older Snap-on red brick with all the cartidges for pretty cheap at the pawn shop the other day. That would work. . .
shockwave
Well-known member
Get the autel for about 1500 for a full function
Or get an obd2 Bluetooth scantool with live data for generic functions for around 80
Or get an obd2 Bluetooth scantool with live data for generic functions for around 80
TwoInch
Well-known member
the innova stuff is decent if you buy it on ebay. the 3130c does OBD2 codes, ABS codes, freeze frame data, and live data recording and graphing.
for a DIY, it does most of what you could need in a scanner. if you just want a "reader" that will spit codes at you, then you can get them for less than $100 all day. the 3130c can be had for about $130 on ebay, well worth it.
for a DIY, it does most of what you could need in a scanner. if you just want a "reader" that will spit codes at you, then you can get them for less than $100 all day. the 3130c can be had for about $130 on ebay, well worth it.
JFBURLINGHAM207
Member
I have 2 different Innova scanners and they are awesome. Live data/ freeze frame, all for a fair price, some of the craftsman and a couple of the older bluepoint scanners were rebranded Innovas.
TwoInch
Well-known member
the craftsmans are definitely rebranded, and severely overpriced. good scanners though
richfinn
Well-known member
What's your diagnostic skills like?
No offence intended or anything, but you can waste a lot of money on these devices
I think used Snap On MT2500s are pretty decent if your just starting out.
firebox40dash5
Well-known member
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- Mar 19, 2012
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Those Innovas aren't half bad for the money. I've got one I grabbed cheap at a pawn shop. We have about 5 others in the shop so I don't use it much, but it has emissions readiness status, so I loan it to customers a lot since they all wait until the last minute to get their CEL fixed for testing.
I've got my eye on the new CRP129 from Launch. Just beware buying Launch from discount online places, heard plenty of horror stories of getting Chinese models with no support. I think Matco, Mac and Cornwell are around $300 for the CRP123, so the discount ones aren't that discounted anyway.
Agree; I've got a 3160. It's very easy to use. Got it online from Walmart.com.
RM209
joe_padavano
Well-known member
The question you need to answer is, do you want a simple code reader or a true bi-directional scan tool? Also, what model year and COO vehicles do you work on? I bought a used OTC Genysis many years ago for my 99 Chevy truck. Since then I've had to upgrade the software and operating system for newer European and Japanese cars in the family. You can get a Genysis (or equivalent Matco or Cornwell rebranded unit) for a few hundred dollars with operating system 3.0 and software good through the 2005 model year. Newer cars require at least 4.0 and updated software, which costs more. If you don't plan to work on anything newer than 2005, there's no need to spend the extra money.
The Genysis does all the factory bi-directional tests on my truck, like the Crank Sensor learn cycle and the ability to shut off selective injectors to find the misfire. Much more useful than a simple code reader.
The Genysis does all the factory bi-directional tests on my truck, like the Crank Sensor learn cycle and the ability to shut off selective injectors to find the misfire. Much more useful than a simple code reader.
TwoInch
Well-known member
i was saying the craftsman rebranded versions were over priced. the plain code reader is like $140 iirc, the live data version is $199 with no ABS.
the innovas on ebay can be had for about half that, same functions, or more.
krdiesel03
Well-known member
+1 on the AutoE. Perfect for my 6.0 Powerstroke.
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
What are your needs and expectations? Do you work in a shop?
For a quick and dirty scan of codes and live data, plus monitor systems status, I use an Actron CP9575.
For serious work, when I have to bring out the big guns, I use AutoEnguity with the pro bundle. Great software with a lot of bidirectional controls.
Also in the shop is a Maxidas DS708. It has pure, raw power, especially in the Euro and Asian car lines. Our Euro tech uses it and really likes all that it can do.
I used an older OTC Genises the shop has. It is sorely out of date along with a busted screen from a former employee.
For a quick and dirty scan of codes and live data, plus monitor systems status, I use an Actron CP9575.
For serious work, when I have to bring out the big guns, I use AutoEnguity with the pro bundle. Great software with a lot of bidirectional controls.
Also in the shop is a Maxidas DS708. It has pure, raw power, especially in the Euro and Asian car lines. Our Euro tech uses it and really likes all that it can do.
I used an older OTC Genises the shop has. It is sorely out of date along with a busted screen from a former employee.
poprockcrusher
Banned
I still make the boss pay for scan tools
firebox40dash5
Well-known member
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Agreed, and I've never seen someone bother "updating" one... so aside from electronic issues, there's not much reason not to buy a used one, they usually go pretty cheap.
Ive been using a cheap blue tooth elm327 I got off amazon for 20 bucks and my android phone with the torque app. It has live data and code reading capabilities. I recently found another app called touch scan that reads mode $06 data and gives a pass or fail status, haven't gotten to test this app out much though. You still need to know your CIDs and TIDs as well. No bidirectional capabilities though.