Best Code reader for 3rd gens

Duhockey

Duhockey

Senior Member
Most people I have talked to have the Scangauge...

whos got an argument for a cheaper/better one?

ready! GO!
 
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I was just going to post a similiar thread, but now I'm going to piggyback on yours.

Anybody else using the bluetooth dongle and an android?
 
KidVermicious said:
I was just going to post a similiar thread, but now I'm going to piggyback on yours.

Anybody else using the bluetooth dongle and an android?
Click to expand...

Good question, almost forgot about that, I was gonna do that a long time ago.

better or worse than scangauge?
 
The ScanGuage/UltraGuage and the Torque/Android setups are two different beasts. The Scanguage is designed to be installed full-time and allow continuous monitoring of OBDII output. It has a tiny screen with limited graphical ability.

The Anrdoid system is surprisingly rich. I have the full Torque version installed on my Acer Iconia 10" tablet and a cheapo Chinese wired OBDII dongle. This is not something you can just leave hooked up, but is pretty good if you need to do diagnostics. This is replacing my ancient BR-3 that only works with a serial port and the last laptop I had with one of those died. It also would not work on newer Canbus cars.

The dongle was around $25 and the deluxe Torque is all of $4.95. So you can't beat it for cost if you already have an Android machine. A tablet is ideal. Any laptop solution will cost you $$ for the software. I tried all the free ones and they all stink.

Torque will let you graph O2 sensor output, although I have not figured out if it can do two sensors at the same time. If you really wanted to leave it hooked up, you can do some really cool displays, even integrating the accelerometer and GPS on the tablet. Graphically, it's way beyond what the itty-bitty ScanGuage can do. But I just want to do some simple diagnostics from time-to-time and its a great solution for low $$. Great for pulling and resetting codes.
 
The scanguage II is like adding aux gauges to the truck, a MPG/trip computer, and CEL scanning/diagnostic tool all in one. If my truck was OBD2 that's what I'd be getting hands down.
 
KidVermicious said:
Is that the ELM327?

Amazon.com: Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner, ELM327 wireless OBD 2 Scan tool check Engine Light CAR CODE READER: Office Products
Click to expand...

ELM 327 refers to the chip inside. Almost all the eBay models use it, not just the one you posted--also many of the more expensive scanners do, too. You want to get the latest version. I think that is v1.4 currently. A lot of people have trouble with the Bluetooth ones not working, that's why I went with a wired one (and my tablet has a full size USB plug so that works fine for diagnostic use.)
 
You have seen my Scangauge II. It gives me some extra gauges (I usually run: intake temp, engine temp, avg MPG for the trip, 4th- I bounce around). It is awesome that I can instantly read and clear CEL codes.

The down side is it will not do A/F ratios on 2000 and older 4runners (2001-2002 have a different O2 sensor, older Cali cars do too).
 
TheDurk said:
ELM 327 refers to the chip inside. Almost all the eBay models use it, not just the one you posted--also many of the more expensive scanners do, too. You want to get the latest version. I think that is v1.4 currently. A lot of people have trouble with the Bluetooth ones not working, that's why I went with a wired one (and my tablet has a full size USB plug so that works fine for diagnostic use.)
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks!
 
code reader

I bought PCM Scan from Palmer - you need a laptop and also the special dash cable.

PCMSCAN - Palmer Performance Engineering, Inc.

It has no problem with my 2002 and I've used it successfully on other cars as well.

Neat feature is the ability to turn off the dash lights - even if only temporarily. I had dash lights on regarding the pollution control system (P0442 and the like). I cleared the lights, ran down to the inspection station, and passed inspection. The lights came back on a few days later but I had my green sticker!

Just picked up the 4runner during lunch today - toyotec lift is in! Details and pics soon...
 
I have the Kiwi bluetooth dongle and Torque (full) app... I've been happy with it, but I've never used anything else either.
 
TheDurk said:
The ScanGuage/UltraGuage and the Torque/Android setups are two different beasts. The Scanguage is designed to be installed full-time and allow continuous monitoring of OBDII output. It has a tiny screen with limited graphical ability.

The Anrdoid system is surprisingly rich. I have the full Torque version installed on my Acer Iconia 10" tablet and a cheapo Chinese wired OBDII dongle. This is not something you can just leave hooked up, but is pretty good if you need to do diagnostics. This is replacing my ancient BR-3 that only works with a serial port and the last laptop I had with one of those died. It also would not work on newer Canbus cars.

The dongle was around $25 and the deluxe Torque is all of $4.95. So you can't beat it for cost if you already have an Android machine. A tablet is ideal. Any laptop solution will cost you $$ for the software. I tried all the free ones and they all stink.

Torque will let you graph O2 sensor output, although I have not figured out if it can do two sensors at the same time. If you really wanted to leave it hooked up, you can do some really cool displays, even integrating the accelerometer and GPS on the tablet. Graphically, it's way beyond what the itty-bitty ScanGuage can do. But I just want to do some simple diagnostics from time-to-time and its a great solution for low $$. Great for pulling and resetting codes.
Click to expand...

How are you using Torque with a wired USB cable? I downloaded the free version but it's only giving me the options to use bluetooth or wifi.
 
Im looking at the scan gauge as well, what gauges will it do on our rigs, been doing a little searching but not a whole lot as I've been on my phone.
 
T4R2014 said:
How are you using Torque with a wired USB cable? I downloaded the free version but it's only giving me the options to use bluetooth or wifi.
Click to expand...

Wired USB only works on the full version, and only as of about three weeks ago. Spend the $4.95. It works great, but you need to know, and set the BAUD rate of the adapter into the app. But then it works perfectly.
 
TheDurk said:
Wired USB only works on the full version, and only as of about three weeks ago. Spend the $4.95. It works great, but you need to know, and set the BAUD rate of the adapter into the app. But then it works perfectly.
Click to expand...

Damn this forum! Bought Torque for my phone and ordered a blue tooth dongle from Amazon.

Only 25 bucks for everything, and the dongle I bought has lots of great reviews so I'm crossing my fingers that I get a good one.
 
So I got the Soliport bluetooth dongle from Amazon and the Torque app for Android. $25 and I have an incredible diagnostic device with a fantastic interface. For the money, this is the best mod I've purchased so far.
 
So I grabbed that bluetooth dongle I linked upthread and dl'd Torque. Very cool little ap, very flexible. It'll definitely be useful on road trips, and has cost me all of 20 bucks.
 
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