Here is the deal, I do have quite a few years experience, but not everyone has a Windows laptop, has the ability to run Virtual machine, has the experience to set up software that is typically not easy to install. And then how many people actually carry their laptop in their car full time or even can drive the car with the laptop in the car and review data?

So like anything, I tell people to learn to crawl before you walk. Start with a decent OBDII smart phone App like OBDFusion for under $10, it is one of the few Apps that works on both Android and iOS. The interface can typically be under $20, but if you want a better quality and faster interface, you buy the OBDLink interface and it comes with an OE version of OBDFusion. So you can have a decent tool for as little as $20 that has many features that most manufacturer software do not have.

If the SES/CEL/MIL lights on the dash, you DO NOT need manufacturer specific software or tool to read codes. Manufacturer proprietary codes DO NOT light the SES/CEL/MIL. Let me REPEAT, manufacturer proprietary codes DO NOT light the SES/CEL/MIL. My reference to a "generic" OBDII tool is a non manufacturer specific tool or software or a Pro level tool that does not have manufacturer specialized software packs. Generic OBDII is a tool that covers the standard and manufacturer specific ODBII codes that WILL light the SES/CEL/MIL on the dash. Manufacturer proprietary codes require either manufacturer software/tool or a Pro level scan tool with manufacturer specialized software packs.

The highly unfortunate part of the industry is the majority of the "mechanics/techs" that make their living in the industry have NO clear idea of why they show up to work each day when it comes to driveability problems. The younger kids (generations text) think you just hook up a computer or tool to the car and it will tell you what parts to replace. It does not work this way at all. ANY and ALL codes, whether generic, manufacturer specific or manufacturer proprietary are really just "clues". All codes, Freeze Frame and Live/Realtime data needs to be reviewed a "thought" about before any action is taken. But so many of the younger kids "knee jerk" and do not even think before they act.

Even with the simplest or best tools, whether Pro level or manufacturer specific I find with O2 sensors that the ONLY time I ever see a code for an O2 sensor problem is with a heater circuit has a problem, usually just a burned out heater, but sometimes can be wiring problems. I use the Logging feature in the smart phone Apps to trend or finger print O2 sensors and can even flag questionable catalytic converters before any P0420/P0430 codes may even pop. I have close friends that work for vehicle manufacturers and even in 2015 manufacturers are still getting misfire and O2 sensor detection wrong and requiring tweaks to the ECU programming.

I use the Logging feature of the $10 or less Apps ALL the time for gather data and help diagnose or verify problems. As you saw, many "mechanics/techs" may be "lazy" but I feel most of them just have no idea what they do on a daily basic and just make guesses. I often deal with really unusual problems that codes often are not helpful with or actually mislead you. I have even been doing a fair amount of component level repair in ECU's lately where few codes, if any were present or not relevant to what the actual problem was.

My point is everyone here needs to open their eyes and mind up and regardless of what tools you may or may not have or use on a daily basis, EVERYONE needs OBDFusion and at least one interface. I have many and leave them in all of my cars. This way I always have a tool with me whether I need it for my car or family or friends cars.

OBDII is actually a VERY good and well thought out system. Some things could have been done differently, BUT think about it, OBDII was implemented in 1996!!! Effectively 20 years ago and it is still relevant and very useful today. Unfortunately it took at least 10+ years for the tools to become cost effective and now they are DIRT cheap. For the price of a few Starbucks Grande Lattes you can have a decent tool that is with you at all times.

Even the person using the tool does not understand what things mean, the reports and .CSV data that these tools output can allow other more experienced people to help out diagnosing the problems.

There is no silver bullet that a manufacturer software or tool can offer, it may be able to offer a bit more insight, but OBDII is actually more useful than it is given credit for.

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2008 4.8i Black with Tabacco. Black Y-spoke wheels and shadowline trim.