YACT: Is this too good to be true?

[AStar617]

Looking for one for a while, and came across this (closed auction listed so you know I'm not self-promoting)... small enough for glovebox or map pocket, completely socket-powered (no batteries/power plugs), and also resets the codes.

Why would I ever need to spend almost $100 on another scanner instead of this? What exactly am I missing here?

 

[mugs]

Don't most cars have a way to get the codes without a scanner?

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: mugs
Don't most cars have a way to get the codes without a scanner?

You are thinking of OBD I

 

[Gand1]

All it does is display and reset. A real OBD II will alow you to manipulate things and set options. There is a reason for the expense.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Buddy of mine bought a cheap Palm PDA, software, and cable from PDA-->ODBII. I'm sure you can get an old Palm for cheap, not sure how much the software/cable ran, but he can view codes, clear them, and monitor all the diff sensors in real time. Much better solution IMO, what you're buying is what you can use @ Adv Auto/Auto Zone for free.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: mugs
Don't most cars have a way to get the codes without a scanner?

You are thinking of OBD I

Yeah that's pre-96. My '92 BMW 525i is great b/c if you turn the key to the on position and step on the gas 5 times, it will flash the code, no tool necessary.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: Gand1
All it does is display and reset. A real OBD II will alow you to manipulate things and set options. There is a reason for the expense.

Good, that's all I need it to do--display and reset. I guess I'll be getting this, thanks. :beer:

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Buddy of mine bought a cheap Palm PDA, software, and cable from PDA-->ODBII. I'm sure you can get an old Palm for cheap, not sure how much the software/cable ran, but he can view codes, clear them, and monitor all the diff sensors in real time. Much better solution IMO, what you're buying is what you can use @ Adv Auto/Auto Zone for free.

Yea I'm familiar w/those... he company that makes that does one for full PCs too. Considering I'd have to buy a PDA I'd sooner get the usb-odbII cable for my laptop. But realtime sensor monitoring is overkill for me. (Link to Autotap for the curious, the "virtual dash" is pretty cool)

As far as Autozone is concerned, I'd much rather spend $20 once and be able to use immediately whenever I want (off-hours) and to lend to ppl I know rather than go out of my way to the nearest free codereading place.

 

[AStar617]

Anyways, I took the plunge on one, under $30 shipped. Thx for the opinions.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: AStar617

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: mugs
Don't most cars have a way to get the codes without a scanner?

You are thinking of OBD I

Yeah that's pre-96. My '92 BMW 525i is great b/c if you turn the key to the on position and step on the gas 5 times, it will flash the code, no tool necessary.

Just depends. On my '05 I just connect two wires (connectors already there) and I'll get some feedback through the odo/trip display.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: AStar617
Yea I'm familiar w/those... he company that makes that does one for full PCs too. Considering I'd have to buy a PDA I'd sooner get the usb-odbII cable for my laptop. But realtime sensor monitoring is overkill for me. (Link to Autotap for the curious, the "virtual dash" is pretty cool)

Wow that's hot, I wish I had a use for it

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: AStar617
Yea I'm familiar w/those... he company that makes that does one for full PCs too. Considering I'd have to buy a PDA I'd sooner get the usb-odbII cable for my laptop. But realtime sensor monitoring is overkill for me. (Link to Autotap for the curious, the "virtual dash" is pretty cool)

Wow that's hot, I wish I had a use for it

I'm mighty tempted. Wish it were a little cheaper. Wonder how long until it would be obsolete.

 

[BlackOmen]

Text

I bought one of those and it is more than adequate. It is made by Actron and you can find it at Pepboys or Autozone (but is $35 cheaper on ebay). As opposed to the scanner listed in the op, it tells you what the code is instead of having to look it up by number. Additionally, the one I linked to will give you the status of your sensors and let you know if it is detecting something out of range. To me, this was worth it being 40 bucks more.

Whichever way you go, these things are worth their weight in gold.