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Recommended code reader

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Old Jan 31, 2023 | 02:18 PM
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Recommended code reader

Hey guys, I’m pretty new to the modern vehicle/f150 world, I just bought a 2013 recently and would like to get an obd2 dongle for it but don’t know which one. I’d like one that can read and clear CEL codes, monitor live data, and do some other stuff (like turn TPMS off) if possible. I’d like to get forscan eventually but I don’t have a laptop, so for right now I’ll just be using an iphone. Any suggestions on dongles and IOS apps for these trucks?
 
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Old Feb 1, 2023 | 06:27 PM
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i use obdlink. have to spend a little to get a good one.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2023 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by blackestate
i use obdlink. have to spend a little to get a good one.
that’s kinda what I figured. I’ve heard some people having issues with the obdlink connecting or crashing, but maybe they’ve gotten better
 
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 07:13 PM
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I had the cheapest red one from amazon, it read the codes and erased them. I had to google what they are. The $40 one I just got tells me what it is as well.

But if you are on this forum, I think you like Fords, I'd say get a OBDII/USB one and use your laptop for FORScan software. It will tell you WAAAY more and you can program stuff like lights, turn of TPMS errors etc.
FORScan Is free. tons of videos are out there too.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2023 | 07:48 AM
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I personally recommend this one. It's a professional grade scanner, but at an affordable price.
Autel MX808 All Systems Code Reader and Service Touch Screen Tablet | Jersey Discount Tool (jerseydiscounttoolco.com)
 
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Old Feb 5, 2023 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by AlSa
I had the cheapest red one from amazon, it read the codes and erased them. I had to google what they are. The $40 one I just got tells me what it is as well.

But if you are on this forum, I think you like Fords, I'd say get a OBDII/USB one and use your laptop for FORScan software. It will tell you WAAAY more and you can program stuff like lights, turn of TPMS errors etc.
FORScan Is free. tons of videos are out there too.
I absolutely plan to get forscan at some point, but I don’t have a laptop right now. I might have to get a cheap one just for forscan.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2023 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by paredneck33
I personally recommend this one. It's a professional grade scanner, but at an affordable price.
Autel MX808 All Systems Code Reader and Service Touch Screen Tablet | Jersey Discount Tool (jerseydiscounttoolco.com)
wow that’s pretty expensive. Is there any benefit to that one over an obd2 connector and app?
 
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Old Feb 8, 2023 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by longwhitexl
wow that’s pretty expensive. Is there any benefit to that one over an obd2 connector and app?
nope, especially if you use forscan. It may be worth it if you work on other brands.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2023 | 03:27 PM
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well i have a autel ms906bt takes forever to get through all the systems cost 1500.00 Also have the code reader from walmart is good for reading fault codes and erasing them was 100.00
Then I just installed forscan for free, had to buy vlinker to hook to port 13.00 But I have a laptop from wally world cost around 200.00 has windows. If I was you go with the forscan and laptop. As I also have a oscilloscope that uses laptop. So forscan is the only way to go. Added a trailer brake controller and for scan turned on the gain control in 5 min after you get every thing installed on puter. So my advice borrow a friends computer have them down load program buy vlinker. They can delete the program after use. was wrong on vlinker was 47.60 I up graded the forscan for 13.00 which you dont need to do
 

Last edited by tiredmec; Feb 8, 2023 at 03:34 PM. Reason: made mistake
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Old Feb 9, 2023 | 01:23 PM
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I ended up buying a Vgate bluetooth code reader to use with my phone, but I plan on getting and an OBD to USB one to use with forscan in the future.
 
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