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This is a neat little tool. Compact and easy to transport with a lot of capabilities once you pay the fees. And that’s one of my issues with this tool. By the time you spec it out with all it’s capabilities you’ve spent about $200 in addition to the price of the tool. Also, I did have some difficulties pairing it up. That may just be my phone, but it was a pain. That said, I think this is a great tool for the DIY as it has many features and the ability to share results. What do you think?
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I think the guy in the youtube comments was right.
I bought an ELM OBDII bluetooth reader for 10 dollars on E-bay. I bought the Torque app on google play, the full version, for 5 dollars (there is a free version).
15 dollars. It gives you all the realtime info this thing does. The only difference is that I’m not sure the Torque app looks up the code definitions, it might just give you the codes. BUT I had much less of a problem pairing the ELM scanner and my phone than Eric did with this Actron thing.
So 15 dollars versus 200 dollars. Someone is COMPLETELY ripping people off… and their name starts with “Actron”. I mean… seriously? That level of rip off is kind of criminal.
I was also disappointed to find out that you had to spend a lot more to unlock the tools full capabilities. You can look at this another way however. If you only need it for your vehicle, it’s not that expensive.
As for the issues I had pairing it up, that may have more to do with my phone than it does with the tool. Apple’s bluetooth isn’t known for being friendly.
Thanks for your input.
Nearly all clones of clones using ELM327 set. For DIY use I’d still really recommend skipping, for as busted states, say an innova, which you can get for under $200 here.
One of those is only of real use IMO for personal vehicle monitoring/fixing as it’s otherwise just not worth the hassle or extra cost usually for the software you really want with it (aside from torque and a few other cheaper/free programs). I’ve been using my OBDLink (http://www.scantool.net/ )mounted up under my console since 2008 for integration to my CarPC. Still works great, and a lot of decent programs for it as options, but toting to even a spouses or friends car for use, then fiddling with the phone (even when it works right off)? Nah, pass, rather have the 3160b. Plug in, turn to KOEO, done, codes/live data there. 😉
[URL=https://imageshack.com/i/0limg0084cgj][IMG]http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/21/img0084cg.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Using Dashcommand for software here:
[IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/am86td.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i59.tinypic.com/2mucz.jpg[/IMG][quote=”bustedbolts” post=88923]Bro. For how that thing worked and the price you could get a super nice Innova scanner[/quote]
Yea, by the time you end up specking the whole thing out, you could have bought a quality scanner. This has portability though. Fits in your pocket or glovebox and most of us have our cell phones on just about all the time.
I guess it really depends on how you want to use it. It could be a good value if you just wanted it for one vehicle. I know that if you have a scan tool you’d want to use it on more than one vehicle though, so that would only apply to a limited amount of people I’m sure.
I bought the exact same scanner you were testing and I have to say it is not “plug and play” friendly. But I must say that your honesty on the video review about the troubles you had with it made me smile. That’s why I have the techs that work for me watch your reviews . Because you honest. That is totally refreshing to see in this day and age. So Thank you for the honesty and the videos. Thanks again from myself and all of us here at The Busted Bolts Garage
Very few of the “non-professional” scanners handle ABS and transmission codes very well.
I concur with others, that the INNOVA 3160 is probably the “best bang for the buck” for DIY code readers. However, I also believe that Innova should offer a software update service, even it it would mean returning the unit to the factory. I would pay $20-$50 for an update if it actually did add capability.
Wayne316! That is a totally cool setup you have there for monitoring your car!
Eric, thanks for the video and all others recommending the various scan tools. I was looking at the Innova3160 because I have ABS codes and would like to be able to use the live data. I ended up on the InnovaPro 31603 instead as it was only $15 more! Once you’re spending that, might as well get the better tool, plus if I understand it right, I can get the adapter for OBD1 cars (I just need to pry the suburban from my mother now since I do almost all the work on it anyway).
Once I receive the 31603 in a couple days, I’ll post how it does on the ABS code I have (I pretty sure it’s the front driver hub assembly, but we’ll see what it says)
[quote=”KingMeander” post=91658]Wayne316! That is a totally cool setup you have there for monitoring your car!
Eric, thanks for the video and all others recommending the various scan tools. I was looking at the Innova3160 because I have ABS codes and would like to be able to use the live data. I ended up on the InnovaPro 31603 instead as it was only $15 more! Once you’re spending that, might as well get the better tool, plus if I understand it right, I can get the adapter for OBD1 cars (I just need to pry the suburban from my mother now since I do almost all the work on it anyway).
Once I receive the 31603 in a couple days, I’ll post how it does on the ABS code I have (I pretty sure it’s the front driver hub assembly, but we’ll see what it says)[/quote]
Cool, good luck with that tool. I recently got an Encore from OTC that I’ll be doing a review on in the not too distant future. Should be interesting.
As for getting OBDI codes for GM, you can use the old school method and it works just fine.
http://www.theimportkiller.com/forums/index.php?topic=420.0
Good luck and have fun with your new scan tool.
I had the standard scan tool by actron. It has been great. It paid cor itself 10yrs ago shen I had my Ranger 97. Had check engine light, determined vacuum hoses could be th culpret and rplaced them. I used it to verify dealership diagnosis on my current car. Chevy Aveo 2004
I recently purchased the Actron U-Scan CP9600. My purchase was based on being able to see the features of the scanner in use in the YouTube video by Eric The Car Guy. Now after limited use of the scanner, I have run into a problem. On a 2004 Subaru Forrester, the diagnostic plug is recessed in the dash just below the steering wheel and with it being recessed the scanner is too big for the recess to connect to the plug.
My question is whether Actron or anyone for that matter makes a cable that attaches to the scanner and then the cable can attach to the diagnostic plug?
Thanks for any reply that can help me with this issue.
[quote=”davec49″ post=180433]I recently purchased the Actron U-Scan CP9600. My purchase was based on being able to see the features of the scanner in use in the YouTube video by Eric The Car Guy. Now after limited use of the scanner, I have run into a problem. On a 2004 Subaru Forrester, the diagnostic plug is recessed in the dash just below the steering wheel and with it being recessed the scanner is too big for the recess to connect to the plug.
My question is whether Actron or anyone for that matter makes a cable that attaches to the scanner and then the cable can attach to the diagnostic plug?
Thanks for any reply that can help me with this issue.[/quote]
Likely not. You’re better off removing the trim covering the plug, or use a different scanner.
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