I知 looking to purchase a scanner for my cars
1994 -2012
Any particular ones I should go after?
I知 aware that a scanner may not read my 1994 XJS

any suggestions ? Thoughts?

I came across this one for $200, is that one would work ok ?ICarSoft OBDII Scanner V 3.0

 

Barring your '94, it probably is an OBD I system, there were only very select vehicles that had OBD II then. But '96 and on all automobiles had OBD II.
Of the searches I've done in the past and a couple today for this, the iCarSoft has never come up as recommended.

This vid has a variety of advanced scanners for review, from expensive to more frugal models. The ThinkDiag may be more what your in search of if compared in price to the iCarSoft. It depends on what you want to be able to do with it.
Also, go to Newegg and/or Amazon to check pricing and note there are lower models of these presented units that are more affordable so scroll down the list or do searches just using the name without the model.

 

I have a 98 XJR, and I needed to read the transmission temperature. I knew/know very little about OBD scanners, but one thing I did learn is that I needed to have a scanner capable of reading Live Data in order to retrieve the transmission temperature. Not all of them can do that - in fact, I didn't find any cheap readers at the time that were capable of Live Data. I ended up buying an Autel MaxiCheck reader, which was probably overkill, but it worked well and I've used it a number of times. You might keep that in mind as you look for the best reader for your needs.

 

Remember that you cannot read W5A580 gearbox temp in Park or Neutral.

 

Good point. As I recall, it had to be in reverse or drive, but I still needed a scanner capable of reading Live Data. It's also entirely possible that I didn't know what I was doing, and if I'd simply held my fingers different, any scanner would have read the transmission temp! Haha

 

Best: WDS or IDS / SDD with rotunda vcm1.
Way easier to use: Propably any other.

 

I have an XTOOL A30M scanner, fantastic unit . Live data? Yes. Used it on my Jaguar XJ8 & Mercedes Bluetec and on my buddy's Fiat electric and his Ford explorer. It works with the Anyscan software that you install on your phone/tablet which then acts as the screen. Lifetime updates included.
Personally not found it lacking in any area I've used it for.
Generates .pdf reports and can also email the reports so I can read them at home on the computer later rather than just at the workshop on the phone screen