Taser vs Alfa OBD vs other

[JasonB]

So, has anyone done a comparison? Which one does more?

I’m currently leaning towards Alfa OBD, but I wanted to know the pros and cons. Sorry if I missed another thread, but I didn’t find one.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Why is it always "vs" - each does different things and in different ways.
AlfaOBD is software - can change settings, menu choices in the modules, change tire sizes, do logging, diagnostics, etc.
JSCAN is software and can do similar.
Tazer does a lot of that and adds certain live functions like turning off license plate lights when in reverse so they don't glare on the backup camera, and other live stuff that can only be done with hardware.
Tazer is more expensive and for the live things must be left in place (but for tire size changes can make the change and then be removed)
Each has a place - if you don't need the live functions, the software is a lot cheaper.
If you want the live function - there's little choice.
If all you want to do is something like kill ESS and don't care about other stuff - you can do that with much cheaper options than any of the above.
You have to decide what's important. One isn't any better than the other (although tazer owners will insist there are no other tools and tazer is it, nothing else matters and if you don't have a tazer you are not a real Jeep person)

I use AlfaOBD (and have JSCAN also because I bought it first then moved to AlfaOBD and actually use both - JSCAN menus are a bit easier to navigate in SOME places)
I don't have near the money invested as tazer owners do.......... and the AlfaOBD software has done every single thing I've wanted to do at a fraction of the cost.
I can also use the software to diagnose and make changes on any other Jeep vehicle! No added license needed!
I bought it to use on my JT but used it to diagnose misfire on my wife's Jeep - and didn't spend a penny more. I could not have done that with tazer or jscan.

Each has their place, each is very good at what they do. It's like any other tool - what are your priorities or needs? If you need the things - the live functions of Tazer, do check as some things can be done with other tools (circuits to shut off license plate lights in reverse, disable ESS, all can be done with cheap simple circuits)
They are all good, none of them bad.

This is what I love about AlfaOBD - the logging - but I have used it to add my passive entry, add automatic high beams, and other stuff.


2021/01/04 11:52:06.281
Faults found.
P0303
Error code: P0303
Cylinder 3 ignition failures
Test not complete
Error intermittent
Error warning lamp not requested
CARB Freeze Frame:
___________________
Fault code: P0303
PCM Mileage since MIL On: 0.00 miles
PCM Odometer: 950.27 miles
Open Loop - Bank 1: No
Closed Loop - Bank 1: Yes
Open Loop due to Driving Conditions - Bank 1: No
Open Loop with DTC - Bank 1: No
Closed Loop with DTC - Bank 1: No
Open Loop - Bank 2: No
Closed Loop - Bank 2: No
Open Loop due to Driving Conditions - Bank 2: No
Open Loop with DTC - Bank 2: No
Closed Loop with DTC - Bank 2: No
Engine load: 30.20 %
Freeze Frame Engine Coolant Temp: 66.00 Deg.C
Intake Air Temperature: 215.00 Deg.C
Ambient Air Temperature: 12.00 Deg.C
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: 12.49 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: -3.13 %
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 2: 9.37 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 2: -7.04 %
MAP Voltage: 1.96 V
MAP: 46 kPa
Atmospheric pressure: 97 kPa
Engine RPM: 875.00 rpm
Vehicle speed: 0 MPH
Throttle Position Sensor 1 Percent: 12.94 %
Battery voltage: 14.58 V
Fuel level: 95.69 %
Purge Solenoid Current: 0.00 mA
Purge Duty Cycle: 0.00 %
Idle Air Control (IAC) Current: 0.00 mA
Idle Air Control (IAC) Duty Cycle: 0.00 %
EGR Flow: 0.00 g/s
Current Adaptive Cell ID: 24
Spark advance: -2.00 Deg

 

[EddyArnold]

@ShadowsPapa do you have a good resource or tutorial for AlfaOBD?
Thanks!

 

[gpwrang33]

+1 for AlfaOBD, I changed all my lights to LED, added proximity locks, changed tire size, and added the open hood latch to the security alarm.

 

[DAVECS1]

Actually Tazer has a logging function that is pretty good. I have had customers use it a couple times in a pinch

 

[JasonB]

i was thinking AlfaOBD could do everything Tazer or JScan, but was cumbersome to use, like coding HTML or using a WYSIWYG.

Not true?

 

[Kevin_D]

AlfaOBD will run on an Android appliance, or a PC. It presents a primitive GUI interface, but gives access to the assorted control modules. I didn't see any HTML needs.
JScan is an app for Android or iOS, and gives you lists of features to chose from.
I have the OBDLink MX+, which is recommended for both, and it comes with an interface app, that allows to look at all kinds of things, including direct access to the thousands of available PIDs!
I haven't used a Tazer, but it seems like it's taken things and made it nearly idiot-proof. For instance, to enable the Passive Entry with AlfaOBD or JScan, you need to change two or three different settings, whereas the Tazer makes all the needed changes with one command.

Kevin

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa do you have a good resource or tutorial for AlfaOBD?
Thanks!

Best I have is this - I'm the sort that digs and digs and looks/snoops around to find stuff sometimes.

AlfaOBD will run on an Android appliance, or a PC. It presents a primitive GUI interface, but gives access to the assorted control modules. I didn't see any HTML needs.
JScan is an app for Android or iOS, and gives you lists of features to chose from.
I have the OBDLink MX+, which is recommended for both, and it comes with an interface app, that allows to look at all kinds of things, including direct access to the thousands of available PIDs!
I haven't used a Tazer, but it seems like it's taken things and made it nearly idiot-proof. For instance, to enable the Passive Entry with AlfaOBD or JScan, you need to change two or three different settings, whereas the Tazer makes all the needed changes with one command.

Kevin

You can install AlfaOBD on any android you own once you buy it. I have it on my phone and my LG tablet. I usually use it on my tablet due to the 10" screen vs. the phone.

 

[EddyArnold]

Best I have is this - I'm the sort that digs and digs and looks/snoops around to find stuff sometimes.

?? I can handle that, just wanted to make sure there wasn't a resource that I missed somewhere (searching around the internets I hadn't found anything yet, just one offs and tips)

 

[Fouts]

Had some issues with my Tazer so I am currently using JScan. Seem pretty good for basic stuff and 1/4th the cost. Lose the live function but I rarely used them.

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