I'm in search of an inexpensive OBD code retriever. I think some connect to smartphones nowadays. What is everyone using?

 

They are called "ELM327" devices. There are several different suppliers the circuit board is in the public domain. They come in IR, BlueTooth or USB. They cost less than $10. Some companies charge over $100 for the same thing with some BS software that GoOgles the code for you included. You just DL a free app to your phone like Torque.
Here is one for $3.99:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15583335331...Bk9SR5jwhNG0Zg

 

Thanks for this information! Will they read and display real-time data to your smart device? For example, if I want to watch the fuel pressure in real-time with the engine running, will it do that?

 

I don’t believe fuel pressure can be read with a live OBD II dongle, there’s no sensor in the system for fuel pressure. On an SS be careful using a fuel pressure gauge connected to the fuel log Schrader valve that can go over 2,000 psi when the HPFP kicks in.

 

ELM327 refers to the chip the device is based upon. The price varies wildly, with some, mostly the very cheapest, based upon a non-genuine cloned chip. Don't get that. Only the better ones will perform at a sufficient speed for real-time gaging. For someone who just wants to read codes, the cheepies usually suffice.

The features and user interface (UI) are driven more by the app than the dongle, although some might be programmed to require specific apps.

I'm still using an old free version of the Torque app, Torque Lite, on a dedicated old phone. (Still available on Google play, but only on an old phone.) Virtually any OBD-II metric can be displayed real-time in a variety of formats and sizes, several at the same time, anywhere you want to mount your phone. Like a poor-man's RPD, or maybe better. But for that to work well you need a good, fast dongle. I've had OBDLINK LX for years, still works great. There are prolly fast enough cheaper choices by now.

 

Pulp, does your setup read fuel pressure?