OBD scan tool recommendations (Autel, Ancel, Launch etc.)

OBD scan tool recommendations (Autel, Ancel, Launch etc.)

Author
Discussion

jkp2505

Original Poster:

13 posts

49 months

Monday 24th February 2020
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Hi,

I'm looking to check out a few issues on my car (an automatic Renualt Clio III) and I've decided that it would be worth investing in a decent OBD tool as some garages seem to charge a fortune just to run a simple scan. I'm not interested in most of the super cheap tools especially as they can't pick up transmission codes.

So far I've narrowed it down to a few products I'm interested in:

Launch CRP129X
Ancel FX3000
Autel AP200 Bluetooth dongle

The Autel dongle is only about £50 but you need an app on your phone and you are limited to one make of car without paying for further subscriptions. It's not clear what happens if I change over to a new car.

Does anyone have any advice about how these tools might compare or know of any better options? Thanks in advance

Equus

16,770 posts

100 months

Monday 24th February 2020
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I can't comment on the others, but I've had an Autel in the past - a 'proper' one, not a dongle - and whilst it was nice quality, it was a bit limited in function on the cars I used it on (a couple of Saab 9-5's, a Toyota Agyo, and a Range Rover). It would read out the standard OBDII codes, but nothing marque-specific.

I've since had a couple of marque-specific iCarSofts, (on the Range Rover, which also worked on my Jaguar XF, as JLR clearly use standardised software, and another on a Mercedes S500), and their level of functionality has been much, much better.

Belle427

8,864 posts

232 months

Tuesday 25th February 2020
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It’s almost impossible to find a do it all tool unless you spend quite a lot of money.
I recently bought an icarsoft pro For £250 as I look after all the families cars and am quite impressed with it so far, seems to do what it says on the tin.
These guys are pretty helpful if you want to spend a bit more, I’ve heard good reports about foxwell tools.
https://www.gendan.co.uk/index.php



jkp2505

Original Poster:

13 posts

49 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Thanks for the replies. I decided to go with the AP200 in the end as it seems to do a lot for £50 and I get the impression it’s fairly reliable. A lot of the tablet type devices I was eyeing at £250 or so promise a lot but the reviews often tell a different story - connection failures, “free” updates you have to pay for and so on. I only really need the code scanning functionality anyway.

devnull

3,746 posts

156 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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It really depends on what you want to achieve. Full diagnostics and service capabilities, or just reset an airbag light everynow and then because you disconnected a seat, etc.

I will say the AP200 is pretty pointless, it's only a step up from basic OBD apps or handheld eBay scanners.

As an amateur enthusiast mechanic, I have picked up a few diagnostic units for my cars over the years.

Ultimately, if you can ever get hold of a factory diagnostic setup, that will always be your best choice. Unfortunately, they are usually pirated / cloned, or out of date units. At best you get them running, don't touch them and they will serve a specific purpose, otherwise it's a bit of game of cat and mouse to keep them updated and running, and they can also get flat out blocked.

The problem you have with the all in one units (such as from autel) is that they usually only implement a subset of features for diagnostics and servicing compared to the OEM diagnostic software. I have an Autel 808BT, and whilst it works well on my Mercedes, I know that it has loads missing that I know is possible with the car. Plus its about £150 a year if you want updates on it.

You might find you are better off investing in a supported third party tool - something like PSACOM or VAGCOM (for VWs). These focus much more on the specific features from the manufacturer and are usually implemented well.

Gendan as mentioned above are good - nice guys to deal with as well.

p4cks

6,885 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Really impressive little things: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/392227436832?chn=ps


SpudLink

5,671 posts

191 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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A chap at work recently bought the iCarSoft CR Pro and raves about it. His garage includes Skoda, BMW, Toyota & Land Rover.

LimSlip

800 posts

53 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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p4cks said:
Really impressive little things: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/392227436832?chn=ps
My dad got an NT630 recently, and for ABS/SRS related issues it's very good. However for powertrain stuff it only supports the generic ODB2 codes so little better than the cheap bluetooth dongles.

p4cks

6,885 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
quotequote all
LimSlip said:
p4cks said:
Really impressive little things: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/392227436832?chn=ps
My dad got an NT630 recently, and for ABS/SRS related issues it's very good. However for powertrain stuff it only supports the generic ODB2 codes so little better than the cheap bluetooth dongles.
Yeah, predominantly I used it for exactly that

jkp2505

Original Poster:

13 posts

49 months

Friday 28th February 2020
quotequote all
Tried it on the car yesterday and got 0 codes from what I could tell. But today I had intermittent engine fluttering when idling (one of the recent issues) and thought I’d redo the scan. This time I got a DF119 camshaft tooth event, but still it’s showing as 0 misfires. Not sure if it’s a red herring or a sign of a potentially serious timing problem in future but I’m taking the car in to the garage next week anyway. Cam belt and pulley was replaced only 4 years / 10000 miles ago or so.

Overall a I’d say this scanner is OK for the money but it’s not very intuitive - everything feels disjointed as you actually need two separate apps on your phone, one generic and one specific to certain cars.

Edited by jkp2505 on Friday 28th February 16:58