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Feb 1, 2004 | 03:43 PM

Keith1984

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Code Scanner

Anyone had experience using different brands and models of these? I'd like to pick one up but not sure which model will work good at a decent price.

Feb 1, 2004 | 03:52 PM

MJEmerson

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From: Mililani, Hawaii

I have the Actron code reader...which I think is the most common one...under 150 bucks. I have been happy with it so far. If I could do over I would get the super actron which covers all models not just 96 and newer...you become fairly popular once you own one, and I hate admitting I cant fix someones car in the neighborhood...so the super actron would be nice. more adnvance code reader offer options beyond code readers which are nice....but you pay for every advantage of them...they are pricey.

Feb 1, 2004 | 04:33 PM

Keith1984

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I was thinking the Actron looked like a better product over the AutoXray ones. The super actron also does OBD-I? Is that the only advantage to it or does it have more indepth scan features. It's about $375, right? How do you think this product compares to the handheld scanners?

http://www.obd-2.com/

Feb 1, 2004 | 06:20 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

If you have a Palm Pilot or something similar you could take a look at www.diagtek.com and see what they have to offer. It reads ABS, GEM etc codes as well as PCM codes. It will also do Active Command mode tests, show live data and freeze frame data.
I've never tried one but some of the guys on www.flatratetech.com use them and have high praise.

Feb 1, 2004 | 08:50 PM

Keith1984

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That diagtek looks pretty neat. Kind of a steep price considering I'd need a Palm also. The one I came across seems kind of neat since you can use it with any desktop or laptop system, both of which I have. At $189 for the tricom adapter that works on all OBD-II compliant cars it doesn't seem too bad. Plus there are enhanced code sets or whatever for specific makes like Ford. So far it seems the best bet as it's only a little more than the Actron scanner but being able to take it on a road trip and then pull up a saved log too look at real time graphs seems cool.

Feb 1, 2004 | 09:17 PM

Racerguy

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The DiagTek costs more probably because it is more for professional techs and does live data readings etc which some of the cheaper ones dont do. Something I would look at too would be the ability to read ABS and GEM codes. That may or may not be an issue for you.

Feb 1, 2004 | 09:33 PM

Keith1984

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Yeh, the ability to get at more systems than just the generic OBD-II codes is a useful thing. The site lists this as a feature, "Enhanced vehicle specfic code, data, test and identification functions.", so maybe that entails specific stuff to Ford such as the ABS system. Guess I'll have to investigate further.