Jeepwalker
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2017
- Posts
- 3,231
- Reaction score
- 3,449
- Location
- WI
- Ram Year
- 2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
Good question. The 'right' scanner for a guy really depends on what his use-needs are today (and into the foreseeable future), technical sophistocation, and his budget.
If you had all Chrysler vehicles, or were only planning to work on your Ram, and were comfortable with the technology, then the the AlfaOBD software for ~$55 (plus a cable adapter) would be a good solution. That's cheap and you get a lot for that $$. That gives you bi-directional communication so you can read real-time data and make changes to the vehicle. It's a great value. But it only works on most Chrysler vehcles.
On the other end of the spectrum, if a guy owned several vehicles of different makes and years, and planned on maybe helping out family members, scanning neighbor's vehicles, and wanted a more dedicated hand-held unit (and had a larger budget), then a more expensive dedicated hand-held unit would better fit your needs, like a higher end scanner by, say Launch or Autel. You might be looking at $600+ for a scanner. But just one or two successful 'fixes' could pay for that scanner. Launch and Autel each have several models from low to high end so you would have to pick one that had the features that met your needs. In general, the higher level (more you spend) the more you'll get. You won't ever regret owning a better, more capable (and easier to use) tool.
Somewhere in the middle to lower end are other types of scan tools or, code readers (some can read 'some' real-time data). Like a Launch 123 scanner/code reader. Then there is dedicated scan *software* which a guy can install on his/her own tablet or phone, like AlfaOBD software. These can work across other vehicles OBDII. read data and codes/reset codes, but won't do as much as higher end scanners and they require more time/energy to get working on a pad or phone and sourcing the right cable. But depending on your level of DIY, budget, needs, technical sophisocation, etc they might be a good fit for you. And it's a less expensive way to go. The Torque app is a popular one for phones/tablets. There are some all Chevy softwares if you had older chevy's you wanted to work on like ChervoSys, or Tech2Win. I don't know a lot of the software only apps but this is the burgeoning new field right now. Search Youtube and google ..there are a lot of reviews and capabilities are steadily improving.
I myself like the handheld scanners. They are easier to use, and there's no set-up to worry about. I use an older Solus Ultra Snap-on Scanner. The Snap-on stuff is great for shops, but expensive (Prohibitively expensive) to upgrade for the home DIY guy, even a Pro-sumer level DIY guy. But the dramatic improvements of the newer Launch and Autel scanners do most of what the Snap on's do. And the upgrade path is a lot less expensive. One nice thing about Snap On scanners is they can read back to 1981 for guys who have pre-obd vehicles.
I would encourage you to watch a bunch of youtube videos on scanner reviews and software. The Launch CRP 123 is a popular entry-level scanner that is real popular right now. And from there you can review higher models for more capabilities. I would probably buy the Launch X431 if I were buying one today ..but that's me. More money but lot of capabilities. (or maybe the Autel equivalent). Probably some other sub-forums on this site have more OBD scan tool info as well.
Good luck
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