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OBD Reader Recommendations

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by jtwg, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:36 PM
    #1
    jtwg

    jtwg [OP] Member

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    Hey guys,
    I’ve borrowed OBD readers from neighbors in the past but want to pull the trigger on one of my own? Any recommendations?

    I’m not looking for super high end or especially fancy. Just one that gets the job done.
     
  2. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:43 PM
    #2
    JJ Customs

    JJ Customs Supreme Leader!

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    A few additions to make me feel cool.
    The Carlyle one from Napa goes on sale for less than $50 all the time. Let’s you scroll between engine and trans. Clear codes and reset things and see live data.
     
    jtwg[OP] likes this.
  3. Aug 18, 2021 at 2:12 PM
    #3
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
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    In general good isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t good. If you get one you should get a decent moderately priced obd reader. I don’t have any experience with cheap ones, I have doubts about their quality, accuracy and longevity. But the question is will you use it enough to make it worth buying? My 12 year old truck has yet to throw a code. If I need one there are a zillion places that will read any codes for you for free.
     
    Kcruisin likes this.
  4. Aug 18, 2021 at 2:17 PM
    #4
    clip

    clip Well-Known Member

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    pinstripes. lots of pinstripes.
    The Launch Creaders from Amazon have worked for me. I got one of the 6001s that would give a live graphing readout of sensors which has been helpful in diagnosing sensor responses. More affordable than anything locally.
     
  5. Aug 18, 2021 at 3:09 PM
    #5
    316sherm

    316sherm Well-Known Member

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  6. Aug 19, 2021 at 4:42 AM
    #6
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    You can get an ELM327 for around $10 online and download app for free if all you’re trying to do is read and reset a MIL
     
    Fullboogie likes this.
  7. Aug 20, 2021 at 7:51 AM
    #7
    tirediron

    tirediron Well-Known Member

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    What's your budget? As mentioned, if all you want is generic OBD II codes and MIL reset, than you can get that for <$25. The more capability you get, the higher the price. I have scanners ranging from $100 to $1500. If you're a more serious shade-tree mechanic, than I would suggest looking at units which can read trans, SRS and ABS, live data, and have some degree of bi-directional control.
     
    Dm93 likes this.
  8. Aug 24, 2021 at 9:20 PM
    #8
    batchu

    batchu New Member

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    I am thinking to buy the Autel MK8o8 model. what do you think about this model?
     
  9. Aug 25, 2021 at 7:12 AM
    #9
    tirediron

    tirediron Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a decent tool.
     
  10. Sep 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM
    #10
    233945

    233945 Well-Known Member

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  11. Sep 22, 2021 at 6:38 PM
    #11
    Captbrad88

    Captbrad88 Well-Known Member

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    Second this. I use it paired with OBD fusion that I paid for. And love it.
     
  12. Sep 23, 2021 at 3:18 AM
    #12
    ClassyTacos

    ClassyTacos National Treasure 3, Times a ticking Nickolas

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    Stockish
    I went with this one. It is upper middle of the line for the brand. There is a more fancy one with a blue tooth plug for the ODDII port. This one is the wired version.
    It has the ability to read/clear ABS codes which was a must for me. It can also email you diagnostic reports and read live data. I have used it several times with no complaints. I have not taken a deep dive into the functions or the software, but overall supper happy with it so far.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WWN1XSF?ie=UTF8
     
  13. Sep 25, 2021 at 9:23 PM
    #13
    SD Quicksand

    SD Quicksand Well-Known Member

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  14. Sep 30, 2021 at 11:50 AM
    #14
    mkultra007

    mkultra007 Well-Known Member

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    Thirding. Super easy to get paired and seems solid.
     

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