OBDII scan tool - Honda Prelude Forum

chomorro · 09-16-2001, 03:17 PM

I read on hondaprelude.com in the zex kit install. That this person has purchased a scan tool for his lap top to monitor engine vitals. Does anyone know anything about this product?

GoBabyGo · 09-18-2001, 09:26 AM

I personally don't know about one for the laptop, but I know that my MATCO guy has a regular style scan tool for around $190. I've actually been thinking of picking it up.

DirtyLude · 09-18-2001, 09:43 AM

There's one for a Palm computer. Someone posted the link a while ago, but I can't find it now.

DirtyLude · 09-18-2001, 09:51 AM

http://www.auterraweb.com/

chomorro · 09-18-2001, 11:54 AM

Thanks for the help that is a great website. Why don't you guys get one? It seems like it would help a lot with tuning.
Can you find out where your friend got his for 190, thats an execellent price. I was also looking into www.OBD2.com but there software is much more expensive but I think it reads more components.

DirtyLude · 09-18-2001, 01:36 PM

The only thing I can see it being usefull for is the DTC codes which give you a little better indication of problems that arise.

Other than that, it's really a limited data logger and on an OBD II system there's so little you can change that will effect these things that it doesn't really help any.

Everything important it shows can be reproduced using simple gauges and if you're FI you'll want the gauges anyway as quick glance warning signals.

That's my take on it. If you're going to spend a crap load of money on an OBD II scan tool for your own car, you might as well go and get the Hondata 2b with Datalogging. At least there is some possibility of changing the maps if you see something you would like to improve. Of course it will cost you more.

iranman · 09-19-2001, 05:22 AM

There's also another Palm-based OBDII scanner at http://pocketlogger.com

Both units seem to run around the 200 range for the connector and software and $20 for a HotSync cable.

I wouldn't use these systems for tuning as I would for their ability to view the various sensor outputs, giving me a better picture of my engine's vitals than my current combo of Boost & A/F Gauges.

Of course, it won't come nearly as close to the tuning capabilities of the HonData system, but for the price and convenience of what it does (and how it's packaged), it's not something I'd completely rule out. Hell, what other way could you accurately measure Intake Air Temps, Coolant Temps, Ignition Timing, etc for this cheap? It would seem to really gauge whether a system would be in need of a standalone, IMO.

If it weren't for the fact that I've become too stubborn about spending even more money on my car, I'd buy one of these for the hell of it. Any guinea pigs out there?

clendaniel · 09-19-2001, 10:25 AM

I've had mine for a while...called OBDScan and available at http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html...it works pretty well for what it is. I payed the little extra for the Palm software and find I use it more than the laptop. I got it as a general troubleshooting tool, not as much as a tuning aid. It's most handy to read and clear troublecodes from the ECU but I have used it to monitor/log data on intake temps, O2 sensor outputs, etc. For $150 it's pretty handy if you aren't going to progress to a level of needing a full-blown standalone system.

--Ian