New member with what might be an easy question.

[Roaddogg4040]

I’m not sure if I’m even writing this the correct way but here goes. I’m looking for suggestions on which OBD unit to buy. There are dozens to choose from from really basic function gathering to what seem like NASA type units that can provide more information than I what I could absorb in 10 lifetimes.
I’m not a computer wizard by any means and really have no idea what would even interest me to find from the NASA type of unit but I only want to buy one and price isn’t my main concern. I’d like to get one that is pretty user friendly but does have quite thorough capabilities.
With that said let’s hear your opinions for this old guy c that can’t wait to hopefully learn something that I prolly should have learned years ago. Thanks for you help.
Steve aka “Roaddogg”

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[jkosh22]

Hey road dog! It depends what you want to do with it. You can buy a cheaper scanner and only be able to read PCM codes. Others get more in depth and can read abs and other modules. Some modules communicate on different lines. (CAN line, LIN line & others). The higher the price, usually the higher the capability. But I’m sure you’ve seen FORscan be mentioned, it’s pretty cheap and you can read and do anything on if. You’d just have to use a smaller tablet or something to keep in the truck in ASE you don’t have a laptop available.

 

[B177y]

This one.

Will do everything you need from simple code reading to ForScan mods. Super reliable and high quality with a good reputation. I've had mine for about 5 or 6 years now. It's compatible with just about everything.

The only thing that you can't do with it is FDRS, that's a $500+ OBD dongle.

 

[Aonarch]

This one.

Will do everything you need from simple code reading to ForScan mods. Super reliable and high quality with a good reputation. I've had mine for about 5 or 6 years now. It's compatible with just about everything.

The only thing that you can't do with it is FDRS, that's a $500+ OBD dongle.

I've had this one for years and it works great. I've used it on Fords, Toyotas, Jeeps, etc.

 

[Jerome10]

I also have the MX+. I use it just to check stuff. Never done for scan. I like it well enough.

 

[Roaddogg4040]

Hey road dog! It depends what you want to do with it. You can buy a cheaper scanner and only be able to read PCM codes. Others get more in depth and can read abs and other modules. Some modules communicate on different lines. (CAN line, LIN line & others). The higher the price, usually the higher the capability. But I’m sure you’ve seen FORscan be mentioned, it’s pretty cheap and you can read and do anything on if. You’d just have to use a smaller tablet or something to keep in the truck in ASE you don’t have a laptop available.

My last laptop gave up working about
6 or 7 years ago. I was going to replace it but my phone has me confused enough to not want to get another lap top again. I’m hoping that this truck will be as good to me as my last one.

 

[Old Hat]

Are you sure you even need one? I bought a basic/cheap one from the local auto parts store when my Mercedes had an issue. It worked and told me exactly which coil to replace. I've yet to have a reason to use it on the truck. I'd just wait if I were you.

 

[IVD6G]

I use MX+

 

[Roaddogg4040]

Are you sure you even need one? I bought a basic/cheap one from the local auto parts store when my Mercedes had an issue. It worked and told me exactly which coil to replace. I've yet to have a reason to use it on the truck. I'd just wait if I were you.

You are probably 100% correct but the little voice person on my shoulder says “ hey Steve, you don’t understand anything about computer stuff so shut up and just go back to reading or watching TV and forget about ever learning anything about how to run your new truck other than push the button that says start, put it in gear, then shut up and drive!” I really need a friend to get me up and running with this truck but I don’t know a soul in this town other than my daughter and her husband. Guess what, they are no help either. Looks like I’ll buy the MX+ read the instructions and stumble on like I have been for years.

 

[Old Hat]

You are probably 100% correct but the little voice person on my shoulder says “ hey Steve, you don’t understand anything about computer stuff so shut up and just go back to reading or watching TV and forget about ever learning anything about how to run your new truck other than push the button that says start, put it in gear, then shut up and drive!” I really need a friend to get me up and running with this truck but I don’t know a soul in this town other than my daughter and her husband. Guess what, they are no help either. Looks like I’ll buy the MX+ read the instructions and stumble on like I have been for years.

If you want to just start getting experience with the new tool and the cost is not an issue, then yeah, just get the recommended unit and start learning. You'll find it's not that difficult once you read up, watch videos, and have some hands on experience. Soon you'll be the expert diagnosing problems for friends and family!

 

[Roaddogg4040]

If you want to just start getting experience with the new tool and the cost is not an issue, then yeah, just get the recommended unit and start learning. You'll find it's not that difficult once you read up, watch videos, and have some hands on experience. Soon you'll be the expert diagnosing problems for friends and family!

I got my OBD MX+ today. Hopefully I’ll try to get familiar with how it works tomorrow.

 

[Buyer2021]

I got my OBD MX+ today. Hopefully I’ll try to get familiar with how it works tomorrow.

Hope you're having fun with the exploration! Just curious, what device(s) do you have for use with the MX+?

I use it with my laptop for FORScan mods, my iPad running the included OBDLink app, but my 'daily driver' setup is with the ODLink app on a small-screen iPhone 16.

With the OBDLink app, be sure to download the free Ford Extension for your truck. Just FYI here's my current dashboard setup for keeping track of basic info of interest to me, simple and easy to read at a glance

All of the gauges are from the lists included with the 2022 F150 Ford Extension with the exception of Oil Pressure, which is a user-defined gauge I recently added following the step-by-step instructions posted here.

But IMO what makes the MX+ with OBDLink great is how easy it is to tailor to your preferences.

Have fun with it and let us know how things go!

 

[Roaddogg4040]

Hope you're having fun with the exploration! Just curious, what device(s) do you have for use with the MX+?

I use it with my laptop for FORScan mods, my iPad running the included OBDLink app, but my 'daily driver' setup is with the ODLink app on a small-screen iPhone 16.

With the OBDLink app, be sure to download the free Ford Extension for your truck. Just FYI here's my current dashboard setup for keeping track of basic info of interest to me, simple and easy to read at a glance

All of the gauges are from the lists included with the 2022 F150 Ford Extension with the exception of Oil Pressure, which is a user-defined gauge I recently added following the step-by-step instructions posted here.

But IMO what makes the MX+ with OBDLink great is how easy it is to tailor to your preferences.

Have fun with it and let us know how things go!

First thing is I prolly shouldn’t even try this OBD stuff at all because I’m at a first grade computer knowledge level while you guys are so far ahead of me but I really am trying to figure out so many new things on this truck and have to say it’s overwhelming, especially with doing it alone. I hope the forum members don’t get pissed when I keep asking dumb questions while trying to not only learn but trying to not forget what I learn minutes later. At this point I have my phone but have an older I Pad that maybe I could use. Ive been tied up with “home stuff” and haven’t even been outside yet. I’ll know in a few hours is I can even get it paired to my phone and I’ll check in after that happens. Hopefully
PS: I really love the gauges that can be setup and that will be my second attempt if I can even get it paired. Thanks to all that are watching for my success or failure

 

[jkosh22]

First thing is I prolly shouldn’t even try this OBD stuff at all because I’m at a first grade computer knowledge level while you guys are so far ahead of me but I really am trying to figure out so many new things on this truck and have to say it’s overwhelming, especially with doing it alone. I hope the forum members don’t get pissed when I keep asking dumb questions while trying to not only learn but trying to not forget what I learn minutes later. At this point I have my phone but have an older I Pad that maybe I could use. Ive been tied up with “home stuff” and haven’t even been outside yet. I’ll know in a few hours is I can even get it paired to my phone and I’ll check in after that happens. Hopefully
PS: I really love the gauges that can be setup and that will be my second attempt if I can even get it paired. Thanks to all that are watching for my success or failure

No problems here my friend!

I’m pretty sure these trucks are the definition of a learning curve. Once you figure it out, you’ll realize how easy it really is. Technology almost does it itself. I guess that AI but that’s a whole other story.

 

[Buyer2021]

I hope the forum members don’t get pissed when I keep asking dumb questions while trying to not only learn .....

Not much chance of that, this is a pretty understanding crowd, and we all had to start somewhere.

Don't be shy about asking for help, remember that the only 'dumb' question is the one you don't ask!

The main thing is to Have Fun!

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