hello, newbie here.

after reading most of these posts, is there a best bang for your buck adapter to get? i already downloaded the Pro version and searching for the right adapter. there are so many. i have a galaxy note3, can anyone tell me the best adapter to get to hook up to 02 s10?

thanks for any info

Here is where I ordered mine. The ones I got would never work on your 02 S10. I have no idea where you can get one that works for your vehicle except maybe a US company.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076KBPNI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005M1AVFQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051CAE1C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008U1MOM8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get an OBDLINK MX or LX and be done with it. Don't bother with spending money on one of the cheap ebay clones.

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html
or
http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-lx.html

thank you very much for the links. guessing it will be a toss up either scantool or kiwi.

finally a forum that gives helpful posts

Here is one that might work. Notice the claim:
"THE BAFX PRODUCTS SCAN TOOL WILL WORK ON ALL 1996 AND NEWER VEHICLES THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE USA! UNLIKE SOME OTHER BRANDS THAT MAY ONLY WORK ON CERTAIN VEHICLES BUT NOT TELL YOU!"

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

But I haven't tried one of these lately.

There is a YouTube video that explains the differences between ELM327 that works and one that does not (newer auto!)=> similar appearance, but slight differences [search ELM327]
However, in looking at the Chinese market, i see many new packaging issues (new colors, sizes) so this may only be a temp resolution.....

Quote from luzkannon on August 14, 2014
There is a YouTube video that explains the differences between ELM327 that works and one that does not (newer auto!)=> similar appearance, but slight differences [search ELM327]
Hi, so is ELM327 good? What adaptor is the best one nowdays? Thank you.

This guy works on our 2006 Toyota and 2009 Nissan vehicles.
Does NOT work on our two older Fords, both of which are OBD2
1997 Aerostar van, and 2002 E450 cutaway van chassis.
From what I see here and elsewhere, the "all OBD2protocols" statement in the adapter description doesn't mean "every OBD2 protocol."
Has anybody found a generic clone adapter that will? If not, what's the best buy in the professional ones?
Thanks!

The first two cars are CAN, the others are not. The supplier lies about it supporting all protocols. I have tried 4 different adapters with similar results. There are only 4 total protocols, CAN (newer cars), VPW, PWM, and K-line. See my post above about the BAFX adapters, more expensive, probably for a good reason.

I too got a cheapee. iDiagnose - a small white BlueTooth dongle through Amazon. It connected, paired, worked OK on 2003 Buick Rendezvous using Torque Free on Samsung Galaxy3 Tablet.
I then purchased and installed the Torque Pro - went through same set up, but first and third blue icons continue to flash and nothing further.
Is it necessary to uninstall the Torque Free before the Pro will work?
Thanks for help and/or recommendations.

I just received an OBD2 Bluetooth adapter from BAFX. It is a mature design that has the elevated LED's instead of the smaller surface-mount ones. This one has ALL the parts installed. The only component position that is vacant is one for the baud rate selection, and that is not used on this type. Evidently, their claim to REALLY support all protocols is valid.

Does Torque (Free) need to be uninstalled before the Pro version will function correctly?

Quote from frodus on August 5, 2014
Get an OBDLINK MX or LX and be done with it. Don't bother with spending money on one of the cheap ebay clones.

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html
or
http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-lx.html

I'm thinking this is the best way to go.

Is there any reason to get the MX versus the LX? I will be using this with a 2005 Ford F-150 and a 2015 Subaru WRX so being able to use Ford CAN would be useful, but I'm not going to be buying the Scantool software so it may be irrelevant. Do you think there is any hardware difference between the 2 or it is just a firmware lockout of some sort? Bottom line: will Torque word with my Ford and the LX version? The Wiki doesn't discuss the difference.

I found an interesting tutorial about EL327s on another website ( http://www.outilsobdfacile.com/diagnostic-interface-elm-327.php)

This details what is and isn't genuine software AND how to work out what the real firmware revision is by means of AT commands.

My current mini-327 device is only reading about 5 PIDs/sec at the moment, so I'm going to poke around a little.

Has anyone put together a list of response rates of devices?

Response rates are almost entirely dependent on the PCM/ECM response rate, and that varies widely according to year and make. Older is generally slower. PC speed makes a significant difference also since there are a lot of math computations happening. The most noticeable difference between the Version 1.0 ELM chip (aka 1.5, 1.5a, most ELM devices manufactured cheaply in China, etc) and the later ones (Version 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, etc) is in the supported baud rate from tool to pc. The Version 1.0 chips have a limit of 38500 baud and most newer ones can do 115200 baud. That rate is the one used when the tool communicates with the pc, not with the vehicle. Since the tool-to-pc time is much less in some years than the slower ECM's rate, that is a minor factor for those vehicles. I have found that on an early model GM ECM, the rate improves about 10-15% with the newer chip. The difference would be greater with faster ECM's of later years.
All these devices are real and not exactly knockoffs; they are simply outdated and unauthorized and not manufactured by Elm Electronics. They are made using the Version 1.0 code programmed into the same (or similar and cheaper) 18F2480 PIC processor device available from Microchip at about three dollars each in large quantities, or the 18F25K80 for about two dollars.
The photo below shows the circuit board of the ELMscan 5 Compact from Scantool.net. It has the version 1.4 ELM327 device.

I bought mine off a seller from Sears called www.MyStore365.com It looks like those Vgate Bluetooth adapters only it says OBDtm Scan where it would say Vgate on others I have seen on Amazon and Ebay. I have had no problems with it. I use it with my LG phone and Samsung Tablet with no problems with using the Torque Pro app. I have used the app on alot of vehicles at work all domestic and foriegn and imports too. My adapters says Obd Scan Bluetooth Advanced scan tool V1.5. purchase price was 12.00 inluding 4.95 for shipping and handling, came with an 1.5" disc with install software. Which had virus on one of the programs. I don't recommend trying to install any of them because of virus on disc. Other than that works with no problems.

Hi there!

New on board. Bought Vgate iCar 2 bluetooth, and it seems that is working well with Torque Pro and Ford Focus MK2 European version from 2005.

Quote from j-d on September 6, 2014

This guy works on our 2006 Toyota and 2009 Nissan vehicles.
Does NOT work on our two older Fords, both of which are OBD2
1997 Aerostar van, and 2002 E450 cutaway van chassis.
From what I see here and elsewhere, the "all OBD2protocols" statement in the adapter description doesn't mean "every OBD2 protocol."
Has anybody found a generic clone adapter that will? If not, what's the best buy in the professional ones?
Thanks!

This also works on the 2011 Ford Expedition

I recently purchased a BAFX adapter. It also works well on the 2011 Ford Expedition.

I received my BAFX today. It works fine with the app but causes some of the cars warnings to goo off continuously. 'Service traction control, service stabitrack, traction control off, etc'.