OBD2 Reader
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,127
Likes: 5,722
From: Illinois
I am looking into the obd2mx plus. Also looking at all available apps that work with it. Don't yet know it's full capabilities. What I am hoping for is it has the same capability as durametric but also additional capability to track data using torque pro software. Maybe someone knows.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,713
Likes: 6,992
From: Alabama USA
I would suggest the OBDlink MX+ dongle and the Torque Pro App..
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 635
Likes: 245
From: Toronto ON Canada
Foxwell NT530 - be mindful it can be handful to setup, as you will need to use a PC to install the software and place it onto the scanner. But there are alot of good features within it and allows you to purchase other car specific software as well.
https://www.foxwelldiag.com/products...kaAkSREALw_wcB
https://www.foxwelldiag.com/products...kaAkSREALw_wcB
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,127
Likes: 5,722
From: Illinois
I would suggest the OBDlink MX+ dongle and the Torque Pro App..
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
Yep, I am getting Coops gauge. Been thinking about additional analytics on the phone with an app and obd2 bluetooth to record data instead of buying an AIM system. Torque Pro claims they can also track oil temps in addition to all the other stuff which would be helpful for future analysis assuming it van be saved on the app. I would prefer coop"s oil temp gauge attached in front of me for easy "real time" viewing. But as I mentioned, I really have no idea yet what torque pro can and cannot do.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 3,028
From: Miami
I would suggest the OBDlink MX+ dongle and the Torque Pro App..
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
You can plug it in and leave it and it will turn off and on automatically and not drain the battery..
You can mount your phone on Yaz's exquisite dash mount and set it up as a "Carbon Fiber Dash Gauge" and display your fuel trims, Maf Sensor, O2 Sensors, TP Sensor, Timing ,Coolant temp, RPM , Literally tons of stuff you can just flip through ,.track maps, Data logging ect...
Plus of course you can read out fault codes and erase them, and look up the code in the Library..
But it will NOT display "Oil Temp" See Coopdoc for a cool discrete " Oil Temp Guage" in development and near completion....
AND it is NOT a substitute for Durametric, Durametric is a next level serious Porsche dedicated diagnostic tool....with Porsche specific special functions, The next highest level is the Factory PIWIS Diagnostic Tool.
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,510
From: Ormond Beach, FL
Foxwell NT530 - be mindful it can be handful to setup, as you will need to use a PC to install the software and place it onto the scanner. But there are alot of good features within it and allows you to purchase other car specific software as well.
https://www.foxwelldiag.com/products...kaAkSREALw_wcB
https://www.foxwelldiag.com/products...kaAkSREALw_wcB
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,713
Likes: 6,992
From: Alabama USA
Thanks For the info Skip.
Yep, I am getting Coops gauge. Been thinking about additional analytics on the phone with an app and obd2 bluetooth to record data instead of buying an AIM system. Torque Pro claims they can also track oil temps in addition to all the other stuff which would be helpful for future analysis assuming it van be saved on the app. I would prefer coop"s oil temp gauge attached in front of me for easy "real time" viewing. But as I mentioned, I really have no idea yet what torque pro can and cannot do.
Yep, I am getting Coops gauge. Been thinking about additional analytics on the phone with an app and obd2 bluetooth to record data instead of buying an AIM system. Torque Pro claims they can also track oil temps in addition to all the other stuff which would be helpful for future analysis assuming it van be saved on the app. I would prefer coop"s oil temp gauge attached in front of me for easy "real time" viewing. But as I mentioned, I really have no idea yet what torque pro can and cannot do.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,127
Likes: 5,722
From: Illinois
The other option is to get a Microsoft phone or tablet/laptop and run Durametric on it which I am considering as well. Just trying to do everything I can not to spend money on an aim system, but yet be able to store data for analysis.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 3,028
From: Miami
\Torque Pro can display oil temp on the "997" because oil temp info is sent out on OBDII protocol on 997, but on 996 it is not so will not be displayed by any OBDII Tool on 996..( only can be displayed by Porsche protocol on PIWIS, Durametric, Foxwell, Autel, Snap-on Maxis ect..
Yea, the OBDlink MX+ and Torque Pro has many more usefull daily functions for Enthusiasts, The Autel, Foxwell Snap-on ect are for repair shops who don't want to spend for Durametric ( since Durametric is only Porsche specific)..and they repair a lot of different models besides Porsche
Yea, the OBDlink MX+ and Torque Pro has many more usefull daily functions for Enthusiasts, The Autel, Foxwell Snap-on ect are for repair shops who don't want to spend for Durametric ( since Durametric is only Porsche specific)..and they repair a lot of different models besides Porsche
Race Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 2,561
From: Central MA
VCDS for the VW/Audi is SO MUCH BETTER than Durametric that I would recommend it over any other tool for those cars. I have used my VCDS on every VW from 90's OBD1 clunkers to my buddy's diesel T-reg and now his S6 - it does everything and is well documented.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,713
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From: Alabama USA
Protocols are like phone numbers..
Each manufacturer has there own private protocol/phone number that they send out tons of info on when called on.
Each different "scanner" uses some of the info to display or to integrate with for functions, some will use more than others...on Porsche PIWIS uses ALL of it, others to a lesser degree..
OBDII Protocol is like a "non-private " phone number that ALL manufactures MUST send out the " government required info on" ...Any OBDII scanner can call this number and get the info that is sent out on it..The info sent out on the "non-private" OBDII protocol/phone number is usually much less than what is sent out on the "private" OEM Specific Protocols..but is still a ton of info and is " normally" all that is needed..
Each manufacturer has there own private protocol/phone number that they send out tons of info on when called on.
Each different "scanner" uses some of the info to display or to integrate with for functions, some will use more than others...on Porsche PIWIS uses ALL of it, others to a lesser degree..
OBDII Protocol is like a "non-private " phone number that ALL manufactures MUST send out the " government required info on" ...Any OBDII scanner can call this number and get the info that is sent out on it..The info sent out on the "non-private" OBDII protocol/phone number is usually much less than what is sent out on the "private" OEM Specific Protocols..but is still a ton of info and is " normally" all that is needed..
Last edited by Porschetech3; Aug 23, 2022 at 01:46 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 3,028
From: Miami
I do have a VCDS but man I really suck at using it, find the interface to be a royal pain in the ***... click on one extra box and you end up in Narnia.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
This is real good. I have a very inexpensive OBDII reader that I got at the auto parts store. Works great for clearing my stupid SAI codes that pop up and turn on the CEL. I leave it in the door cubby. Next up I have Durametric for full blown diagnostics. Then I bought the Foxwell NT530 with Porsche and BMW/Mini software which has worked great on my 996 and my wife's Mini. It has got me out of some trouble spots on the Mini, so I love it for that.
I've had VCDS since I resurrected an old Golf, and used it for two Audis, so I was considering Durametric becuase I don't mind using the laptop. Then I got distracted by the iCarsoft POR II. DON"T. The newer ones may be better, but it could not connect to the airbag and ABS modules for the 996. According to iCarsoft when they responded: "it doesn't work as well with older Porsches, contact the vendor for an upgraded version". I've watched videos of the bi-directional Foxwell NT530 being able to communicate with all systems and do some actuations on the 996.
I was also looking at the Autel MK808, but really, if the Foxwell does all that, do I care if I have a touchscreen for three times the price? (hint: I don't).