Good OBD scanner for weekend mechanic?

[mijohnst]

I've been using generic Bluetooth scanner with TORQUE and it works fine but looking through some of the posts here I see that people are getting more details than I can dream of getting. Many like the Actron CP9690. It's a bit pricy for me, however. Anyone else have a recommendation that will do a better deep dive than the generics?

 

[drakon543]

for a cheaper all purpose scanner with more advanced features i like innova brand scanners. they sell them in different grades like the actrons and such but tend to be cheaper. tech 2 scanner for gm vehicles also is a great buy im not sure what the current prices on them are but its a gm specific scanner as i can tell and is capable of communicating with the whole vehicle for all your diagnostic needs.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you want one of the best diagnostic tools available for your truck, I recommend that you consider a Tech 2. It will provide you with just about any diagnostic capabilities that you will ever need.

Depending upon your budget, you can purchase a Chinese knock-off for about $350. Many folks on this Forum have gone in this direction.

 

[swathdiver]

What Joe said!! ^^^^^

 

[OR VietVet]

I bought the Tech 2 on ebay for $325 but have yet to use it. Glad to have it for when I need it.

There has to be a reason that when I asked about what to get, on this forum, 95% said get a Tech 2. If I am looking for a lawyer, doctor or dentist, I don't ask for the cheapest, I want the best I can get. Same can be said for the Tech 2.

 

[Tim10]

I've been using generic Bluetooth scanner with TORQUE and it works fine but look through some of the posts here I see that people are getting more details than I can dream of getting. Many like the Actron CP9690. It's a bit pricy for me, however. Anyone else have a recommendation that will do a better deep dive than the generics?

I just bought Bluedriver OBD2 scanner. It’s a $100 scanner.
It’s a same Bluetooth scanner but does same thing as a pro scanner. Google it and see if it fits you...
I’m happy with it

 

[Big Mama]

I have hobo freights ZR-13 but only bc our kids drive so many different makes. It’s pretty good does the ABS and airbag stuff but nowhere near what a Tech2 can for my Yukon, which is my only GM vehicle now.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Tech 2 is probably cheapest here:

http://www.chinacardiags.com/wholes...el-suzuki-isuzu-holden-with-full-package.html

@Doubeleive always suggests a US seller for good reason, but usually a tad more $. He has also recently found another setup. Wes, care to expuound?

 

[Doubeleive]

if you have a windows tablet or laptop you can get a vxdiag nano (ebay/amazon), it will give you the function of a tech2 on the tablet/laptop (tech2win)
the vxdiag nano runs about $135 sometimes a little less. So far it's the best bang for the buck it also does gds2 which is what all the gm vehicles went to in 2014.

 

[Lalo]

Anyone using a GM MDI with a laptop I bought one but have yet to use it because I understand you need a subscription to use on newer GM vehicles ....?

 

[Woodblocker55]

Tech 2 is probably cheapest here:

http://www.chinacardiags.com/wholes...el-suzuki-isuzu-holden-with-full-package.html

@Doubeleive always suggests a US seller for good reason, but usually a tad more $. He has also recently found another setup. Wes, care to expuound?

Have you ordered from that sight without issues ?

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[Woodblocker55]

if you have a windows tablet or laptop you can get a vxdiag nano (ebay/amazon), it will give you the function of a tech2 on the tablet/laptop (tech2win)
the vxdiag nano runs about $135 sometimes a little less. So far it's the best bang for the buck it also does gds2 which is what all the gm vehicles went to in 2014.

There is alot of different ones on eBay do they do speed sensors and graphing ? I'm looking at GM 2000 and newer are the rigs I have and I have laptop 64bit windows 10.

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[Doubeleive]

There is alot of different ones on eBay do they do speed sensors and graphing ? I'm looking at GM 2000 and newer are the rigs I have and I have laptop 64bit windows 10.

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vxdiagnano, it works just like a tech2 (tech2win)

 

[Woodblocker55]

vxdiagnano, it works just like a tech2 (tech2win)

Do you have the model to get for GM 2000 and newer rigs . Vxdiagnano . I looked I do have a like new XP machine also 32bit . And a win 10 64bit laptop.

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[Doubeleive]

Do you have the model to get for GM 2000 and newer rigs . Vxdiagnano . I looked I do have a like new XP machine also 32bit . And a win 10 64bit laptop.

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I bought this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Shippi...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[Woodblocker55]

I bought this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Shippi...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Can we get a review I see now there is fireware 33.004 witch ones best ? Do I need to buy the software ?

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[Doubeleive]

Can we get a review I see now there is fireware 33.004 witch ones best ? Do I need to buy the software ?

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they update the firmware often, whatever is most recent will work I had some problems getting the old firmware to work but it works good now.
I don't really have a review to give, I do have some advice and that would be to turn off any antivirus security software when doing the software install as it can pick up some files as a possible virus and it will delete them or not let you install and then it just wont work.
for $100 your getting the software/hardware equivalent of a $300 tech2 and $1200 gds2 scanner
the only caveat of the tech2 portion being it will only work on a 96 and up as it is obd2 only

 

[Nick91l]

I just bought this:

gonna do a bit of research, but I’ll do my best to take notes once I do the install and any issues I run into.
I’ll be running it on windows 10 and will definitely be using the Tech2 software.