QUICK OVERVIEW
Quality of Build
Value For Money
Ease of Use
What We Like
What We Don't Like
As far as OBDII scanners go, the 7100p model from Innova brings tons of extra features and functionality to your garage. Although this isn’t technically a professional-grade model, it does more than most basic scanners can. If you want more control over your car’s internal systems, this device will work well.
Innova 7100p Review
- PRODUCT IMAGES
- pros & cons
- resources
Look and Feel
This product has a little bit of heft to it, which helps make it feel legitimate and more powerful. The shape and design ensure that you can maintain an excellent grip on the scanner at all times. Plus, since you can connect to your car via Bluetooth, you don’t have to worry about bulky cords getting in your way.
The backlit LCD screen is large enough so that you don’t have to squint your eyes to see what it says. Some scanners only give you a code, while the 7100p provides far more details. Plus, you can read live data graphing, ensuring that you can better understand what’s going on beneath the hood.
The menu navigation is intuitive and straightforward so that you don’t have to spend time mastering the controls. You can work one-handed if necessary, which is helpful if you’re trying to diagnose and fix problems simultaneously.
Connectivity
The Innova 7100p has codes for all the latest makes and models, both foreign and domestic. That said, if you have an older vehicle, you might not find the correct codes. This lack of backward-friendly connectivity is one of the most significant drawbacks of this OBDII scanner. However, if you have a relatively new car, you shouldn’t have to worry.
We like that this scanner comes with a Bluetooth connection, which gives you greater flexibility and versatility while working. Since you’re not tethered to the connection port, you can move around the engine and diagnose problems on the fly. A big part of OBD scanning is the process of elimination.
Since this device provides live vehicle data, you can rule out potential causes in real-time. Overall, you can be much more in tune with your car and avoid expensive (and unnecessary) trips to the mechanic.
Functionality
Because this OBDII scanner is the latest in a long line of Innova products, it has more functions than you might expect. Old-fashioned scanners would only tell you the code and nothing else. The 7100p helps you with a wide array of features, including:
Oil Light Reset - Checking your oil has never been easier. If the oil light comes on, you can change your fluid and reset the light automatically instead of going to the shop.
ABS Scanner - In addition to the check engine and oil lights, this device can scan your anti-lock braking system for defects and issues.
Live Data Scanning - Run your car for a few minutes and get tons of information on its performance in real-time. You can use this data to determine the cause of a check engine light or to improve your vehicle’s efficiency on the road. For example, if you notice that some systems are not running smoothly, you can tweak and fine-tune those parts to work better.
Smog Check - Don’t wait until you go to a smog check facility to see if your car will pass or fail. Do the check from the comfort of your own garage and get the details on how to improve your smog output.
Code Severity Alert - One of the main problems with a check engine light is that you don’t know if the problem is serious or not. This built-in alert system will warn you whether a code needs to be fixed ASAP with a red, yellow, green display.
Conclusion
If you’re just looking for a quick and easy way to scan OBDII codes, the Innova 7100p may be too complex for your needs. However, if you want to get the most out of your car without taking it to the mechanic, this device will save you a lot of time and money. Overall, this OBDII scanner is one of the best on the market and works well for intermediate and expert-level DIY enthusiasts.