A few noob questions

[TxTrucks]

I tried to read a few of the stickys but even those were over my head :(

I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer. My plan is to use the software for diagnosis purposes, not programming or tuning. For example if Im already getting codes like P0101 or P0153 or P0420, use the software to further pinpoint the problem.

I think I need software and cables. I already have a Dell 610 laptop. Ideally i'd like a software and cable that work with my BMW & Isuzu (both are OBDII circa 1997)

Are any of the softwares more user friendly/more basic than the others? Will something like Gerts cable work for my BMW as well as Isuzu?

I sincerely apologize if this has already been discussed beacoup times. But any advice will be appreciated.

[David Mc]

Gert's cables are for BMW's only, using BMW software. It would work extremely well with your '97 BMW and software such as INPA/EDIABAS v6.4.3 but BMW software generates decimal codes, not "P" codes (which are generic and used by other scan tools). I have a couple of cheaper (i.e. under $200) generic scan tools and like the Autel Maxidiag best, but prefer to use INPA for BMW's.

[TxTrucks]

Thanks for the info David.
I've already got ultragauges setup in the cars that give some measure of live data and access to generic codes.
I was thinking that by using laptop+software+cable I could look at data after the fact, look at trends, stuff like that.
I may just need to get different setups for the different cars.
Thanks again for the reply tho

I'd say graphing capabilities as well as after-the-fact review of data are 2 of the main reasons I want software.
I can use my ultragauge to view STFT and LTFT and other parameters while driving but want something I can use to view trends or graphs of data after a drive.
Thanks