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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 201 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 62 found the following review helpful:
 Good Value Mar 20, 2011
By TD
I work as a professional ASE certified mechanic and I bought this for home use on my new netbook that uses Windows 7 starter.
installation was easy, but simply plugging the scanner into the laptop while connected to the internet got better results because windows automatically finds the best drivers.
when you first try to connect i found it easiest to click auto-detect to make sure the pc can communicate to the scanner.. then click connect and it finds the correct protocol to use.
Reading and clearing codes was very easy.
To view all the PIDS you have to manually set it to monitor all of them or you only get a few. However when you do this the PID update rate gets very very slow and is almost useless, I was able to rev the engine up and let it come back down to idle and the scanner never updated in time to pick up the RPM change.
If you deselect all PID's and select only RPM, it will update almost instantly so the update rate depends on the car AND how much data you are trying to pull all at once. when selecting 5 or less PID's the update rate is acceptable
I've tried this product on a 2006 Honda Ridgeline and a 1996 Ford Escort, the escort appeared to have faster data refresh rates, but was still too slow when all PID's were selected
Overall this product is worth the low cost if you're trying to check and clear codes, and if you know what you're doing you can do SOME diagnostics with this, to do any real diagnosis you need a much much faster scan tool capable of monitoring all PID's as fast as the car will update them.
OBDWiz was the best software I tried for this scanner, stick with and check for updates within the program to auto update to the newest version and gain some more power
Also the best way to install the software onto a netbook is to copy the CD onto another computer and transfer it to the netbook. Or create an ISO image of the CD using daemon tools and mount it in a virtual drive
80 of 86 found the following review helpful:
Ok CEL Tool Apr 23, 2010
By Ed
This is an alright product:
Pros:
+Read & Reset Check Engine Light codes
+Can read many OBD parameters (just not with the included program)
Cons:
-Slow. The refresh rate is at best 1-3 updates per second when reading OBD2 values. This is way to slow to be of much use.
-Fuel mileage calculations with included software is woefully optimistic
-Included software can only read a few parameters. There are some free software alternatives, but most of the good stuff is quite expensive
Overall:
Decent for CEL reading/resetting. Although, a cheap handheld device does the same thing and is more portable.
Poor for monitoring values over OBD2. The refresh rate is too low to be of much diagnostic use.
51 of 55 found the following review helpful:
 Simple and easy to use OBD Scanner Dec 20, 2010
By D. Turner
I needed a simple, inexpensive scan tool to check and reset error codes in my 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. I work in computers and have a laptop available so the ElmScan 5 USB scan tool looked like a nice package. The form factor was what I was looking for, it in included OBD software and the price was right. The unit arrived promptly, the software installed easily and linked to the scan tool without issue. The software was simple to learn and easy to use and proved to be totally adequate for my needs. It provides a simple link to look up codes on the internet and does a very good job with standardized codes. The basic software does not handle manufacturer specific codes but there are other software packages available for more advanced uses, some of which are free. I have used the ElmScan 5 on all of my vehicles and several friends vehicles and really like the unit.
16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Great Deal For The Money Apr 15, 2010
By S. Wolford
As the title says, it's a great deal for the money. Most scan tools are cheap, and the software is extremely expensive. This one? Cheap and cheap. There are countless websites out there for software for the wonderful ELM 327 IC, which makes this piece of equipment very versatile. I have ScanXL, wOBD, obd-2 and they haven't failed me yet. I tested it on my girlfriend's dad's 2004 Ford Explorer that has a bad tire sensor. Within moments, ScanXL told me exactly what tire sensor was bad, and notified me of misfire issues that I didn't know were even present. I only took a star off because this should have worked with my 1995 GMC Jimmy. The protocol is OBD 1.5, which is a combination of OBD I and OBD II. A rental handheld scantool with basic codes picked up my brake-light issue, so there was no reason this should not have. But other than that single issue, great piece of hardware for the simple home mechanic.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Works well for shadetree mechanics Aug 30, 2011
By Mike L
"Mike L"
I picked this up as it was comparable in price to the most basic code reader available at the auto parts store, yet is able to give you comparable reporting to the much more expensive models. The software provides the codes with hyperlinks to look them up on the web for troubleshooting help. I was able to pull a code for an evap leak then look up the diagram on the web and test each part/line/hose/valve along the way until I found the problem (stuck solenoid valve, cleaned it for $0.00!).
If you're handy with basic tools, a volt/ohm meter and light computer use you can fix many common problems yourself for little cost. Even if you end up needing the help of a pro mechanic, you'll have the data to help make sure your shop is honest.
The only downside I can report is that obviously you'll have to take your laptop into the car with you while you run the scans. The laptop of course is bulkier to drag out than a pocket sized reader, more fragile, and not really ideal for greasy hands. If you're digging for a problem all day, you'll need to drag a power cord out so the laptop battery doesn't go dead. A minor inconvenience that's worth it since I wanted a good scanner, but didn't want to drop a couple hundred dollars on something I use a couple times a year at most. I use an old retired (expendable!) IBM Thinkpad that's too slow for most things, but runs this little software just fine. If I drop it or get it dirty, I'm not out too much. Plus, I can still pick up wifi in the driveway so I can look the codes up without running in/out to use the PC all greasy and sweaty. Saves time and marriages:-)
Tip 1: Google your car model and the code or part name/problem (IE: "Hyundai Santa Fe Evaporator leak" or "Chevy Truck forums" or "Toyota Corolla code PO5xx") to find forums where other people discuss similar problems and the solutions they found. You'll be amazed at how many cars have model specific/common issues, and how many friendly car enthusiasts write up detailed instructions on how to fix them! The scanner will give you the code, the forums will tell you where things are, what they look like and where that pesky hidden screw is so you don't bust your knuckles or damage something else trying to remove it!
Tip 2-General safety with or without the scanner: If you're working under the dash/steering wheel area, in the doors, or pillars during your repair, always disconnect the battery and avoid use of a test light unless you know the airbag wiring/locations well. An inadvertent poke of a test light into an airbag connector can set it off and cause severe or fatal injury if you happen to be in the way.
Hope this helps!
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