V70: Information Fault code reader recommendations

[Welshy1988]

Hello all,

Really in need of a good code reader.

Bought the cheap cheap Streetwize code reader for £20 couple years back and its never worked on any car I've tried it on.

So I need a really good code reader that can view & reset codes, show live data etc, all the things an at home mechanic would need.

Don't need top tier like snap-on obviously, but one with a large screen, for £200-£300 (or in that region) for something really good.

Amazon seems to be flooded with different companies with marginal differences in features, makes and models.

Recommendations and links would really help!!

Many thanks

(V70 2014 D4)

[Kev0607]

The best diagnostics for your Volvo is VIDA with DICE. It only works on Volvo's 1999-2015, so newer/older than that and it won't work. It doesn't work on other cars either, its Volvo only. VIDA is the best for Volvo's, hands down.

VIDA is the software, then you need a DICE unit which you connect to the OBD port and then a USB cable to the laptop/computer you're using.

Search for VIDA DICE on Ebay. You can only buy cloned versions.

Check the sales sections on the forums here too. Pretty sure I seen one recently for sale (laptop, dice and the software you need (Vida).

[Welshy1988]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

The best diagnostics for your Volvo is VIDA with DICE. It only works on Volvo's 1999-2015, so newer/older than that and it won't work. It doesn't work on other cars either, its Volvo only. VIDA is the best for Volvo's, hands down.

VIDA is the software, then you need a DICE unit which you connect to the OBD port and then a USB cable to the laptop/computer you're using.

Search for VIDA DICE on Ebay. You can only buy cloned versions.

Check the sales sections on the forums here too. Pretty sure I seen one recently for sale (laptop, dice and the software you need (Vida).

I see, I dont have a laptop, so would need a handheld standalone reader.

Your recommendation is appreciated though incase I happen to come a cheap laptop!

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Welshy1988

I see, I dont have a laptop, so would need a handheld standalone reader.

Your recommendation is appreciated though incase I happen to come a cheap laptop!

You can buy the whole thing. Laptop, VIDA and DICE.

Check eBay or sales sections on here. Or make a new thread asking for a VIDA, Dice with laptop and someone may have one they're willing to part with. You can get the whole thing normally for around £200-£250 (maybe even cheaper, depends on individual sellers). That would normally be the whole system you need including the laptop. It'll be a basic laptop though, but will do for diagnostic purposes. It doesn't need to be anything fancy to run VIDA/Dice.

You have to have a laptop for VIDA to work, but if you buy a whole "kit", you're away with it.

The best code reader for your budget is VIDA/Dice, especially on a Volvo 1999-2015. Granted it won't work on other cars only Volvo, but if you want to do any work on your car and need to find part numbers etc, its worth its weight in gold and will soon pay for itself. Its the best system for Volvo hands down on a budget for a DIY'er working on Volvo's. Think about it... most places charge you upwards of £50 just to plug a car in nowadays. If you have your own setup, a few code reads and its paid for itself.

[reggit]

Don’t know if this one has the dice with it, worth asking the seller though.
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=340466

[hal9000f]

As others already said - the best way to go is VIDA with clone Dice or VIDA with Mongoose pro chipset cable for VIDA.

It became hard to buy genuine clone Dice or Mongoose on ebay or from china, there are many fakes.

So, the answer for you is here - examine the whole site:

https://svdns.info/2022/04/14/fake-dice/

https://svdns.info/2024/04/25/fake-d...getting-worse/

https://svdns.info/2024/05/13/what-is-super-j2534/

https://svdns.info/sales-page/

https://svdns.info/

[Simmy]

sdvns is mat he sells tested vida dice and associated equipment including vida to go on a flash drive great guy an a good contact for all things vida.

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by Simmy

sdvns is mat he sells tested vida dice and associated equipment including vida to go on a flash drive great guy an a good contact for all things vida.

+1 for SDVNS. I bought the dice and plug in solid state hard drive booted on my own laptop.
Matt was a top guy with after sales. I have 3 Volvos in the family so it has been a godsend.
Thanks also to Simmy for the original heads up and recommendation.

I have no affiliation, neither I believe does Simmy.

Bottom line is, it worked for me .

[Andymharrison]

Vida has worked great for us, can't recommend it enough, but sooner or later we are likely to end up with something newer than 2015.

Where do people go then once Vida is out of date?

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Andymharrison

Vida has worked great for us, can't recommend it enough, but sooner or later we are likely to end up with something newer than 2015.

Where do people go then once Vida is out of date?

VDASH is for the newer cars, I believe.