OBD2 scan tool purchase advice needed

[MRM]

I bought a used large suv and I am giving it the standard once over.
I figure I might as well buy a scan tool.
I want the live data record feature and more features than less.

The problem I am having is sorting through the Chinese junk.

Have one you like or a brand?

 

[rockyfatcat]

Buy a Bluetooth or wifi dongle to connect your car to your smartphone. The app I use is called EngineLink. Free download. Recall and clear codes

 

[SpeedyR]

not sure if it's helps but I bought a mid price scanner from Harbor Freight (maybe $50 range after coupons?) and it's been great. I used it to diagnose and fix a few issues with my sequoia and just now starting to fix some things on my VW TDI.

so far so good.

A lot of the HF stuff is moving up in quality. Quite a few friends have got the new Predator generators (the inverter ones) and have been very happy with them. Most of these guys up them pretty often, so that's a good sign.

 

[Cadcom]

not sure if it's helps but I bought a mid price scanner from Harbor Freight (maybe $50 range after coupons?) and it's been great. I used it to diagnose and fix a few issues with my sequoia and just now starting to fix some things on my VW TDI.

so far so good.

A lot of the HF stuff is moving up in quality. Quite a few friends have got the new Predator generators (the inverter ones) and have been very happy with them. Most of these guys up them pretty often, so that's a good sign.

I bought that one as well and I usually avoid Harbor Freight like the plague. Its worked very well and seems to be pretty well made.

 

[adrianrog]

I bought a Bluetooth odb2 reader from Amazon for like 25 bucks and an app called Torque. Very happy with the combo. I wouldn't buy a stalls alone model, definitely something that stays updated like Torque.

 

[rockyfatcat]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-OBD...618785?hash=item4b32f75b61:g:d8wAAOSwxeBZs016

you can buy one of these. There are many like it for $5.00 or so and use your favorite app to talk to it

 

[BattleSausage]

Dongle and app here, OBDFusion on iOS since Torque isn’t available. I can datalog with it and create/use pid’s from their catalog. Works well for what I generally do.

 

[TapcoFan]

I carry a $20 Amazon scanner in my Porsche. The one that I got had a bunch of very good reviews, at least several hundred excellent ones. Best $20 I have spent.

 

[MRM]

Thanks!
Good food for thought.

 

[handloader]

Scanners are no different than other consumer electronics. Get one made where your cell phone is. Wrenches, screwdrivers, micrometers, etc. is an entirely different creature.