Which OBDII Scanner Should I Get?
 

Well I figure now that it's Christmas, it's a perfect time to tell my mom to get me an OBDII scanner!! :D

I am thinking something like $300 (maybe 4) dollars. What would you guys recommend? I would prefer not to go the PalmPilot route, and just get some software that would connect bo my laptop; either that or just a single unit that will read the codes without a laptop or PalmPilot.

What do you guys think? What would you recommend?

THANKS!!

I wouldn't go the palm pilot route, I feel that the palm pilot is going out, and the new thing will be the new Palms, the Compaq Ipaq's and the like running windows CE or pocet pc 2002 os. Much more robust, fast, and more features.

I wouldn't waste a dime on any palm pilot items or palm pilots at all. to me the palm os is not going to last with all the new features and things available for the ipaq and hp jornada units..

I would thinkt he laptop route would be great, then you could export your data for posting on this site... hehe

I would expect a seperate handheld unit might cost $$$ over software and a cable for the laptop...

Alon

Alon, this I know... I'm trying to avoid the PalmPilots.

But aren't there individual units that simply plug into your car (and it tells you the data through it's own... err, 'unit')? I think those might be more costly though.

I checked out Ease, but the cheapest one they had was $600! Unless I didn't check thoroughly enough.

Any other suggested products?

I would recommend the EASE Diagnostics. The $600 one that David spoke of is the Professional system. The stripped down system for the DIY guy is about $300 and is great. There are about 3 basic types, GM, Ford and Foreign, although I don't remember all their buzzword terminology.

You have the most expensive part, that's your laptop. I have an old Pentium laptop, probably about 4 years old with good batteries, and it is much better than a handheld scanner. You can keep records of each car incluiding extensive diagnostic information. Also, you don't need a code book, the tables are all right there with other diagnostic information.

Good luck,

Thanks Larry! I remember you suggesting the Ease to me once, telling me it was about $300, that's why I doubted my research! I'll check back to the 300 Ease product. Thanks again.

:)

I'll second the EASE unit: www.easesim.com . The $300 dollar version will do everything that the $600 one will. The difference is that the data signal can come from four different pins on the OBDII plug. The professional version doesn't need to be told it just asks all four contacts and deals with the one that replies (handy if you don't know what protocol SAE, ISO, PWM, forget the last one, that the car has).

When you buy the consumer version, one will get the matching protocol to the cars being viewed. Almost all European are ISO.

WARNING: OBDII scanners only talk to the diagnostic module or the ME module. They DO NOT talk to any other systems.

David...now ya went and opened a can o' worms! Asking techs' what they recommend for an OBDII scanner is like asking 3 NASCAR fans if they like Chevy or Ford! :eek: I personally like the AST but for $300.00 you probably aren't going to get much....just my 2 cents...:p

suggestion
 

You might want to check this site out. www.pocketlogger.com
They have one for obd II's for around $200 bucks. Good luck.
I use his logger for my GVR4 and so far have love his product.
Pretty good customer support too.

I'm amazed at the number of you that have your own scan tools! :eek:

I'll be Mr. Practical here and suggest to my buddy David that you ask for something else for Christmas.

IMNSHO OBD II is a joke. I have run across many OBD 2 codes (aka PO####) that will cover several factory codes (aka P####) leaving you to scratch your head. In addition to what Steve stated about not being to check other systems on your car keep in mind that just because there is a fault code stored for a particular component doesn't always mean that component is at fault. IMO there are too many varibles that OBD 2 just doesn't cover. :(

I have used both OBD2 and factory scan equipment (HHT at that time). I'll take the factory scan equipment any day.

Is your "CHECK ENGINE" MIL coming on that much?

me too for AST!
 

David,

get a dedicated MB scanners if you are going to stay with MBs. This way you can scan all modules in your car not just the DIAG module.

Also you get straight forward code output tailored to MB (complete with reference designators) not generic codes.

I have the POINTER made by AST and am very happy with it. The PALM scanner looks like the one to get and it's only $400. I haven't tried it yet.

Ok, the AST Palm will hook into the OBDII connector AND the X11/4 (or whatever it's called), the round thing under the hood (for CC, ABS, SRS, etc)?

For $400? Then that just might be the one! I'll check it out now.
THANKS!

UPDATE:
I did a search and only came up with the RETRIEVER by AST. The toolrama website kind of sucked, IMO.

This looks kind of promising, but could only (again) find the RETRIEVER, which is $699: http://www.distools.com/retriever_mb_digital.htm


Question... what website can I find the $400 AST Palm at? And this device doesn't connect to a 'Palm'Pilot does it? THANKS.

Cant find the POINTER. . .
 

Seems like it's not for sale on the TECHNIC TOOL site. Wonder what that means? Probably quit making them.

The RETRIEVER is a great tool. Not only does it do codes (read and reset) but also LIVE DATA. Thus it's a professional tool. But, unfortunately, so is the price: $699 for the unit PLUS $1500 for the cartridge! That why I don't recommend it for us.

Also couldn't find the PALM scanner either. Have sent off a e-mail and will advise when I get an answer.

GET THE BALL ROLLING!!
 

Any new news? Or advice? Christmas is coming fast! I must make a decision ASAP!!

THANKS!!

got an answer. . .
 

The POINTER and PALM ($95) scanner has been dropped by TECHNIC TOOL in favor of the CODELINK ($495) and HELION ($450) scanners. The Helion is OBDII only whereas the CodeLink is 38 pin only.

They claim they are better and cheaper but can't verify that personally. I've requested that they send me the HELION for evaluation but since they are out of stock, it will be after Christmas. But I still recommend a 38 pin scanner rather than an OBD type scanner.

Link: http://www.technictool.com/scanners.htm

have three PALM scanners in stock
 

so they were kind enough to send me one for evaluation.

Tested (quickly) this afternoon on my car and it's as good as the POINTER. Very easy to use including the DTC resets.

Will post a more complete review on my page. Here's what it looks like right out of the container:
http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/palm_3.jpg