Hello Lexuers!

What is your recommendation about an OBD Scanner?

Thanks in advance.

 

I got this one, week later check engine light came on...lol

BOSCH 1200 Enhanced Auto Scanner OBD II CAN ABS AIRBAG SRS LIVE DATA Scan Tool ..

 

Innova offers 7 different code readers........

 

I use a Schwaben scanner that is made by Foxwell, you can order them with the Lexus module and buy downloads for your other cars. This gives you the factory codes instead of the generic PXXXX codes that the generic scanners show.

 

 

I want a scanner for our older cars with good live graphing and active live tests like Techstream.

My current scanner was $250 and made lots of promises and it delivered on none of them. Quite frankly for the money it doesn't do much more than a $30 scanner except it will read some ABS codes, whoopdy doo...

The graphing feature for live data such as O2 sensors is so poor and crapola, almost unusable.

Scanner in the video above by IMSQ looks promising but I won't get my hopes up until someone reviews it on our older cars. They always seem to show the full features on new models and screw us on the older models.

Is it too much to ask for a scanner that can do live active tests and a good job at graphing the O2 sensors & other data for under $200-$500?
scanner rant over... lol

 

Just leave a comment under the video with your request/question (to run the scanner on 2nd Gen RX)... He answers to everyone.

 

Hi IMSQ, OK so I left him a comment today like you suggest and have fingers crossed.

That's the problem, not many reviews on Mid-Level scanners for our Gen 2 models and buying all the scanners on the market to find one that actually does what it claims, well... It would be cheaper to just go get a Snapon Verus and be done with it- but I don't need full features on every car that exists on the planet or want to pay $1,000's of dollars- just want one that does what it says it will do in a Mid-Level price range...

Here is what I asked the man who made the video above in your post:

"Can you please do a full scanner function test on the 2004-2006 Lexus RX330 or the 2007-2009 Lexus RX350, PLEASE!!!
All the scanners I see under $300 promise all kinds of features and active tests but they only include them in the newer cars and don't seem to car about making them available on our older cars. With Toyota Techstream we can do active tests to test things and turn things on and off for diagnosing problems and my $250 scanner was supposed to do this but they screwed us on the older models and left these features incomplete and missing. Good & meaningful & responsive graphing would be an awesome bonus for reading live data especially O2 sensors.
Thank You!!!"

 

Sometimes it's the not the scanners limitations but the car's computers (ECU, GEM, etc) limitations in their ability to relay advanced information and offer Bi-Directional capabilities,
For instance, a 2015 RX might be able to do several neat EVAP tests such as opening/closing solenoids, but a 2003 RX300 cannot, no matter what scanner or software you have.

Also, cheap scanners are cheap because their microchips just aren't that sophisticated. And I think there's an issue with proprietary technology owned by car manufacturers. Snap On and Autel pay for that stuff and then pass the cost on to the consumer.

 

Hi spinellib, you are correct in saying our cars do not have as many of the bi-directional tests available on newer cars and I know I will have to lower my expectations a little by being in the sub $1k price range for a potential scanner.

One of the big things Techstream will do is give me a live misfire count on each cylinder- so handy!!! and a $250 scanner doesn't make that feature available, why???.
Other things Techstream will do on our cars is active bi-directional tests like activating the VVT's one bank at a time and other stuff.

My dream scanner is Techstream functionality in a tablet size scanner that can do precise and responsive live data graphing for 2 or more channels for an affordable price...
Prayng to the scanner gods... lol jk

Looks like Scotty Kilmer is running Auro Otosys IM600 the at minute 4:09.

 

Did you get the answer?

 

Hi IMSQ, no I'm sorry I haven't heard any replies yet.

My $250 scanner won't show misfires on each cylinder like techstream does.
If it could at least do that I'd be happy.

 

Sorry to bring this dead forum back, but does anyone know the answer I’m looking for the same thing but for a gift for my bf and he has a 02 is300, I want to get him a scanner for his birthday, I haven’t really found any recommendations that’s for everything he’s looking for, if anyone can lead me to the right direction 😭

 

If he is technically able nothing will do better than $30 Techstream (can be bought from Amazon)

 

There are different level devices, some jsut read generic codes, others will read that + Toyota codes, Others still that do the above and allow programming of internal computer options. depends upon his skill and needs. What do you want to spend, is also part of the equation.