For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, understanding your vehicle’s health is paramount. While basic, low-cost Bluetooth ELM 327 dongles paired with smartphone apps offer a glimpse into your car’s diagnostics, they often fall short when it comes to accessing deeper, non-OBDII systems. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive diagnostic tool that won’t break the bank in 2017, you’ll need to invest a bit more for a scanner that can truly interface with your car’s complex computer network. These advanced tools can access systems beyond the standard OBDII parameters, providing insights into areas like oil level and enabling functions like resetting service lights – capabilities simply unavailable with basic, budget scanners.
Many users quickly discover the limitations of those inexpensive OBD2 Bluetooth adapters. While they can read basic OBDII codes, they are inherently restricted to the standardized emissions-related data. For anything beyond that, such as checking oil levels or interacting with brand-specific systems, these tools are insufficient. Even reputable brands like VeePeak explicitly state that their scanners are designed solely for OBDII scanning. To truly tap into your vehicle’s full diagnostic potential, you require a tool capable of communicating with the non-OBDII networks within your car, similar to professional systems like VIDA/DiCE used for specific car brands.
Stepping up from basic OBD2 readers, the Autel DiagLink emerges as an entry-level option for more in-depth diagnostics, typically priced around $90-$100. The key advantage of the DiagLink at this price point is its ability to perform functions that cheaper scanners simply cannot, such as resetting oil change lights and retracting electronic parking brakes for service. However, there’s a significant caveat: the DiagLink’s functionality is limited to a single car brand. Upon purchase, you receive one free brand-specific software package, which must be downloaded and installed onto the device before use. If you own vehicles from multiple manufacturers or anticipate needing to diagnose different brands in the future, this limitation becomes apparent. Expanding the DiagLink’s capabilities to another brand requires purchasing additional software licenses from Autel, typically around $10 per brand. Therefore, while cost-effective for single-brand owners who require more than basic OBDII functionality, the DiagLink’s brand-locked nature might be restrictive for others.
For those seeking a more versatile solution capable of diagnosing multiple car brands without the single-brand restriction, the Autel MD806 is a standout choice in the 2017 market. Priced around $200, the MD806 represents a significant step up in capability while still remaining accessible to the home mechanic. While internally similar in hardware to the DiagLink, the MD806 utilizes software that supports multiple car brands without the need for separate software downloads for each. Furthermore, Autel often includes “lifetime” software updates with the MD806, adding considerable long-term value. It’s important to note that “lifetime” in software terms typically refers to the product’s support lifespan, meaning updates will likely cease after a number of years as the tool ages. Despite this, the breadth of features offered by the MD806 for its price makes it an exceptional value proposition. It provides the comprehensive diagnostic capabilities needed by most home users and even some professional technicians, bridging the gap between basic OBDII readers and expensive professional-grade scan tools. If you anticipate using a diagnostic scanner frequently across different vehicles or simply desire a tool with broader capabilities, the Autel MD806 is arguably one of the best Android-compatible OBD2 scanners for the money in 2017.
In conclusion, while budget-friendly ELM327 scanners have their place for basic OBDII checks, they are insufficient for users needing to access non-OBDII systems or perform advanced functions. For single-brand owners with specific diagnostic needs, the Autel DiagLink offers a cost-effective upgrade. However, for the best overall value and versatility in 2017, the Autel MD806 stands out as the superior choice, providing multi-brand support and a comprehensive feature set that caters to both DIY enthusiasts and professional mechanics seeking a powerful yet affordable Android OBD2 scanner.
