Help! Recommendations for Bluetooth OBD2 scanner?

[HDJdreams]

Though I have owned an 80 for close to 20 years, thankfully my 80 has been dependable so I haven’t done any diagnostics on it. The few CELs that came up over the years handled by shops like Iron Pig.

My troubleshooting skills, meager as the are, were rooted in the carburetor age.

Both of my FZJs now have the CELs on. It’s time to move into the 21st Century and learn how use OBD 2 tools.

I have heard just enough to be really confused about what’s available. Over the years I heard of things like Scangage providing some real time data like temperatures and so on. I have heard there are apps that can do some performance testing when paired with a Bluetooth OBD 2 reader. Newer TLCs can use something like TIS or Techstream to edit settings like doorlocks and chimes.

I bought a Bluetooth OBD 2 scanner at a parts store for $90 where the app was “free”. I downloaded it, opened the app and there’s no user guide. I go to the web and quickly discover it’s a lemon, I had never seen so many 1 star reviews on Amazon! It requires a subscription for each vehicle and a lot of the users complained that they wanted an unreasonable amount of information on vehicle and owner. Promptly got returned.

Shopping on the web, I see lots and lots of hyped marketing, I don’t know what to think. Ready to take the path of least resistance and get one of Harbor Freights new scanners. (I know that parts stores will pull codes, I want to be able to do it in my garage or on the road)

I have TLCs: 96, 97, 04 US spec, plus a couple relatives with 06 LX470s.

My wishlist priorities:
1 - Diagnostics, both FZJs need help, want to be ready for the UZJs. It has to work on several vehicles and not vin lock.
2 - See what data is available real time (it’s my understanding that FZJ computer can’t be tuned, but I have a turbo coming and would like to get a feel for before/after).
3 - performance testing (using OBD 2, phone gps and accelerometer) and ability to log data, engine load and parameters with gps data. (Get a feel of how the engine is loaded in order to figure out gearing, especially if 5/6 speed kit comes to fruition)
4 - adjust settings on ECU (locks, etc)

What products from the last few years have worked well for you?

What should I stay away from?

I was looking at TOAD, any experience good or bad?

TOAD PRO: OBD Scanner Software for ELM327 on OBDII OBD2 Cars

It’s diagnostics focused and Windows based, so it doesn’t do everything I want. But for $127, it will get me started. I can figure out performance apps later.

Is there anything Toyota specific under $200?

Thanks!

 

[REKCUT]

I use an app called torque. Free and purchase option. Very inexpensive. Does 1 and 2 well. never an issue. I am not positive on #3 for the loging of data but it has quite a bit of racer settings I've never tried. I use it for temp, voltage, intake temp. Most of the time your limited by the vehicle. There are quite a few settings that the 80 won't provide. I use and inexpensive b/t module i got off amazon with good reviews and an android phone. option wasn't available until recently for apple.

 

[Nors]

Though I have owned an 80 for close to 20 years, thankfully my 80 has been dependable so I haven’t done any diagnostics on it. The few CELs that came up over the years handled by shops like Iron Pig.

My troubleshooting skills, meager as the are, were rooted in the carburetor age.

Both of my FZJs now have the CELs on. It’s time to move into the 21st Century and learn how use OBD 2 tools.

I have heard just enough to be really confused about what’s available. Over the years I heard of things like Scangage providing some real time data like temperatures and so on. I have heard there are apps that can do some performance testing when paired with a Bluetooth OBD 2 reader. Newer TLCs can use something like TIS or Techstream to edit settings like doorlocks and chimes.

I bought a Bluetooth OBD 2 scanner at a parts store for $90 where the app was “free”. I downloaded it, opened the app and there’s no user guide. I go to the web and quickly discover it’s a lemon, I had never seen so many 1 star reviews on Amazon! It requires a subscription for each vehicle and a lot of the users complained that they wanted an unreasonable amount of information on vehicle and owner. Promptly got returned.

Shopping on the web, I see lots and lots of hyped marketing, I don’t know what to think. Ready to take the path of least resistance and get one of Harbor Freights new scanners. (I know that parts stores will pull codes, I want to be able to do it in my garage or on the road)

I have TLCs: 96, 97, 04 US spec, plus a couple relatives with 06 LX470s.

My wishlist priorities:
1 - Diagnostics, both FZJs need help, want to be ready for the UZJs. It has to work on several vehicles and not vin lock.
2 - See what data is available real time (it’s my understanding that FZJ computer can’t be tuned, but I have a turbo coming and would like to get a feel for before/after).
3 - performance testing (using OBD 2, phone gps and accelerometer) and ability to log data, engine load and parameters with gps data. (Get a feel of how the engine is loaded in order to figure out gearing, especially if 5/6 speed kit comes to fruition)
4 - adjust settings on ECU (locks, etc)

What products from the last few years have worked well for you?

What should I stay away from?

I was looking at TOAD, any experience good or bad?

TOAD PRO: OBD Scanner Software for ELM327 on OBDII OBD2 Cars

It’s diagnostics focused and Windows based, so it doesn’t do everything I want. But for $127, it will get me started. I can figure out performance apps later.

Is there anything Toyota specific under $200?

Thanks!

OBD Fusion works great.

 

[pedwards]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QJRYMFC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this scanner works great. I use it for every road trip. it can do items 1, 2, and 3 from your list. not sure about #4 though.

you can use torque (free) if you have an android phone, or OBD Fusion ($5) if you're on an iphone.

I use OBD fusion, and its pretty straight forward. the default settings are pretty useful if you're not super technically minded.

 

[gummycarbs]

Another vote for Torque.

I think I have a fleabay ELM327. I believe they're all rip-offs of some design, so if ethics are your thing you might look for the real deal.

Choosing OBDII adapter | Car Scanner

By the way, I think it varies by vehicle, but leaving it plugged in might kill your battery.

 

[pedwards]

Another vote for Torque.

I think I have a fleabay ELM327. I believe they're all rip-offs of some design, so if ethics are your thing you might look for the real deal.

Choosing OBDII adapter | Car Scanner

By the way, I think it varies by vehicle, but leaving it plugged in might kill your battery.

yeah, spending a few bucks on software isn't a big deal, but this hardware is about $4 in parts, assembled in a variety of form factors.
Get an OBD reader that fits the form factor of your desire, and use the cheapest SW you can. (free is a pretty good deal).

the most bluetooth scanners are pretty low power with the vehicle turned off (they're still receiving 12V, but have a small current draw) i've left my LE scanner in the truck for several days with no issues.

 

[Malleus]

I have used
https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B005NLQAHS and
Torque Pro: Torque OBD2 Wiki
for a year now and consider it very good for the cost and for what is does. It doesn't do everything, but if you want that, you have to get this:

V2017.01 Denso Intelligent Tester IT2 for Toyota and Suzuki without Oscilloscope (without oscilloscope), or this

Denso Intelligent IT2 V2017.1 for Toyota with Oscilloscope with one.

Here's the Toyota manual for it:

 

[aktundra]

I just had an ELM 327 delivered yesterday. I have an LS in a ‘93. I just wanted to better monitor basic ‘temps & such, than the Toyota gauges. So for starters I installed tourque lite on a dedicated android tablet

The ELM 327 kept dropping the Bluetooth “signal “. I had to keep unplugging & replugging it in to “reboot”. Apparently I may need to spend more than $6 for a sender !!

I notified Amazon I would be returning it, a few hours after it arrived. But I have a little time before it actually needs to be shipped, so will try and see if it will work better

 

[toy_tek]

I bought 2 ELM327s from Amazon a few years ago and gave one to my brother. Both quit working in a few months.

I got a veepeak ($17) after that and is still working as advertised 4 years later

Veepeak Mini WiFi OBD2 Scanner for iOS and Android,

Amazon product ASIN B00WPW6BAE
I’ve been using DashCommand app, it’s geared toward tuners but has some nice features including data logging and custom gauge layouts.