Questions before entering the topix:

I've been looking around for a scanner that can read all the diverse Toyota Prius hybrid & ABS codes, since my extended family unit owns an '05 with almost 180k, an '08 with over 200k, and a '12 plugin with nearly 68K. Which is the better 1 to cull?

Following are the Toyota Prius existent owner experiences on OBD lawmaking scanners:

1)
If you have a laptop the all-time interface available is the Mini VCI with the Toyota Techstream software. You can notice it in the $30 range.

two)

My preferred scanner is a VXDIAG. With SAE J2534 Vxdiag VCX Nano for Toyota Tis Techstream V10.30.029 Compatible.

It is much faster and more reliable than the Mini VCI cables, Information technology uses Techstream but as the Mini VCI.

iii)
I used a Mini VCI cable for years.  The cheap Mini VCI uses firmware one.4.1 . In that location are more Xhorse made expensive versions out there that take newer firmware 2.0.4.

On my 2006 Prius.

Version one.4.ane instantly disables the auto and reads a bunch of "U" codes. U codes are can bus communication errors. Information technology is the Mini VCI causing the errors.

Version 2.0.4 will connect and read codes.

The VXDIAG uses it's own firmware. It connects and reads codes much quicker than a Mini VCI cable.

4)

I use an iPhone app called EngineLink that uses a WiFi dongle hooked to the port. The app was a few cadet, but I don't think. The elm3277 dongle was ~$20 on obdii365.com. On the iPhone, the app can exist gear up up, and at that place are downloadable PIDs for the Prius and so you tin monitor all the battery module voltages, temps, any you lot want. I originally bought information technology to turn off the idiotic internal contrary beep. I use it occasionally to keep an eye on the difference between min and max battery module voltage, which I think is a pretty good indicator of bombardment health.

5)
+1 on mini VCI cablevision with hacked Techstream software. Mini VCI with Techstream software. Runs best on Windows XP or Windows 7. Runs about $24.

If you just need to read codes and set up some user settings, then Scangauge 2 is as well a good choice. With the Scangauge y'all'll also be able to leave information technology hooked up to your OBDII port and read real time (real fourth dimension enough) data with the user selected gauges and x gauges. Runs $150+

6)
I think the all-time tool for your requirements is the Mini VCI with Techstream software ￡22. This gives near dealer level of diagnostics at a very cheap toll. Information technology tin can be made to run on Windows eight.one using XP virtual machine.
I use an aboriginal IBM laptop with XP loaded bought for ￡22, "rather than gamble damaging my business firm machine loaded with Windows vii" and gets over the minor difficulties of getting the program to run on W 7/8.
For purely monitoring purposes I use an ELM327 (bluetooth version) and Priidash (free). This gives a dashboard readout of only about every parameter available, and records HV battery module voltages and other information to a file.

7)
The only problem with Mini VCI is that information technology will require laptop.
I am by and large on the motion and if it happen that I suspect a trouble then I volition be smashing to know the issue immediately. I am kind of thinking of getting ELM327 first and Android App, this way I can at ease and no time just plug the device and endeavor to read data.

I started with the ELM 327, but wanted the ability to drain the brakes to alter the fluid amidst other things.
And then i day I was in Birmingham picking up a HID kit from ebay and spotted the mini VCI on auction there. So I bought one. Very pleased with it, the last job I did with information technology a few days agone was to set the AC compressor not to come up on automatically when demisting the windscreen, "something the dealer said could non be done".
This works on most Toyota's and will likewise piece of work on most cars for emission faults that have the standard OBD connector. With adapter connectors it volition work on BMW and Mercedes.

The VCI works on all Toyota'southward from around 1998 on, not just the Prius. likewise as the ELM327 and Torque app works for more than just Toyotas….

8)
The ELM 327 is designed to be an OBD reader engine for emissions DTC'south. In that location is an international agreement on the standards for these codes and the methods of delivering them for engines, but not transmissions and other items.
The Mini VCI is a Chinese clone of a more expensive device called a Mongoose. This device with Toyota's Techstream software is what dealers use for reading codes, mistake finding, and carrying out service tasks to the range of Toyota cars, covering all aspects not just the engine and emissions. This ways it is capable of almost anything that the dealer can practise. The dealers in the UK will typically charge ￡fourscore to read whatever trouble codes, more than 3 times the price of buying a Mini VCI.

Scangauge is skilful for realtime dash monitoring of upwards to 4 unlike parameters in the genII, case: I employ btv,mpg,rpm,soc.. equally far as reading any DTC'due south it will only read engine ecu standard codes not the hybrid stuff. For that I've been using autoenginuity browse tool & dongle and software, been using that since genI days and at present the genII with updated Toyota enhanced interface it too works bang-up for annihilation. I use it on a 1.2ghz laptop running winXP. Sure wish it would piece of work in linux but that's a whole nother can of worms..Anyway already got the Toyota enhanced interface and software running and then to add together some other family like FORD, just purchase that enhanced interface and they give the key to unlock it. The software contains all NA/Eu you just unlock the dissimilar interfaces you purchased. I at present have 3 Toyota, Chevy and Ford including the diesels. Handy just must have laptop and pay 475+ for software but one time u have information technology, very easy to add on and superior diagnostics capabilities and information recording. For example I tin can tape all hv battery module voltages and then played them back subsequently on a spreadsheet chart, or how about mg1 electric current mg2 electric current and mg1temp and mg2 temp etc etc.. nice

9)

The best tool for diagnostics is Toyota Techstream (dealer software). Software tin can exist "institute" online if you are creative, but you lot'll need a $500 Mongoose MFC cable (or Chinese clone) in order to use it. There are a bunch of Scangauge Xgauges divers for the Gen1 Prius, not quite Android user interface, but gives you insight into diverse Hybrid parameters.
Since my check engine light went on a few weeks agone for my '02 Prius, I bought a Bluetooth OBDII scanner virtually $15. Information technology shipped from China, certain, simply information technology works well and then far and was dirt inexpensive compared to near of what you lot find here. I use is in conjunction with an Android-powered HTC EVO phone. I've tried several OBDII programs so far, only Torque is the easiest to use and seems to be the nigh powerful (as in, full of options I'd be besides agape to play with). It's both free and premium. I'chiliad using the free version, only I recollect I'll exist a big spender and pay the $8 for the full version. Suffice to say, Torque and the others I've downloaded (all complimentary, btw) seem to offer all the options that those expensive programs I looked at over the web do.

That said, none of these programs offer car-specific settings that I've noticed. Especially not a Prius specific interface, which would exist ideal. I oddly got a trouble lawmaking reading of P2000, which is not in any listing of trouble codes anywhere… Best I can tell, it might mean something is problematic in the O2 sensor of the catalytic converter…

Torque-toyota-prius
If you want a code reader that volition read not just all the Prius codes, only most other vehicle codes I am afraid your going to need a large depository financial institution account to take intendance of the cost. Although the OBD2 engine codes are supposed to exist standard the actual connectors are non, and the coding for other systems "manual, body, air numberless, ect" are very manufacturer, and vehicle specific.
Snap on make a reader for most vehicles at around ￡2000, $3200, but even then add together on units are needed for different manufacturers at extra cost.
The mini VCI volition read all the codes for nigh Toyota vehicles, and engine codes on near other manufacturers cars providing the OBD connector is the same. For those that use dissimilar connectors adapters are available cheaply. These are typically for German cars, Mercedes, BMW, merely are not limited to those.
Yous will oft find reference here on PC about retailers that will read vehicle codes free of accuse, you volition likewise notation these readers ofttimes give just part of the code, no lawmaking or fifty-fifty codes that do not exist. They accept also been known to cause problems with the car. This is because they are not scanners specific to the Prius.
This is not just a Prius, or Toyota problem, but a trouble with manufacturers using there own private systems and codes.
I am not saying the VCI is the best reader. I am saying it is the best reader by far at information technology'due south price and above, for a Toyota. If you demand a device that will read all codes on most cars be prepared for the price involved.

10)

I take the ELM327 lawmaking reader, and a corking slice of equipment it is for extra monitoring on the nuance.
I besides employ the aforementioned device with a laptop and the free program "Priidash" that will give virtually every parameter available from the Prius on one screen along with recording of vital data.

The VCI is non the tool for the above capabilities, "autonomously from recording information". It does nevertheless non simply requite the ability to read all!! the Prius DTC's, and sub codes, what they mean, and articulate them. It as well gives the power to do all the service tasks, and program whatever programmable features such equally lock timing, lighting, seat belt and reverse beep, register key fobs, and more than.
To sum up. Two different pieces of equipment that are capable of different functions with some overlap.

11)

The Mini VCI with Techstream (comes with the VCI) will tell yous what the DTC is and guide you to the problem "gives a listing of possible causes for the DTC (s)" and will clear it or them.
I accept the equipment myself and honestly believe that anyone that has a Toyota peculiarly a Prius should buy one. One trip to the dealer for DTC reading will pay for the device x4.

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