Anyone tried this OBD computer/scanner?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 151
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From: South Orange NJ
Anyone tried this OBD computer/scanner?
Hi. I have been looking at this item at JC Whitney.
Scan gauge Scan Gauge II for Vehicles Built After 1996 : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories
Has any one tried one? I find this company to be hit or miss.
Scan gauge Scan Gauge II for Vehicles Built After 1996 : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories
Has any one tried one? I find this company to be hit or miss.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
I purchased my scan tool off ebay...best prices anywhere I looked.Mine is a INNOVA Equus model 3130. It will also scan CAN vehicles (like my '05 F250 diesel). I really like it. I see they are cheaper now than when I bought mine.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: South Orange NJ
Thanks. Yours is a professional scan tool. What I am looking at is more of an onboard real time trip computer. Current MPG, trip MPG, etc.,
That does look like a great unit, though.
That does look like a great unit, though.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
It all depends on how powerful of a tool you want. I wouldn't bother with an interface unless it allowed some programming option. What good is reading the PCM if you can't write to it? I have had used Edge's new Evolution and it's a decent setup. I have Sniper's Special Forces suite which includes the Recon Data logger, and it's nice. Although I have to have my laptop in my truck to watch the datalogger.
I have read of people using that setup and liking it. However, something with tuning capability isn't that much more. Pretty much all tuners will read codes, and the ones that stay plugged in will give you gauges if you don't want additional gauges.
I have read of people using that setup and liking it. However, something with tuning capability isn't that much more. Pretty much all tuners will read codes, and the ones that stay plugged in will give you gauges if you don't want additional gauges.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 444
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From: North Central Oregon
SlimCarp, I was about to author a post regarding this same product when I discovered your query here. I learned about this product on another forum (RV forum) where the OEM overhead computer was being discussed.
One of the contributers advanced the ScanGauge II as a viable option. I currently have a PM to an electrical engineer type who has the expertises to give me an unbiased opinion.
I was hoping to find some actually users of the product here to get a sense of their satisfaction or dis-satisfaction? Like all products I know not everybody is going to like it but was trying to get a feel of price vs. value and ease of use, functionality etc.
I copied this from one of their pages. Does this mean that it is sort of a Tuner too?
Here is a product web sight that I found fairly informative. In case anyone is interested.
ScanGaugeII - Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers
EDIT: here is an alternative afternarket way to mount the ScanGauge. This is a package that has the ScanGauge II & the blend mount together.
Amazon.com: ScanGauge II & BlendMount Combo: Automotive
One of the contributers advanced the ScanGauge II as a viable option. I currently have a PM to an electrical engineer type who has the expertises to give me an unbiased opinion.
I was hoping to find some actually users of the product here to get a sense of their satisfaction or dis-satisfaction? Like all products I know not everybody is going to like it but was trying to get a feel of price vs. value and ease of use, functionality etc.
I copied this from one of their pages. Does this mean that it is sort of a Tuner too?
Make and store up to 10 rewritable special codes
to send to the vehicle computer
to send to the vehicle computer
Here is a product web sight that I found fairly informative. In case anyone is interested.
ScanGaugeII - Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers
EDIT: here is an alternative afternarket way to mount the ScanGauge. This is a package that has the ScanGauge II & the blend mount together.
Amazon.com: ScanGauge II & BlendMount Combo: Automotive
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: South Orange NJ
Hey Chargriller, thanks for calling me SlimCarp. No one has called me that in years. or ever actually. I have a serious donut addiction. HAHA
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 444
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From: North Central Oregon
Glad I could make a smile! Thanks BPofMD for the response.
This is the PM I just recieved back from the (electrical "not") engineer answering on the other forum.
No problem, I am glad to help. No, I didn't design the Scangauge II, I am a Mechanical Engineer, Electronics are out of my scope...
However, I do own one and I find it very useful not only as a way to increase MPG, but also as a scan tool to diagnose and reset OBDII trouble codes. I have no codes so far on my 2007 truck, but I have 3 friends who have had OBDII trouble codes on their cars and I have helped them find out what is going on so they can decide what to do.
The accuracy of the MPG is far above the OP's so called "Lie-O-Meters", which I assume are the MPG gauges that came with the vehicles. Because the Scangauge II can be calibrated, and because of this, it is as accurate as you can get. To calibrate it, you just fill up the tank and let the filling station fuel pump shut off automatically. Then when you are at about 1/4 tank, you go back to the same pump, facing the same direction at the same time of day (to make sure the temperature is the same), and fill back up letting the filling station fuel pump shut off automatically again. Then you enter the amount of gallons the filling station fuel pump reads into the Scangauge II. This accuracy is dependent on the calibration of the filling station fuel pump, but it is far better than the cheap gauge that is supplied by the auto manufacturers.
I believe your truck is compatible with the Scangauge II, but you could check with the manufacturer to be sure.
However, I do own one and I find it very useful not only as a way to increase MPG, but also as a scan tool to diagnose and reset OBDII trouble codes. I have no codes so far on my 2007 truck, but I have 3 friends who have had OBDII trouble codes on their cars and I have helped them find out what is going on so they can decide what to do.
The accuracy of the MPG is far above the OP's so called "Lie-O-Meters", which I assume are the MPG gauges that came with the vehicles. Because the Scangauge II can be calibrated, and because of this, it is as accurate as you can get. To calibrate it, you just fill up the tank and let the filling station fuel pump shut off automatically. Then when you are at about 1/4 tank, you go back to the same pump, facing the same direction at the same time of day (to make sure the temperature is the same), and fill back up letting the filling station fuel pump shut off automatically again. Then you enter the amount of gallons the filling station fuel pump reads into the Scangauge II. This accuracy is dependent on the calibration of the filling station fuel pump, but it is far better than the cheap gauge that is supplied by the auto manufacturers.
I believe your truck is compatible with the Scangauge II, but you could check with the manufacturer to be sure.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 444
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From: North Central Oregon
FC......Ditto. But alas as with anything there is going to be both good and bad. If I relied on all the posts regarding folks having problems with their Fords....I wonder if it too might cause me to pause prior to considering a purchase?
In any event if it turned out to be "Crap"....we wouldn't lose the mortgage. I am seriously considering adding it to my "to do" list right up there with a new A-pillar boost & EGT gauge set from Isspro. 
In any event if it turned out to be "Crap"....we wouldn't lose the mortgage.
I am seriously considering adding it to my "to do" list right up there with a new A-pillar boost & EGT gauge set from Isspro.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 444
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From: North Central Oregon
Just curious ....got a link for those reviews? Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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There wasn't so much a single page on reviews, just people chiming in suggesting them to others and saying that they had good experiences with them. I don't have time to look now, but tomorrow, I'll see what I can find.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 444
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From: North Central Oregon