Harbor Freight Code Scanner?

Any good? Specifically this one. I have a store credit and with the coupon in the August issue of GRM, it would be almost free.

http://www.harborfreight.com/http-www-harborfreight-com-can-obdii-code-reader-with-multilingual-menu-98568-html.html

If it's nearly free and get only one use out of it.... I'd stay it was worth it.

I have one. I've never had a problem with it, but then I'm not a heavy-duty user. (Valiants didn't come with OBD-II. ) The first time, it paid for itself as far as I'm concerned.

I use it, there are certainly more high tech ones, but it does the trick.

I picked up that exact unit under nearly identical circumstances and have no complaints so far.

A simple code scanner + a common smartphone = pretty much all you really need to know in under a minute.

Agreed. I picked up a HF unit much like that for the same reasons: it pays for itself the first time you use it, and even though it's HF, for the number of times you'll use it it's well worth it (if it breaks after 10 uses - about 10 years - you're still sitting pretty).

I can't comment on that scanner but - I've been using one of the Elm bluetooth dongles in conjunction with the Torque app on my phone.

That has correctly identified problems with my wife's E46 and my diesel truck and been able to reset the light. It's nice because it looks the codes up on the web so they can be updated/expanded independent of the firmware or just researched with google right there on the same screen. I also like it because it can be used as a set of gauges for any metric OBDII carries. I can leave it plugged in under the dash, set the phone in front of the speedo and drive around. Like for boost vs EGT on the truck (which has no gauge) and so on. My total outlay was something like $18 so it is relevant - even with the coupon you will pay more for that one.

$10.99 Dongle with free shipping on Amazon

+1 to GPS. If you have an Android phone, there's no reason to use anything other than the ELM327 and Torque. It does so much more than just code reading and is easy to use. Does anything you can do with OBD2.

(Fun watching the old Duramax hit 22-23psi of boost when it's cold. And right after that, it tells you that your 0-60 time was 6.7 seconds in a truck that weighs 6500lbs empty.)

Pretty strong arguments being made for torque, I forgot about that since I do not own any modern cars. Admittedly, I would go that route if I drove anything with and OBDII port.

The Harbor Freight thing has been good for me for a few years because I can help friends/neighbors and loan it out without worry if I never see it again.

I've got this one, or its equivalent (HF keeps changing part nos. so it's hard to tell):

http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd-ii-deluxe-scan-tool-60693-html.html

It works great. The important thing to know is that it is manufactured by Autel and you need to go to the Autel website for updates and support. The manual is published by HF and tells you to go to their website, but no support exists there.

If you have an ios device I would get an ELM327 and Dash Command instead. However, it appears they may have pulled some features out of the base Dash Command for some vehicle in order to sell the $9.99 vehicle adder packages.

I just walked out with the code scanner. After the return (no receipt) and coupon it was under $11