Hand held obd2 tools

[Mr A Lawrence]

Decided to get one so who's using one and what do you think of it?

 

Not interested in the Bluetooth dongle types just hand held units.

 

Looking to spend around £30.

[stuboy]

i paid under 15 quid for mine..off ebay

[stuboy]

i paid under 15 quid for mine..off ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Fault-Code-Reader-Engine-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reset-Tool-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-EOBD-UK-/182072216214?hash=item2a64598a96:g:dDgAAOSwEzxYdKYC

[paulplom]

I've got that one. great piece of kit. Works fine on my 2010 transit.

[Mr A Lawrence]

Is it any good?

[Bren]

I have used these generic ones in the past on the vectra - they showed no codes but when I used op com it showed various codes.

[Stanky]

Depends what you want to do with it. A generic reader will read generic codes. As Bren says though if you get any manufacturer-specific codes a generic reader won't see them.

 

I have a £20 generic code reader, it couldn't see any of the lock module codes on my Saab, I needed to borrow Lisbon_Road's OpCom to handle those. It also couldn't see what was wrong with my neighbour's R53 Mini when it lit its brake and ABS warning lights a year or so ago.

 

It will however clear EML and other generic codes from more or less anything.

[dougiefourspeed]

I've got one of these. From memory it was about £20, I've used it on BMW, Ford, PSA, VAG and Vauxhall of varying ages without issues and have been able to clear the codes on all of them. As said before though, these have all been generic codes (P0401 and the like) and it won't display any manufacturer specific codes. But its a bloody useful bit of kit for not a lot of cash. I found mine just by typing 'Autel Maxiscan' into Google.

 

[wuvvum]

Most of those cheapo ones will only do engine-related codes - anything to do with ABS, airbags, BCM etc they won't see.  They also tend not to work on pre-2005 diesels in my experience.

[Kiltox]

I would go for a DS150E and cheap banger of a laptop - will cost you more but will do pretty much anything

 

Failing that, most of the cheap hand held readers are similar and you can get one for £15

[cpjitservices]

This is the one I have

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U581-Car-Diagnostic-Scanner-CAN-OBD-OBD2-EOBD-Scan-Tool-Engine-Fault-Code-Reader-/172689018882?hash=item2835115002

 

Works well enough.

 

However, as above I'd go for a DS150e with Delphi software - pretty much Dealership level.

 

Keep it locked up and don't loan it out. Mine was stolen

[angle]

You can get the DS150 for your budget off AliExpress as well, providing you don't mind waiting a few weeks for it to turn up - this is the one I bought:

 

http://s.aliexpress.com/fyYJfYZR

 

Works fine, once I'd sorted some driver issues. That does assume you have an old laptop lying about to use it with though, I'd only use it with one you're happy to never connect to the internet.