Showing posts with label code readers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label code readers. Show all posts

7/09/2012

Gunson Gastester portable, 12V powered exhaust gas analyzer Review

Gunson Gastester portable, 12V powered exhaust gas analyzer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I borrowed one of these from a friend many times, and then finally bought one last year. When following the user manual's instructions for proper use, this unit works GREAT! If you do NOT follow these instructions, you can get inconsistent or wrong readings.
I highly recommend the Gunson Gastester to those who can read, understand, and follow the user manual.


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6/26/2012

Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner Review

Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The CP9185 works exactly as expected with one exception. It does accurately provide the diagnostic codes for trouble-shooting and will clear (turn-off) the "Repair Soon" light if you wish. It seems to have an extensive built-in database that allows it to recognize most vehicles - both domestic and imported. The operation of the unit is straight-forward and simple. However, the internal database on the unit I received contains data only through model year 2002. Vehicles manufactured after that date would have required an update to the built-in database. Updating over the internet is one of the features that attracted me to this unit. The problem occurred when I tried to install the PC drivers that would allow the unit to communicate with my computer - something that is necessary to perform an on-line update. The drivers provided with the unit simply would not work - i.e., the PC would not recognize the drivers on the supplied CD as valid drivers for my CP9185. I am very familiar with computers and installing drivers for a unit like this is straight forward. I contacted technical support (in fact I spoke with them about 4 times) to try to work through the problem. Technical support personnel were friendly and responsive - I have only the highest praise for them - but they were unable to solve the problem. They finally told me that it appeared the CP9185 itself was defective in that it was probably identifying itself incorrectly to the PC - even though the unit appeared to work fine in every other respect. I have shipped the unit back for repair (my expense) and am told it will take 4-6 weeks for repairs to be completed. If it had not been for this problem, I would have rated the CP9185 as a full 5 stars. If and when the unit is returned to me in working order, I will update this review.
UPDATE - The unit did come back from the repair shop after about 2 months with a note stating that the unit had checked out as working correctly and there was nothing for them to fix. The repair shop note did not elaborate and there is no indication that they had ever tried to connect it to a PC despite that fact that I had included a very specific description of my problem. As far as I know, they simply checked the unit for stand-alone functioning. Of course, there is never any way to talk directly to the technician that did the work. Needless to say this is not the result I had hoped for. I have effectively given up and decided that I will have to live with a tester that cannot be updated. Clearly, this quite severely limits its usefulness in future years.

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Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner is designed to read, record, and review LIVE engine data. It reads as well as erases generic and manufacturer specific DTCs and definitions. This scanner is compatible with all vehicles and is upgradeable to domestic OBD I vehicle coverage. It displays graphing data on screen and is updateable online.

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3/27/2012

Equus 3145 Ford Digital Code Reader Review

Equus 3145 Ford Digital Code Reader
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I had multiple mysterious conditions accompanying my "Check Engine" light. The dealer wanted $100 just to read my codes! I thought I could find a reader at least for the same price and found most readers that would read OBD1 codes were over $150.00 until I found this Ford specific OBD1 reader at a fraction of the cost the dealer was going to charge me. My 1st thought was that this could'nt be a quality device for $25.00. I read up on the product, trusted the reviewers here on Amazon and gave it a go. I found 5 codes and was able to do several other self diagnosing tests and am 100% satisfied with this product. Highly recommended! It is rare to get more than you pay for... but this is indeed one of those times. Thanks Amazon for listing great product. Dennis - Oceanside, CA

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11/25/2011

Bully Dog 40402 Watch Dog Black Economy Monitor Review

Bully Dog 40402 Watch Dog Black Economy Monitor
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My main purpose in purchasing this product was to monitor my fuel economy. This Watch Dog disappoints me with its ability to give fuel economy data. First off, this unit is small. I knew about the size because I contacted the company before I purchased it. They were kind enough to give me the specs. I could not find it listed in the sales literature. The data displayed on the left side is big and easy to read. The problem is that you cannot get average fuel economy to display in one of those boxes. You can get instant economy to display, but that is worthless. The only way you can get average economy is to turn on the "driving coach" This is a program that monitors acceleration and braking and is meant to help you achieve maximum economy. On the bottom of the main screen under the "driving coach" you can see your average economy in 2 digits with no decimal point. The font is about a size 5. I have perfect 20/20 eyesight and can barely see it.
When you install this unit, it says to just plug it in to the OBD 2 port. If you turn off the key, it stays running. The literature says it will not suck much juice and will not be a problem unless you leave it sit for a long time. If you leave your car sit for weeks between uses, they give you a separate wire you can attach and connect to the ignition so that it only runs when the car is running. What they do not tell you is that your fuel economy drops to almost nothing if you do not shut it off between uses. I had to figure this out on my own. I attached the wire and it is working fine.
I am still calibrating this unit. The economy reading differs from my calculations. After a few more tanks of gas I hope to have it dialed in. It is not a plug and play item.
Most of the data that they say you can access, you can't. Like trans temp, oil pressure, exhaust temp etc are not available on my car. The only items that I can access that are worth monitoring are battery voltage and coolant temp.
In my opinion this is way over priced and not worth the money.
I contacted the company to see if they could reprogram the unit to display the average fuel economy in the larger area of the screen so I could actually read it. They never responded. Typical of a fly by night company to give you support before the sale and none after. Now I am stuck with this gauge and not happy with it. Do not waste your money on this monitor.


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10/21/2011

Innovate Motorsports 3807 LM-2 Digital Dual Air/Fuel Ratio Wideband Meter (2 O2 Sensors) and OBD-II Scan Tool Review

Innovate Motorsports 3807 LM-2 Digital Dual Air/Fuel Ratio Wideband Meter (2 O2 Sensors) and OBD-II Scan Tool
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Does not take much time to learn and there is a lot of online support for this product. This is very powerful on OBDII cars since you can monitor 16 channels of data along with the a/f. The dual O2 setup also allows you to properly tune carbureted cars.

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9/13/2011

ElmScan 5 Compact USB OBD-II Scan Tool & OBDWiz Engine Diagnostic Software (423001) Review

ElmScan 5 Compact USB OBD-II Scan Tool and OBDWiz Engine Diagnostic Software (423001)
Average Reviews:

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This is an alright product:
Pros:
+Read & Reset Check Engine Light codes
+Can read many OBD parameters (just not with the included program)
Cons:
-Slow. The refresh rate is at best 1-3 updates per second when reading OBD2 values. This is way to slow to be of much use.
-Fuel mileage calculations with included software is woefully optimistic
-Included software can only read a few parameters. There are some free software alternatives, but most of the good stuff is quite expensiveOverall:
Decent for CEL reading/resetting. Although, a cheap handheld device does the same thing and is more portable.
Poor for monitoring values over OBD2. The refresh rate is too low to be of much diagnostic use.

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7/16/2011

Equus 3649 Fuel Injection Pressure Tester Adapter Kit Review

Equus 3649 Fuel Injection Pressure Tester Adapter Kit
Average Reviews:

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Note: These are 4 of the same adapter for the smaller (Ford/Lincoln/Mercury) fuel pressure test port threads. I bought a 4 pack because I always seem to loose this adapter and can never find it when I need it. Ahhhhhh....! You can't just go to the local autoparts store and pick one up. You usually have to buy another fuel pressure test kit to get one.

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