I want to pick up a scanner, because I'm tired of borrowing one every time there's an issue (like cleaning the throttle body, with the MAF off, for instance).

I don't want to drop a ton of money, and am considering one of these:

A) Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner for $52 on Amazon -- OWNER'S MANUAL
or
B) Autel MaxiScan MS509 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner for $79 off eBay. (Amazon price is $99) -- OWNER'S MANUAL

The only major difference I see between the two is the 509's real-time data stream view/record/playback capability. Question is, would this be useful to a driveway mechanic (just my own vehicles), and worth the extra $30? I like the 409's "snapshot" feature that catches the intermediate code with the hard fault, and wonder if this would be adequate for my needs.

Perhaps there is another unit I should be considering in this price/capability range?

Looking forward to opinions/comments. I plan to purchase one this week. Thanks.

Andy

 

I got this one for $47 shipped. It's your bare bones cheap scanner. Works fine for me. Looks like you might want something a little nicer I dunno. All i need to do is read and clear codes. This one does have a few live data features but its nothing real advanced.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROFE...ht_7843wt_1165

 

why buy a scanner that does nothing but scan???


get yourself a tuner and benefit from your money

 

So you can do some self diagnosis on the check engine light and not have to drive to autozone or advance.

 

Looks good, but I'm looking for one that will do CAN, as well. (Guess I should have stated that. Oops.)

Andy

 

Because:
I'd love to have a tuner, but it's significantly more expensive (unless you have an Edge you want to sell me for $90).

Andy

 

Anybody else have any input on the usefulness of real-time PCM data?

Andy

 

Check out this OBD2 Software for Ford .

This is a good package that lets you go more in details.

 

That looks like it would be great, as it does go father into the PCM for codes (like the Ford garage can do) Unfortunately this, too, is way outside my budget.

I'm also considering a slightly different approach. I downloaded a free application for my iPaq pocket PC, OBD Gauge, from http://www.qcontinuum.org, and am thinking about a Bluetooth interface like THIS ONE. It would fit my budget, and give me real-time data capability. There are also freeware OBDII programs like EasyObdII that I could run on a laptop, and I have a Bluetooth dongle for that, as well.

Hmmmmm.....

Andy

Andy

 

Well, I ended up getting THIS bluetooth interface off eBay for $28.



It was delivered this afternoon, and in just a few minutes I had it paired with my iPAQ. Sensor data appeared after a 15-second (or so) initialization period, and I was off and running. Since there were no codes stored, I "forced" a fault by disconnecting the IAT probe. Shortly after doing this, the code showed up on the screen as "pending" (with code and full text description), and a bit later lit the CEL. I then cleared the code with just two taps on the screen.

Real time data is a little slow to update, but it's cycling through 20+ things. You can select only certain sensors, though, and speed the refresh rate. I'll have to try and pair it with our laptop, and see if it behaves differently with other software.

Most definitely the best bang-for-the-buck solution for me.

Andy

 

I just did some looking around, and there's a couple OBDII apps for the Droid that should work with this module, as well. Might have to give one of them a spin when I get mine.

Torque



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OBDroid Pro:



Andy