Cheap OBDII scanners

[dhcomp]

Just a general FYI, Costco now sells a cheap OBDII scanner for $35.

Its not the end all and be all, but if you just need to read some codes or clear a check engine light, my guess is it would work fine!

Wish i knew that before i bought kragen's last week when i needed it in a pinch

 

[xCaliK5x]

if all you need it for is pulling OBDII codes out of the ECU and clearing them, any of them will work. If you want to check or activate components, log data, and get more out of it, you will have to spend more. I had a MAC Mentor. It was great for OBDII, had a domestic card in it, worked great for GM. I sold it for $250. I only used it for friends cars, maybe every few months, and the update was $600 from MAC for newer stuff (mine would go up to 2004 IIRC), so I dumped it. If you can deal with not needing it updated for newer stuff, or have to buy software for Japanese and European cars, look on craigslist. Times are tough and you could score one pretty cheap.

 

[dhcomp]

if all you need it for is pulling OBDII codes out of the ECU and clearing them, any of them will work. If you want to check or activate components, log data, and get more out of it, you will have to spend more. I had a MAC Mentor. It was great for OBDII, had a domestic card in it, worked great for GM. I sold it for $250. I only used it for friends cars, maybe every few months, and the update was $600 from MAC for newer stuff (mine would go up to 2004 IIRC), so I dumped it. If you can deal with not needing it updated for newer stuff, or have to buy software for Japanese and European cars, look on craigslist. Times are tough and you could score one pretty cheap.

Totally agreed, but not $30-$70 cheap. Totally different need i think, but really, i was pretty happy to be able to read and clear codes. Makes newer vehicles way less intimidating, cause the computer gets to work with you, instead of against you .

Thanks for the heads up though!