Looking for opinions and recommendations on a budget scan tool. Will not be used professionally but would like to have one around the house. I've got access to a Tech 2, I haven't played with it much but will that cover my bases for the GM vehicles? Thanks in advance!
Budget Scan Tool Options
- Thread starter Reen
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What's the budget? Do you need bidirectional controls? Topdon is a great start
Gretio with the recommended ELM adapter.
Tech 2 is fine until 2013
Bidirectional control is essentially operating a given function on the car through the scanner instead of buttons etc.
TopDon AD Pro is a decent buy with bidi control and plenty of system reset functions for around $400
TopDon AD Pro is a decent buy with bidi control and plenty of system reset functions for around $400
What vehicles are you working on?
Also what do you want to be able to do?
Topdogn autel foxwell innovia
Also what do you want to be able to do?
Topdogn autel foxwell innovia
Mostly GM stuff, but we've also got an 08 Honda pilot with some issues and I figured a scanner would be nice to have to help diagnose with. Would like to be able to do things such as bleed ABS modules and be able to shut off individual injectors/coils for diagnosing, stuff like that. Thank you all for the replies, I will look into the TopDon and others mentioned.
i don’t think my autel shuts off individual injectors. Honestly unplugging them is just fine.
I have an Autel MK808, older model, it’s not bad. Get something with USB charging. I bought it a long time ago and that’s one of my biggest dislikes.
I have an Autel MK808, older model, it’s not bad. Get something with USB charging. I bought it a long time ago and that’s one of my biggest dislikes.
Your tech2 will work up to 15, just select it as a 13 year truck. Cant program with them anymore though (far as i know). Mdi2 can be had for 750ish i think (actual oem, i have one) but you need a subscription through acdelcotds to use it and to flash. Also requires a computer.
Efi live does a good job with gm stuff
Hard to beat a good autel.
Snapon solus does a damn good job too.
Have not tried a topdon.
Efi live does a good job with gm stuff
Hard to beat a good autel.
Snapon solus does a damn good job too.
Have not tried a topdon.
What is your “budget?” Are we talking $50 or $350?
I have a Topdon artidiag lite and it’s a pretty good one, about $300. I keep a elm327 on me everywhere and have a few good phone apps that work surprisingly well.
I have a Topdon artidiag lite and it’s a pretty good one, about $300. I keep a elm327 on me everywhere and have a few good phone apps that work surprisingly well.
Good to know, between EFI Live and the tech 2 I should be pretty squared away with the GM stuff. Thanks for the input!
I guess I'd like to stay under $500 dollars, but I also don't want to waste my money on something that I'm just going to have to replace in the future. What apps do you use with the ELM327? I've seen those Bluetooth units but never fooled around with them. do you use an Iphone or android with it?
Mostly FORScan because most the trucks in my fleet are fords.
Car scanner is good, if you have android torque pro is the best but not available on iPhones. I have a iphone
Awesome, thank you much for the info!
There is a bunch, generally I found them all about the same. Good for quick things, if you want to actually diagnose something I’d get a tablet from topdon or thinkcar
I bought a https://mythinkcar.com/ https://mythinkcar.com/products/thi...zMjIxMTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzUzMjIxMTEkajYwJGwwJGgw so I could work on the 24. Thus far I'm impressed with the updates that went from being able to see the 24 to becoming a 2 way tool. Not exactly cheap, but in reality not that expensive. I've also scanned the 24 Nissan Rogue.