Any experience with OBDII scanners? (NCG)

[Matt Story]

Car just broke down, seems to be related to the high humidity today.  Don't want to talk about that, it's just the impetus  to get me thinking (again) about buying an OBDII scanner.

There are alot of options here, and as I've just begun to look it's quite confusing.  I like the idea of the blue tooth dongle that allows using a smartphone as the monitor.  I wonder if these are somehow crippled when compared to the dedicated units.  The cost of a blue tooth dongle can be anywhere from $10 to over $100.  The cheap dedicated devices start in the $20's and go up.  One thing the smart phone devices can do is act as a full featured gage cluster the reports engine conditions in real time.

What are the trade offs?  Are there features that are 'must have' or gimicks?  Favorite brands?

Anyone have relevant experience with these?  If it matters, my car is a 2005 Buick.

Thanks and sorry for the NCG

Matt

[Matt Story]

I should add (if its not already clear) that my need is strictly for shade tree work.  I do not need and am not looking for a commercial duty, or professional graded tool.  That is unless it can be had for a reasonable sum.

Matt

[Wayne Orwig]

I bought a $12 Bluetooth dongle for my Android. Does what I want.

[nc43bsa]

Try ebay for a Snap-On MT2500.  It's obsolete for a professional tech, but it's WAY more useful than the stuff at auto parts stores.

[lorazepam]

I bought one of these and use it with my laptop. Very happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-425801-OBDLink-USB-Diagnostic/dp/B005ZWM0R4/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1435725210&sr=8-12&keywords=obd2

[myway]

https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html is mine works an can get as deep as you want. Dan

[pressureangle]

I've had the $48 Harbor Freight one for a couple years. I don't regret it.

[kirb]

I bought a $20 amazon bluetooth scanner and use the free Torque app for Android. Not sure they make one for iOS devices. I run it on a 7" Nexus tablet.

It works great for a $20 gadget. It plugs in to the port, connect via bluetooth, gives me the codes, and resets the light. Some times it decodes the code, sometimes I need to search google to find it.
The real-time gauges are cool, but not really useful unless your dash went dead and you needed a speedo.

I don't use it much other than code reading...works great for that. Sometimes I have to fiddle with getting the bluetooth to connect,but that's rare.

[ibis1]

If you have any plans on buying a new vehicle in the future consider getting a unit that is compatible with multi-can technology. If not, it will be useless on the new vehicle. 

[Dilliw]

Amazon Bluetooth and Torque app on Android.  Best deal out there.