Up until now, I haven't been real hot on consumer scan testers sold in the low-end of the market, but the new, Actron CP9575 AutoScanner has changed my opinion–quite a bit.

This cute little tester (ok...the Actron people probably won't like my calling it that)retails for 120 bucks and does a lot for the price. It supports most cars sold in North America from 1996 to 2008 including all GM vehicles and, obviously, supports the CAN protocol used by the diagnostics in most 05-up cars including C6. It reads powertrain diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), both generic OBD II and manufacturer specific. It also can clear ECM codes. It reads the live data stream of generic OBD II parameters. and it can read freeze-frame data. In addition to those functions, the CP9575  also reads the I/M Monitor states, it can view freeze-fame data, it has an OBD II "Drive Cycle Monitor and it can run an OBD II system summary test. These last couple of features can be quite useful if you want to check your cars diagnostics prior to to taking it to a "smog station" for a State exhaust emissions test.

The 9575 is very easy to use, in fact, I was scanning the ECM in our 04 Z06 within seconds after unboxing the unit. I didn't even read the instructions. I just plugged it into the DLC, fired the engine and was reading the global OBD II data stream in seconds. The operation of this tester is very intuitive. I've also tested the CP9575 on an '09 Vette and a '01 Camaro. Each time, almost immediately after connection, I was looking at data.

Another thing I liked about this tester is its small size. This is the first true scan tester I can stick in my pocket. Well...ok, it's gotta be a big pocket to get the cable in there but I wear cargo pants a lot and it fits in either the hip or leg pockets just fine.

Now, this cute little tester is not going to replace the professional-type, Bosch Mastertech I use for most shop work and it's not going to replace EASE PC Scan Tool that I use a lot for chassis dyno testing, but for quick/easy scanning of OBD II systems out in the field–say I'm on a Corvette Club trip and somone's MIL comes on and I want to scan their ECM for them or I quickly want to read something basic in one of my OBD II cars' data streams, I use the Actron CP 9575.

This new tester packs a lot of value into a small, easy-to-use package. For more inform
ation: SPX/Actron, 15825 Industrial Pkwy, Cleveland OH 44135 (800) 228.7667 or visit www.actron.com