BlueRidgeMark

My $20 scanner dongle died suddenly, and one of my boys seems to have dropped my AutoXray unit, and it's defunct. ( BTW, reviews say the company does not stand behind the product even for warranty issues, and does not do repairs, period.)

I don't want to buy another $20 dongle. I have Torque, and I"m not happy with it. I have never been able to get logging to work, and the "help" section on the website is useless, and the forum is a disaster. Must be some homebrew forum software. What a mess!


So, I'm without a scanner and I need to run down a random miss.


Any thoughts on the Bluedriver Bluetooth scan tool?

CurrySoSpicy

wow, small world. I was just sitting in this morning looking at this blue driver scanner. I found this scanner as well:

http://www.obdlink.com

the oddlinkLX is the one for our keeps. The "MX" has advanced logic for new fords and such.

let me know your thoughts.

BlueRidgeMark

Hmmmm. 50 bucks for the dongle, and the included software is rated at 3.8 stars on PlayStore. Well below Torque, which has not impressed me at all.

On the other hand, I like the fact that they have Windows software available, too. Seems to offer all the same features for half the price, plus having the option of working on your laptop in the car.

4.3 rating on Amazon, too.

I think I'm sold!

(Besides, that map they show is my stomping grounds. I was on those roads today, in fact. The company must be near me. )

Now if I could just find a source for information on the various readings that are provided. It's useless to have a value measured if you don't know what is a good number and what is a bad number.....

CurrySoSpicy

I think I'm going to pick it up too. My tool chest has a nice pull out laptop table, would be nice to sit laptop on there and work on vehicle.

edit: the OBDwiz PC program looks really good, it's freeware that's comes with your purchase. Looks like you can get a 30 odd dollar add on to give you more features.

Rogue4x4

I use the Torque app and dongle, and it's ok...for clearing codes and light duty monitoring. Graphing, not so much. But, I digress. It has many features, but I've never really tried to use them...Virtual dashboard, track recorder...cool but whatevs, LOL

I also run the OBDwiz from my laptop, for when it gets real...which is rare...but it is more in-depth than the app.

Seems to me there isn't one true go-to out there for these things. What one lacks, the other does. Would really be nice to see an all inclusive tool...that isn't an arm and leg.

Just my experiance. I haven't tried them all. But for what I do, the app and OBDwiz have been boobies so far for me...

CurrySoSpicy

I will invest in the obdlink brand, the "tool-collector-guy" in me really likes the idea of a scan tool though. Ya know? To stow in my tool box and never use.

BlueRidgeMark

Well, I've had the OBDLink for a few weeks now. Glad I got it.

CurrySoSpicy

I want their computer interface cable.

BlueRidgeMark

CurrySoSpicy

I have Bluetooth for the glovebox. Their PC suite is very good. Good for the garage.

BlueRidgeMark

Ah, makes sense.

CurrySoSpicy

BlueRidgeMark

Well, this ain't good. My nice new OBDLInk has died on me. Lights up, but will not connect via Bluetooth.

Anyone seen this?

CurrySoSpicy

I had the same thing happen to me with my Bluetooth OBDII. Don't remember the brand, but I paired it with the Torque App.

One day I plugged it in, it lit up. But I could not find it in the Bluetooth settings on my phone. I tried my other phone, my wife's phone and a LG tablet. No dice.

chucked her right in the trash.

BlueRidgeMark

Bleh. I didn't want to hear that.

The OBDLink app is much nicer than Torque, but if the dongle dies.....