Hi,

I bought a cheap bluetooth scanner when I bought my GS300 2007 a year ago. Now when the engine check is on, I tried to connect it, but a mobile-app (tried both iphone (Car Scanner ELM OBD2, and OBD Auto Doctor) and android (Torque Lite app)) does not connect over the bluetooth. I guess, it must be outdated bluetooth driver in the reader unit, otherwise what it could be...

So, I'm going to buy a scanner. There are options, but really it's a choice between a bluetooth-mobile-app and standalone scanner. I have questions:

I noticed that standalone scanners vary in price and ability to read codes /diagnostics - the more expensive, the more diagnostics it can do.
What about the bluetooth-mobile-app scanner - does the spectrum of functionality depends on mobile-app only? Or, is there something intrinsic to the scanner itself?
If ability to read codes and do diagnostics relies only on the mobile-app, then all I need is some reliable bluetooth connector and a good app. Do I get that right?

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

I tried several Bluetooth ones, they all suck. Most have a monthly subscription fee to use them, and they take forever to read codes. I have a simple Bosch scanner with code clear ability, was $40. Been using it for years. Unless you are doing major diagnostics, like trying to on/off injectors for troubleshooting or reading specific Temps--then I wouldn't waste money on one with lots of features.

You can Google any codes pulled. I think the internet is way more useful than those high end readers for figuring out the codes.

Good lu👍