OBDII Laptop software

Equus OBD II 3100, and Auto X-Ray EZ-Scan 6000( I get to borrow this sometimes..) For straight code retrival the Equus 3100 is very simple and easy to use. The Auto X-Ray is more involved and can do a lot more stuff.. Very pricey unless you are using it to earn a living.

I have it...the interface is a little primitive but it functions well and has several functions (such as enhanced parameters and KOEO and some ER tests) that many of the other low cost packages don't. The only issue I'd be concerned with is future upgrades...software hasn't been upgraded in four months and the author seems to have vanished (there's always a "closed for vacation" on his website).

I am using the AutoTap by B&B. I haven't found any problems with it.

I got a reply to a question last month. There were also updates since the last time I checked (which was January) There is no need to issue updates that don't add any functionality.

I think that this system is one of the most cost effective around.

Isolation is not needed as it is the nature of the beast.

Occasionally frames will be received with a bad CRC. This does NOT indicate any type of hardware/connection failure. =20 The interface between RS-232 and SAE J1850 VPW is subject to strict timing constraints. Because the interface is primarily software, sometimes those timing constraints cannot be met. The failure of the software to sometimes meet the timing constraints will be observed as bad CRCs.

There are several applications that run in directly in DOS (as does GM's own development environment) and therefore reduce or eliminate CRC errors and improve timing accuracy. Most of these are free as they have been developed by software developers with a hobby in communications or as educational projects and exercises.