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Best choice for a simple code reader?

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1972nail
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:31 pm

I've been putting off buying a code reader for a year now but I think I'd better do a bit of research 'just in case' I need one soon. Having read a few threads on various forums it would appear that a favourite is the BMW C110 +.

Comments please. :)

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by kis » Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:44 pm

Simple as in quick to use, or easy to understand?

Most scanners are pretty similar for use. Plug and play kind of thing.

I’ve got a C310 (so upgrade of the one you suggested) and always found that Carly is much easier to understand and navigate.

But read about the 110 as well and it’s widely used on BM’s so any of those three are going to be good IMO!
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:45 pm

Carly is an option as it now has a free trial download. Do you need to buy the Carly OBD2 bluetooth connector or can you get away with a much cheaper one?
Last edited by 1972nail on Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by Smartbear » Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:29 pm

1972nail wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:45 pmCarly is an option as it now has a free trial download. Do you need to but the Carly OBD2 bluetooth connector or can you get away with a much cheaper one?
Hi, I’ve read that Carly does work with cheap obd connectors but you get reduced functionality :?
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by srhutch » Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:44 pm

If you have an android phone then a ELM327 Bluetooth dongle and the app called torque. Get them for about a fiver each and work a treat for reading and clearing codes.

Cleared codes on both the zed and the wife’s Astra. Bought and extra dongle so I have one in the zed and my daily.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:34 pm

I've tried cheap generic code readers and they didn't give sufficient information in some cases with previous cars and no info at all on our Z with the transmission warning light problem I had. So want to invest in something which will be better than basic but not OTT. I will need to dismantle the doors to tighten the problematic window bolts soon (one dropped out with a clunk last week) so I need something to work with air bags.

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by R60BBA » Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:58 am

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by Chris1981 » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:59 am

I have both the C110 and Carly, both work well enough if it's simply code reading/clearing you want but I've found the C110 to be pretty slow to use and often takes a while to move between screens and don't think it's capable of reading as many modules as Carly, but it is significantly cheaper!

The strong argument for Carly would be it's ease of use and ability to perform coding but at £100+ for the adaptor and app it is quite pricey, it is also a bit hit and miss on 'live data', this function doesn't work on my 3.0si N52 engine which is annoying as it's the main reason I bought the bloody thing!

The 'free trial' for Carly is useless, will only be usable if you buy the full version of the app... and even then there are 'add ons' at further cost. I've heard good things about the torque app mentioned by srhutch so that could be the way forward if you wanted to use your phone as a fault code reader
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by markalp » Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:13 pm

1972nail wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:31 pmI've been putting off buying a code reader for a year now but I think I'd better do a bit of research 'just in case' I need one soon. Having read a few threads on various forums it would appear that a favourite is the BMW C110 +.

Comments please. :)
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:00 pm

Now, what about the Foxwell NT510? I'm still not sold on Carly, as I don't have an Android or Apple phone.......... :? I do have an old Android tablet somewhere but it probably isn't compatible with Carly.

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Tue Feb 13, 2018 5:03 pm

I've noticed that some people who post are using laptops. What software and connectors are needed to go down that route?

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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by Magicarcher » Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:18 pm

When I had an airbag fault, I tried purchasing one of these hand held code readers off Amazon I think it was a BMW C110 +. It cleared all my faults except my airbag fault. I also tried BMW scanner 1.4 and dongle on a laptop, that also wouldn't clear it. In the end I purchased ISTA-D installed on a laptop and it had not problems clearing it.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by HarryD » Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:05 am

I got a Creator C501 to clear an Airbag Code. Hopefully, it will clear service reminders when I need that as well. So far, for the price ($85 from Amazon in the US), seems like the ticket.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by ZedM » Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:37 pm

srhutch wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:44 pmIf you have an android phone then a ELM327 Bluetooth dongle and the app called torque. Get them for about a fiver each and work a treat for reading and clearing codes.

Cleared codes on both the zed and the wife’s Astra. Bought and extra dongle so I have one in the zed and my daily.
ELM327/Torque App/Mobile phone works great for me! Not had to clear any airbag lights though. (Hope I'm not tempting fate! :oops: )
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Best choice for a simple code reader?

Post by 1972nail » Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:28 pm

I haven't taken the plunge yet so I still evaluating the options as well as being open to new ones.

What's the thoughts on the BMW diagnostic software & cable from BMCable ?

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