Foxwell NT600 OBD2 scanner: Any good?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been thinking of getting an OBD2 scanner and reset tool and am leaning towards a Foxwell NT600. The list of vehicles covered seems to include 3 of my cars plus my wifes as well, and it will reset as well as diagnose. I know that there are good and bad scanners so was hoping someone will have had experience of these and can advise.
I have a budget of £200 max (it's going to be a birthday present) and I want it to reset as well as diagnose. I'm not bothered about ability to be updated as I don't expect to be changing any of my current cars for a long time, and even when I do I'm unlikely to buy anything very new.
Has anyone had experience of the Foxwell or can recommend another scan / reset tool?
I've been thinking of getting an OBD2 scanner and reset tool and am leaning towards a Foxwell NT600. The list of vehicles covered seems to include 3 of my cars plus my wifes as well, and it will reset as well as diagnose. I know that there are good and bad scanners so was hoping someone will have had experience of these and can advise.
I have a budget of £200 max (it's going to be a birthday present) and I want it to reset as well as diagnose. I'm not bothered about ability to be updated as I don't expect to be changing any of my current cars for a long time, and even when I do I'm unlikely to buy anything very new.
Has anyone had experience of the Foxwell or can recommend another scan / reset tool?
mattshiz said:
What cars do you need it for?
Specifically: 1999 E36 M3
1998 Corvette C5 (Euro model)
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8
My wifes car is a 2000 Mercedes SLK 320
Plus my son has a 1998 Vectra with the airbag light on, so that too really.
The Foxwell seems to cover European and US cars, and although my Corvette is a Euro model I would be surprised if the OBD2 was any different to the US model.
A lot of the tools I've seen will only do the engine ECU, but I want to be able to do Engine, SRS, and ABS.
Ok, so clearly my thinking is wrong. So what is my best option as I've only looked at scanners and not mobile apps. I don't have a laptop so software for thise is a no go. So what are my best options to read and reset codes on all the cars and including airbag and ABS systems rather than just engine?
It depends on how much you value convenience.
A Bluebtooth OBD dongle coupled with some basic software on your phone will do anything BUT it wont actually have all the commands and codes built in for non-ECU functions. That Foxwell thing can probably just be plugged in and used whereas doing vendor specific stuff with a cheap unit will require looking up the command to do it and executing it manually.
I've never failed to find the codes and commands for any cars that I've used mine on, but it certainly isn't as simple as plugging the thing in and expecting it to do everything.
A Bluebtooth OBD dongle coupled with some basic software on your phone will do anything BUT it wont actually have all the commands and codes built in for non-ECU functions. That Foxwell thing can probably just be plugged in and used whereas doing vendor specific stuff with a cheap unit will require looking up the command to do it and executing it manually.
I've never failed to find the codes and commands for any cars that I've used mine on, but it certainly isn't as simple as plugging the thing in and expecting it to do everything.
It's the ease of use I'm thinking of here. I admit to not using my mobile for much more than calls and text and have never yet really used any apps. But I'm also planning for the scanner to be used infrequently, as I'm obviously not hoping for loads of problems with the cars, and it looks like the Foxwell has all the manufacturer specific stuff for my cars.
I read somewhere that whilst the OBD2 standard is mandatory it doesn't cover that much and manufacturers can and do use their own protocol for many fault types, and that this is where cheaper scanners start to struggle ?
I'll have to take a look at what apps are available and see if any will suit.
I read somewhere that whilst the OBD2 standard is mandatory it doesn't cover that much and manufacturers can and do use their own protocol for many fault types, and that this is where cheaper scanners start to struggle ?
I'll have to take a look at what apps are available and see if any will suit.
Most cheap scanners will read the majority of engine check light type codes, and extinguish the light. What they won't do is read ABS and airbag modules very well, unless they are manufacturer specific - the VAGCOM type ones spring to mind here, but they are pretty much the only cheaply available ones.
When you look at how much a Snap-On Solus (for instance) costs, it makes sense - and even then you need tons of adapter keys to make them work across different manufacturers.
You'd think that you'd be able to get a single device to read any codes, as the OBD sockets are the same after all, but it doesn't seem to be that simple.
When you look at how much a Snap-On Solus (for instance) costs, it makes sense - and even then you need tons of adapter keys to make them work across different manufacturers.
You'd think that you'd be able to get a single device to read any codes, as the OBD sockets are the same after all, but it doesn't seem to be that simple.
Depends on what you do. Foxwell NT600 lines are professional ones than those basic ones, if you want the ABS/SRS or other programming functions, you can buy the product which meet your needs. "Good" is subjective, only you used them and compare them, and according to the conditions of your car, suitable ways to diagnose, can you found the best for yourself.
I didn't use Foxwell products before, I bought a Launch scanner last year. That's good for me and I trust them.
I didn't use Foxwell products before, I bought a Launch scanner last year. That's good for me and I trust them.
Edited by andy.mod on Friday 24th November 09:17
I have a TOPDON Car Diagnostic Tool CANBUS Elite OBD for Full OBD2 Functions plus ABS/SRS (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DY9GPSZ/)
Reads and clears/resets engine, ABS/SRS codes well enough...It can't do a complete diagnostic or test of functions, though...just reads stored codes.
Reads and clears/resets engine, ABS/SRS codes well enough...It can't do a complete diagnostic or test of functions, though...just reads stored codes.
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