OBD-II Reader...soo many options, what do you reccomend?

[Mahonroy]

Hello, I was just thinking about the possability of getting a OBD-II reader that I can use with my laptop and connect it to the elantra's ecu and read things such as air/fuel (voltage signal off my stock wideband o2 sensor for example) intake air temperature, read and reset check engine light codes, etc. I was wanting one that has data logging capabilities (though most ones that use a PC have that) so it would be possible for example to tune a little bit where its running a bit lean or rich through the RPM range...

The only one I had used so far was one from auto enginuety, it seemed pretty decent, but mainly I was looking to see what you all would recommend, oviously I would want the most in-expensive choice with the best options/product, have any of you had any experience with any that you would recommend or know of? Thanks!

[fgummett]

I was looking at this one but then I got laid off :( so had to change my plans :
Autotap... (http://www.autotap.com/)

[Maeglin Oronar]

Although I have not used an OBDII scanner other than the OEM's found at dealerships, the one at http://www.obd2.com/ looks very promising.

[BColeman]

Though this thread is about options for an ODBII scanner, I have an off topic question.

How can you make changes using the scanner? Don't the scanners just give you information for diagnosis purposes only? Or are their "two-way" ones out there that let you make limited changes to the ECU?

[KeWLKaT]

they're one way. except if its an SMT-6 :) and thats not (only) a scanner :D

[Mahonroy]

Though this thread is about options for an ODBII scanner, I have an off topic question.

How can you make changes using the scanner? Don't the scanners just give you information for diagnosis purposes only? Or are their "two-way" ones out there that let you make limited changes to the ECU?

Basically the thing I am looking for is a scanner where you can only recieve and watch data, you can't change stuff...I just want this for diagnostic / tunning reasons...see if you have a fuel tunner, you can basically get a graph showing rpm versus air/fuel ratio, and then you can tune your fuel curve to whatever you want and get it a streight line.

[KeWLKaT]

you cant tune the unichip in real time, can you?

[BColeman]

Okay, that makes since. I think I misunderstood your first post. I can see how that would help. Though, with the ECU liking to change whenever it wants to, would this be something you'd have to do on a regular basis to make sure your tuning stays true.

[02_Elantra]

i have the digimoto mobydic interface and the 4.03 version of their software. although this program looked very promissing i am not very impressed with the whole setup. i have never worked with any other program of that sort so i am not able to say which one is better than the other but i can say that if that's the best thing around i hope you dont have high expectations ... and you might feel like you've been ripped off. i'll keep on using it and experimenting with it because i have it ... but everytime i'll see some other program i'll want it and it's kinda annoying.

the web site is www.digimoto.com if you wanna check it out ... but you MUST read the digimoto forum before making any decision, it's enough to make you wanna look elsewhere ... beleive me i would have not bought anything from them if i would have read that before ... like i said i have it ... i'll use it ... but be warned

[Mahonroy]

you cant tune the unichip in real time, can you?

Well, you can actually (there is this box with knobs on it that you can tune it real time with) I am not talking about that, I am just saying you could see if its leaning out or too rich at certain rpm's then adjust the maps accordingly and then get a new air/fuel ratio readout...