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Is this code reader worth the money?

It "might" be. I purchased this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3100-Inn...9028171&sr=1-5

Essentially, IMO, you want an auto scanner to give you the code so you can do the research you need to figure out what needs to be cleaned/replaced. Looks like the scanner you linked goes one step further and provides some suggested fixes or something. My guess is you'll probably still wind up digging for info online anyway, but it may be worth it.

I will say that I have used mine countless times for my dad, brother, mom, and my cars. Probably saved me a few hundred in repairs at least to this point. But, whether it's a 150 or 80 dollar scanner, you should still get your money back on it over the years.
 
That depends. Do you want it for long term use, or are you trying to troubleshoot a single issue? I've never seen any vehicle that doesn't have a fall back method of code retrieval that requires no extra hardware (pins jumpered to make needles sweep or lights flash to tell you the code, or even just displaying the code with onboard displays through certain menus, etc) . Those are just for convenience (and easy resetting I guess).
 
Considering it can do OBD II / CAN vehicles and also ABS codes (which a lot of them can't) and it also has live data capture, for that price, it is a good deal. And it can be upgraded by internet from the Actron site if new features come out.
 
It's a good unit, if you need all the capability. I spent a few dollars extra for a similar scanner with the live data monitoring and I've honestly never been able to use that data to actually troubleshoot a problem. Talking to a few master mechanics, live data from a consumer grade scanner is pretty useless, a good shop will have a very advanced scanner costing upward of $2k for troubleshooting problems. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a basic code reader for ~$50, the advanced features on a low end code scanner aren't really that useful.
 
A5 said:
I just got the cheapest one that will spit out a code:
http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan...f=pd_sbs_auto4

Works fine since you're going to have to go online and look it up for your car anyway.
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In all honesty, this is probably the best bet for most (especially those that don't want to fiddle with bluetooth/smart phones). You can always look up the codes online and figure out what you need to.

The nice thing about some of the slightly pricier ones without bluetooth is that they'll give you some idea immediately as to what you're looking for. However, since you end up punching the stuff into google anyway most times, it doesn't really save you any steps.
 
The reader is a potential present for my sister.

She drives an older Audi (2002 A6 Avant quattro) and it's in perfect shape. She's kept it mint and had all recommended service done. The only issue she has is a finnicky CEL - it goes on often, only to turn off within a day or so. I know it frustrates her.

I figure it would give her piece of mind; she could check the issues herself and reset the CEL.
 
I may be wrong, but typically even if the light is off, the code may still be stored in memory. (Again, I could be wrong.) In any case, if that is your intention, spending $150 on something for that purpose may be extreme overkill.

If you could get her to use the $20 one, or even a 60-80 dollar one that gives decent descriptions, that should be more than enough, IMO. Only way I would justify spending $150 if the extra features would be put to use. I'd say give her the $20 one and call it a win. Have her write down the code she gets so you (or someone else) can check the issue out to get it to stop coming back.
 
Via said:
I figure it would give her piece of mind; she could check the issues herself and reset the CEL.
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i loved that album...

61Jy9xLQBjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


😛

i have access to a few readers at friends shops/ houses so the only reason id like to have one would be real-time data. mostly just for curiosity and the toy factor tho.
 
A basic code reader will reset the ECU and clear stored codes. No need to spend that much on device that has capabilities you'll never use. I bought my code scanner for the same reason, I had a Toyota that would persistently spit out an emissions related code and disable the VSC and TCS. I'd clear the code a couple times a month to keep the safety systems operating correctly, once it did spit a different code that said the knock sensor had gone bad, it did help in that case, I'd have never noticed the problem otherwise, MPG improved a bit after the repair otherwise there were no symptoms other than the SES light. I thought the advanced features would be neat, but never used them for anything useful.
 
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hanoverphist said:
links?

edit:

found some, easy google. id love to get one of those, seems like a cool toy to play with. id be afraid of breaking it tho, the port on my truck is above the gas pedal area.
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1.who says it has to be plugged in all the time...

2. in most cases that is were everyone's port is at.

finding one that actually works is another story, i've read that not all BT readers work.
 
If you do your own work and plan on troubleshooting and fixing then yeah it can be. If you just have a single issue just take it to autozone and let them scan it for free.
 
T2urtle said:
1.who says it has to be plugged in all the time...

2. in most cases that is were everyone's port is at.

finding one that actually works is another story, i've read that not all BT readers work.
Click to expand...

at 30ish bucks id be worried about it working as well. if it wasnt plugged in while driving, real time data for troubleshooting wouldnt be as useful IMO. having the unit on a tail to the connector would make much more sense to me. ive talked to a few of my friends that own/ work at shops to keep an ear out about their reliability. they have all heard of them, but not used them at all.
 
I want 2 things out of it:

1) allow her to see an easy-to-read description of what's causing the CEL. That way she knows what the issue is.

2) allow her to clear it out when it's nothing serious. Those Audis must have the fussiest CELs ever.
 
If that's the case, I would spend no more than $100. Something like the one I linked earlier:
http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3100-Inn...9482046&sr=8-4

Tells me on the spot what system is involved (Evaporative Emission System is one I have seen regularly).

Personally, I simply can't see spending $150 for one of those. Seems far too steep. It'd be like buying a $100 graphing calculator to balance your checkbook. It'll get the job done, but there'll be a ton of stuff in there that she won't even touch.
 
kornphlake said:
It's a good unit, if you need all the capability. I spent a few dollars extra for a similar scanner with the live data monitoring and I've honestly never been able to use that data to actually troubleshoot a problem. Talking to a few master mechanics, live data from a consumer grade scanner is pretty useless, a good shop will have a very advanced scanner costing upward of $2k for troubleshooting problems. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a basic code reader for ~$50, the advanced features on a low end code scanner aren't really that useful.
Click to expand...


Real time data monitoring is only useful when you can save the data over time in graph form, which the cheap consumer code readers can't do. Without that ability, it's useless for finding glitches and transients or watching trends and comparing two or more sensor readings, which is what data logging is used for. The cheap code readers "data monitoring" merely act as a gauge showing you an instantaneous reading for a split second, they don't store or export the data over time.

You either need to be able to store the data to review later, which requires the large memory and screens on the professional scanners, or USB out to a PC in .csv form for real time playback in tuning / diagnostic software.

coast.jpg
 
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