should I get a Snap On MT2500?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

jhaas HalfDork
1/21/13 5:05 p.m.

My Actron code reader from Sears crapped out on me. I returned it no problem.

Now I have to get a code reader. I could buy another Actron, but i wasnt impressed with its capability. looking for options. I know this has been discussed here, but with no mention of the Snap On. I have found them local and on ebay around $200. They use cartridges for different make/models?

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/tls/3472427714.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-MT2500-AUTOMOTIVE-SCANNER-SCAN-TOOL-Diagnostic-Tools-Equipment-/181065901004?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2a285e63cc&vxp=mtr

input please.

Bumboclot Reader
1/21/13 7:09 p.m.

Do you have a smartphone? If you do, Torque and an ELM327 give a lot of bang for very few bucks.

Streetwiseguy UltraDork
1/21/13 7:34 p.m.

The Snapon you are looking at is a bit of an antique. Its probably adequate if you never see anything newer than 2k, but beyond that its generic OBD only.

Cheap enough, and complete, its probably worthwhile. Otherwise, laptop based stuff is probably better.

crazycanadian New Reader
1/21/13 8:04 p.m.

If you are going to shell out money for a snap on scanner at least get a solus... the MT2500 is extreamly outdated...

Spitsix Reader
1/21/13 8:10 p.m.

What about a WIFI Bluetooth OBD2 and a smart phone app?

Ranger50 UberDork
1/21/13 8:18 p.m.

The "brick" is a real brick when it's broke. SnapOn will NOT fix it.

belteshazzar UberDork
1/21/13 8:29 p.m.

i just ordered an stn1110

jhaas HalfDork
1/21/13 9:19 p.m.

Span ON Solus is $4k!

what should I get for around $200?

peter HalfDork
1/21/13 11:16 p.m.

jhaas wrote: Span ON Solus is $4k! what should I get for around $200?

Bumboclot wrote: Do you have a smartphone? If you do, Torque and an ELM327 give a lot of bang for very few bucks.

Save yourself about $180 and do this ^^^

Torque is an Android app, but I'm sure there's a similar one for iPhone, or Windows/OS X if you have a laptop instead of a smart phone. The free version of Torque is quite good, not sure why you'd even have to pony up for the paid version.

Heck, for what you're looking to spend, you could buy a cheap-ass used/refurb Android phone and use it exclusively as a OBD-II scanner.

Keith Tanner MegaDork
1/21/13 11:47 p.m.

I use an Innovate OT2. Scanner, check. But it'll also give me a real-time display on gauges, logging and even a goofy green meter. Works wirelessly with an iThingy, I use it with my iPod Touch. It'll talk to everything I've ever plugged it into, right up to a 2010 diesel.

mr2peak Reader
1/21/13 11:54 p.m.

That's cool, no idea a smartphone could be used for that!

neon4891 UltimaDork
1/22/13 12:57 a.m.

Any suggestions on an iPhone friendly reader and app? I found one reader on eBay, but it was listed as not for iPhone.

jhaas HalfDork
1/22/13 9:19 a.m.

I dont want to use my smart phone, I want a dedicated scanner reader.

which one?

Ranger50 UberDork
1/22/13 9:28 a.m.

you can get a OTC hand held with RT data stream capable for about 400...

Keith Tanner MegaDork
1/22/13 10:55 a.m.

neon4891 wrote: Any suggestions on an iPhone friendly reader and app? I found one reader on eBay, but it was listed as not for iPhone.

Innovate OT2 and the associated Innovate app.

jhass, the most best stuff on the market is leveraging the fact that you have some pretty solid computing power in your pocket these days. Or, failing that, on a laptop. But if you want a standalone, I'd recommend a ScanGauge II. $170, it'll give real-time information (super-handy for troubleshooting) as well as simply pull codes.

http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugeii/

jhaas HalfDork
1/22/13 7:36 p.m.

^^ that looks perfect. (highbidder on Ebay now! up in an hour...)

thanks