I have been researching this on amazon and other places- some of the more expensive ones say they have advanced features? what does that mean? what does a $400 one do that a $40 doesn’t? Unless i can hit a button the $400 one and it actually fixes the problem, otherwise, i can only imagine it has more codes for complex issues?
More expensive probably bidirectional, live data, capture, and maybe manufacturer codes. Cheap, probably just a code reader, maybe some very slow live data.
Probably the 40 one is just basic tool that can read basic engine fault codes. And maybe life data from engine control unit.
400 one can probably access more control units on most vehicles. Maybe it can also send some commands. For example to program in a new module, to bleed abs, to set rear brakes to maintenance mode to replace brake pads etc.
But there are also lot better and more expensive scan tools. They can access more of that stuff.
The $400 one can probably do more complex things, like crankshaft/camshaft position sensor re-learn, etc… it will also be able to show data the simple scanner can’t access. Things like fuel trim, a/f ratios, engine temp, trans temp, misfire counts and hundreds more. If you just need codes read, $40 one is fine. If you want to actually diagnose problems, $400 one is needed.
$360
Another explaination of it. A professional level scan tool will use manufacturer communication protocols to speak with other control modules such as ABS/SRS/etc whereas the $40 scan tool is going to operate only on the OBD2 standard communication. That gives you only the data available via OBD2 such as trouble codes, readiness, some livedata etc. OBD2 as a standard is a bare minimum to have some uniformity across all makes for diagnostic/emissions testing. But a fair amount if ‘non-critical’ information isn’t accessible with the standard OBD2 modes. But then again, there is things available via OBD2 that manufacturers don’t give a shit about for normal service (Calibration Verification numbers, etc)
Hondata flash pro would have made quick work of that :)
He WAS running the hondata. The State Referee required the Calibration Verification number and Calibration ID, along with all readiness monitors being set. Only the readiness are available via the factory scan tool.