Gen2 OBD2 app review

They keep making different versions- including a AP200M. Different capabilities and functions and subscriptions bundled together.
Stick with AP200.

 

The AP200 looks to have all data PIDs for all systems. The only limit is you can't datalog (save a "movie" . You can save a snapshot of the data. For live monitoring of battery blocks, Dr Prius is very useful.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The AP200 has menu items for single corner, complete system, stroke simulator, or actuator bleeding. Do not see any item for relearning the linear solenoid.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Next device and app is the XTool Anyscan A30. There are three variants. The adcopy says that all 3 have the same diagnostic capabilities, and that the only difference is the bundled "service functions". Whatever version you buy, that's all the functions you will have. The A30 ($130) gives you 5 set functions. The A30D ($160) has 12 functions (including ABS bleeding). The A30M ($220) has 21 functions. Does not have any immobilizer functions (unlike The Autel or ThinkDiag). All have multi brand coverage with updates and no subscription fees. (check the website for details).



On a Gen2 it looks to have system code scan, codes and data for all systems. Data logging. Bidirectional controls (you can command the ECM to turn things on, like fuel pump or radiator fan and lots of things- like Techstream does). Weird thing is it has freeze frame data, but when I set a PA0D in hybrid control, the freezeframe did NOT have the INF code. Not sure why.

Another weird thing is that the actuator (bidirectional) control menu on the A30M has bleed functions in it as well as in the separate function menu. Don't know if bleed functions are present in the actuator menu on the A30 variant (which doesn't have ABS bleed in "functions"). I do not see a option to set the ABS linear offset or reset the yaw sensor.

The VCI is... cute? It has a built if little flashlight, and an OLED screen that displays the voltage present at the OBD port. Like the others, you have to download the (Anyscan) app, register, and activate the VCI. with the serial number. Pair the VCI in the phone OS settings then select the correct device in the app Setting/Bluetooth. Then go to Special Functions or Diagnosis to read the VIN and connect to the car.

 

I looked at the function menu for the ABS system on the Autel, and it has two items; one (Test Mode) says it can calibrate the zero point of the yaw and G (acceleration) sensor. The second (Reset Memory) says it will reset the "learning value" of the Skid Control ECU - not sure if that's the linear valve offset or not (maybe steering angle sensor?)

Side note, the Autel has all the immobilizer functions of Techstream(?) I used it to add a new fob to my SKS Gen2.

 

A few months ago, I didn't think that there was any app out there that was even close to a "real" scantool. Now I'm practically tripping over the things.

There is the MuCar BT200 device and app($56). This is a budget brand that's part of ThinkDiag (uses the same account and login if you have it.)

This has multi brand diagnostic coverage. No subscription for diagnostic software for any brand. System code scan. Codes and data for all ecu's on the Gen2. Also does datalogging. Does NOT do freeze frame or INF codes. (the system scan usually didn't catch a B1421 from A/C unless I went to that ecu). Does NOT have any bidirectional controls.

This tool has all "service functions" (ABS bleeding, Steering Angle Sensor, Immobilizer, TPMS, etc) available as subscriptions - $20/year per function.

So the Mucar is (kind of) similar to the Autel AP200. Codes and data only. Mucar covers many brands for no extra cost, has no freeze frame/INF, but can datalog. Service functions are more $$ per year.

Autel has free coverage only for the first brand. More brands are more $$ per year. Has codes and data. Freeze frame and INF. Service functions are included. Does not do datalogging.

Gonna need a big chart, with circles, arrows, and paragraphs on the back of it.

 

Wow. There is WAY more out there than I thought. The ThinkDiag(+) is very close to full Techstream functionality. However, ThinkCar has a crazy number of variants.

There is: ThinkDiag Mini, ThinkCar Pro, ThinkCar 2, ThinkDriver, and ThinkSafe. All are BT VCI devices that work with their smartphone app. All have different prices, capabilities, subscription bundles, and service functions. All claim "full OE level diagnostics". I don't think that any are as capable as the ThinkDiag(+) - ie, no bidirectional controls and fewer service functions?

One or two sound exactly like the Mucar. One might just be a refreshed version of another. Then there are other "clones" (?) out there. One looks to be the TopDon SmartDiag - sounds like the Mucar as well.

Between the lack of info on websites and language translation errors, I can't make much sense of it all. It's out there if you want to look into them.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I have the OBLink MX+, same software and it did not pick up any INF codes when I set some codes then checked. Data on a couple systems was sketchy. Only had freeze frame for ECM (as required by OBD2 generic). UI is clumsy and slow.

IMHO the Autel AP200 is WAY better.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

It all depends on what you want or need a scantool for. Every tool out there is a compromise.

The Autel can perform a system scan for codes, and from there you can go to any ecu. The data list is a bit more intuitive to select and display PIDs. It shows freezeframe data and INF codes. It has several service functions (TPMS, brake bleed, immobilizer).

However, it is free only for one brand (FYI, autel considers Scion to be a separate brand from Toyota). Additional brands are annual subscription. Yes the dongle is proprietary. Good to know that ios has problems. Yes, having to select options every time you connect is a bit annoying.

OBDLink may have better data display, but to me the interface is just clumsy and slow. Select a single ecu (or "cluster" of a few ecu's), connect, check codes, disconnect, select the next, and repeat. No system scan.

Do you have any problems with data on some systems just displaying all zeros? Codes seem to read fine. Sometimes I have to replug the MX+ dongle to have it display data on some systems (usually on the BEAN data bus). So far A/C and TPMS are always fail, but ECM, hybrid, ABS, P/S, SRS always work.

When I go to select data PIDs I have to always deselect crap like mpg or phone accelerometer info. Plus no freezeframe, INF, or service functions.

So in my book, Autel is better for diagnostics and maintenance. For daily monitoring on select systems, use something else like HA, Dr Prius, Torque, - if OBDLink does what you want, then great!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

This is the cliff notes version of the entire thread. I have a comparison chart of various apps and devices, and will also give a brief description of each.

On the chart, VCI is Vehicle Communications Interface, or the Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the OBD port. Some apps use "any" generic (ELM327 based) 3rd party adapter - cost and function can vary wildly, so do your homework. Other apps only work with their own proprietary adapter, and these adapters will not work with any other app (OBDLink is the only exception).

Codes and Data shows what system ecu's the app can "talk" to. Most can read and clear basic codes as well as data on the same ecu's. (I list "Hybrid" ecu as some apps seem to glom the Hybrid control and HV battery ecu's together.) FF & INF is whether the app shows FreezeFrame data or INF sub/detail codes. B-D Ctrl is BiDirectional Controls- the ability to command the ecu to turn certain ouputs on and off (such as pumps, fans, or warning lights).

D-L is DataLogging, recording data from the ecu and being able to review it later. Cost is the type of payment, either a single one time (1x) or a $UBscription that has to be paid once every year to keep the app features functioning. Svc Func is for Service Functions, special tests and procedures such as bleeding the ABS system, adding TPMS sensors, etc. Brands is for whether the app is only for Prius or Toyota (1x), or if it can work on other brands (which may cost more $$). Not going to give actual amounts as prices change weekly, and some sellers give "on sale" discounts.



1) Dr Prius
All about monitoring certain live HV battery data. Paid version gets a couple HV battery "guesstimate" tests. Can pull/clear ECM and (some?) hybrid system codes. Can control battery fan function.

2)Hybrid Assistant
Displays certain ECM & hybrid system data. Can datalog and make beautiful reports. Can turn battery fan on. No codes. Android only.

3)Car Scanner (Pro)
Has codes and data for ECM and hybrid systems. OBD2 ECM functions. Dashboard displays. Paid version gets some added functions (?) (only talks on CAN bus- has more ecu's on Gen3 or Gen4).

4)Torque(Pro)
Custom dash displays and datalogging mostly based on generic OBD2 ECM data and codes. Can also do hybrid data (and some codes?). (Has other plugin packs for more systems on other brands, IDK if this app also uses CAN bus only). Paid version has added functions(?).

5)OBDFusion
Has the capability to get codes and data from most/all ecu's on a Gen2. BUT, needs a GOOD ELM327 ver2.0? to do so. My BAFX adapter had errors trying to connect ecu's on the BEAN bus (immobilizer, A/C, TPMS, etc). Coverage is a 1X payment PER brand - PER model year. User Interface is slow and clumsy IMO. Does have dashboard display functions for certain data. Has a selection for (data)logs, but I couldn't get it to do anything.

6)OBDLink
The "same" app as OBDFusion, but this one only works with their own adapter. (FYI, the OBDLink family of VCI can work with some 3rd party apps such as Dr Prius or Car Scanner). Talks to all ecu's on a Gen2 but data was sketchy for some (A/C and TPMS esp.) Same coverage/cost as OBDFusion. (I got the MX+ VCI, which has a "bundle" that includes all available brands and model years for 1x payment- but some brands only have codes, no data function).

7)Autel Maxi AP200
App and VCI that can scan ALL ecu's on a Gen2 for codes and data. Can read freezeframe data and INF codes. Has several service functions such as ABS bleed, TPMS, Steering Angle Sensor reset, immobilizer (add new key fob), etc (MIGHT do ABS "relearn"? linear solenoid??). A 1x cost covers one car brand including any updates. Any added brands are a $ubscription per brand per year.

8)ThinkCar ThinkDiag
This is the high-end ThinkCar app and VCI that is very very close to full TechStream functionality and fits in your pocket. Appears to do almost anything that TS can.(includes immobilizer and ABS linear solenoid relearn) Has multibrand coverage, but is annual $ubscription after 12 months.

9)XTOOL Anyscan A30
App and VCI with codes, data, freezeframe (but no INF?), datalogging, plus bidirectional controls. Has multibrand coverage with no further costs for updates. BUT what service functions is can do is determined by which variant (A30, A30D, A30M) you buy. (does not do immobilizer)

10)Mucar BT200
App and VCI with basic codes, data, and datalogging for multibrands. No INF or bidirectional controls. Diagnostic coverage is a 1x cost (includes any updates), but service functions (can do immobilizer) are annual $ubscription.


7) through 10): All will scan the car for codes & create "health reports"; All work on Android 11 and on iOS 15.6.1; All have different functions and capabilties; All have "variants" or versions that have different coverage, capabilities, and costs. All need to read the VIN and select some options in order to connect.

There is no "perfect" scantool that "does it all" for a 1x cheap payment.


There are other things out there. ScanGauge looks to be a generic scantool with only OBD2 ECM functions. BlueDriver and Innova 1000 look to have limited system coverage (ECM, ABS, and some others). Carista doesn't show coverage for a Gen2 at all.

Do your homework and get what works for you.