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scanner recommendation

Old Dec 2, 2005 | 05:08 AM
  #1  
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scanner recommendation

I'm looking for a scanner that is OBD-II compliant with enhanced codes and has a good pc interface. I've narrowed my selection to AutoEnginuity Ford bundle , Autoxray 6000 or the OTC Scan Pro 3409. I like the AUto-X-ray because it supports OBD-I for my '95 F-150, but the hand-held tool and the pc interface doesn't look as good. For the OTC scanner, I can't find any information regarding the pc interface. I like the AutoEnginuity product but then I'll have to buy a laptop too.

Does anybody have strong recommendations/bad experiences with any of these scanners?

Thanks
 
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Old Dec 2, 2005 | 05:27 AM
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Have you searched this forum for threads on scanners or code readers?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2005 | 07:10 AM
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> has a good pc interface

Try www.autotap.com.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2005 | 01:36 PM
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I have the autoenginuity and it is very nice. I have been able to do a bunch with my powerstroke diesel, but we were also able to use it to watch the O2 signals from the sensors on my brother's V-10 and track down a problem that way.

If you don't have a laptop and don't want to buy one, I am pretty sure you can buy the A.E. version that hooks up to a Palm Pilot. The lower end Palms I think are like 40 bucks or so. The big screen of the laptop is nice though.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2005 | 03:03 PM
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I have autoxray hand held that down loads to my pc
Works fine for me
Rich
 
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Old Dec 2, 2005 | 03:29 PM
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i use the auto x ray on everything from the 87 f150 my nephew has to the new crown vic my dad has.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2005 | 07:37 PM
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I don't think for the money you can do any better than the AutoEnginuity scan tool. It does so much more than those handhelds, I especially like the Bi-Directional controls it has on the enhanced ford. They just added the EVAP test to the bi-dirctionals, very handy when you have check engine light with a evap code. Also does ABS, live graphing of sensors, this is as close to factory scanner as you can get. It also has free updates.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2005 | 07:57 PM
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mac tools taskmaster here.it is made by otc.spc . has a great interface. pc hook up prints, data loger. reads engine perimiters. global obd 2. pc software. but i also have auto enginuity on my lap top and vag.com for vw audi work. they work great. another helper is my sct excal 2 and sct's live link software that reads every thing on a ford ecm to a lap top. thats helped in tuneing with the proracer software.
for american car work i like the mac as it is obd 1 and 2. small, reads engine ,trans, abs, and airbag faults. stores and prints on demand. the only part that stunk was i had to buy a serial to usb adapter on line for $21.00 as it did not have one yet. came with cables for ford obd 1, gm obd 1, chrysler obd 1. and global obd 2 plus the printer cable for which i had to buy the adapter for my lap top." no serial com port "
 

Last edited by captchas; Dec 3, 2005 at 08:01 PM.
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Old Dec 5, 2005 | 08:17 PM
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Thanks for all the reviews.

I splurged and bought a used Nemisys scan tool off of e-bay. I like the idea of doing both OBD I, II and CAN. I got a '95 F-150 and a '99 Expedition. I figure it it saves me a trip or two to a mechanic, it's paid for itself.
 
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