Best £150 OBD2 scanner?
Discussion
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265244855039?mkcid=16&a...
I was looking at these. Maybe you only need to spend £30 ?
I was looking at these. Maybe you only need to spend £30 ?
Topdon 500/600 versions.
The thing that sold it for me was the free updates for life compared to other similar brands and that it found a fault that a couple of Bluetooth OBD/app combos couldn't find.
Does hundreds of models too so handy for most makes and always having updates sent to it.
The thing that sold it for me was the free updates for life compared to other similar brands and that it found a fault that a couple of Bluetooth OBD/app combos couldn't find.
Does hundreds of models too so handy for most makes and always having updates sent to it.
We have a fair few cars in the family. Always someone with an issue. Wife's car currently has abs lights.
Phone apps are ok but never quiet good enough. They point you in the direction but then stop I find. Leaving me googling
Just a shame you can't try before you buy.
I may try a topdon then.
Phone apps are ok but never quiet good enough. They point you in the direction but then stop I find. Leaving me googling
Just a shame you can't try before you buy.
I may try a topdon then.
I bought a Topdon 600 and it works very well and so far hasn't failed to diagnose the issue on half a dozen different cars. The one thing it doesn't seem to do well is automatically detect the type of vehicle so you have to manually select it but then it works fine regarding diagnosing and clearing faults. The WiFi capability is a little weak so it's best to be near your router when downloading updates.
I cannot recommend it higly enough.
I cannot recommend it higly enough.
If you go manufacturer-specific you can get some really good stuff for £100-£150. I have an iCarSoft for the XC90 which as well as generic all-makes OBD2, reads all proprietary Volvo (and Saab) codes and can show live data from any of the 13 control units on the XC90. I paid £120 for it. iCarSoft offer make specific units for various other makes as well.
The manufacturer specific codes are a lot more informative than the generic OBD2 ones.
The manufacturer specific codes are a lot more informative than the generic OBD2 ones.
most will be running "launch" or "autel" software with a different skin. Topdon is decent and can often be had on a deal, I have TOPDON ArtiDiag Pro which is more like £300 these days but it can basically do everything, ABS/SRS systems too, activate solenoids and other stuff, bleed abs pumps.. even sort out immobilisers and software updates are included for 1-2 years and arrive often so new cars etc are added/supported.
Limpet said:
If you go manufacturer-specific you can get some really good stuff for £100-£150. I have an iCarSoft for the XC90 which as well as generic all-makes OBD2, reads all proprietary Volvo (and Saab) codes and can show live data from any of the 13 control units on the XC90. I paid £120 for it. iCarSoft offer make specific units for various other makes as well.
The manufacturer specific codes are a lot more informative than the generic OBD2 ones.
This is something I have found more and more as my driveway spannering progresses. I have an icarsoft for Mercedes, and hadn't realised quite how much it did that a generic scanner doesn't. Now I'm trying to diagnose a warning light on a Honda but every OBD scanner I own says "no problems here", because the fault is a Honda specific fault they simply can't see. So, I'm currently torn between buying mongoose cables and setting up questionable versions of software on an old laptop, or entrusting it to Autel or an icarsoft CR Max.The manufacturer specific codes are a lot more informative than the generic OBD2 ones.
Carrista and Carly are user friendly, and are fine for changing settings that cannot be accessed through the car's menus. But AFAIK they don't allow for pairing new subsystems into the car, which is what many of us regard as "coding". Nor do they have the full bidirectional capabilities of a proper tool. They're great provided people understand their limitations.
However, the great thing about those particular tools is that it's impossible to brick your car. I've actually bricked the entertainment system in a car because I used a hooky version of the OEM diagnostic software that turned out to either have missing or corrupt files. Fortunately a nice man was able to clone an EEPROM and fix it, but it made me wary of anything with a capability but no warranty!!! The man who fixed it often had cars being delivered on trailers because someone had tried to fanny about with things and now the car wouldn't start.
Clive-sz8cz said:
I bought a Topdon 600 and it works very well and so far hasn't failed to diagnose the issue on half a dozen different cars. The one thing it doesn't seem to do well is automatically detect the type of vehicle so you have to manually select it but then it works fine regarding diagnosing and clearing faults. The WiFi capability is a little weak so it's best to be near your router when downloading updates.
I cannot recommend it higly enough.
I bought the same one, very impressed with it. I paid 130 quid on ebay - brand new.I cannot recommend it higly enough.
@clive.....
The question is for the topdon.... I have this random abs fault keep popping up on the w204 mercedes and all the abs lights come on. I clear it and some days later pops up again.
I use my little obd2 dongle and it does great but gives limited cryptic info. It points to a wheel sensor perhaps but idk.
You have to read between all the lines.
So, do we think the topdon will actually say "Hey the wheel sensor is dead"
Or does it just give codes ??
The question is for the topdon.... I have this random abs fault keep popping up on the w204 mercedes and all the abs lights come on. I clear it and some days later pops up again.
I use my little obd2 dongle and it does great but gives limited cryptic info. It points to a wheel sensor perhaps but idk.
You have to read between all the lines.
So, do we think the topdon will actually say "Hey the wheel sensor is dead"
Or does it just give codes ??
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