What Code Reader?

I need one. I need to read engine trouble codes on a variety of vehicles. I've seen readers from $50 to $500, but am not familiar with what the differences are. I even found a company that offers a blue tooth plug in and an app for my ipad that turn it into a code reader. My immediate need is a 99 Miata, but I also need it for my 08 Chevy truck and 01 BMW. I don't really need it for my Honda CR-V, because it never breaks. What do you guys in the know recommend? I want to get what I need, nut not more than a need. What are the big differences in the various choices out there? Thanks.

The very high-end models have some proprietary information coded into them that will let you test features on the car and get code descriptions on the device...the basic ones, like the typical bluetooth dongle & tablet/phone combination, just chuck out error codes and show OBD2-accessible running information like RPM, speed, coolant temp etc.

Depends what you want to do.

I bought the most expensive harbor freight one with canbus ability and am ecstatic with the quality

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/obd-code-readers/126512/page1/

patgizz wrote: I bought the most expensive harbor freight one with canbus ability and am ecstatic with the quality

This is what I did. It does more than I need it to.

I bought the ABS Harbor freight one recently as it was on sale the only option it doesn't have that i would have liked was "Force IM readyness" wich means you don't have to drive around for 200 miles on an expired inspection sticker you tell it go look and test.

patgizz wrote: I bought the most expensive harbor freight one with canbus ability and am ecstatic with the quality

Can you tell me the brand and model?

In reply to bravenrace:

Mine says Centech I think.

http://www.harborfreight.com/obd-ii-can-professional-scan-tool-60694.html

i want to go check out the summit racing clearance racks sometime this week, i could bring mine along and you could check it out to see if it's what you need.

GameboyRMH wrote: The very high-end models have some proprietary information coded into them that will let you test features on the car and get code descriptions on the device...the basic ones, like the typical bluetooth dongle & tablet/phone combination, just chuck out error codes and show OBD2-accessible running information like RPM, speed, coolant temp etc. Depends what you want to do.

The bluetooth dongle is just a communications gateway. The phone (or reader) sends a request, the ECU responds. It's all about the software.

We discovered yesterday that you can use the CAN bus to turn on the windshield wipers on a 2016 Miata. We were actually replaying a drive log from a different car through the CAN system.