Can somebody explain why BlueDriver scan tools are so popular/recommended/special over cheaper solutions. For example, I have a $20 Bafx OBD scan tool, and it gives me all the data I want like DTCs, monitor readiness, different sensor data. Why would you pay $100 more for the BlueDriver?
I think they both use similar hardware. Is the difference only in software? Granted, BlueDriver has a better app with a use-friendly interface and no ads.
Software, support, features, and quality. These are all important things for a tool.
OBD tools are only as good as the user interface between you and the car, and it seems the Bluedriver folks are invested a lot into it, and they're likely to be in it for the long term.
BAFX don't even have their own software! It says right on their product info: 3rd party apps required.
I've tried the free apps like Torque, and they're abandonware. Nobody is working on it, and good luck getting any support.
You want a tool that is ACTIVELY being developed.
You can use any app aside from Torque. I like Car Scanner OBD2. It was last updated in June 13, 2021. I tried to find specific specs/features on the BlueDriver website, and coudn't. Anyway, I appreciate your reply.
Reminds me of those days where people used ThinkPads and ToughBooks to diagnose cars.
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A fully integrated system will always be better then connecting via Bluetooth and running an app on non proprietary hardware.
One word: Quality
Interesting word. Too broad though. Quality in what exactly? If both scanners provide data from similar sensors. Is BlueDriver more accurate? BTW, BlueDriver has been selling for $100 always. Several days ago they raised the price to $120.
Prices are going up on everything. It's unfortunate but it is what it is. With BlueDriver, you get a quality, stable software program with excellent support. With the $20 tool, you get a tool that uses 3rd party software and virtually no support. Other things like speed, user interface, etc. are likely better as well. I have no bias with either as I use Autel for my personal vehicles. They make scanners for all kinds of budgets, but I use the $500 range one because I know I'm getting a quality product with great support that also gets updates all the time. I won't have to buy another scanner for a very long time. I can also use it on many brands, which can be an issue for some of the cheaper tools. I'm not telling you to go out and buy an expensive scan tool. If the $20 tool is doing what you need, that's great. Everyone should purchase the right tool for the job, and everyone needs different capabilities. But the differences between BlueDriver and the cheaper tools is support, quality of the product, capabilities, and smoothness of the user interface.
Thank you for the exemplary comment.
@JohnnyRemlik also to add to what our esteemed member Mod_Man has said, some of the cheap OBDII dongles can damage your vehicle especially if not from a reputable company. That’s especially true if buying from some of these Chinese companies (I am not referring to ‘Made in China’ label but rather the OEM company itself). I don’t want to damage the computer modules on my expensive cars. Personally, I use an Autel $400 scan tool tablet which does a lot more than Bluedriver or these cheaper tools, but my needs demand it.
Also, scan tools are supposed to be investments. You buy a good quality one and it should last a long time so over the course of that time spending $100 more is not a big deal.
@DayWalker, yeah, I think I'm convinced to go ahead and invest in BlueDriver. Thanks.
@DayWalker
The only time I ever herd a scanner bricked a car was when a Bosch scan tool crashed during a transmission recalibration (I do not know what it is with Bosch tools)
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Almost all scan tools on Amzon are reputable (Launch, Ancel, Autel, foxwell, Innova, ...) non of these are even remotely likely to cause any damage.
I used to do transmission diagnostics,
So its a very safe bet to say I know quite a bit about scanners.
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There are two types of scanners, “OBDII” and “system scanners”.
Mechanics and Specialists use System scanners (either 4 system or Full system scanners).
For $120~$170 you can get a nice 4 system scanner which allows you to take a very deep look into the issues you’re working on - really get into the brains of the car.
on the other hand,
An OBD2 scanner you have the cheap scan tools, they can only read generic codes (P _ _ _ _ )
It doesn’t matter if a generic code were read by a $10,000 Bosch or a $25 Launch.
The blueDriver is NOT a full system scanner - although it costs as such.
As a matter of fact it’s just an overly complex gimmick, you don’t to fumble around with Bluetooth or an app to tell me 4 digits 🙂
If you ask me, just get a $35 scanner, the Foxwell NT-301 is great.
A BlueDriver scanner for the same price as this (almost) dealer level scan tool would've said “no faults found” while here I’m able to diagnose an issue with this car.
BlueDriver claims “more codes” but they do not claim “4 system” or “full system” so that’s worth nothing.
They also lack “special functions” completely - another important aspect of expensive scanners
* All OBDII scanners can read Live Data, but true all system scanners can read module live data (like the exact position of all blend doors in the A/C system)
** The scanner in the picture I uploaded (Diagnosing the ABS system on a Volvo) is a fancy $200 one, The average consumer does not need such an apparatus...
Thanks for the great input! I'll consider Foxwell NT-301. However, it costs a little more than $35. On Amazon - $67.
@JohnnyRemlik yep it seems I made a misstype I meant the NT201. 👀
It is always “on sale” on Amazon for around ~$35.
Your $20 scan tool can only display OBD2 generic codes, no live data, can't talk to modules, can't show manufacturer-specific codes. (Can your $20 tool for example show you short and long term fuel trim?)
I'm not sure about OP's but I have a $10 amazon one and with the torque app I can monitor my short and long term fuel trim, it tests all the sensors in my car, I can select a live graph of any sensor, oil temp, coolant, transmission temp, etc.
I have a similar gadget from Amazon that hooks up to a laptop which does that. However it cannot communicate with or test specific computer modules or do many of the things needed to service modern cars. Reading fuel trim and sensors barely scratches the surface. I don't know how far the BlueDriver goes (it's not a $5000 scan tool) but I'm willing to bet it will certainly do a heck of a lot more than the OP's $20 scan tool.
Oh yeah I agree with you on that, I know a better tool for sure would be needed to do all those things. I've never tried the BlueDriver, either
The BlueDriver looks interesting but I don't have a smartphone and I'm not going to get one just for that. I have the dealer scan tool (well, a China-made clone) for my daily driver anyway.
My $20 Bafx tool appears to be able to monitor short and long term fuel trims, shows live data. Basically, exactly what @ringtold wrote. It cannot be hooked up to a laptop however. I am not sure about manufacturer-specific codes, but for my Toyota it shows a lot of data, like 150 sensors if the app Car Scanner does not lie.
I guess the cheapies have gotten better over the years. I have a very basic Autel code reader that I bought years ago for about $25-$30 and all it does is read or clear generic codes and show I/M readiness. I use it to quick-check a vehicle before taking it for emission inspection. However you generally get what you pay for with this stuff and I have no doubt that BlueDriver can do a lot more than today's $20 scan tools. You can check its capabilities on their web site. Is it worth the extra money? I guess that depends on what you need.
@chucktobias
Virtually all $25 scanners (from good brands like Launch, Foxwell, …) can display the same live data as the BlueDriver can.
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But neither of those can talk to modules and show you in depth live data (like the transmission input speed - for checking the torque convertor on an automatic)
My Autel MS300 which as I recall cost about $25 doesn't display live data, but it is several years old. (There's nothing about live data in its manual or in its menus.) Like I said I just use it for a go/no-go check before going for emissions check.
For more than that I have a Tech2 which is only used on a couple of cars. They're old enough that,for example, there is no transmission data since the transmissions are 100% hydraulic control - no electronics, no solenoids. Also no electronic keys. Other than that most of my vehicles are so old they have no computers.