I can't see spending that sort of money for my limited usage; AutoEnginuity pieces I've seen are $$$! I was leaning toward the Innova 3130 two years ago, or the 3130c or 3140 of today. But now I'm leaning in the direction of a smartphone with a diagnostic app for my needs. My wife's smartphone is getting a little problematic, and I've been researching the available upgrades for her (it's been almost three years since we did that-always both at the same time). After she gets back up to speed, healthwise, she will resume her occasional occupation "catastrophe insurance adjuster", so she needs more capable tech to help her (laptop, smartphone/apps made for adjusters, signal amplifiers). She's got the laptop(s), the smartphone gets done soon, the app soon after, the signal amplifier not needed yet (depends on the area of the country she gets assigned to). So in my research, I've found a couple of likely smartphones to replace my beloved Rugby 2 (I really need a larger display, and better photo/storage capabilities). Texting is foreign to me, as is gaming or social networks (web forums excepted), so those aren't needed; but I would like to be able to use the diagnostic apps occasionally, and maybe a mapping or GPS type app as well (my Rugby 2 can do that, but the screen's so small, it's unusable).So I'll go that direction, and get a phone upgrade, an OBD2 link, a diagnostic app, and thus kill two birds, etc., for about the same expense (we can get the phones at basically two for one pricing). I'll have to further investigate the apps to find one that will display the most needed info, and one that will help me find what's causing the codes and reset them, but that's what I'm favoring now. Subject to change, of course!

 

I bought one from Scansource a few years ago. it is a code reader/code clearing unit that you use full time. It monitors 16 data items and will display any four at once(rpm, mph, water temp, intake air temp etc) Works on every vehicle we have owned for the past 8 years. It doesn't "capture and store" data, but it does display all the codes and clears them. I used it last week on the wife's 99 Lexus to clear code and replace ox sensor. For $159 it serves me well. The only thing I wish it did would be to read oil pressure. Just my 2 cents

 

mrarff-I did a search for that company, but what I found didn't do diagnostic tools. I am searching far and wide (just "googling around") and have created a new folder on my PC for any interesting links concerning this type of Android compatible scan-tools and apps and all. As usual, I search and search, make a decision based on the best info, change my mind two or three times, and then do something totally different (sounds like a Monty Python skit!). So. I am open to any and all pertinent info you guys have got about this matter.

 

Finally got a smartphone, a Samsung Rugby Pro (I loved the durability of my non-smartphone Rugby II, so this was my choice). I haven't gotten the Bluetooth OBD2 interface for it yet, nor the Torque Pro app, but this weekend maybe so. I'm leaning toward the hi-dollar PLX KIWI, mainly because all the generics are no-name, and if I was to buy one, I'd prefer to see it first (still not comfortable after all theses years of mail-order/internet purchases). If you guys have a consensus choice of the plug-in, then I'd bow to your collective wisdom. My incentive is to track the recurring CEL that comes and goes every 100 miles. Never did get anyone to read the code for me, but I thought the source of the problem would become apparent to me. Not yet. Gas mileage went up after the plug change, and the idle is smooth as silk again, and no obvious drivability problems seen. I'm checking for overheating (not), and sour cat smell (none). I await the smartphone app to pinpoint it for me!

 

Received the third part of my Scanner substitute set-up. A BAFX Products- PIC18F2480 Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool from Amazon . First, I got the smartphone, then the Torque Pro app, now the scan tool. It took me four tries to get it to connect (don't know why), but then it came up and I found the codes that keep recurring. P0010 and P0011. I researched those a few minutes ago, and it seems to me that if I am getting these codes, then I should also be getting a TC light and have hard-shifting problems as well. I didn't start getting them until I changed my airfilter at 101k miles, and again when I removed the airfilter housing again at 109150 to replace the plugs. Could I have possibly knocked a connector loose to the actuator sensor, both times? I haven't had the seemingly related shifting and TC problems (yet), so is this a possibility? My gas mileage went up after the plug change, but a coupla times since then, I've felt a sorta "surging/misfire" when in hi-speed stop-and-go traffic (the accordion type). It smoothes out if I have the A/C on. What do you guys think?

 

A "Genuine" ELM327 IC chip alone with no circuitry or box goes for more than $20 if you buy in bulk. What you got is a Chinese knock off identical to all of the other ones, just a label. http://elmelectronics.com/obdic.html & http://www.scantool.net/ a few months ago they were in the over $100 range.

I do like my $13 knock off though. As long as you know what you are buying, it's all good.

You might also check out "scanmaster lite" on the Android play store. It is a bit more detailed than Torque, but it seems to crash on my Rugby Pro, maybe it's just what the "lite" version does.

If you are getting the codes the you are getting the codes, regardless if you are getting other symptoms.

 

I did the research online, and found that of all the clones, the BAFX was probably the best rated (by users). And for $24, I was willing to take a chance. The difficulty in connecting was probably my fault, since I'm new to smartphones, but if I get results and it can continue to serve, I'll use it. I was looking at the PLX Kiwi, if this one croaks, I'll buy it; but, I've been spending a lot of money lately on gizmos (and was worried about the cost to eliminate the CELs).

 

User Report: Favorable! I've used the BAFX (clone) for almost a month now, and have even loaned it out to a coupla friends (to check codes) with Torque Pro on their phones; still working fine for all. I've used it almost daily on two of my vehicles, the HHR and 2500HD, and will try it on the Cobalt tomorrow. I might just buy one for each vehicle, and leave them in place, and use the plug-in that automatically starts the app. Normally, I disapprove of non-domestic items (I was aware of where the HHR is/was built), but what can you do...at least it works!

 

There are American made non-clones, if you want to pay the price. Check out scantool.net among others.

 

I use elm327 and dashcmd app on my iphone and its a great combo, gives you gauges,code reading and clearing and it also logs. The setup is a little indepth to get the most accurate data but its really cool!
Ive used it on multiple cars and havent had many problems with it in general.