OBD2 Scanner

[BXRICK]

I've seen some ads for ODBII dongles that attach to the normal ODBII port, and then broadcast using Bluetooth to a smartphone, which uses a cheap or free app to display and control the dongle.
The dongles cost anywhere from $25 to maybe $90 or so, I think (haven't researched these much).
Does anyone have any experience with this setup? Basically, re-using the smartphone to get UI.
Obviously, not the setup for a pro, but for those of us who need the occasional code reset or lookup, there's some appeal.

-Rick

 

[aczlan]

I've seen some ads for ODBII dongles that attach to the normal ODBII port, and then broadcast using Bluetooth to a smartphone, which uses a cheap or free app to display and control the dongle.
The dongles cost anywhere from $25 to maybe $90 or so, I think (haven't researched these much).
Does anyone have any experience with this setup? Basically, re-using the smartphone to get UI.
Obviously, not the setup for a pro, but for those of us who need the occasional code reset or lookup, there's some appeal.

I have one that I use with my laptop. Nice to not need a wire going across the car. Have heard good things about the Torque app for Android.

Aaron Z

 

[sparc]

I've seen some ads for ODBII dongles that attach to the normal ODBII port, and then broadcast using Bluetooth to a smartphone, which uses a cheap or free app to display and control the dongle.
The dongles cost anywhere from $25 to maybe $90 or so, I think (haven't researched these much).
Does anyone have any experience with this setup? Basically, re-using the smartphone to get UI.
Obviously, not the setup for a pro, but for those of us who need the occasional code reset or lookup, there's some appeal.

-Rick

I have the Garmin ecoroute that will xmit via bt to your smartphone or to a Garmin GPS. Works OK but i wish it would work with other software, but because they use a proprietary protocol it can't. Still the Garmin Mechanic app is pretty good, the ecoroute is overpriced for what you get. If i had not received it as a gift i would have looked at palmer performance products.

 

[Reg]

Just wondering what folks are buying for OBD2 scanners now days? I had always just ran to Auto Zone and gotten a code read if need on my stuff but to be honest its been 2 years since I had a problem and that was on my Saturns Neutral Safety Switch and that car has now been sold and totaled by the new owner.

Anyway, I have had the need for one twice in the last 2 weeks. Once on my BIL's truck to clear a code that we allowed to happen by driving it with a Fuel Injector unplugged and another on my neighbors wifes car after it failed to start due to cold temps.

I do not want to spend a fortune but I want a unit that will allow me to read codes, clear them, and read live data such as water temp, RPM, speed, oil press, ect. HF has a unit for $59 that will do all this plus I have a 20% off coupon.

I looked into the lap top based units but most do not work with Windows 7 which is what I have.

Chris

I bought a ScanGauge II for ~$150 nearly 10 years ago.
OK, not a good deal TODAY (Moore's Law) but at the time having an extra 4 gauges (selectable from a menu of a dozen or so) the ability to scan and reset was a good deal.
If/when I want another one I will check into their offerings, though a blue-tooth one that will communicate with my GPS seems attractive.

I don't need it, I have better spending opportunities for the money, I don't need...
(write it out long hand 500 times)

 

[Soundguy]

not answering the original question.. just a followup on a previous OBD post I had made.

I got an obd scan tool from a buddy.. new, in box/zipper bag.. never even put a battery in it. was a harbor freight model.. one of the 'more expensive' chinese ones ( )

so far I've used the heck out of it. neat lil tool.

now that all my friends know I have a scan tool, they hit me up weekloy to use it ontheir vehicle..

I see HF now has much cheaper 20$ units that run off vehile power. etc..

the one I got has a cdrom and a usb cable for i guess doing reports or printouts..e tc.. i've never used that part.. just the scan tool...