Recommendations for a good OBD-II code reader

"uofime" (uofime)
09/09/2014 at 11:25 • Filed to: recommendations

So similar to my other post about a torque wrench,

Which if you're curious, I went with the CDI 20-150 one recommended by @You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much, I'm still waiting for it to arrive I'll update that post with my impressions of it once it does.

Anyway, now I'm looking for a good ODB-II code reader. I've been looking at these forever trying to figure out what ones are good and which ones aren't, but the whole deal is totally obfuscated by people's inability to follow directions and use technology. The one below has totally mixed reviews, but is so cheap I nearly pulled the trigger and bought it on several occasions, it represents the style I want, cheap and can attach to my laptop or smart phone ( I have an Iphone 5s as well as an old android 2.1 tablet if that works better…) especially since they're cheaper in general, but like I said above every model I see seems to have some people saying it's a virus and it doesn't work right, so I don't know what to buy.

So, does anyone here know a good one?

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DISCUSSION (25)

Will with a W8 races an E30 > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:29

I've been using this without issue for a few years:

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-…

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The man in the iron mask > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:31

I have this one, and i prefer it, because its short, My OBD socket is over the clutch place, and if im using it when im driving, if i had the other one, the black, i think i would break it with y foot.

The blue one doesn't bother me when its on.

Kinja'd!!!

It works for me perfectly fine with the torque app, here is a review from this blue thing.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:32

I have one, with the Torque app (not sure if it's available on iPhone) but it works well for reading codes and other general bits.

jariten1781 > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:33

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-…

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which looks like it's the same as that one. I figured if it was a POS I'd just junk it since the price was so low. It works fine at reading/clearing codes and sending data streams to Torque for all 7 cars I've tried it on. The only 'issue' (not really for me but maybe for some) is that I've found it to be a parasitic drain so you don't want to leave it in all the time when the car's off.

uofime > Will with a W8 races an E30
09/09/2014 at 11:35

so you are happy with it?

uofime > The man in the iron mask
09/09/2014 at 11:36

do you have a link for that product? (not sure if you tried to post one and got kinja'd)

jariten1781 > jariten1781
09/09/2014 at 11:37

Oh also, I have a Scangauge ( http://www.scangauge.com/ ) that I use on one car that has a broken speedometer and coolant temp gauge in the normal cluster. It has to be wired but works well for permanently mounting for digital instruments. It can also read and clear codes. I've had it for >5 years without any issue.

DoYouEvenShift > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:37

Ive had that same one for a couple years now. Works great with Torque Pro. I recommend it.

uofime > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
09/09/2014 at 11:38

like I said I have an old android tablet I've never really done anything with so this could be its purpose in life. Does Torque work well on old versions of android?

uofime > DoYouEvenShift
09/09/2014 at 11:38

Thanks!

Will with a W8 races an E30 > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:38

Yes. Nothing extraordinary about it, it just works. Although I really like the idea of a shorty interface like The man in the iron mask recommended, as the full size ones do encroach on the foot well in some cars.

uofime > jariten1781
09/09/2014 at 11:40

cool thanks for the info

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:41

I have two. Both are generic ELM327 adapters. One is just like the one pictured and another is shorter. One of them won't connect to my phone any more for some reason and that is why I got another. when they work, which is often, they are great, and I use torque on my phone with them connected.

The man in the iron mask > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:42

A link to buy one? I didn't post that, but it is on Amazon and Ebay.

uofime > The man in the iron mask
09/09/2014 at 11:44

yeah, no worries though I already found it.

looks like this one may be the winner

The man in the iron mask > uofime
09/09/2014 at 11:54

Yes another thing, (I use it sometimes when im driving, because the app records things like your trip and speed and other things) And a friend has the black one, the dots on it are LED lights and they are always blinking when its passing data, and it is very distracting and annoying at night. The blue one has light too, bit its pointing to the floor of the car, and since its so short, it hides under there and you just see a dim light on your feet.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > uofime
09/09/2014 at 12:00

I should learn to read gooder.

I believe my Incredible was running 2.2 when I first got mine so I don't see why there would be an issue. If so just root and upload a new rom that's more compatible if that's all you're using it for.

uofime > The man in the iron mask
09/09/2014 at 12:01

alright, cool, blue it is. I just ordered it. I'll update this post when I've gotten a chance to use it

The man in the iron mask > uofime
09/09/2014 at 12:03

That was fast.

uofime > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
09/09/2014 at 12:03

alright, cool I just ordered one so I'll be doing that soon!

uofime > The man in the iron mask
09/09/2014 at 12:10

Yeah, that free car I got has become a bit expensive, what's another 15 dollars...

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > uofime
09/09/2014 at 12:14

if ordered from DH Gate where everyone seems to get theirs, watch the shipping. mine took 2 months for delivery because they needed me to call to confirm the delivery address -__-

uofime > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
09/09/2014 at 12:17

I ordered the stubby blue one "the man in the iron mask" recommended, hopefully that doesn't happen

NaturallyAspirated > uofime
09/09/2014 at 12:19

I have the one in the picture. It works great. I've used it on a number of cars. I can't really think of anything that could improve it. I use it with the Android app "Torque," but I'm sure there's an iPhone equivalent app.

Textured Soy Protein > Will with a W8 races an E30
03/23/2015 at 17:19

I also have that one. It's not for iOS though.