Want an OBD scanner, recommendations?

[ukemike]

I would like to get an OBD2 scanner for use on my 2002 Suburban. I have some issues with the ABS, and in general I would like to be able to access as much functionality as possible without spending a fortune, and reading ABS related codes is a must.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations they would share?

 

[Mudsport96]

I like my obdlink mx+

 

[Fless]

Some of the ABS functionality will be dictated by whatever app you use with the dongle. For instance, with my OBDLink MX+ I use the supplied app (OBDLink) for my Ford, but Torque Pro (Ian Hawkins) is what I use with my Hoe. I can't tell you if the MX+ reads ABS codes, though.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

Bidirectional? Or just one to check codes / read?

I have a generic Bluetooth dongle to read codes. You plug it into the diagnostic port and connect with phone. I use Torque Lite as a scan tool. Works like a champ, fits in the glove box. I only wish there was an option for one to build into the dash.

For bidirectional stuff I'm cheap. I a generic VCX Nano cause it came with Tech 2 Win. I also have HP Tuners adapter and VCM scanner (software). Not sure if you need a license to scan.

Lastly, you can do bidirectional with these, or just use them as a scanner. If tech 2 hadn't come with the VCX Nano I'd have bought one of these...

Home - OBDX Pro

obdxpro.com

 

[filthysuburban]

I have the obdx pro vx, haven't used tech2win but it's supposed to work on these (I also have a tech2 clone). The pro vx dongle also has a generic bluetooth odb adapter mode for any car which is nice for the price. I got it to flash tunes though.. I would recommend it if you don't mind fiddling around with a laptop or phone and want to save some cash, otherwise a real bi-directional scan tool or tech2 clone might be easier (less laptop fiddling) way to run your abs pump.

 

[ukemike]

The Tech 2 that everyone refers to. Is this a clone of it? Could that have similar functionality? The price seems reasonable compared to even a single visit to a mechanic. It seems a real GM Tech 2 is hard to come by and expensive. Figures. There is a green and black Bosch that seems like a real Tech 2 clone but it is also quite pricey. I am interested in a 2 way, and I guess I'd rather have a handheld unit that isn't wireless and that has as much of the GM specific capabilities built in. Under $300 would be great. I've looked at lots but they all make various claims and it's hard to tell which of them a blowing smoke and which might be useful.

I have a bluetooth dongle that I got for some other cars and for when I was doing my used car search. I have tried a few some phone apps. I found an app that reads most of the honda hybrid codes, but I am not generally impressed with the phone apps.


PS thanks for the replies so far, sorry it took me so long to respond.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

I just ordered a Kingbolen K7 after watching too many YouTube videos. We'll see what it can do with my 2006 5.3 non-flex. I want to see if there are more PIDS that can be graphed compared to the usual. Also I'll confirm what two-way functions/tests are available. I can report here or some other place - depending on what people want. I had a Foxwell NT510 Elite but it had a hardware issue and I got my money back.

 

[Doubeleive]

The Tech 2 that everyone refers to. Is this a clone of it? Could that have similar functionality? The price seems reasonable compared to even a single visit to a mechanic. It seems a real GM Tech 2 is hard to come by and expensive. Figures. There is a green and black Bosch that seems like a real Tech 2 clone but it is also quite pricey. I am interested in a 2 way, and I guess I'd rather have a handheld unit that isn't wireless and that has as much of the GM specific capabilities built in. Under $300 would be great. I've looked at lots but they all make various claims and it's hard to tell which of them a blowing smoke and which might be useful.

I have a bluetooth dongle that I got for some other cars and for when I was doing my used car search. I have tried a few some phone apps. I found an app that reads most of the honda hybrid codes, but I am not generally impressed with the phone apps.


PS thanks for the replies so far, sorry it took me so long to respond.

there is no need for a original tech2, the clones do the exact same thing
the only difference is the clone has a inferior power regulator, so if you need to cycle the key for specific diagnostic purposes it will instead reboot.
the fix for that one issue is to simply plug in a 12v dc household power adapter and you are golden.
clones run around $300-350

 

[tooleyondeck]

Innova 3100 if you just want to read/clear:

3100RS FixAssist

The FixAssist 3100RS by Innova Electronics is a reliable and user-friendly automotive diagnostic scanner, helping you identify and fix vehicle issues with ease.

www.innova.com

5610 if you want bi-directional:

Innova OBD2 Scanners: GS Ads

www.innova.com

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

Innova 3100 if you just want to read/clear:

3100RS FixAssist

The FixAssist 3100RS by Innova Electronics is a reliable and user-friendly automotive diagnostic scanner, helping you identify and fix vehicle issues with ease.

www.innova.com

5610 if you want bi-directional:

Innova OBD2 Scanners: GS Ads

www.innova.com

The 516 looks good. Not a big screen. I'll see how I like the Kingbolen. I like that the Innova seems to have good USA support.

 

[blondie70]

Made in Tiawan also....not red China

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

The Kingbolen K7 showed up. For unknown reasons I haven't been able to get through the registration process and get a connection to the car. The support people are responding. Standby.

 

[Mudsport96]

I typically give good ratings to my obdlink mx+. However, a recent firmware update has ruined it. I can use it to connect to cars through outdated Torque app. But using the OBDLink app crashes my phone. They are aware and are working on a fix. But come on, did they not try a beta version of the update and see that it is an IMMEDIATE crash of all hardware?

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

I typically give good ratings to my obdlink mx+. However, a recent firmware update has ruined it. I can use it to connect to cars through outdated Torque app. But using the OBDLink app crashes my phone. They are aware and are working on a fix. But come on, did they not try a beta version of the update and see that it is an IMMEDIATE crash of all hardware?

I'm getting a feeling these "scanner" companies don't have good software release testing processes. It seems recently there are so many models from one company it is impossible to determine which model best covers your vehicle. IMHO it is all in the software... just what screen size do you want or need. My obdlink+ is still working - I'll remind myself not to update until I hear they have the issue fixed. Maybe I'll get my K7 working in the mean time.

 

[BatsTDK]

I use BlueDriver for most of my code reading. It pulls codes deeper than most generic scanners and the app is very user friendly and helpful at explaining what the problem is, how common it is, and user-reported fixes.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

The people at Kingbolen were able to "register" my K7 by doing something on their side. No explanation re. why I was not able to do it. At least they responded and got the issue resolved. Last night I played around with it looking for two-way functions.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

okay... I've done some testing of the KB K7 and I'm sort of not liking it too much. The software is too flakey. For one - when it was reading the VIN the dash display beeped and showed "Stability Sys. Disabled". Didn't give me a feeling. Easy enough to fix by cycling the key but still. Also a number of other glitches that are too much to describe. I'm going to give it a few more tries. The Innova might be a better choice.

 

[Fless]

okay... I've done some testing of the KB K7 and I'm sort of not liking it too much. The software is too flakey. For one - when it was reading the VIN the dash display beeped and showed "Stability Sys. Disabled". Didn't give me a feeling. Easy enough to fix by cycling the key but still. Also a number of other glitches that are too much to describe. I'm going to give it a few more tries. The Innova might be a better choice.

If you're using an Android for the app, get "Torque" (Ian Hawkins) from Google Play. That version is free. Try it out and, if it works okay with your K7, buy the $5 Torque Pro version and get the GM Extended PIDs for it.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

If you're using an Android for the app, get "Torque" (Ian Hawkins) from Google Play. That version is free. Try it out and, if it works okay with your K7, buy the $5 Torque Pro version and get the GM Extended PIDs for it.

Unfortunately I have an iPhone.

 

[BatsTDK]

Unfortunately I have an iPhone.

BlueDriver