Hey guys I'm sure this has been asked a 1,000 times but I'm trying to buy a cable that I can do regular diagnostic, some programming (like keys) and most of all I need the ability to data log. Someone also mentioned I need a certain cable to be able to see live data? Do I need all that? I don't want to end up buying a second cable down the line either. For one I need to check my wife's 2015 IS250 has been getting bad sulfer smell and mpg is down to 15. Second I'm slowly raising octane on my fuel by half a point every tank and need to see what's going on because I don't want to fill er up with 100 octane at $10 a gallon if 95 will have the same result.
If anyone could please point me in the right direction which exact cable I need and software as well.
Thanks in advance everyone

 

You can do simple datalogging and diagnostics using OBDLINK MX+ dongle and OBDlink app though your phone. But if you need faster live data, which sounds like what you need, especially key programming, then Techstream with the Mongoose cable will do the job.

 

For common things, an OBD2 dongle will allow you to do a lot. I will always recommend a quality one, OBDLINK makes 3 models that are all good. They work with the Carista app that lets you change those "dealer only" settings.

If you want to do more, then a Tactrix openport cable will work with techstream. Also the same cable you would use with vftuner to tune the car, if you ever go that route.

I use an OBDLINK LX Bluetooth dongle for 90% of my needs. Then break out the laptop with the Tactrix cable if I need even more advanced features or more detailed data logs.

 

I was told Tactrix can only be bought through their website, not to buy anywhere else because they will all be knockoffs, is that true?

 

I bought my cable direct from their website. Everywhere else looked like a knockoff to me.