OBD/CAN reader with USB for laptop
 

I have searched but have not found a useful answer so, with all due newb modesty, anyone out there found a good combination of USB OBD II reader and software to run under Win 7 64bit.

I am a bit nervous to jump in and buy


as reports of v low data rates. But if nothing better will order this in next day or so.

So has anyone found a good, cost effective match up?

Oh, for the record, I am an old (in both senses) technology journalist so I have avoided Smart Phones so am not up for the Bluetooth/Torque route - sadly by the sound of it :-(

Thanks in advance for any info.

Steve

Micro bump as URGENTLY want to buy one :-)



This is an alternative or I suppose Bluetooth one but then I have to buy a BT dongle and they can be less than perfect..... Any experiences pls.

The main problem you are going to run into is that most readers were designed for Serial plugs, and laptops aren't made with them. Before any enterprising company decided to update to USB, better options became available, including WiFi and Bluetooth. Removing the cord has several benefits that can't be ignored, and the normal issue of wireless devices (power) is solved as the ODB port provides that power.


Honestly, I'd highly recommend getting a BT dongle. I had concerns about the lower priced eBay ones as well, so went with ODB+Key, knowing I was buying something with a proven reputation. Paired it with Torque for android on my phone and it was everything I needed. About 6 months later I got an AccessPORT, but instead of the ODB+Key becoming obsolete, the dongle just shifted over to my wife's car, and later my Miata, and the interfacing device has shifted to my tablet instead of my phone.


It's really fantastic, and gets better the more cars you have (even if just one car to the next).

I wonder what is their sampling rate for data logging?

That is what I am wondering.

Ah well I have bought two - one USB t'other Bluetooth - only problem I cannot get the Bluetooth dongle shipped to HAWAII - argghhhhhhhh common problem but v annoying. The tried to buy on eBay but my account was suspended in 2008 they will not tell me why (although they still send me emails) and now cannot register - as my email address is already in use.... makes you want to weep....

Off to create another email account to fox flippin eBay will let you know how I get on with OBD devices.

BTW on the automatic 05 at least there seems to be a reasonable amont of room below the OBD port and I have also simply bent it back which makes it better.

I that is still in the way will unmount the port and simply attach it somewhere higher up which looks v easy to do.

ATB Steve

There used to be a $15 bracket you could buy that would change the orientation of the OBD2 port (I have one) but I can seem to find it any more.

With that said, you could always fashion your own, definitely.

99% of the cheap ones are clones of the Elm327 chip, which doesn't support USB. They overcome this by adding another chip which does the serial to Bluetooth/USB/wifi conversion. I learned this after I broke mine by fiddling with the AT settings and leaving the chips in a state where they won't talk to each other. :)

That said, most of the issues with these devices were due to a number of them shipping with either bad firmware, or an improperly designed circuit. Most of the ones on the market today do NOT have these issues, and they work very well.

That's the one! I kept thinking I got it from Pettit.

Try Harrison. I bought one shortly after I got my 8. It's USB and works well. There's an optional RX-8 specific module. Excellent tech support. If you search the site for "Harrison" you should find threads on it.

I did find the whole laptop arrangement to be rather clunky if all I want to do is to read a CEL code, and got bored quickly with randomly logging data. But that's probably just me.

Ken

ken can you check and see what is their sampling rate. How many samples per second can you get with your tool and say logging 5-6 data blocks/sensors?

$24.95 for a bent bit of metal! I think get port out of existing housing, insert Bluetooth thingy, take cable tie and tie up out of the way - job done. It is not earthed so it can go anywhere - or am I missing something. Even if the port is live the power taken by the device will be negligable so it can stay plugged in. No?

Off to buy air filter and some thick gloves - those suckers hurt!

Sorry - no. I haven't played with it for several years. I also suspect that the current versions perform better than my 2006 vintage one.

Try their web site:

http://www.obdscan.net/

and e-mail or call Dan about sample rates. He was very helpful when I bought mine.

Ken