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Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:45 am
by 2InAParkes
Hi everyone,

I'm very new to the Ranger community as we have only had our PX2 for just on a year now.
Currently touring Australia and upgraded from our 2006 D22 Navara to the 2016 XLT PX2 - man what a difference in... well pretty much everything.
Anyway I could ramble on but I am looking for an OBD2 scanner that will connect to my Samsung mobile (bluetooth)
A fellow traveller was telling me about the OBDLink MX+ but i am need of some advice.

What is available out there that will Bluetooth to my phone and give me as much info as possible.
There seems to be so many to choose from, I just want to purchase a reliable unit.
We are towing a small offroad van so I really want to keep an eye on my temps etc. The Navara was monitored through SAAS gauges etc.

Also need to read up on Forscan - what that is/how to use it and which OBD2 devices work with it.
Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long winded question.

May 2016 3.2ltr XLT PX2. 6 Speed Manual

Cheers.
Tony

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:55 am
by RossPat
Hi Tony
The best one to get is the OBDlink MX plus
Download the OBDlink app from the Playstore
Purchase from Amazon Aust or direct from Obdlink US
Some PID code has to be created but it's not hard
Go to the PID Calculator here viewtopic.php?t=6907
and select the PID then the Device
There is a tutorial here viewtopic.php?t=1459 that will guide you through the process to create and use a Custom PID
There is a second OBDport you can plug the OBDlink into permanently, see pic.
The green light is an OBDLink plugged in to the port
port.jpg
port.jpg (311 KiB) Viewed 177 times
port.jpg
port.jpg (311 KiB) Viewed 177 times

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:29 am
by RossPat
Gauge size, colour, type & layout selections are endless

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:26 pm
by 2InAParkes
Thanks RossPat for the below info, I will look at buying that unit in the next few days.
It looks like I have a bit of reading to do also on how to set it up and what all of the abbreviations are as well "PID" etc .

I'm pretty excited the has this set up as I like to keep an eye on things while we travel. As I mentioned I upgraded from a D22 ZD30 to the Ranger and my knowledge on these engines is starting from scratch again. Feels like I'm back at school doing homework....

I appreciate your guidance and will definitely be spending some time on this forum.

Cheers

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:13 pm
by NathanSA
You can also use the Forscan app for mobile. Cheap purchase.
No need for custom PIDs and nice for data logging or seeing changes as you drive with the oscilloscope function.
It has numeric, gauge or oscilloscope display function and enables service function and resets from your phone if needed.
I use that and the MX+. I found it suited me better than the OBDLink app.

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2023 12:55 pm
by 2InAParkes
Hi Nathan,

there are a couple of Forscan apps that are coming up on my search - which one in particular do you use?

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:53 pm
by NathanSA
There is only one paid for version for mobile - thinks it's called Lite
The other is a test version to check your setup is functional.
So you should only see two.

Re: Which OBD2 Scanner To Buy?

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 7:11 am
by Bala1
For Forscan lite app go to the forscan website/downloads