Which bluetooth OBD2 adapter?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Which bluetooth OBD2 adapter?
Hey guys which bluetooth OBD2 adapter does everyone like?...which app do we like? Forescan?.. Torque Pro?? Any info will be appreciated.. Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 9
From: Washington State
Okay, I'll be first in line.....I use a BAFX adaptor from Amazon, 23$. BT, Little blinky lites, has worked flawlessly for a year + so far, The cheapest 7" tablet I could find at Wally world, and both TP and Foreskin. They both work great with their own Plus and Minuses. I recently replaced My Stereo with a Joying Android head unit, and it's pretty cool too. Now the tablet is in the drawer of obscurity. Other folks like OBlinkMx and tablets, their phones, Etc. Etc. More still, buy the 10.00 ChiCom units and roll the dice. Forscan and TP are tried and true, without the big cost.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Alright I bought the Torque Pro app and I ordered the BAFX 34t5 Bluetooth OBD2 Adapter. I have AE but I think having this set up will be a little more convenient on road trips.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 9
From: Washington State
There is a learning curve with TP, Take your time, and Read up here on proper set up and operation. use the search option here, there is a Huge database all over this forum of folks already making most of the mistakes possible so you don't have to.....Good luck and enjoy.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Oh sure... sneak it by while I'm distracted with my engine.
I don't want to dampen any spirits, but I should share this for future readers who find this thread in a search:
The BAFX is an excellent product with a good price - nothing really "wrong" with it. If you want to up your game, the OBDLink MX or LX (MX WiFi for iOS, MX or LX BlueTooth for everything else) has some specific advantages.
I don't want to dampen any spirits, but I should share this for future readers who find this thread in a search:
The BAFX is an excellent product with a good price - nothing really "wrong" with it. If you want to up your game, the OBDLink MX or LX (MX WiFi for iOS, MX or LX BlueTooth for everything else) has some specific advantages.
- If you don't move the OBDII port behind the knee panel like I have, the OBDLink has a very low profile - it's harder to hit it with your knee than the BAFX.
- The OBDLink has the ability to completely power down, and turning the key on "wakes it up". Since I sometimes don't use the truck for months, and I never pull the adapter - I know from experience it won't put any drain at all on the battery while parked.
- The sampling rate is faster with the OBDLink than other OBDII adapters I have tried (3 times faster than my AE adapter), but I haven't tried the BAFX yet. With that, I still suspect OBDLink is faster than BAFX.
- OBDWiz comes with the adapter, and Scantool (provider of OBDLink) has fully capable Ford Enhanced software available.
- Torque Pro integrates with the OBDLink advanced power feature - there is a setting for the OBDLink right there in the app.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 9
From: Washington State
No deception intended, I was merely the first to respond.... I knew others would happen by and give their opinion. If nothing else, to goad "Research Team" to chime in....
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Brett Foote
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 193
From: Cambs, England
I also run both TP & FS, when I first ran TP I bought a cheap adapter from the bay of E, it worked, just, but with limited functions. I took Tugly's advice & got the OBDlink MX, everything worked. With Forscan it will not work at all with the Chinese copy device, just displays a message saying something to that effect. I really like the way the diagnostics are displayed with FS & I like TP for gauges, HTH.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
The LX is less expensive, but the MX is more universal for those who want it to work on Chebbys at some point in the future.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Oh sure... sneak it by while I'm distracted with my engine.
I don't want to dampen any spirits, but I should share this for future readers who find this thread in a search:
The BAFX is an excellent product with a good price - nothing really "wrong" with it. If you want to up your game, the OBDLink MX or LX (MX WiFi for iOS, MX or LX BlueTooth for everything else) has some specific advantages.
I don't want to dampen any spirits, but I should share this for future readers who find this thread in a search:
The BAFX is an excellent product with a good price - nothing really "wrong" with it. If you want to up your game, the OBDLink MX or LX (MX WiFi for iOS, MX or LX BlueTooth for everything else) has some specific advantages.
- If you don't move the OBDII port behind the knee panel like I have, the OBDLink has a very low profile - it's harder to hit it with your knee than the BAFX.
- The OBDLink has the ability to completely power down, and turning the key on "wakes it up". Since I sometimes don't use the truck for months, and I never pull the adapter - I know from experience it won't put any drain at all on the battery while parked.
- The sampling rate is faster with the OBDLink than other OBDII adapters I have tried (3 times faster than my AE adapter), but I haven't tried the BAFX yet. With that, I still suspect OBDLink is faster than BAFX.
- OBDWiz comes with the adapter, and Scantool (provider of OBDLink) has fully capable Ford Enhanced software available.
- Torque Pro integrates with the OBDLink advanced power feature - there is a setting for the OBDLink right there in the app.
been there done that with most adapters on the market, including the Chinese clones and what not, so far the OBDLinkMX is out performing them as far as I can tell, yes the BAFX is good, but IIRC it has to be unplugged when you want to shut it off as it keeps running (at least the one I had did they might have fixed that in subsequent versions)
the OBD link that I have just feels better quality around, and actually turns off after your trucks been sitting for a few minutes off, also its harder to hack (again security is improved due to its design)
if you want more info on torque pro and Bluetooth adapters check out the links in both my sig and tugly's signature lines...
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Well like I said before. I have AE so I didn't "need" another diagnosis tool. I wanted one to add to my collection of gadgets. I went with the BAFX after reading some good reviews. For the price it was perfect for what I want it for. I will use it mainly for monitoring my truck while my wife is towing. My tablet and BAFX will be easier than my lapto/AE for that. I had like $30 in play credit from a Google survey app that I didn't really have a need for so I bought Torque Pro and FORscan. Thanks for the discussion..
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: UT
Well like I said before. I have AE so I didn't "need" another diagnosis tool. I wanted one to add to my collection of gadgets. I went with the BAFX after reading some good reviews. For the price it was perfect for what I want it for. I will use it mainly for monitoring my truck while my wife is towing. My tablet and BAFX will be easier than my lapto/AE for that. I had like $30 in play credit from a Google survey app that I didn't really have a need for so I bought Torque Pro and FORscan. Thanks for the discussion..
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: carmichael, ca
Has anyone tried this adapter, yet?
Hotkey® Bluetooth Scan Tool USB OBD2 OBDII module ScanTool with OBD Software
It looks strikingly similar to the OBDLink MX adapter only $65 cheaper. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. But, Look at it. It's the same thing on the outside and you don't see many manufacturers lending out their design to others. And it comes in different colors.
Hotkey® Bluetooth Scan Tool USB OBD2 OBDII module ScanTool with OBD Software
It looks strikingly similar to the OBDLink MX adapter only $65 cheaper. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. But, Look at it. It's the same thing on the outside and you don't see many manufacturers lending out their design to others. And it comes in different colors.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: UT
Has anyone tried this adapter, yet?
Hotkey® Bluetooth Scan Tool USB OBD2 OBDII module ScanTool with OBD Software
It looks strikingly similar to the OBDLink MX adapter only $65 cheaper. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. But, Look at it. It's the same thing on the outside and you don't see many manufacturers lending out their design to others. And it comes in different colors.
Hotkey® Bluetooth Scan Tool USB OBD2 OBDII module ScanTool with OBD Software
It looks strikingly similar to the OBDLink MX adapter only $65 cheaper. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. But, Look at it. It's the same thing on the outside and you don't see many manufacturers lending out their design to others. And it comes in different colors.