Scanners (and readers)....Who Uses What?

[icepounder]

Last year I purchased the AutoLogic Pocket OBD. I opted for the Professional which was CAN enabled. I'm just a "backyard mechanic" and the unit wasn't cheap but in just one year it payed for itself ... my wife has an Escort and I have my X.
I repaced my gauge faces with the New Image Platinum faces and added stock orange needles. The tach and speedo were off and Ford wanted alot of money to recalibrate. Using my Pocket OBD I was able to recalibrate my speedo within .5 MPH and my tach is dead on. This is just one example.
This unit has some nice features. It is set up in a Windows format so it is easy to use. It offers digital readout or graph read outs. You can check O2 sensors in wave format or digital. It has data recording. There is too much to list so here's a link : AutoLogic

I'm not affiliated with them at all but I do like the unit. The only drawback is you have to re install the program if you forget to keep the unit charged. It's not a big deal as it takes 5 minutes but it would be nice if I didn't have to do this.

 

[config]

Anyone got the Proscan from http://www.myscantool.com/? I just ordered one so I guess I'll find out soon.

 

[Glacier991]

I have one and loaned it out to a young friend here in Sacramento this summer with the promise he will write an article on using it for this hread or forum. He send me a preliminary draft, and I am going to bug him to post the final version. In short, it was nice, but a little slow. Still a good value for the money.

It is important to remember that until CAN the bus speeds on the backbone of these systems was in the dark ages.

 

[config]

I have one and loaned it out to a young friend here in Sacramento this summer with the promise he will write an article on using it for this hread or forum. He send me a preliminary draft, and I am going to bug him to post the final version. In short, it was nice, but a little slow. Still a good value for the money.

It is important to remember that until CAN the bus speeds on the backbone of these systems was in the dark ages.

Pardon my ignorance but does the ProScan support CAN?

 

[Glacier991]

Good question, and one best directed to the company I suspect. I cannot imagine why it could not be configured to do so, but short answer - I dunno. I'd check their website.

 

[config]

Good question, and one best directed to the company I suspect. I cannot imagine why it could not be configured to do so, but short answer - I dunno. I'd check their website.

Took a month for me to receive the ProScan unit. Left numerous e-mails to seller (Gore Research); did not respond to any one of them. Non-existent customer service. This is not the support I need when I have a disabled vehicle and cannot even get hold of them. Sorry but this serves as my review for ProScan. DO NOT PURCHASE this product!!!

 

[peties3]

What do you guys think of this unit?
http://www.tradervar.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=&page=ez6000.htm

 

[aldive]

What do you guys think of this unit?
http://www.tradervar.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=&page=ez6000.htm

That's a nice one.

 

[Glacier991]

Excellent unit for the money.

 

[peties3]

Please help, I am undecided on the one I linked above or the Actron CP9150.

Help me decide on which one!!!

 

[KaiserM715]

I am debating between the AutoX-Ray EZ Scan 4000, the Actron CP9145 and the OTC 3408. I know that they 4000 offers real-time data monitoring, but I am not sure on the Actron or OTC. Any thoughts?

 

[peties3]

Well this is what I bought.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Auto...4QQihZ007QQcategoryZ43989QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
May need some help from the ex-perts here!!!!

 

[KaiserM715]

I purchased the AutoXray EZ-Scan 4000 (in transit, awaiting delivery). The difference in the 4000 and the 6000 (the one that peties3 bought) is the portions of the software that are activated and the cables that are included. All of the software options on his are available to be activated on mine, over the phone or over the internet. I will get the enhanced codes for Ford and GM turned on sometime soon (I own a Ford and a GM), plus I will also try and find the software that allows you to plot the real time data on the PC (also included in the 6000). Once I get the unit and try it out, I will add an update.

 

[KaiserM715]

I received my EZ-Scan 4000 and I upgraded to the enhanced Ford and GM codes today. I am very pleased with the unit. I took some pictures of the actual screen of the unit (freeze frame data for the CEL that I currently have). The unit only displays freeze frame data for the first error code. I apologize for the poor quality of the pics.

Here is the first screen, showing the error code:

The first screen of the freeze frame data:

The second screen of the freeze frame data:

If you decide to upgrade your scanner, I recommend doing it over the phone rather than the internet as they have to call you to give you the unlock codes anyway. Over the phone would be faster and easier. Overall I am very impressed with what I got for the money. I will try and post more updates as I use the unit.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

That code probably set when you were puttin around town. Good pictures - thanks!

-Drew

 

[peties3]

Yup, looks like mine!!! Real happy with mine so far. Since I have had it and trying to capture the errors that set the CEL, I have had not one!!!!! Maybe I will just leave it plugged in all the time!!!
LOL

 

[Brock94]

I've read all this info and I'm a bit confused-- I don't have a scan tool and I'd like to get one. My immediate problem is that the wife's 01 Chrysler T&C minivan is giving an OBDII code (P0700) that means there is a transmission code stored in the transmission computer. I'd like something that could pull the transmission code. ("Honey, I need to buy this to fix your car." )

Although I have a 94 X, I'm not really looking for OBD-I to the extent I could trade off for more OBD-II features for the price. The ability to bleed ABS brakes would be nice as well as getting a broad range of domestic mfg-specific codes.

I'd like to buy something asap and don't have a lot of time to research the ins and outs of everything available. That's where I could use your advice. What would you guys recommend for a budget in the $500 range? (if there's something suitable for less, that would be good).

 

[KaiserM715]

Brock-

The EZ-Scan 6000 is the the upgraded version of mine and will do all OBD II (including CAN) with the enhanced codes for Ford, GM, Chrysler and Toyota. It also includes all of the cables and software for OBD I. I have seen them on eBay with "Buy it now" for $300 - $335 (retail is $650, I think). I am really happy with my 4000.