tools

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My only thought is...... don't let Kogan get hold of your email address!!!!!!!!
I got two promotional emails per day after purchase.
Now he is on my 'auto delete' list.

Depends on what you want to do with it.

I have a Scangauge 2 that sits on top of my dash Velcro-ed to the dash matt. With this I read the following -
1. Speed - this is spot on and reads the same as my GPS
2. Battery Voltage
3. Coolant temperature
4. Transmission temperature - essential if towing a caravan


The only thing I can see what you can use the handheld is to read and reset any faults from the ECU which can be done from the Scangauge 2.

Might cost a bit more but I would not be without my Scangauge 2.

Barry P
The Scangauge or Ultra gauge is a monitoring device which runs all the time for you. Good things they are.
If you only want a device to detect and read and erase codes a lesser machine might do you. Never seen the Kogan one, but as Allan mentioned be careful with Kogan.
An autonomous device can be more easily used to read from any vehicle as you usually wire in/install the ones above and are then a pain to remove.
I have a Scangauge, it is just what I happened to buy and also use a separate Foxwell reader to use in any other vehicle. Handy if you meet someone in trouble and then can assist at least to get them out of limp mode, perhaps more.

Barry - The Kogan OBD diagnostic tool is cheap and limited in what you can do with it.
For $59 you don't get too much by way of diagnostic tool capabilities.
A 2" screen is giving you limited viewing capabilities.

These tools are properly known as CAN bus data loggers, they retrieve information logged by the vehicles CAN bus system.
They only give you the ability to find out what various fault codes mean - they often give you the ability to reset the ECU to remove the fault warning - but they rarely give you full ECU information, the ability to trace faults, or the ability to alter settings and parameters.

The other potential problems with these cheap Chinese OBD tools, are whether the tool is "buggy" (faulty programming with errors), or whether it covers your precise model of vehicle, exactly and thoroughly.

Often the model coverage is "generic", meaning that the model coverage is incomplete, when it comes to specific models or features, that are specific to a country.
It's important to ensure that the OBD device you purchase is compatible with ADR/ANZ OBD protocols.

Then you can also have the problem of deciphering instructions that are written in English - by someone who has another language besides English as their primary language - resulting in instructions that are difficult to understand, and sometimes incomplete.

To get a good quality OBD tool requires the expenditure of around $300 at least, and up to $1000 if you want a professional product with good capabilities, exact model coverage, and comprehensive, readable instructions for use.

These units often, but not always, connect to your laptop to enable you to get "the full picture", to enable logging and re-coding, and to edit ECU programming and parameters.

Some of the mid-range OBD tools can connect to your smartphone to provide more information.
In essence, the bigger the screen you have to work with, the more information can be provided and displayed by the OBD tool.

A lot depends on how much repair work you want to carry out on your vehicle. Airbags and airbag faults are an area requiring specialist expertise.

The important thing is to get the technical information that outlines how your vehicles electrical and computerisation systems are built, and how they interact, and what can create faults.

The CAN bus system is installed in every vehicle manufactured today, and this system allows the multiple ECU's fitted to vehicles to gather information from sensors, and to "talk" to each other, to control the various vehicle systems.
There are multiple CAN bus systems in todays vehicles.

One of the problems with todays vehicles is that many of the ECU's have a hand in controlling safety-related items, and you need to understand what you are doing when dealing with ECU programming and settings, so that safety systems are not compromised.

Here's a good website that explains CAN bus systems and OBD's in laymans terms.

CAN bus systems explained in simple terms

Cheers, Ron.

The link below, is to a website giving details about OBD code readers. The article is based on OBD code readers sold on Amazon, and it's probably backed by Amazon, and probably written by someone in China.
It's definitely written for American vehicles and American users.

Despite all that (and despite the tripe in the first couple of paragraphs), the writer has actually done a reasonable and comprehensive job, of explaining the operation of OBD code readers, and the pros and cons of the various units available on Amazon.

If you go through the "cons" lists of the various models, you find out the potential problems with the various models.

Typically, with the cheap OBD code readers there are problems with their limitations, such as an inability to activate relays, switches and programme keys or fobs.
There are also connectivity problems (connections dropping out regularly), problems with screen displays (white dots appear instead of text), problems with compatibility ("doesn't work with Android" or "doesn't work with iPhone"), and also a lack of update ability.

Then there are also problems where electronic control modules cannot be discovered by "generic" readers, because the manufacturer has programmed the module only to be discovered by OEM readers.
Ford and BMW typically have this problem, you need code readers that are specifically built/programmed to meet the Ford or BMW OBD design.

There can also be problems with cheap readers needing to download a 3rd party app, a need to pay for updates, or they can only be updated via Windows or Apple programmes.

In essence, it pays to get all the technical specifications of the model of code reader you're contemplating buying, and then look for user reviews for the model, to try and determine if the limitations of the cheap code reader you're contemplating buying, doesn't bother you too much - or if you're better off paying a little more money, and buying a code reader that has better capabilities, has regular software updates, and is compatible with the systems (Windows/Apple or Android/iPhone) that you're using, and with which you're familiar.

OBD station - Amazon code reader reviews

It also pays to learn the multitude of abbreviations associated with the OBD systems.
These abbreviations alone sound like military or aviation abbreviations, and can be quite intimidating until you learn them, and learn what they stand for.

The site linked below has a very comprehensive list of OBD abbreviations.

OBDII acronyms

The above site also has a neat advisory for "shopping tips" if you're contemplating buying an OBD code reader.

OBD Scantool selection advice

Cheers, Ron.

In the link belows is a review of a basic Chinese code reader, the Foxwell NT301.
This unit is currently available off eBay for around $89 - and you may be able to acquire it even cheaper.

This Foxwell unit is a little more "upmarket" from the Kogan code reader, it has a 2.8" screen (instead of the 2" screen on the Kogan model), is physically larger overall, and offers better functionality over the Kogan code reader, with more keys, and regular free updates.

Note that, even though the Foxwell NT301 looks quite professional, it is still only a very basic DIY code reader - and it cannot read or clear codes involving airbags, SRS, ABS, or Traction control.

You need to go to a more costly, professional-grade code reader to be able to read and clear those more technical vehicle features.

Foxwell NT301



Cheers, Ron.