OBD2 Reader
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
OBD2 Reader
Greetings, my step fathers car threw a minor code a few weeks ago when he was in town. I called a buddy up and drove across town to pick up his OBD2 reader to scan it, then mosied home to do it. I decided this was way too much work, and want to just pick up one. I have seen a lot of "value" priced readers on amazon, that interface with apps on a cellphone. I like the app idea, because of updates and increased functionality. That said, what do you think of these amazon readers? Ever use one? Is there a non value one that works well with various apps. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, I just don't like wasting it either.
#2
Le Mans Master
How cheap do you want to go? Here's one on eBay for literally $3.59:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-OBD2...MAAOSwDw9bNEhr
Or even cheaper, buy an ELM327 chip and get some wires and solder and do it yourself! Heck, on my '94 you could do it for free with a paperclip!
But to answer your main question, for reading generic codes, they're all about the same. If you want to do anything serious I'd get HPTuners for your car. A quality generalized scan tool would be expensive and tell you very little. So I'd say spend $20 or $200 but not in between.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-OBD2...MAAOSwDw9bNEhr
Or even cheaper, buy an ELM327 chip and get some wires and solder and do it yourself! Heck, on my '94 you could do it for free with a paperclip!
But to answer your main question, for reading generic codes, they're all about the same. If you want to do anything serious I'd get HPTuners for your car. A quality generalized scan tool would be expensive and tell you very little. So I'd say spend $20 or $200 but not in between.
Last edited by davepl; 08-18-2018 at 11:44 AM.
#5
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2016
Location: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Posts: 2,687
Received 957 Likes
on
620 Posts
Greetings, my step fathers car threw a minor code a few weeks ago when he was in town. I called a buddy up and drove across town to pick up his OBD2 reader to scan it, then mosied home to do it. I decided this was way too much work, and want to just pick up one. I have seen a lot of "value" priced readers on amazon, that interface with apps on a cellphone. I like the app idea, because of updates and increased functionality. That said, what do you think of these amazon readers? Ever use one? Is there a non value one that works well with various apps. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, I just don't like wasting it either.