Car scan tool (OBD-II) recommendation?

[kbroderick]

As I now own a cage for the first time in several years, and I now own an OBD-II vehicle for the first time, I'm thinking to get a scan tool. I don't expect to do a lot of my own work, but I would like to have at least a fair chance of diagnosing issues before I take the truck to the shop.

After a bit of searching on Amazon and the like, I'm having a tough time differentiating between some of the $120 and and $250 products. (No, I'm not in the market for a four-digit or five-digit scan tool, thanks.) Does anyone have experience with tools such as this Actron CP9180, preferably closer to the $100 pricepoint than the $200 pricepoint?

Can I record live data and play back with these?

Thanks,
Kevin

[jayth]

Yep you can with the cp9180. If you can, move up to the cp9185 or the
cp9190 all the same features plus graphing mode for live data. I've found
graphing to be a very valuable diag tool. The other side of obdII diag is access
to the values for sensors, engine/trans. controls etc. Without a factory service manual
or an on line service (alldata,mitchell and the like) a
scanner alone might not take you to the root of the problem. I've changed alot of parts
at customer request that failed to correct the problem because
"they had a code for it"

[Rambunctous]

I just bought that scanner. I wanted to have my own. You can go to Advance Auto Parts and they will retrieve codes for free. Bring a pencil and paper and write them down. Then Google them at home to find additional info. It is a decent tool BTW.

[obsolete]

I have the one that's a little more than basic. PM Priv on here and see what they have going on for deals.

[GNTurbo6]

Costco has a $20 one that will just read codes and let you delete them if you want.

[TheIglu]

For most people, just reading the code is good enough. I find out what O2 sensor is failing, what temp sensors, etc. Then I figure out if it's the sensor or an actual issue manually.

I have a $35 wal-mart jobbie. Works fine.

If you work on your cars all the time (read: Volkswagen/Audi), buy the best one you can get. You'll need it.