Cheapest OBD-II interface/adapter?

**owenjh** · 12-27-2003, 03:36 AM

Serial is a lot easyer to program, i looked at some USB stuff just to control some relays and would never go thru such a process to send a few volts

**wi77iam** · 12-27-2003, 12:24 PM

I got this one mainly because the software looked better. Only $122.

**robiewp** · 12-27-2003, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by owenjh

Serial is a lot easyer to program, i looked at some USB stuff just to control some relays and would never go thru such a process to send a few volts

there are manufacturers of USB components (that can with a little bit of soldering become relay controls) that have all the work for you done in modules.
but in the end serial adapters and parallel port adapters are always cheaper

**dbinnc** · 12-27-2003, 10:19 PM

I have the scantool as well, but it was way cheaper when I got it I think.
I only wish the software was better. v2 is supposed to becoming out b4 the next ice age.
If the code was in VB, I would tackle it.

D

**Lacoste** · 12-28-2003, 03:50 PM

I don't see this listed here anywhere:

http://www.obddiagnostics.com/ Made by Beverly Roadman, and has it's own software that has an option for virtual gauges (one of the things I want to have displaying real-time) AND it's supported by freediag
$88 shipped includes the cable. It also supports the 3 major protocols.

Lacoste

**dbinnc** · 12-28-2003, 04:32 PM

that is prolly the best feature rich software I have seen, but it is still ugly.

**Eclipsed** · 01-12-2004, 03:16 AM

Check out http://www.elmelectronics.com/ .They sell interface chips for less than $20, and only need minor($5) parts to complete.Their datasheets have schematics and alot of info too.

**GingerPrince** · 01-12-2004, 03:47 AM

There's another option here : http://www.andywhittaker.com/ecu/obdii_hardware.htm

Plus there's also ALDL hardware (including some DIY circuits), if you have an older, non-OBDII car that you can decode.

**Vitaliy** · 01-12-2009, 01:59 AM

Updating an old (but nonetheless popular) post.

Today, it is safe to say that ElmScan and other ELM32x-compatible interfaces have pretty much won the OBD-II interface war. They are by far the least expensive kind, and are supported by a host of diagnostic software.

They are the only kind of OBD-II interface offered for sale by the MP3Car store

Vitaliy