I've come across a few that look pretty decent for the price, but I want some suggestions just to be safe.

Please recommend based on what you have, or have used. It doesn't need to do anything fancy. I just want to be able to read the codes and possibly monitor live if it doesn't kill me on the price tag.

Thanks bros.....

 

Any el-cheapo will read codes. Adding live scan bumps up the cost though. If you have an iphone or ipod touch, check out the Innovate OT-2. It also will log to a laptop if you don't have an iphone. I don't have an iphone, but I did pick up a used itouch for $50, which works great with it.

 

/\ What he said.
If you simply want to read codes, go to HF and get one for like 30 bux. I have one and it works just fine.
If you want to do fancy stuff then your wallet is the determining factor of how much you want it to do.

 

If it's a newer ecu you are trying to look at info on I love this thing:
http://www.dashhawk.com/
It was like a lifeline with my speed3. The vehicle list for it is on the site. This thing reads a ton of parameters and can clear codes.
MSD did actually stop production on them. All that's left is what stores have in inventory and the used market. It's def not a cheapo and it's not super expensive either...

 

I'm getting it more or less just to have around the garage, but more so for the problems I've been having with my '03 Taurus lately.

Ben, I like the Innovate OT2 you linked, but its a tad high for the price I was looking to spend (~$100). I'll look into it and maybe for the extra cost it'll be worth it in the long run.

I'm just the type that I'd rather have my own machine than ask someone to borrow theirs or go to loserzone and have them check it for me. At the very least I'll pick up a cheaper unit and give up the live data feature if I must.

This is one I've been reading reviews on -http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS409-OBD-II-Scanner/dp/B001LHW9YG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1316527597&sr=8-4

 

I have an Innova Equus 3160 and I love it. I own a number of vehicles and I wanted something up to date and that could read ABS codes if I needed it to. Live data is nice and there are a number of features I've yet to discover. Little pricey, but when you start pricing out scanners that can do ABS (granted only if you own the cars it supports), its very well priced.

 

http://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/p...bluetooth.html

so awesome to use your PC or your smart phone to check codes and display gauges and ****.

 

I like the OBDlink stuff I see. The prices seem pretty decent as well.

Bluetooth is cool, but wouldn't be necessary for me.

I'm wondering what the difference is between the $50 scan tool and the $100 scan tool.

This looks like the direction I'll be headed. Thanks YEIGHTS!

 

I have the obdlink S which is just serial. add a bluetooth dongle or usb-serial adapter and it'll work with both phones and computers.

i like it.

 

If you have an Android mobile phone, purchase the Torque application (approx $4.50) and a cheap eBay Bluetooth OBDII dongle (approx $25-30).

See https://market.android.com/details?i...l.torque&hl=en

I bought the expensive Kiwi Bluetooth dongle after the cheap eBay/China dongle and they both work equally well.

 

Update

Ordered this scanner tonight from Amazon.

Equus 3140 Innova Diagnostic Code Scanner





I got this one because it works for both OBDI & OBDII so it should also work with our trucks down at the shop. My father's Envoy XUV has has it's check engine light on so this was a reason to finally order it.

Should be at the house Tuesday and if it rains like its supposed to on Wednesday I'll be using it and I'll give a little review on how it did.

 

that's a lot of plugs

 

I tried one of these on my msm, doesn't work.

 

I used the cheapest ELM327 scanner off ebay and ScanMaster software which I "acquired". Total cost: $cheap

lesson learned: software is pretty damn imporant.

 

yeah there's a limited list of vehicles for it -
it generally works on more advanced - later obd2 ecus
i think the oldest thing it works on is 03

 

So does anyone have anything that displays live data w/o a laptop or some homo apple product? I'm looking for something all in one like the MSD dash hawk. I'd also like to avoid BT, since I'm already using that for music and hands free calling.

 

http://www.auteltech.com/ms500.htm

Cheap and does the job.

 

Thanks for that, looking through other products that company offers, I found this.

http://www.auteltech.com/tp100.htm

Seems more what I'm looking for. Anyone know if it's compatible with our cars?

 

Scangauge II