I'm looking to purchase a code reader but I don't really want to spend a bunch of money on one if I don't need to. Are there any advantages to buying an expensive code reader versus an inexpensive? Will they both detect the same codes equally? I've seen them ranging in price from $35 to over $200. For those that have bought one, how much did you spend and how happy are you with it?

 

I have a $60 Creator for my X3 (BMW-specific) that seems to work fine, along with ISTA-D software on my laptop with a D-can cable. It is actually the only code reader I have; my F150 had an Edge Evolution installed, which was able to display DTCs. I've been meaning to pick up a Zurick from Harbor freight as it seems to be a decent alternative to Snap-on (no clue on accuracy or reliability) and at $200 right now, it qualifies to me as inexpensive. The one I'm looking at (and will probably buy today if my coupons are still valid) can do live data, freeze-frame, ABS and SRS codes/resets. They have lesser models down to $50 that just read codes.

https://www.harborfreight.com/zr13-o...ist-63806.html

 

If one doesn't provide the ability to ADD additional sensors / parameters to it's internal database, it is destined to become obsolete some day anyway - so don't spend much money on it!

There are a limited number of sensors/parameters (pretty much limited to Emissions stuff) that are Federally mandated. Even the cheapest ones will read those data points and clear codes etc.

But for the money, I don't think any of them match the power of the android Torque Pro app at $4.95 coupled with a Bluetooth dongle from Amazon at ~$25 to $49. One can throw in an old use Android phone or tablet if they don't have one laying around. It doesn't even need to be activated as long as it has working WiFi to download the app.

It will allow setting up multiple 'profiles' for different vehicles, create NEW gauges or Graphs on screen, ADD ADDITIONAL sensors/PIDs, directly import additional extended PIDs, monitor (and/or Graph / Log) live data, take screenshots, set configurable Alarms attached to ANY sensor, show Mode $06 test diagnostics results, freeze frame data, Export (share) FF data to email or Facebook, display pending and demand codes, read ABS, Body, Transmission data, CLEAR codes, and (if you have wireless router) send any or all that to your desktop to import into EXCEL spreadsheets ---- etc etc etc.

All for under $20.00 if you have an android device and want to 'cheapo' a Chinese Bluetooth OBDII dongle off Ebay for $12.00

JMO. Our generation F150s have just over 525 OBDII parameters that can accessed. But the majority are unique to FORD only, and unfortunately, they aren't the same assignments for other generations - (or Chevy, or Dodge, or Toyota or any other). Without the ability to 'input' custom gauges/pids, those are out of reach of the scan tool. A search here for Torque Pro will show a number of those custom ones for this gen truck.

 

2nd vote for Torque Pro with a cheap ELM327 OBD2 dongle.

Like Torqued mentioned, you just need a cheap android device (tablet or phone) that has the app on it, and it will connect via BT or WiFi to the dongle.

You can also find the .apk file online and side load it onto the android device.

 

This may sound elementary, but once loaded, can the same Torque app be used for multiple vehicles, easily switching between say, Ford-Chevy-BMW-VW for vehicle-specific codes/parameters?

The most troublesome part of that, to me, is finding an "old Android phone or tablet." I've never laid my hands on either one of them in my life. And does Torque allow clearing of ABS/SRS codes, or other vehicle-specific learned-adaptations? If so, it could easily replace the dealer software on my laptop for the X3.

 

YES. and YES - and I think YES although I have no expertise re: the X3. But I'll guarantee Torque will do anything the Ford IDS system will. It will also 'Send' commands like Forscan - although I have not yet learned anything about structuring command strings. (Another while world).

I recommend to everyone to KEEP the "Default Profile" to use on friends/neighbor's/ mechanic wannabes, and create unique ones for YOUR vehicles. From the main screen "GEAR" icon, > Vehicle Profile, >Create new profile -- give the new profile a Name as you choose and set up all its unique parameters. Then at bottom of that screen select >Show Advanced settings and choose as appropriate for the vehicle -BUT FOR SURE- at the bottom, set the 'tick mark' for >Use separate dashboard layout. Do this for Each vehicle. Then when you open Torque (it assumes profile and dashboard gauges last active), you can tap on the Profile Name and select a different one and WaLa - the gauges you have set up for THAT specific vehicle will appear as you left them. It's a whole 'nuther' vehicle specific scanner.

I have one set up for my F150 and one for my wife's Buick Enclave 3.6L V6, and one for my brothers Silverado. Obviously they use completely different PIDs for many common functions and many don't even exist for ONE or the OTHER. But under each profile everything displaying works correctly.

EDIT: I actually move the dongle among the vehicles - and never think about it with respect to Torque. However, I believe you could have different OBDII interface devices without any major additional steps.

 

I didn't want to download anymore apps on my phone but I do have a tablet laying around I can use.

 

I actually have one of those and it DIDN'T work with my Samsung Phone. I've communicated with a couple who do use .

I almost ashamed to admit - I still use my original $12.00 one I purchased years ago, like this one:
I notice now, they sell for as little as $4.99 !!!

Couple of points: There is some advantage to bluetooth. It is handy to walk around vehicle while monitoring live data - like being under hood looking for vacuum leak while monitoring Short Term Fuel Trims. The USB cable teathers you to the OBDII port - however it will communicate FASTER.

Your 'Tablet' probably does not have a couple of sendors available to Torque in a cell phone. It will still work, (except certain 'neat' functions). Pitch/Roll, GPS if it doesn't have that would kill its Google Map tracking / and GPS speed function. Also the Performance screen detects vehicle 1/4 mile START function based on GPS. But all OBD communications stuff will work. It would be a good (and inexpensive) starter if that's all ya' got.

 

No Torque will not. It is only for pcm/powertrain related components/systems. If you want to get into other systems like SRS, ABS, etc the best bang for the buck is Forscan (free). The rub there is Forscan is Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda only, there may be other Ford derivatives such as some Nissan's.

I use Torque Pro at work a lot as we have many different makes of vehicles in our fleet and the majority of that work involves check engine lights. Anything more like SRS, ABS or other system issues we send them to the dealer.

You can read more about Torque Pro on this link. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...g.prowl.torque

To read more about Forscan this link www.forscan.org
.

 

Thread is drifting off subject "Inexpensive Code Reader" somewhat - and I'm as guilty as anybody. Clearly Torque (Lite - free), and Forscan (free license) are both inexpensive. Either of the 'free' versions leave the user restricted to basic clear codes and PCM/powertrain functions. Stepping up to the Pro version of Torque, or the 'extended license' version of Forscan is clearly worth the cost and still well within the "inexpensive" category. Forscan being Windows laptop / notebook based and Torque is Android Tablet / Cell Phone based - each having their strengths and weaknesses. Neither will access MS (Medium speed) bus Modules without an appropriate dongle and Forscan requires purchase of Extended License versions to do so.

I did mis-speak earlier - without a further detailed explanation. @Rnlcomp is correct - Torque {lite or pro} , (and Forscan for that matter), can only do PCM / Powertrain related stuff via the HS (High Speed) Can bus - ("off the shelf", our "out of the box"). MS (Medium Speed) Can Bus access requires a (dongle) capable of switching physical bus pairs, or with a switch mounted on the connector. The one @FordFrenzy06 linked does have the switch to access MS bus, but that one would not 'connect' with my Samsung S9+ (IDK anything more about that).

Torque will read ABS/SRS parameters (if the module's NAME and parameter ID are known, and it has access to the appropriate bus [HS or MS or LS] ). By using "ABS" in the Torque Pro command header, IE: "ABS" Wheel speed(s) sensors can be read in MPH by creating a digital gauge and using "ABS" in the header command with PID 223987. Byte "A" returns (LF) wheel speed in MPH, and bytes "B" "C" and "D" returns wheel speed for (RF), (RR) and (LR) respectively on our gen Trucks. {It's anybody's guess what other vehicles this might work on.}. If the ABS or SRS trouble condition is cleared - (so it won't POP back up immediately), Torque Pro (or Forscan or others) will clear Body and Chasis codes (they are reported to the PCM and posted on the HS bus), - but Torque WILL NOT initiate nor perform diagnostics on the module itself that is reporting the code. One would have to learn a lot about the their protocol to establish communications with the module and do anything productive. So, as @Rnlcomp says - if one of those is presistent, it is readily beyond an "Inexpensive code reader" (or typical code reader user).


If I knew the command structure (AND I don't), I could key in, and send the command string to read/clear ABS parameters (or read any parameter) in any module on the bus. I may get there some day... I have a family associate who is a 'Crash Investigator Engineer' who is developing an App (for iphone) to read Crash Data from the SRS module as part of 'crash investigations'. He may give me some ideas. But all this goes way beyond an "Inexpensive Code Reader" - for another day / another thread.