Which scanner is the best?

[bcredliner]

I need a scan tool that will monitor all cylinders while I am driving and show any variances in performance by cylinder such as a miss, air/fuel, spark etc. I don't want to have to watch it. Could be as simple green when OK and red it not. If there is nothing like that a graph by cylinder that I could look at later would be better than nothing.

I would mount it and have it there all the time. I would like it to work on an iPad but I would buy what is needed for another operating system.

Any suggestions?

[cn90]

I use INPA on laptop, good up until ? March 2007 mfg date or so.
For later models after ? March 2007, I use ISTA.

[bcredliner]

I have INPA. I use it so seldom, every time is like the first time. I've been tying to get it to connect for several days. Last time I used it there was no problem, don't have a clue what happened. Laptop would be a pain to have connected all the time. I sure wish it was more intuitive. I looked on youtube for something to walk me through the start up but can't find any that is applicable. Googled for something in print, no luck. Also did a search here and didn't come up with anything. I seem to recall there was a website or forum that is dedicated to INPA but haven't located that either. Frustrating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Skeletor]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I have INPA... I've been tying to get it to connect for several days. Last time I used it there was no problem, don't have a clue what happened.

You may have to use a different USB port... you gotta to watch which USB port you use with INPA, I was having a similar issue connecting as well. The laptop that I have it downloaded on has like 6 USB ports on it but only one is set up to detect the K+D Can cable. There is a way to change which port is used with device manager for primary. I believe the instructions that I had with my set up so that Port 2 was primary, when I forget which port is used I unplug and try a different one. Maybe this is your problem for connection as well? If you got it to work once then this is the only issue that I can think of off the top of my head.

I wonder if there's a way to mount one of those Microsoft tablets on the dash and run INPA, that would probably be pretty helpful with the rough running monitor. I know driving around with a wide laptop in the passenger seat isn't easy to read with the cord as short as it is...

Are you looking for something to monitor engine knock? or more like having an AFR gauge?

[jopecasa]

I have a dedicated HP Mini 5103 running INPA, NCSExpert, WinKFP bundles and PA soft only on Win 7.....and nothing else.

It stays on the X5 wherever I go..........and has saved/served me from getting out of trouble....alot of times.

While ISTA-D / ISTA-P and another copy of NCSexpert on Panasonic Toughbook.


For me.....INPA is the best on diagnostics and monitoring....I used it alot.

[TiAgX5]

Brian, look into the Foxwell Schwaben.

This is INPA without all the headaches.

I just got back from a 2200 mile drive to Florida and back, have an ECS Tuning box on the table, ready to unbox mine.

Let me know if you want to use it.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Skeletor

You may have to use a different USB port... you gotta to watch which USB port you use with INPA, I was having a similar issue connecting as well. The laptop that I have it downloaded on has like 6 USB ports on it but only one is set up to detect the K+D Can cable. There is a way to change which port is used with device manager for primary. I believe the instructions that I had with my set up so that Port 2 was primary, when I forget which port is used I unplug and try a different one. Maybe this is your problem for connection as well? If you got it to work once then this is the only issue that I can think of off the top of my head.

I wonder if there's a way to mount one of those Microsoft tablets on the dash and run INPA, that would probably be pretty helpful with the rough running monitor. I know driving around with a wide laptop in the passenger seat isn't easy to read with the cord as short as it is...

Are you looking for something to monitor engine knock? or more like having an AFR gauge?

I tried the USB switch though I didn't unplug it when I did the changes. I will try that.

I guess I could find a longer cord for INPA but first choice is wireless.

I want to my reduce anxiety associated with spraying nitrous.----I want to see and record if I can get any more performance when I am using meth and/or nitrous. Basically I want dyno readings available all the time. Not looking for accuracy just deviation.

I can control the amount of meth by percentage of throttle position but so far can't watch whats going on with AFR. My MAF performance goes sour very quickly. I'm guessing it is caused by nitrous. I want to see what happens to MAF readings when I spray to catch fall off sooner. I want to be sure I don't spray when the MAF is not working properly. No knock that can be heard but I would like to watch timing advance.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Brian, look into the Foxwell Schwaben.

This is INPA without all the headaches.

I just got back from a 2200 mile drive to Florida and back, have an ECS Tuning box on the table, ready to unbox mine.

Let me know if you want to use it.

Have one, recent purchase, great tool! Very intuitive though for me the directions are hard to follow. There is a monitoring section that I am exploring but the scanner has a very short cord and no wireless option to use it for 'daily' driving. I have Bluedriver, Dash Command, and OBD Fusion that are wireless and work fine on my iPad. Dash Command is supposed to be the OS version of Torque but based on what I hear about toque it is not so haven't eliminated that as an option. Each of the scanner I have do some things great but none, which is a bad assumption I know what I am doing, will do all that I want to do. As far as INPA suite I know just enough to be dangerous.

[bcredliner]

Any other suggestions?

[Omerta]

INPA and a screen capture tool to record is a primitive way to achieve what you want. Not sure how to intercept the data and save it in the CSV file.