ODBII Scan Tool - What to buy?

I'm looking into buying an OBDII Scan Tool and would like to find out what others on this site have and their opinion on if they would buy the same tool again. If you can also provide what you paid for the tool, that would be helpful as well.

Also, what's the best non-laptop (pc) scan tool for less than $250?

I've see the ScanGaugeII and it looks interesting. So any input on it would also be appreciated.

http://www.scangauge.com/

Thanks!

Well ....... there have been a lot of people looking, but no one is responding.

So I had to look elsewhere.

Here is a link to a good site: http://www.obd-codes.com/

I’m thinking of getting scan gauge myself, only dilemma is will they bring scangaugeIII right after i buy scangaugeII? the reason i am saying this is bc the scangaugeII has been on the market for about a year or so. But other than that, the reviews I have read on this and other forums indicate if this being pretty much best all-in-one scan tool

go to autozone, they sell some nice ones:thmsup:
i was so close to buying one when i had my VW jetta, i had to check a code twice a week at autozone.
they started greeting me by name, and let me just grab the scan tool, and go look up the code myself. :lmao:
But every time i had a code i needed a part, so why bother, i just go use theres at autozone, then buy a part.

I got a scangauge II recently and so far, I've been very happy with my purchase. I had to use it a couple of times on my mom's old car to clear some codes.... It works, but the sacnner part of it isn't a full blown version that would store codes in memory, or give you quick descriptions of the problems like some of the scanners out there. All you can do is view the trouble codes and erase them.

Thanks to all that have responded! :wave:

I've ordered a ScanGaugeII. Now the fun begins!:naughty:

let us know if you figure out a way to measure the tranny temp. I would probably get one if I could do that.

I think you'll have fun seeing what happens & when. My prince has had a couple of them. I don't remember much about the names of them, but autoenginuity (sp?) was one of the companies he got some of the pieces from to make it read what he wanted it to.

He now uses his laptop at work just like the diagnostic one the shop has. But no waiting for it!!:D

let us know if you figure out a way to measure the tranny temp. I would probably get one if I could do that.


It's not set-up to measure the tranny temp (according to the web site).

If you was a tranny temp gague, try here:

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/performance/brand.php?makeid=1&modelid=135&year=2006&partid=21218

But I will see if I can get the ScanGagueII to do it. Most likely it will not be able to.:dunno:

Auterra makes an excellent software scan tool that runs on a Palm PDA. A supplied dongle connects between the obd connecter and the Palm of your choice. Provides generic and some mfg specific codes and can be updated as they become available.

auterraweb.com

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking to buy Autoenginuity scan tool. But I could not find much of feedback from Accord Owners (specifically 7th gen.)
Could someone share their experience and say pros and cons? Thanks.
Obviously OEM scan tool is the best but does it justify having one if you don't run your own shop?
One mechanic told me that universal scan tools are useless if you really want to do diagnostic on the car. Using universal scan tool give you bogus DTCs, have slow communication etc.
What is your opinion?

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking to buy Autoenginuity scan tool. But I could not find much of feedback from Accord Owners (specifically 7th gen.)
Could someone share their experience and say pros and cons? Thanks.
Obviously OEM scan tool is the best but does it justify having one if you don't run your own shop?
One mechanic told me that universal scan tools are useless if you really want to do diagnostic on the car. Using universal scan tool give you bogus DTCs, have slow communication etc.
What is your opinion?

I purchased the Autoenginuity scan tool with the enhanced honda software just a few weeks ago. It's a great tool with heaps of diagnostic features. you will be able to read hundreds of sensors and you can plot various results on graph or export in an excel type format. Technical support is also very good.

Hi unity,
My congrats on your happy buy.
How many calibration/learning procedures are available for your car?
BTW What is your car?

Hi unity,
My congrats on your happy buy.
How many calibration/learning procedures are available for your car?
BTW What is your car?

Sorry I have not investigated all its features yet. I have only used it to scan for any error codes and have used it to monitors a couple of sensors.Was there any particular feature you were looking for? I'll explore a bit more next time I use it.

My car is an Accord Euro which is the same car as the TSX in the USA.

Was there any particular feature you were looking for?
How about crankshaft position sensor learning procedure?

How about crankshaft position sensor learning procedure?

Not sure. Will check next time I connect to my car. But bear in mind we have different cars. Maybe send Autoenginuity an email and get them to confirm exactly what is compatible with your car. They usually respond very quickly.