Ive been looking for two different scanners. One is for my sister that wants just a plain cheap scanner to scan the OBD II DLC on her car and find out what the check engine light is about. I think I found something that fits that bill, Amazon has the Innova 3020 reader for just $40 (this model isnt covered any more on Innova`s website as being offered).

The other scanner I am looking for is for myself. This is both for work and for home so I am looking at ones that have not just CAN and OBD II capabilities but OBD I and OBD II Live Data capabilities as well. I found one that fits the bill nicely and its almost a $500 scanner from Innova that I can get with free shipping from Amazon for just $199.00. The problem I am running into is reading the reviews I am getting bad feelings about spending the money on the Innova 3140, most of the negative reviews revolve around not reading specific OBD I cars, a Lexus that had a vital part of the PCM erased, and one that a Mitsubishi DLC for OBD I isnt currently offered. I know full well that some scanners will read and some wont, we have a snap on scanner at work and it will absoloutely not read the 92 Astro Van I brought in, but I can flash the PCM code by jumping the pins. This Snap On scanner read other cars and I have used it. So I know with any OBD I & II theres the chance it wont read my personal vehicles or some vehicles at work.

But I am just wondering if its worth the $199.00 for the Innova 3140 considering I could avoid this model and go with the Innova 3130, which has all the same features as the more expensive 3140 but without the OBD I adapters. I can get the 3130 for $127.54 and save $71.46 and put that towards brand specific OBD I readers that Amazon sells for $10 a piece.

I am just looking for the best bang for my money and try to keep it under $200 including shipping. I thought this Innova would be a great buy considering the MSRP is close to $500 and they are selling it for $199.00 with free shipping but now I am just un sure about it with those simmilar negative reviews. They still have 4 to 4 1/2 stars on the ratings so they are not bad, but $72 more to get the OBD I package and its not worth it wouldnt be a smart move in my book.

 

3140 looks like an updated version of the one I have. Mine is serial port and will transfer small amounts olf live data to a PC. Don't think it displays graphs, but it might.

But for your OBD1 question, mine can't seem to read my Fiero. GM OBD1 has to be about as simple as any. It connects, but it won't show the codes-- which I can get by counting flashes on the CEL. When I was checking it out there were complaints about the OBD1 as well.

If you're SURE that the 3130 is just missing the OBD1, I'd go with that. But, it's your $$$.

I don't put a lot of stock in Amazon's "you'll save xx$$", but the prices seem to be competitive.

hj

 

Its not so much about saving money for me, I just dont want to spend $70 more and get a feature that doesnt even work. The 92 Astro Van I would use it on along with a 89 E150, and a 88 Escort they all are OBD I but the only one Ive tried reading is the 92 and even the Snap On scanner with live data when plugged in wouldnt even connect with the computer. I hate to spend $199 on this model when I could get better luck out of going with the cheaper $10 scanner that is make specific for reading OBD I codes.

Where I work at we are expanding to a second location and I will be in charge of the second location and I figured if this model with the OBD II live data along with the OBD I adapters was a good model and would read most (90% or more) cars that come in I could use this for work as well.

Its just theses reviews has me second guessing spending that $70 extra for the OBD I adapters when I can go with just the OBD II version with live data.