My experience with the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX

Matt here with ScannerAnswers.com and I’m excited to bring you the latest ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX review. The guys and I were real excited to get our oily hands on one of these diagnostic tools.

Vince has been looking for a scanner that he could plug into his 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and leave it plugged in to monitor his fuel mileage. One thing you’ll notice with the OBDlink is that the price is a little higher than some cheaper Chinese scanners (like the Foseal). Why is this? Well, it’s simple – you’re getting a much better product! The build quality of this scanner means that it will last you for many years.

Sure, if you want to run 1 scan on your car and move on, then you might be better off with a cheaper scanner. But if you want a tool that will save you money and work as hard as you do, then you cannot go wrong with the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX.

OBDLink MX Bluetooth OBD-II Automotive Scan Tool...

• Recommended by FORScan for Android (not compatible with iOS)
• Fast, reliable connection and automatic protocol switching
• Works with FORScan, Carista, Torque, DashCommand, AlfaOBD, BimmerCode and dozens of other apps

Buy on Amazon

 Why do we like the ScanTool OBDlink MX?

Handheld OBD-II scanners like the Innova are a very useful tool for the home mechanic or even the ordinary motorist who wants to minimize his repair bills by diagnosing problems before they have a chance to do more serious damage. However, due to their size and design they aren’t always the most practical choice in certain circumstances. If you’re on vacation with a car full of kids and camping equipment there simply may not be the room for another piece of kit no matter how useful. Likewise, if you’re trying to monitor your vehicle performance while driving, having cables snaking under the dash and an awkwardly shaped handheld scanner can make the job more difficult.

Enter the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX: a compact OBDII Bluetooth adapter that handily stows away in your glovebox and doesn’t require a cable (only your Android smartphone or Tablet). The OBDlink MX plugs into the vehicle OBD-II port and displays the information to the screen of your smartphone, tablet or laptop computer. While OBD-II Bluetooth adapters are becoming increasingly common the OBDlink MX offers premium specifications and performance over most of its competitors.

Get the ScanTool 426101 from Amazon

Check Out These Key Features

The performance of the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX distinguishes it from its competitors. Cheaper OBDII Bluetooth adapters can experience laggy data transfer compared to OBD-II scanners that physically connect to the vehicle via cable. In our testing, the OBDlink MX is the fastest OBD-II Bluetooth adapter on the market! It also offers a more secure data connection than many of its competitors and it is designed to shut itself off when not in use so as not to drain the vehicle battery.

Features like ‘auto-shutoff’ mean that you can plug it into your car, and it won’t drain your battery overnight.

Peace of mind. When you purchase the Scantool 426101 OBDlink MX, you’re getting a highly reliable tool from a company based in America (Phoenix, Arizona). And if that’s not enough, they back this tool with a 3 year warranty!

Difference between the Scantool OBDlink MX 426101 and OBDlink LX 427201

If you’re trying to decide between the OBDlink MX 426101 OR the OBDlink LX 427201 and want to know the difference, the main thing is that the MX 426101 (the black one) supports Single-Wire CAN (GMLAN) & Ford Medium-Speed CAN (MS-CAN) but it costs about $16 bucks more than the LX 427201 (the green one). 

Other features (that are pretty sweet too)

In addition the above advantages, the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX offers a feature-rich user experience. Not only does it allow you to check and reset the Check Engine Light, it also allows data logging and can function as a trip computer. It supports all OBD-II communications protocols ensuring compatibility with most modern vehicles. It also supports GM’s SW-CAN and Fords MS-CAN which gives even more functionality with those manufacturers vehicles, allowing it to read and reset codes beyond the bare OBD-II functions such as airbags, or ABS brake systems. The ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX is compatible with Android Smartphone and Tablet OS, Windows Phone 8 smartphone OS, all Windows operating systems from XP onwards, BlackBerry 10 smartphone OS and BlackBerry Playbook.

If decide to pick up one of these scanners, they come with a default app, but we highly recommend getting Torque or Torque Pro. Those are our favorite apps and they really unlock the potential of this OBD2 adapter.

 (Boring) Technical Specifications

Pros and Cons

While we have found this OBDII reader to work very well in our review, there are a few critiques that we’ve found.

Conclusion

There are a lot of diagnostic scanners out there, but we’re confident that this is one of the best Android OBD2 adapters for the price. Features like over-voltage protection, battery-saver, and connection speed set this tool miles apart from generic OBD2 scanners. You cannot go wrong with an OBD2 scanner that is backed with a 3 year warranty and built by an American company. ScanTool has been making high quality OBD2 scanners since 2002 and for good reason! If you don’t need iPhone support, and don’t mind spending a little extra for quality and peace-of-mind, then the ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX is a great choice!

If you decide this scanner is perfect for you, here’s a link to it on Amazon, right here. This will ensure you get a genuine model and not some cheap knock off. Plus, when buying through Amazon you get fast shipping and excellent buyer protection.

I hope you enjoyed reading this ScanTool 426101 OBDlink MX review today. At ScannerAnswers, we want to help you find the best OBD2 scanner that fits your budget. If you have any questions, drop a comment below or check out our guide to choosing the best OBDII scanner. Be sure to check out more of our Bluetooth OBD2 scanners here and how to choose the best OBD2 bluetooth adapter guide

-Matt

The post ScanTool 426101 OBDLink MX Review appeared first on ScannerAnswers.

Can you really use your phone to fix your car!?

What’s good my virtual friends!

Vince, here with ScannerAnswers to bring you the latest ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Review. I picked mine up from Amazon. The guys and I have been dying to get our hands on one of these OBDII code readers and see what they’re all about. See, I’m used to the old school SnapOn scanners where you gotta lug around a bunch of adapters and random junk… But with these new OBD2 diagnostic code scanners, all the heavy lifting is done with your smartphone or tablet! Let’s dive into the review!

ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX review

There is an easy and affordable way to convert your smartphone, tablet or PC into a scanning tool for your car. Believe it or not, phones are for more than watching cat videos! Introducing the ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX, a professional-grade, bluetooth obd2 adapter scan tool for any Android or Windows device. With this code reader, you can connect to the onboard CPU (OBD2 port) of your vehicle and perform diagnostic scans, monitor engine performance and calculate both instantaneous and average MPG, all while using your smartphone or tablet.

Get the best price on the ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX here

The OBDLink LX Blutetooth is different than cheap aftermarket Bluetooth scanners because it accelerates apps and software interface by up to 400%! This means that you get precise real-time readings with no lag, and you can also enjoy detailed graphs and smooth virtual gauges on your Android or windows device.

So why shouldn’t you just buy a cheaper OBDII tool? The OBDlink uses the ELM327 1.3 version chip whereas the cheap China knock-offs use the v1.0 chip. This higher quality chip means you get much faster transfer speeds and less disconnects.

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional mechanic or just an average Joe. The ODBLink LX Bluetooth is easy to use, and it offers the fastest Bluetooth connection unlike other cheap scanners in the market. The package also comes with a free Android app and Windows software so you can start scanning in minutes. It also works with other third party applications such as Torque and DashCommand.

Wireless connectivity means you don’t have to deal with messy wires and faulty connections. Simply plug the OBDLink LX to the OBD-II port of your vehicle to get real-time readings of vehicle performance. You can also scan for error codes and diagnose check engine lights on your dashboard. All this information can be accessed using any Android or Windows device. No need to purchase expensive scanning tools that only work for specific vehicle types.

Maximum Coverage for All Vehicles from 1996 upwards

Yup, you read that right. The OBDLink LX Bluetooth will work on vehicles and light trucks sold in the United States from 1996 upwards, including newer cars. However, keep in mind that this device may not be compatible with hybrid vehicles and electric cars such as the Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf.

The OBDLink LX utilizes a proprietary algorithm connection software. That is a mouthful, but it simply means that this device is able to connect to more makes and models of vehicles compared to other scanning tools in the market. As an added bonus, it can also support JOBD, EOBD and other international variants of OBD-II making it a great tool if you work on European or Asian imports.

OBDLink LX Bluetooth 3.0 OBD2 Adapter for...

• HIGH SPEED SCAN TOOL: Transform your Windows PC, laptop, or android phone into a super-fast, accurate automotive diagnostic device (not compatible with Apple iOS devices)
• WIRELESS DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE: Bluetooth scan tool is easy to install, safe to leave plugged in without draining your car’s battery, and features hackerproof wireless security
• ANDROID APP & WINDOWS SOFTWARE INCLUDED: Includes OBDLink app for Android and OBDwiz for Windows, and is compatible with 3rd party apps such as Torque and DashCommand

$89.95

Buy on Amazon

Get Outstanding Security Protection with the OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scanner

Worried about hackers and intrusions while using a Bluetooth vehicle scanner? The OBDLink LX Bluetooth offers outstanding security protection by using a secure multi-layer 128-bit data encryption.

Compared to other Bluetooth adapters, the OBDLink LX doesn’t use or display an easy-to-hack PIN, and it doesn’t broadcast its presence so your connection is always kept safe and secure. You can use this device without worrying of unauthorized intrusion into the communication link. This gives you added peace of mind when the device is plugged into the OBD-II port of your vehicle.

And since the OBDLink LX works via Bluetooth interface, you can use the device while you are operating the vehicle. This is great for vehicle diagnostics and on-the-spot performance tuning. Since there are no messy wires, you can view performance graphs and other data while driving your vehicle. Place your phone or tablet in the dash and see real-time results. Ultra-fast Bluetooth connection also ensures smooth graphics and animations with no perceivable lag.

Difference between the Scantool OBDlink MX 426101 and OBDlink LX 427201

If you’re trying to decide between the OBDlink MX 426101 OR the OBDlink LX 427201 and want to know the difference, the main thing is that the MX 426101 (the black one) supports Single-Wire CAN (GMLAN) & Ford Medium-Speed CAN (MS-CAN) but it costs about $16 bucks more than the LX 427201 (the green one). 

Product Specs of OBDLink LX Bluetooth OBDII Adapter

The OBDLink LX Bluetooth allows you to use any Android or Windows device as a professional scanning tool, performance monitor and trip computer. It also gives you the power to safely scan and diagnose engine fault codes (or check engine lights) so you can save money on expensive vehicle repairs.

Pros and Cons

 Things I liked: 

Modern v1.3 ELM327 chip makes this scanner more reliable with higher transfer rates that cheaper Chinese scanners. This OBD2 scanner is an easy, effective and secure way to scan or diagnose the CPU of your OBD-II compliant vehicle using any Andoid or Windows device. The OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scan Tool will get the job done. It offers blazing-fast and secure Bluetooth connectivity using your Android or Windows device, and it offers unsurpassed protection from hackers and unauthorized intrusions for trouble-free scanning. If you’re a DIY type of guy (or gal) and want to quickly and accurately get a complete view of the health of your car, this is just what you need. This thing also is very small, so it’s conveniant to just leave it plugged into the car!

 Things I did not like: 

One of the biggest drawbacks that we found was that this device is NOT compatible with Apple or iOS devices. This is not OBDLink’s fault thought, it’s because Apple doesn’t support Bluetooth sharing or connectivity with non-Apple devices. This is a minor annoyance, but the good news is that you can buy the OBDLink MX Wi-Fi which is designed to work with Apple or Mac computers.

One other thing that I’ve heard some friends mention is that sometimes the OBDLink doesn’t return all the SRS codes… I did not have that issue, but if you run into a similar issue where the scanner doesn’t provide a description for the code, just look it up here: https://actron.com/code-lookup

Final thoughts

If you want to safely and wirelessly connect to the OBD-II port of your vehicle, then the ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Bluetooth is perfect for you. With ultra-fast and secure Bluetooth connectiton, this product is among the best Bluetooth scan tools you can buy. Click here for the best price on this scanner.

Did you know that the ScanTool 427201 was featured in our guide to the best scanners for Ford Focus, Kia, VW, Dodge, and BMW? It’s a terrific, low cost adapter!

Hey I hope you enjoyed this ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Review as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you have any questions or are still looking for the best OBD2 scan tool, leave a comment and we’ll help you out! You can find more bluetooth obdII scanner reviews here, and don’t miss our guide on the best bluetooth obdII adapter for the price

-Vince

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