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Need help purchasing an obd scanner tool

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Old 09-25-2012, 11:52 PM
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Need help purchasing an obd scanner tool

Okay guys just a quick simple question. Didn't really know where to post this so, sorry if this is the wrong place. Does anyone know an OBD scanner tool that will scan and reset CEL as well as ABS/traction related codes on our cars? Tried google searching different key words to find it but can't seem to find a correct scanner. By the way mine is a 2008 don't know if that makes a difference with the scan tools. Oh and I prefer something that costs in the 100-200 dollar range if possible.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:35 AM
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TCM is just another ECU exposed over the can bus. Assuming you're looking at Bluetooth readers that require a software component there's nothing specialthey need since all tthe intelligence is in the software you use to connect to them.

Take a look at the Palmer software with the Mazda add on and buy a cheap BT dongle.

If youre looking for serious bandwidth over BT then device you want is the OBDLINK MX adapter. This is the one I use and it is freaking fast.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:40 AM
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ODB+Key is another good quality bluetooth dongle (~$130ish) If you have an Android then Torque is the app you want, and go for the paid version, it's cheap (less than the shipping you will pay for the dongle) and is full of awesome features that the free version doesn't support.


If you are looking for an actual scan tool with a cord to plug in, there are tons of options, and most of those are under $100 for everything you are looking for. If your budget is $100-$200 though, go for a fast bluetooth dongle paired with your smartphone or tablet.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:40 AM
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Might as well spend the extra money and just get a Cobb

**They also have those cheaper OBD scanners at advanced auto parts or O'reilly's. Ask them to use their OBD scanner and check it out how it works on the car.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by emery_
might as well spend the extra money and just get a cobb.
^this
Old 09-26-2012, 08:43 AM
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The Cobb AP is worth the money, but I keep it at home. I use my bluetooth dongle and phone/tablet for normal ODB2 stuff. No cords to deal with and I can do quite a bit more with it. I can't flash, but then I don't need to flash very often at all, and that can be done at home.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:48 AM
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Yeah the cord can be pretty annoying, but if you mess with its placement and get a decent phone holder for the cobb it would be better. You can hide the cord a bit, and it won't be in the way as much as well as it'd look much cleaner with a mount. That's what I plan on doing, just haven't gone about it yet.
Old 09-26-2012, 08:59 AM
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I have a tablet mount that uses the passenger seat rail bolt, flexible neck so I can position it where I want and move it as needed, and with Torque, I've got 7 screens with whatever combination of graphs, gauges, meters, digital values across them, that I can flip through for whatever it is that I'm looking for. (Though update speed slowly drops the more gauges you have, so I usually use ~9 or less, these two pics are two of the slowest screen I have)





Plus, being on a tablet, I have Google Maps navigation, full music (either stored or Slacker radio), web access as needed, Trapster if desired, and any other app to play with while waiting for my wife in the grocery store. It contains everything I need, so I don't see the point of adding an AP mount for daily use.

Other people have different opinions and preferences of course
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Old 09-26-2012, 11:44 AM
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Thanks a lot guys for all the suggestions =].
Old 09-26-2012, 12:00 PM
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I roll my own

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Old 09-26-2012, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by ShellDude
I roll my own

That looks REALLY nice... is that a custom built app, or a custom skin for an app?
Old 09-26-2012, 05:01 PM
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http://github.com/synman/carhome
Old 09-26-2012, 05:11 PM
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Im pretty close to purchasing the PLX KIWI bluetooth dongle, anybody here run one?
Old 11-27-2012, 12:53 AM
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100-200 dollar range must be a code reader.an auto scanner need $2ooo.
Old 11-27-2012, 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by autoscanner
100-200 dollar range must be a code reader.an auto scanner need $2ooo.
How convenient

Your name is autoscanner and in your sig is a link to a webpage selling scanning tools

RIWWP can you check this out, i don't wanna press the report button in case i'm over thinking this
Old 11-27-2012, 01:41 AM
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Originally Posted by EricB
Im pretty close to purchasing the PLX KIWI bluetooth dongle, anybody here run one?
I use one and it works great, except it's a bluetooth device with a six foot cord
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