Investing in the right OBD2 scan tool for you will be one of the smartest purchases you’ll make this year. We’ll help you find what you need whether you are a car owner or mechanic. They’re excellent pieces of machinery that will help you save hours and hours and make complicated repairs.
There are a lot of different devices out on the market, and we have put so many through the test. They come in a multitude of shapes and sizes with all kinds of features which may or may not be relevant to your needs. Read on below as we cover some of the best tools out on the market, and which we feel is the best bidirectional scanner.
Comparison Chart
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EDITOR'S CHOICE |
1. LAUNCH X431 V PRO Directional Scan Tool
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2. Autel Maxisys MS906BT
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3. Autel MaxiCOM MK908P
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4. Launch CRP429 OBD2
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5. ANCEL AD610 Elite
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Our Recommendations for Bidirectional OBD2 Scanners
1. LAUNCH X431 V PRO Directional Scan Tool
This scanner offers an interesting blend of features including allowing you to perform advanced tasks like ECU coding, ABS bleeding, SAS, and TPMS to name a few. You can observe and analyze the various systems in a vehicle and then read and get rid of trouble codes.
What you need to know is that it covers just about all major systems to keep your vehicle safe and running smoothly. You’ll have a tool at your disposal to troubleshoot just about every problem. It also helps you troubleshoot over 94 brands from around Asia, Europe and the US.
One special feature to note is the ABS Bleeding. You will be able to release air that gets trapped every time you open the system. Another feature is the IMMO, which stops the vehicle from getting hotwired.
Besides all of the technical features that the scanner offers, it can run for 9 hours without charging, and it’s waterproof. But if you ever have any issues, it does have a 5-year warranty and 24-hour technical support ready to help you. That’s right, you can send your data to experts at Launch, and they can help with suggestions for your issues
- Pros/cons overview
2. Autel Maxisys MS906BT
The MS906BT is a great scanner for professional auto mechanics. It has superb OBD scanning and capabilities, and it provides a live data stream. It uses an open-source Android operating system with an Exynos 6-core processor. This leads to excellent multitasking abilities, a quick boot up and fast scans/tests.
It allows you to run all OE-level OBD2 diagnostic tasks which include reading/erasing codes, freeze frame data, data logging, TPMS programming and a host of other tasks. Users identify cars easily using the Smart AutoVIN technology. It also covers a plethora of makes and models - over 80 US, European, and Asian brands.
Autel also did an excellent job with the design of the scanner. Its 7” screen with 1024X768 resolution displays images in crystal clear quality and gives it that tablet feel. Its battery lasts up to 14 continuous hours of continuous use before needing a charge. Its overall construction complements its amazing technological features.
- Pros/cons overview
3. Autel MaxiCOM MK908P Bidirectional Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tool
Autel’s MK908P is an advanced scanner with many features that make it an amazing choice. Starting with the obvious, it is a larger tool than most other scanners on the market, but the 10.1” LED screen provides great clarity and makes reading easier. It feels great in the hands though, and it is lightweight and portable.
It covers a wide range of domestic vehicles and foreign vehicles from Europe and Asia. It is compatible with all 10 modes of OBD2 diagnostic, and it diagnoses all of a vehicle’s symptoms and provides a live data stream for each system. Troubleshooting problems is made so much easier when all the data is so easily accessible.
The MK908P’s coding function allows you to gain full access and control over ECUs in your vehicle. This allows you to easily integrate new components and update software as needed - drastically improving your ability to reprogram ECUs.
- Pros/cons overview
4. Launch CRP429 OBD2
It features a 1-minute diagnosis for systems such as ABS, SRS, transmission, fuel system, powertrain, AC, chassis, engine and body. The time you save with the 1-minute diagnosis is reason enough for most people to choose this device. But there is more, the CRP429 allows you to conduct bidirectional tests in the ABS.
It supports over 30 foreign and domestic brand vehicles - almost any car manufactured after 1996 with an OBD2 system.
The CRP429 utilizes an A5 quad processor to eliminate lag and freezing, and the UI is highly responsive and easy to work with. It comes with a special one-click update feature where a single click is all it takes to update the device.
- Pros/cons overview
5. ANCEL AD610 Elite
The ANCEL AD 610 Elite covers over 60 manufacturer brands and allows users to calibrate steering angle sensors for 35+ vehicles. You can use VIN numbers to identify vehicle information, read and clear codes for both ABS and airbag, and run bi-directional control tests.
The tool diagnoses quickly and accurately, and it can do it in many different languages. The device pinpoints errors for you and displays the relevant ABS diagnostic trouble codes.
You don’t need to worry about charging it. Hook it up to the vehicle, turn on the ignition, and it runs off the vehicle’s battery.- Pros/cons overview
FINAL VERDICT
The LAUNCH X431 V PRO Directional Scan Tool is the device of choice. Its amazing diversity and ability to deal with such a wide variety of problems with a wide variety of cars makes it a great candidate. Being extra durable also helps out a great deal; a dozen different things are waiting in a shop to ruin a fancy screen.
What puts it over the top is, with it, you are not alone. Launch’s professionals are there to help you figure out what needs to be done the moment that device starts gathering data.
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