OBD-II to USB Adapter and Software

[bpassmore]

I bought one of these on eBay for $5 bucks (plus $26 for shipping from Hong Kong) and just received it today.

eBay Motors: OBD II ELM327 USB Tool Interface Scanner CAN-BUS V 1.2a (item 260324162553 end time Dec-02-08 14:02:24 PST)

I was skeptical at first, but after it came in working order, I am a believer.

The software that ships with the unit is a little stripped down, but it can read and clear codes, offer data in real time (see my screen shots below (from my LX)) and be upgraded to offer freeze frame snapshots and various tests.

Also, the system is based on the ELM soft chipset for OBD-II to serial conversion. This means that any ELM compatible software can be used with this unit. I suggest you guys check it out if you need a cheap way to check codes, reset the MIL, and to learn more about your rig. (OBD-II only)

Some other free software that will work with the adaptor:
OBD2 Software

ScanTool.net, LLC

EasyObdII - ScanTool.net OBD-II Elmscan Interface Software - EasyObdII Version 2.1.1 (Powered by CubeCart)

Plus, with a little googling, you can find all sorts of other software to use.

 

[NLXTACY]

Waiting for the iphone version to be completed. It will come with an OBDII to iPhone cable.

 

[NLXTACY]

Windows brings the suck

 

[bpassmore]

ah... yes, im sure you are not swayed by css for IE are ya?

 

[NLXTACY]

You cant use CSS and IE in the same sentence with saying...

"IE brings the suck at ANYTHING standards based especially CSS"

 

[NLXTACY]

iPhone hooooooo!!!!

Rev

 

[Ebag333]

Oh come on, Windows Mobile is far superior to that iPhone crap.

OBDKey. OBD Software. included for Windows Pocket PC (PDA, Mobile)

(They even have a Bluetooth one....oooooh!)

Another cool one:
http://www.autoenginuity.com/products.html

They even have a video for it!
http://www.autoenginuity.com/dloads/pocketpc_scantool_demo.zip

 

[TrickyT]

Waiting for the iphone version to be completed. It will come with an OBDII to iPhone cable.

It will be interesting to see how it performs. The ARM processor in the iPhone is not particularly fast, but then neither is all the bit-banging that goes on inside the ELM327. The data sample rate in the screen dumps above shows between 2 and 16Hz. 16Hz is sorta okay, but 2 is terrible.

 

[LockedLX]

I was going to start a thread with my recommendation for that unit after I bought it but never did. Mine was about $48 shipped, was sent first class mail and has worked on every OBD-II vehicle I've tried so far. Definitely worth it.

Just a note, though: The newer version of that Scantool.net software will refuse to connect to your scan tool. It gave me some lame error like, "We don't support the generic ELM scan tools. Buy our product instead." So I switched back to an older version (available on their website) and all's well.

 

[p8nt]

Nice find NLXTACY! Ill be watching for the software. The wifi connection is choice.