Purchasing a OBD-II scanner

OBD scanners on-line

OBDII Scan Tools

These fall into two different categories

  • OBD-II Hand Held
  • OBD-II PC Link

and then further into two different markets

  • Professional
  • Hobbyist/owner

Hand Held Scan Tools

Advantages

  • Low cost
  • Can be carried in the car at all times (hobbyist/owner) as part of the tool kit
  • Easy to use
  • Size (no Laptop)

PC-Based Scan Tools

Advantages

  • Low cost
  • Various suppliers of different software solutions 
  • Almost unlimited storage capacity when used as a data logger
  • Larger screen and easy to read output
  • Some reprogramming available with certain products