ELM327-compatible adapters - how to choose

[Krad79]

Hello Everyone. just joined today. i have scanned through the threads looking and i have not seen if anybody has tried using tuner obd2 connectors for the FORScan. If someone has posted i apologies in advance for asking again.
i just downloaded and received key so i am ready to go, other then my obd2 connector.
i Have a Bully Bog bdx 40470 tuner. For my 2015 f350 6.2L crewcab longbed xlt. it has a obd2 connector to a hdmi connector. i am going to try this to see if it will work with the FORScan program, and my computer.
i believe in theory it should as it is part of a tuning program already.
i am away at work and i will try go out to my truck and see if it will connect. i will posted back with the results (good or Bad)
again if i have duplicated any previous threads ....sorry.
i will be in touch
Krad79


Update
Tested Bully dog tuner coder........ No communication....

[gnosis]

So for a 2002 mazda b3000 dual sport essentially any elm is okay? Or is there one in particular that would be best?

[tmittelstaedt]

You really have 2 choices, gnosis

1) Buy one of the "supported/tested" adapters in the 3 links from the 2018 post. Those makers are very very aware of referrals from this site and they work to make their products compatible and support every option.

2) Go to Ebay and buy the cheapest ELM327 adapter possible, test it, and if it does not work return it to the seller. Then repeat with the next cheap adapter.

Right now the USB US adapter in the links in the article is on sale for $47. The cheapest clone bluetooth adapter on Ebay is $6 and the maker claims it works with the Android program Torque. The cheap adapters are frequently changed on Ebay so not only a few years from now you likely won't see the one someone bought listed, even if you do the innards will have changed.

I've bought a fair bit of ultra-cheap electronic gear from China. Let me explain how these Chinese companies work. If you buy direct from China you get the cheapest prices. Most of the time the stuff works - mostly - and if it's not going to work for you the companies have you return to a US address (on your dime of course) Then they have someone at the US address just re-list the stuff and sell it as "from a US seller" and charge more money for it of course.

I have 2 of these Chinese clone adapters. One of them was about $15 and the other around $6. Both bought years ago long before I started messing with Forscan, For the time I've wasted figuring out how to get those to work if I had to do it over again I would have bought the recommended adapter. One of those worked with Forscan to get it to do what I wanted it to do the other doesn't.

Remember that unless you are an old art-fay in your 80's you are undoubtedly not going to have your current vehicle the rest of your life. You will get future vehicles. A good Elm scantool will likely be used in the future on other vehicles so spend the money now on the good adapter and you won't have to worry about it not working in the future.

[gnosis]

You really have 2 choices, gnosis

1) Buy one of the "supported/tested" adapters in the 3 links from the 2018 post. Those makers are very very aware of referrals from this site and they work to make their products compatible and support every option.

2) Go to Ebay and buy the cheapest ELM327 adapter possible, test it, and if it does not work return it to the seller. Then repeat with the next cheap adapter.

Right now the USB US adapter in the links in the article is on sale for $47. The cheapest clone bluetooth adapter on Ebay is $6 and the maker claims it works with the Android program Torque. The cheap adapters are frequently changed on Ebay so not only a few years from now you likely won't see the one someone bought listed, even if you do the innards will have changed.

I've bought a fair bit of ultra-cheap electronic gear from China. Let me explain how these Chinese companies work. If you buy direct from China you get the cheapest prices. Most of the time the stuff works - mostly - and if it's not going to work for you the companies have you return to a US address (on your dime of course) Then they have someone at the US address just re-list the stuff and sell it as "from a US seller" and charge more money for it of course.

I have 2 of these Chinese clone adapters. One of them was about $15 and the other around $6. Both bought years ago long before I started messing with Forscan, For the time I've wasted figuring out how to get those to work if I had to do it over again I would have bought the recommended adapter. One of those worked with Forscan to get it to do what I wanted it to do the other doesn't.

Remember that unless you are an old art-fay in your 80's you are undoubtedly not going to have your current vehicle the rest of your life. You will get future vehicles. A good Elm scantool will likely be used in the future on other vehicles so spend the money now on the good adapter and you won't have to worry about it not working in the future.

Right, but is the OBDlink ex good for other vehicles as well? I was thinking of getting the OBDLINK mx+ as it's suppose to be better with mazdas (my b3000) however I don't know how well it works with Forscan compared to the ex. Also, the ex is $50 less, which is appealing in and of itself, however my understanding is that it's less compatible with other vehicles and programs...?

Also, how about a more affordable one like this:
OHP ELMconfig FORScan OBD2 Adapter - ELM327
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F0 ... ef3b1954be

[rbentnail]

Here is the one I'm using with my 2013 F150 STX 5.0.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1 ... UTF8&psc=1

Cheap, works fine.

[marekrbk]

https://youtu.be/qRwDNjeB7_s

[rsmith0801]

I have a 2008 F250 6.4 and the OBDlink EX, it connects to the truck and says it's communicating, showing my VIN and info but never updates the modules. Just says it's communicating but no modules populate. Am I doing something wrong? One time, it did show the TCM and software date but only while I started the truck. I do have a tune but returned it to stock to see if it made a difference and no change. I also have a radio with Maestro hooked to one wire on the OBD connector. Radio was off but coukd this be affecting it?

[ixxion]

Saw your post and thought I'd make my first contribution.

What are you using for a computer?

Just purchased OBDLink EX connecting without difficulty to Lenovo laptop on 2008 F350 6.4 PSD. Wish there was more I could do and test with it, but I'm pleased with what I have so far for free (extended license trial).

Now I'm looking for a bluetooth recommend just for monitoring with my android phone so I don't have to keep the laptop perched on the console ready to fall off.

[LucasBS]

I'm looking at this ELS-27 from Aliexpress.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKF1JsF

Is it possible to tell if it supports or not adding new keys ?

Ford New Fiesta 2014/2015

[midi0916]

Hi

I have an ELM 327
Interface Ver 1.5.
I keep getting a “no adapter found please check connection “ error.

Everything is plugged in .
Any help would be greatly appreciated