Best obd tool/reader

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 16, 2015 | 03:20 PM

ZekeD

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 113

Likes: 9

From: Central Oregon

Best obd tool/reader

Ok, I'm going to break down and buy an OBD tool for my 2004 F350 diesel. Any opinion on which is best? I don't want to spend over $200 unless there is a VERY good reason.

Thanks
Zeke

Jun 16, 2015 | 04:13 PM

RV_Tech

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10,060

Likes: 491

From: Bristol, TN.

Subscribing

Jun 16, 2015 | 04:31 PM

eazmo

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 188

Likes: 2

From: Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV_Tech

Subscribing

I'm also following

Last edited by redford; Jun 17, 2015 at 06:15 AM. Reason: Added missing HTML tag

Jun 16, 2015 | 05:05 PM

onadraw

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 83

Likes: 0

My opinion is you will have to spend more than $200 to get "The Best".
If not, I think you can spend considerably less than $200 for a decent generic OBD Code Reader.

Jun 16, 2015 | 05:10 PM

onadraw

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 83

Likes: 0

Many will say https://www.autoenginuity.com/ is the best non-factory scanner. I got the factory NGS scanner. Both are a bit more than $200.

Lots use the Torque app with an inexpensive Bluetooth or WIFI OBD plug. This is considerably less than $200

Jun 16, 2015 | 05:37 PM

edjunior

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 2,243

Likes: 79

From: Roman Forest, TX

I just got an ELM-327 wireless/bluetooth unit with the free Forscan software, and I gotta tell you, I'm pretty impressed. It could be information overload...or as one guy on the other site said, "Analysis Paralysis". It works with Windows, iXxx, and Android. The interface was only $20 or so bucks from Amazon. Not bad for what you get.

Jun 16, 2015 | 05:49 PM

texastech_diesel

Token Redneck

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 9,339

Likes: 350

From: Breckenridge, TX

Writeup on OBDII monitors:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eral-info.html

I plug for DashBoss and Edge Insight CTS. I have a ScanGauge and it's not used hardly ever.

Trending Topics

This is prolly a 1 page thread at most

110.3k

6M
Odd knock/rattle at idle only after fully warmed up

26

328
vintage pics of days gone by

17.8k

1.7M
Adding a tail gate step

23

647
Automatic and Manaul TPS the Same?

16

195

Jun 16, 2015 | 06:24 PM

amdriven2liv

I'm hitting easy street

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 6,395

Likes: 27

From: Central Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastech_diesel

Writeup on OBDII monitors:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eral-info.html

I plug for DashBoss and Edge Insight CTS. I have a ScanGauge and it's not used hardly ever.

That is a great write up that he did on the different monitoring devices out there.

Very much worth reading.

I use the Scangauge II as my daily driver.

I also have the Torque APP Pro. It does a better job on DTC's than SGII.

The downside for me on the Torque APP is getting it connected every time I got in the truck. Also, the time it takes to "Boot up". I would have missed my failing FICM. In the 10-12 seconds it takes for the Torque APP to boot, my FICM would read 47v.

I can't speak for DashBoss, but I would imagine it having the same delay.

Scangauge II is instant. It did catch the failing FICM. I could see it go from 40v to 48v. As time progressed, it got down to 30v. It would still only take 10-12 seconds to get to 48v. And once the engine was warmed up, the FICM read 48v the rest of the day.

I have the Xgauge DTC in it. And I check it from time to time to tell me if I have a "Soft Code" or not.

Does anyone know if the other three will show if there is a soft code appearing? A specific PID that can be set up on the screen?

FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Joe Kucinski

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Brett Foote

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

Pouria Savadkouei

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Brett Foote

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Joe Kucinski

Jun 16, 2015 | 06:30 PM

ZekeD

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 113

Likes: 9

From: Central Oregon

Thanks guys.

As I said I have the luxury of a Banks IQ system at gives me the basics And data output. Im looking for something more detailed........hmmmm

Jun 16, 2015 | 09:22 PM

#10

Bently_Coop

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 7,460

Likes: 85

From: Kent Station, WA

Do you have gauges or any monitor?

I have a Scangauge and I like it for my needs, however I am not in a diesel.

Jun 18, 2015 | 05:29 PM

#11

Kuhntech

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

I like my ScanGauge II. About $150 and can be used on more than just your truck.

That can be a good and bad thing. Don't know how many neighbors, relatives, friends, etc have hit me up to check or clear codes.