Scan Tool
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Scan Tool
Okay guys... I'm looking for a cost-effective scan tool (actually for my dad) for OBDII, and I know that you 96 guys have probably dealt with this. I'd like something a little more than a code reader, but I don't wanna break the bank here. Just something useful enough to get the job done (but not so useful that it gets me into trouble 
).
My dad just bought a glorified paperclip for way too much $$$$ at Sears for his OBDI stuff. I didn't have the heart to tell him. Now he is looking to do the same for OBDII, and I'd like to help him find the right unit.
ps... neither of us have laptop computers
TIA!
ps... what about this one? Any thoughts?
http://www.actron.com/product_category.php?id=249
).My dad just bought a glorified paperclip for way too much $$$$ at Sears for his OBDI stuff. I didn't have the heart to tell him. Now he is looking to do the same for OBDII, and I'd like to help him find the right unit.
ps... neither of us have laptop computers
TIA!
ps... what about this one? Any thoughts?
http://www.actron.com/product_category.php?id=249
Last edited by eschoendorff; Dec 23, 2005 at 10:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Or you can go the cheap route and buy from Harbor Freight, a OBD11 code reader that comes with a cable, a book for explanation of the codes and the ability to erase any and all of the stored codes. The cost is $49.95 and the part number is 46930-ocdh.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Titletown WI
I have an Actron, and like it, but its basically a glorified code reader, and they have even cheaper ones available now.
Their more expensive units have OBD I adapters (FWIW) and can do some other testing/real-time scanning. If didn't already own the one I got, I would buy the fancier one.
Otherwise, a cheap used laptop and Autotap are nice. It doesn't take a very powerful laptop for autotap.
Yeah, I miss the old paperclip days. I have a paperclip in my '90 burban just for that purpose.
I get some funny looks when I tell people what its for.
»keith
Their more expensive units have OBD I adapters (FWIW) and can do some other testing/real-time scanning. If didn't already own the one I got, I would buy the fancier one.
Otherwise, a cheap used laptop and Autotap are nice. It doesn't take a very powerful laptop for autotap.
Yeah, I miss the old paperclip days. I have a paperclip in my '90 burban just for that purpose.
I get some funny looks when I tell people what its for.
»keith
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
Okay guys... I'm looking for a cost-effective scan tool (actually for my dad) for OBDII, and I know that you 96 guys have probably dealt with this. ...
If you go to this site there is link to vehicles already requiring CAN.
http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=7&pid=3100
GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
FWIW, this tool has intrigued me, though I have not spent any money yet. I like it can be used on any make/model and OBD-I or II. It is also CAN compatible:
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?9201
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?9201
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Aurora40
FWIW, this tool has intrigued me, though I have not spent any money yet. I like it can be used on any make/model and OBD-I or II. It is also CAN compatible:
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?9201
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?9201
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
I have an Actron, it's nice but I wouldn't buy it again.
My friend has an Auto X-Ray, much better than the Actron...mainly because of the backlit display so i can read it at night without needing to turn on the map light.
I also have AutoTap for my laptop, it's probably a lot more than what you're looking for but it can do so much more than either hand-held scanner can do.
Lastly, I've used a couple of different Snap-on scanners and those have been really nice as well, but I think they are quite a bit more expensive than the Actron and Auto Xray scanners.
Lots of different options out there! The only thing I would recommend you look for in whatever scanner you decide on would be to make sure that it is back-lit...I was suprosed how many of them out there aren't!!
My friend has an Auto X-Ray, much better than the Actron...mainly because of the backlit display so i can read it at night without needing to turn on the map light.
I also have AutoTap for my laptop, it's probably a lot more than what you're looking for but it can do so much more than either hand-held scanner can do.
Lastly, I've used a couple of different Snap-on scanners and those have been really nice as well, but I think they are quite a bit more expensive than the Actron and Auto Xray scanners.
Lots of different options out there! The only thing I would recommend you look for in whatever scanner you decide on would be to make sure that it is back-lit...I was suprosed how many of them out there aren't!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
I have an auto x ray "pro pack" it is their 5000 model, can download new updates, works with can proto call, includes all cables for all makes, works on all OBD1, OBD 11 foriegn and domestic till 06, and can be updated further. I paid $300. to the door new, actually is a pretty good piece.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
You said "cost effective", so I wasn't going to mention the Vetronix MasterTech or Tech-II -- just looking at the price will cause heartburn.
However, just in case you want to access more than the ECM/PCM (such as work on the CCM, ABS/ASR, C68 climate control, radio etc) and want a scan-tool that is bi-directional (it can send commands to activate items, not just read items), as far as I know, the Vetronix scan-tools and software are the only ones that do that.
The Vetronix Tech-1A is discontinued, but can be purchased used at reasonable prices, if you look hard enough.
The software cartridges for the Tech-1A are the same as the ones used in the MasterTech.
Tom Piper
However, just in case you want to access more than the ECM/PCM (such as work on the CCM, ABS/ASR, C68 climate control, radio etc) and want a scan-tool that is bi-directional (it can send commands to activate items, not just read items), as far as I know, the Vetronix scan-tools and software are the only ones that do that.
The Vetronix Tech-1A is discontinued, but can be purchased used at reasonable prices, if you look hard enough.
The software cartridges for the Tech-1A are the same as the ones used in the MasterTech.
Tom Piper
Last edited by Tom Piper; Mar 8, 2006 at 08:33 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Several of the newer OBD2 compliant scan tools have built-in bi-directional capability like the Vertronix. Ease sells an OBD2 scan tool that covers CAN and has bi-directional capability. They have a laptop based OBD2 version and a Generic OBD2 scan tool that runs on most of the major handheld pc units like Palm Pilot, WinCe, etc.
The Ease OBD1 scan tool will scan the ECM, PCM, and CCM in the pre-96 OBD1 Vettes which most OBD1 tools will not do. Ease OBD1 tools are laptop only.
The Ease OBD1 scan tool will scan the ECM, PCM, and CCM in the pre-96 OBD1 Vettes which most OBD1 tools will not do. Ease OBD1 tools are laptop only.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,269
Likes: 0
From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by rons85
Shop Ebay for used "professional" mechanincs stuff. I picked up a used Snap-On Modis scanner with cables and chips for a Song!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
try obd2allinone.com
They make a simple interface that works with alot of freeware out for OBD2.
I have 2 matcos, autotap, and my favorite is the HP tuners scanner but it isn't universal and only works with the vehicles they support instead of OBD2 generic
They make a simple interface that works with alot of freeware out for OBD2.
I have 2 matcos, autotap, and my favorite is the HP tuners scanner but it isn't universal and only works with the vehicles they support instead of OBD2 generic
