wro87

OK gang what is the best all around engine scanner that everyone is using. We range at my house from RX8 to Corvette and BMW what do you recommend out on the market that will have alot of flexability.

Right now the RX8 is taken to AutoZone /O'Reillys when the light comes on the price is right but they are out of town.

Thanks wro87

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

http://www.scangauge.com/

jrx13

Do you want a gauge style like the one mentioned or a real diagnostic tool? I've got the autoenginuity.

http://www.autoenginuity.com/

It comes with Generic OBD II capability. I bought the Mazda enhanced add on & the Ford one (since that's what I drive). You can add GM and BMW enhanced if that's what you need. This scan tool is only as good as someone using it though. If your just getting codes, there are a lot of different options.

wro87

I am looking for something more than what can read codes. Been looking at a Snap-On 2500 Scanner, there are a lot of used one out there and the fleet of vehicles that we have around our place it should come in pretty handy.

thanks for the input gang.
wro87

jrx13

The red brick?!?! Oh man....its' good for OBD I cars thats about it. Won't hook up to an RX8.

wro87

Thanks for the reply from some of my reserch I thought that with the right modual I could hook it up. Looks like I need to contact Snap-on direct.

Bill

jrx13

Have you used one before? They are really slow for the times....but were good when they first came out. Cant do graphs of data....just live monitoring of numbers. Doubt they can connect to high speed CAN network that cars like the RX-8 use.

wro87

Yea ( buddys got one for his shop and he brings it over to mine if really get in trouble) several times on our late 80's early90's vet and chevy trucks.

With some of the newer stuff we have the kids RX8 and my wife's bimmer thaought it about time to get one.

bill

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

why dont you help us out some and tell us exactly what kind of functions you are looking to have?

IronTanuki

If you have an Android phone check out the Torque app in conjunction with a bluetooth OBD2 dongle.

Dirtyswiff

Rather then open a new thread I would like to continue this convo but rather discuss the best OBD2 scanner with LIVE DATA. Would love to know options from different people who own different brands. best price for great quality and more functions maybe a suggestion on a site or store... going to cop one soon, but unfortunately can't afford the Accessport nor do I wanna purchase it till I finish my mods. I forgot to mention I don't have a smart phone for the torque app.

Karack

best is a highly arguable term when it comes to scanners.

i use a cheapo cen-tech 60694 for many makes of cars which has emissions readiness, data graph plotting, code scanning/erasing and live figure displays for about $100. an ELM327 module could probably do most of that with a good software program for about $35 through a laptop. the only thing i dislike about the cen-tech is its lack of an internal battery to print while offline with the car, which is where you will start to see the arguments commence about what is "best". best to me isn't a $1500 scanner with bells and whistles that will be outdated and worthless once OBD3 comes out, so cheap and functional it is.

Dirtyswiff

So as far as price do u suggest not spending less then 100? I seen scanners go for less.

Karack

you won't get much in the way of functionality with anything less than a $100 scanner. even the one i mentioned is regularly priced at $150 but on discount you can get them for less.

most of the ones below that price range will be missing at least one major tool.


but if you don't need the ability to print, a tablet with wifi and an ELM327wifi adapter work just as well with torque to give you live info while driving. if i could find a GPS hood without the monitor i would go that route with one of my 8's and put a tablet in there and link it up to an ELM adapter for additional gauges that you could watch while driving, it's cheaper than buying say a water temp gauge and cluttering up the car, yet it gives accurate numbers versus a dummy dash gauge. run other apps in the background that could replace your stereo, GPS, internet browsing, and a number of other things.

if they only had an app for tuning an ECU directly with a tablet and adapter i would mess myself. i suppose that would even be possible but at least a laptop would have to be stashed in the car to access the remote desktop with, to that my answer is "no".

Dirtyswiff

Fudge! Okay so I can't go cheap on this one.