What are my choices for obdII/can scan tool ?
 

Hi all,

I'm new on this board. I just picked up my '04 Red RX-8 couple weeks ago. I want to invest on a good scanning tool. My old handheld doesn't work with CAN. I have a laptop so basically I'm looking for an interface that hooks up to my latop. I did a quick seach but not much info I found other than the canscan one.

Any info will be helpful.

TIA,

Terence

from an hour and a half before you posted this thread https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/another-scan-tool-option-auterra-94151/

also hymee scanalyser http://www.performancedesign.com.au/?content=scanalyser which can be had straight from hymee or thru forum vendor mazdaparts

find the threads from SCO or Hymee on this forum for the history of the sCANalyser on this forum.

canscan:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/video-canscan-palm-pda-93880/

I've used the Palm version of the OBDScan on my Rx8 with good results.

The two guys that wrote the Palm and Windows software for the OBDScan are both Rx8 owners so Rx8 compatibility is a high priority (beyond the basic requirements of the OBD specs).

thank you guys!

Terence

Hey guys,

I'm resurrecting this because I'm looking at getting a CAN scan tool for my 8. Searching around the forum and some of the vendor site I'm torn between the Hymee Scanalyser from Mazdaparts.com and the Auto Enginuity ScanTool from Vividracing.com.

http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolpc.html

http://www.performancedesign.com.au/?content=scanalyser

I wanted to get some feedback from folks that have either of these tools on whether they have been happy with them and what limitations they have found. My primary goals are to read CEL's (had one this weekend during the monthly drive) and log engine data to analyze.

I like the fact that the Hymee tool is based around the RX-8 and the digital gauge readout is cool.

I like the Autoenginuity's bluetooth feature and the dyno feature. (I have a gtech so it's not a breaking point for me though.) It doesn't say anything about the Mazda specific codes and I wonder if it has them all or not.

So are there any problems or limitations I should understand about either of these units? I'm not sure how to accurately compare them.

Reader....
 

I got this one for around $88 on the 'bay, it just reads and resets, there is no data available at all. Not probably what you need, just for info....

S

http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/69...retail_box.jpg

i would say get the Hymee based purely on possible future update of said product. but with hymee being out of commission right now... who knows if the update will happen. we need to get sco in here .

I noticed that you have to buy the Mazda specific code upgrade for the Auto Enginuity unit for an additional $100.00. Does Hymee's unit already come with those codes built in?

That's a waste of money. Just look up the CEL code online, cost you all of 30 seconds of time, instead of $100.

I am also interested in this topic :) Just to throw another product out there:
Harrison's CanScan:
http://www.obdscan.net/

He is also on the forums as DanH (not too sure on spelling), I believe; also an RX-8 afficionado?

Just noticed that mySQL also mentioned Harrison's canScan, shaun is there a reason why you are not considering this tool?

Thanks!
Edgardo

I looked at it but I read some threads where people had some problems with the software on their PC. Also it seemed like it was the same price but didn't give me anything that Hymee and Auto Ingenuity didn't give me and they also had some nice extras like the virtual dyno and the real time gauge display.

Edit: Just read the link posted on the Harrison tool. Looks like it's about $40 cheaper if you get the APEX and the RX8 enhanced package. I noticed it says you can read codes but doesn't say you can reset them. Is it possible to reset them with Harrison tool?

I'm not opposed to looking at if there are some features it has that the other two do not. Anyone have any insight on what Harrison does that the others don't?

Thanks mysql101. That answers a question for me. I wasn't sure if it would still at least give me the codes so I could look them up on the forum or just not recognize them at all. Although If I can read them all on the fly already in Hymee's unit but I can't for the same price in Auto Enginuity's that's a plus for Hymee.

The Harrison tool will reset codes, at least on regular OBD-II. Haven't had a code to reset on my 8 yet.

I've got the Harrison CANScan. Not the Apex - just the regular one. It will clear codes. I used the clear function when I got the infamous loose gas cap P0455.

Kind of nice having a scanner. It saved me a trip to the dealer.

Ken

Hmmm. So now I'm leaning towards the Harrison tool for $40.00 less. Thanks for the info guys!

Yeah so was I!:ylsuper: I e-mailed him a bunch of questions last week, and he was very thorough with his response as well as prompt.

Laters!
Edgardo

as well interested in this Harrison product, but a bit conerned about the reliability as there are some threads with bad experience... but almost ready to make an order :)

In their website they also mention the future option of Passthrough Programming capability (SAE-J2534) - any news/rumours when this would be available ?

Thanks Grinn. I think I'll email him as well.

-Shaun

So is there a concensous of a preferred scan tool a) Harrison CanScan or b) Hymee Scanalyzer? Both? Is there a function that one performs that the other does not (or not as well).

Thanks!
Edgardo

Here's what I think from what I've learned so far. They hymee tool has a nice interface and a slick virtual dash board setup with real time data logging capability (on a computer). The Harrison tool is cheaper and still has all the other functionality including real time data logging but the interface is not as slick.

Summit Racing has a more universal tool but it looks like you need to plug that into a computer as well. I decided to pick up the Auto Ingenuity tool because I was able to find it from someone used. It is also a universal tool but you can download CEL code packages for it (or look up the codes ourselves.) It does have a useful feature of being able to use it as a virtual dyno or 1/4 mile time logger. They all need monitors. Most of them can be plugged in to a PDA as long as you buy the right version. That may do what you want.

I emailed them couple days ago for *beta* version but has yet to receive a reply. I had the Beta 1.1 before, but it doesnt work with my Windows XP 64 bit laptop. (and tons of crashes on Regular XP pro)

Now I wonder what is going on ... I need something that *works* :(

I have the Hymee ScanAlyser and I love it

I finally ordered the Harrison latest product OBDScan-APEX that according to them
is the recommended one over the previous versions and CANSCAN products. Don't have any experience tough, and the passthrough function maybe coming some time in future according to Dan...

A couple of others I was interested in - maybe worth of studying?
http://www.auterraweb.com/
http://www.auteltech.com/products.htm