Mikey

I want to get a good OBD scan tool. Does anyone one have any suggestions?? I was looking at a sunpro model at advance Auto but I didn't want to take the plung without any info. Any help would be great.

MTL_4runner

Check out the one in my signature if you have a Palm PDA.
I love mine and use it all the time.

Mikey

That thing looks pretty sweet. So I'm looking at about 300 for the unit, 30 for the cable and I'd have to buy a PDA. So about 430 dollars. Man, I gotta get a raise!!

MTL_4runner

It is sweet, but get the unit off eBay for about $200.
Then get a cheap color PDA (like m505) for say $50.
Most OBD readers are like $150 to $200 so it isn't that bad.

There is another type for $90 that you need a laptop to use.
I just love the portability of the PDA unit.

midiwall

Man, Jamie and I always seem to be answering this question!

Jamie, dude, we gotta get us a sticky thread to talk about OBD readers!


I can't find my previous answers right now, but the short form is that there are two highly regarded choices.

If you have a Windows laptop, then this one is an incredible value:
http://obddiagnostics.com/

If you want something with more style, smaller size, and more functions outside of OBD II code reading, then the Auterra unit is really nice:
http://www.auterraweb.com/

Various folks here on the forum have one or the other of those units - I happen to have both.


There are also other readers around...

A couple of hand-held's
http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=10&pid=3100
http://www.actron.com/cp9135.htm
http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...age=cp9035.htm

Another one that interfaces to a Windows box:
http://www.obd-2.com/

Another one for the Palm:
http://www.aeswave.com/Palm/CJ2/

amusement

I own an Auto-Xray ODB reader with adapters for I (all-domestic) and II. I like the update via PC feature.

Harbor Frieght Tools has an Auto-Xray ODB reader

Mikey

OK guys so with the Auterra scan tool I can use it both for yota's and american products? All my buddies have american cars so you guys know how it is. Everyone wants your help.

The equus system has seperates for imports and domestics.

OK, I know MTL_4runner likes the Auttera tool, but does anyone else have a preference. I'm just trying to get all votes in before I make the jump.

midiwall

The Auterra and the BR-3 (obdiagnostics.com) boxes will work with any car that supports the OBD II interface. They will automatically figure out what protocol needs to be used, american or european. You don't need to buy anything else for either one.

In regards to your buddy's cars, it's important to note that the OBD-II interface is only on cars from 1996 on. If anyone's running something older (like a '56 Vette ) then it won't work.


I use my Auterra more than the BR-2 (the precursor to the BR-3). But, that's because when I'm using it, I'm also tuning my SMT-5 which ties up my laptop. Having the Palm there as a separate instrument is a nice bonus.

{rant}
BUT... there are some things about the Auterra interface that REALLY pisses me off. If you look at the website, it shows how you can pick what elements you want to see, O2 values, RPM, temp, etc in a number of different views. The selections that you make are NOT saved as defaults or "layouts" in the app. That means that if you move away from the Auterra app to say, check your appointments, then you have to set those things up again.

This can happen a lot more than you may think. Because of the Palm interface, it's "easy" to switch away from an app by hitting the handy-dandy buttons at the bottom. I've gotten around this by hard assigning those buttons to the Auterra app, but that of course takes away from the nice side of having those buttons there.

I've talked to Auterra at length about this (and a couple of other things) for months now. I keep getting promises of it being fixed, and a new version of the OS coming. Looking at their version history, it looks like they continue to work on the product, but to me, something like this is a glaring UI bug and I'm frustrated that they don't see the urgency in fixing it.
{/rant}


A big bonus to the Auterra is that it offers some decent relative performance features as well. Things like torque/power curves, HP and ET numbers, etc.

The BR-3 is a MUCH better VALUE, but the Auterra has much more glitz & glamor.

You have to decide what you're willing to pay. If you have a Windows laptop, then for $90 you can have a great OBD reader. If you have a Palm, then for $220 you can have a great OBD reader and personal dyno.

If you don't have a Palm, then your costs jump to about $300 when it's all said and done with the Auterra. If you don't have a laptop, then you're at about $150 to get into the BR-3.

Mikey

Thanks for the info mark!! THat helps me out alot. The problem that I have is that I don't have a laptop or a PDA. So I gueess the auterra would be a cheaper buy in because the PDA's are much cheaper than a laptop.

No, none of my buddies could afford a 56 vette They all own cheap ford rangers, or Jeep Stranglers. And there always broke. But yet they tell me that I should buy an american car.

midiwall

Actually... The horsepower requirements of the BR-3 are VERY minimal. You could easily pick up a used laptop off of eBay for well under $100 and be happy. For example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3450074731
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3449950002


When I use it (or the SMT tuning software) I actually run it under Win98 which is running under a software emulator on a Mac Powerbook. Talk about minimal CPU power!

MTL_4runner

Oh Mark...don't make him buy a POS laptop!.....you want a PDA!
I just like the Auterra cause it all fits in my center console anytime I need it.....the portability is unbeatable.
I admit I am totally biased so I will shut up about it.

Mikey

No..No...Keep it coming guys. I'm hearing things I hadn't thought about before. I could use my laptop from work......heck, if I broke it I wouldn't have to pay for it



If only I had a center console in my truck.......:pat: :

midiwall

awwww Jamie, I knew you'd like that!

I just wanted to make sure he had all the options!