Has anyone purchased diagnostic software? I was going to buy an OBDII reader (around $100), but then I thought about the diagnostic software for a laptop. There seem to be several vendors who are selling diagnostic setups for $350-$500 for home use.
I would appreciate any experience/recommendations you may have in using laptop diagnostics versus the dedicated handheld types. If you know of any reviews, that would be great too.
I started off just wanting to be able to get error codes on my wife's 00 Saturn LW2, but I also have an 03 Savana, so it would be used generally on newer GM vehicles. I have looked at some the diagnostic software screens and they show 160-200 different values, so it would be used to analyze and monitor engine functions on OBDII GM vehicles.
I probably only need one of the handheld OBDII readers, but I like the idea of having it loaded on the laptop with all the additional output like gas mileage, shift points, etc.
Again, the laptop versions probably are overkill, but I am a curious sort.
thank you,
old dirtbeard