obd scanner question

[steveo3002]

im considering a basic obd scanner for a 2004 petrol focus, just for home diy tinkering

does this do more things than the 2nd link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121990871128?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131765705055?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

or suggest another??
ive already tried the bluetooth /smart phone ones and cant get it to talk to the car

 

[Johnseat]

The second you linked is the one I've bought but from another supplier on ebay.
Great little reader and delete and that's it.

 

[steveo3002]

yeah just wondering if the other does a bit more for the moeny?

 

[Bill Edwards]

No experience of it, but the first one looks great if your interest is Fords, or at least it does if you believe the seller blurb. I'd be surprised if it's much use for other stuff though.

The second type is just a very, very basic code reader for the engine and it'll clear them and that's it. Be happy if it even does this properly, mine didn't - it wasn't the same type but it does the same thing and it didn't seem to last long before it stopped giving any useful codes. It's no longer used!

I suppose they're worth having for looking at engine faults but you don't want to spend big money on parts to solve a problem based on what it tells you.
There isn't a diagnostic tool which is perfect for every vehicle but there is far, far better. Unfortunately for the DIY'er, you seem to get what you pay for.

 

[steveo3002]

hmm maybe give the second one a miss

can you reccomend anything else that works as it should and is affordable

 

[Bill Edwards]

hmm maybe give the second one a miss

can you reccomend anything else that works as it should and is affordable

Sadly not. I'm not exactly sure where you need to go for a bit better really, having made a mistake once I jumped across to the other end of the spectrum by getting a basic Snap On unit, but even old and second hand it's unlikely to fall into the category of affordable!

Try doing a search on this forum as I recall a couple of decent threads on scanners not very long ago, if there's anything suitable it'll have come up there.

 

[500e]

http://www.remmington.info/

 

[HughF]

Fordiag is my go to reader/scope for ford work. Very reasonably priced and the software is good. Fsuper also recommended. For more serious work, I suggest a copy of ids and a clone vcm2 from eBay. I use this setup extensively for fuel system work on mk7 transits.