Code reader question

I'm thinking of buying a code reader to do the occasional troubleshooting on our cars (subject to my abilities!).

I've had something made by Auterra for years; works with an old Palm Pilot that I have. I'm tired of it; the Palm Pilot is always dead when I want to use it, the software needs to be reloaded, etc., and without doing any research I have no idea if it's even useful on newer cars.

I'm looking at Actron readers on Amazon, specifically the CP9550 and the CP9575. $56 and $110 respectively.

According to the specifications, the CP9575 is "internet upgradeable", and reads manufacturer-specific codes as well as generic. The less expensive one is not internet-upgradeable, and reads only generic codes.

My questions:

1. What does internet upgradeability buy me? Newer code definitions for newer cars as they come out?

2. What do I lose by reading only generic codes, compared to reading manufacturer's codes also?

I'm (obviously) not a pro, just a DIY-er. If a code reader can tell me that some sensor isn't responding, and I buy & replace that sensor & it fixes my problem, I'm happy. That's worked for me a few times, and probably saved me a bunch of $$. Any capabilities in a reader, whatever they may be, beyond this sort of thing, would probably be beyond my abilities to fix anyway.

I'd appreciate any thoughts & suggestions from the more experienced members here.

Code reader is useless and a waste of money. It's like shooting in the dark. Pay a little more you can get Live Data.

I just bought a autel maxiscan MS 509 off of amazon for $52 shipped it is pretty nice,it shows live data & puts it in a graph form,I would recommend it.
I almost bought a similar unit, the Actron cp9575 from autozone & it was $100(reg price $129) I'm glad I waited & did more research.

I use an Openport 2.0 adapter and my laptop. You can do a lot more than pull codes with it, I personally use it to reflash my ecu. Tons of software out there that can use it, Scantech, EVOscan, ECUflash, etc etc.

For a home mechanic, I really recommend AutoEnginuity. It's a laptop (USB) based scan tool that sells manufacturer packages a la carte, so you can save a ton of money if you only own vehicles from one or two companies. With the expansions you get just about everything a multi-thousand dollar dealer scan tool will give you (except a scope, of course), for a fraction of the cost.

For instance, if you own Fords, you would buy the base package which includes generic OBDII data and the USB adapter itself for $250. Add the Ford package for $200 and you've spent $450 for a tool that will pull every diagnostic code in that vehicle, including CAN, live data, and bi-directional control.

Thanks for the replies. I ended up getting the Actron CP9575 from Advance Auto Parts for $80 + tax. (internet order, discount code, local store pickup)

The current problem I have is that the CEL on my wife's 2005 Jeep Liberty comes on intermittently. I put the reader on it & it indicated a problem with an oxygen sensor. (low circuit voltage; I forget the code #) So I'll get under there & have a look. If it's something I can fix & save myself a trip to the dealer or shop, the reader paid for itself.

Thanks again.

torque pro app for the smart phone and a bluetooth obd2 dongle from amazon $20

I have matcos md1022 quick scan an love it. Having live data is definitely a must have feature

Stevedore said:

Thanks for the replies. I ended up getting the Actron CP9575 from Advance Auto Parts for $80 + tax. (internet order, discount code, local store pickup)

The current problem I have is that the CEL on my wife's 2005 Jeep Liberty comes on intermittently. I put the reader on it & it indicated a problem with an oxygen sensor. (low circuit voltage; I forget the code #) So I'll get under there & have a look. If it's something I can fix & save myself a trip to the dealer or shop, the reader paid for itself.

Thanks again.

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I used that one a lot and like it's simplicity. Anything more involved for me and it's going to a shop anyway.