OBD Meter Recommendations

I struggled with this one - my other car is a 2003 BMW, and I use a $120 Foxwell scan tool that tells me everything I need to know - every BMW code, real time trends, and it will test actuate anything. But it appears there's nothing like that for this car without spending $500 or more. The only thing that it looks like you can do is get a Tactrix OBDII/USB cable, and get a bootlegged copy of TechStream (Toyota diag software for laptop). You are still out around $200 for that, and that's with bootlegged software. Seems crazy to me. I'm still on the fence.

 

Buying quality tool to repair your car is money well spent. You can buy cheap junk,
but don't be surprises when you have negative issues with it.

 

I have used a variety of readers over the years. This is what I just upgraded to a few weeks ago.

OBDLink CX Bimmercode Bluetooth 5.1 BLE OBD2 Adapter for BMW/Mini, Works with iPhone/iOS & Android, Car Coding, OBD II Diagnostic Scanner https://a.co/d/aTYs05t

 

This is just an OBDII reader though, right? It doesn't look like it does anything more than read OBDII codes for our Priuses, unless I'm wrong?

 

It feeds other apps. HybridAssistant is what I used a lot with my Prime. I switched over to CarScanner recently. And with the bZ4X, the reader integrates with the vehicle display to feed ABRP.

 

I have an OBDlink LX. It connects to pretty much all of the scan channels. With the right software it can clear codes, register TPMS, change various parameters, etc.

BUT it's true that only Toyota Techstream (oops - said scantool before) software can do "everything."

As noted elsewhere here, there are "real" techstream interfaces such as the Mongoose. There are "compatible" ones as well such as at OBDii360. Probably the most important thing to note: yes you can find hacked stuff... but for reliable info and control, "everybody" recommends that you pay for at least a short term official subscription to the techstream app.

 

My cheap go to tools are a elm327 obd2 Bluetooth device coupled with Car Scanner or Dr Prius. $30 device in the glovebox will read most ecus via the Can Bus, display realtime data and clear codes.

Neither are bidirectional, eg can not turn on pumps or motors for test purposes. Neither can run special procedures like bleeding the brake booster. For those purposes and for things like TPMS registration and diagnostics I use Techstream.

Better bidirectional scanners are Launch software based or something like the XTool D8 which reportedly can do a hybrid brake booster.

Amazon.com: LAUNCH X431 CRP919EBT Elite Wireless Bidirectional Scan Tool, CANFD&DOIP, FCA AutoAuth, VAG Guided, ECU Coding, 31+ Service, Full System, 2-Year Update(Worth $300), 2023 Upgraded of CRP919E : Automotive


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BQ3G6W9B/ref=ox_sc_act_image_10?smid=A278PTXFISOP9X&psc=1

 

I have a cheap Chinese knockoff VCI cable from China (bought from AliExpress) with an old Windows XP laptop. I haven't used it yet, so I can't review. I have seen some postings saying some features don't work. When I ordered it from AliExpress, the seller listed two types of VCI chips. I wonder which chip has problems?

I have installed the version v12 techstream and it detects the cable. If features on v12 doesn't work, I was told by forums to downgrade to previous versions all the way to v10.

Yes. You have to spend more for better scanners. But I haven't used mine since I got it more than 4 years ago. There is no point in spending more when I don't know if I will ever use it.