Customer Reviews

Crescent USB OBD2/EOBD Multi-Protocol Car Diagnostic Tool Auto Scanner

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

There are many programs out there that expect to use a particular OBD II connection design. This cable provides it. When my 2003 Chevy Venture van's "service engine soon" light came on, I had no way to find out what was wrong save a very long drive to someone who would charge much more than this to tell me. So I ordered it.

It worked right off, telling me of a minor problem (somewhat flakey coolant thermostat) - an easy fix.

Regarding complaints that the LEDs face down - the label peels off easily, exposing four screws. Removing them lets you pop the top off, rotate the OBD II connector and reassemble. Then they will face up for you.

As far as the LEDs - you don't ever need them anyway. And there's no documentation as to their function. But if you want to know, they are (left to right):

Yellow - OBD II TX
Green - OBD II RX
Yellow - RS-232 TX
Green - RS-232 RX
Red - Power

The TX/RX pairs flash when data is being transferred between the cable's microprocessor and the vehicle (OBD II) or your computer (RS-232). The Power LED lights when the cable has power, either from your USB port or from the vehicle's OBD II connector.

So it does what it claims, it is as future-proof as you could ask (all the software runs on your PC and can be upgraded), it's inexpensive, it's small. Pretty hard to beat!

Jim Horn, Electrical Engineer for 34 years

Very happy with product, works exactly as intended... included CD came with source code to make your own OBD2 scan application (C++).

Only downfall is you need a OBD2 extension cable if you need to drive the vehicle and read sensor data. (At least in my vehicle, 2002 ford explorer xlt - the sensor when connectoed to the port, hangs striaght down, right in front of brake pedal.)

As a network engineer with a background in automotive research and development, I have a little experience in engine communication systems, albeit with systems that cost in the range of $10k - $200k. When it was time to take my new/used 1997 Kia Sportage for its first emissions test, I decided to communicate with it at home. A little research turned up a few options, and this one came in at the low end of the cost spectrum so I got it. It works as advertised, and you get what you pay for - I recommend it, and here is my guidance on having a successful experience with this tool.

First step: download the latest software. The vendor ships a mini-cd with the package that contains the software; on the outside of the cd envelope they place a label with the web link to download the latest version of the software, here:

[...] yes, that is the correct URL, and downloading this software is the best approach. Worked like a charm when I installed it following the instructions in the "QuickStart Guide"; it is important to follow the instructions precisely.

By the way, my laptop uses Windows 7 Ultimate, and during the install process you will be informed of the proper "com port" to use for connecting to the hardware, take note of it. Use the AutoDiscover button, then save the settings.

My research revealed that the manufacturer has been shipping hardware version 1.4, but I received hardware version 1.3a from the vendor, which, while disappointing, it's working just fine - as stated earlier, you get what you pay for, and the Amazon item pages never specify the hardware version being shipped. Meh.

This system works fine with my 1997 kia Sportage 4x4 EX. I anticipate purchasing the newer version 1.4x as well as purchasing software which offers a bit more polish, with functions such as printing, dashboard guages, and chip programming. Ultimately I will be converting the Kia to flex fuel and primarily buring ethanol, and I want to document the experience carefully.

I recommend this product, it's worth $45.

Works with my '03 Land Rover Discovery, '06 Saturn Vue, and '96 Ford Mustang. Comes with some open source software and drivers for both Windows & Mac. The open source software, while functional, doesn't support some more advanced features available thru the OBDII diagnostics port. Things like real time monitoring and data logging require upgrading to a paid version. I end up purchasing PCMSCAN by Palmer Performance for about $100, which does what I need. The Mac software is basic but worked with Snow Leopard (10.6.1).

Software supplied with Crescent USB OBD2/EOBD scanner tool is not that great. It does work in that it allows you to look at the current status of data streams and it will download a list of current stored error codes.
However,
a) the "OBD 2007 lite" software does not allow you to save the data as a record of current performance/system status on your PC,
b) the "OBD 2007 lite" interface output is all purely numeric and does not generate curves documenting engine performance
c) I have not been able to get the prettier "digital dash 5.0" software to work that came on the software disk. It locks-up as soon as I request the Auto-Diagnostics page. Others may have luck with this, I have not.

If you want the more advanced software that should work with the adapter (OBD2Pro by glm software) it will cost an additional chunk of change. ($79 for the software as of this writing)

I am looking for a better software package that will work with the scanner. According to the documentation, the scanner tool is versatile and should work with other packages.

I have used this cable on a 1997 GMC C1500 and a 2000 Toyota Echo. With both vehicles, I was able to read and clear the DTCs. I also was able to look at the freeze frame data and real time data. This product has helped me solve O2 sensor problems on the GMC and MAF sensor problems on the Echo.

Detailed instructions are included on a PDF on the CD. These instructions tell how to install the drivers for the cable and how to change the COM port, if needed.

The EasyOBDII software works decently well. I would like for all data fields to be displayed at the same time. The program only allows me to look at certain groups of data at any one time. I installed a PDF printer and EasyOBDII allowed me to print directly to a PDF. The program hangs up every time I try to print to a PDF while viewing real time data. I don't know if this is a problem with EasyOBDII or the PDF printer.

I haven't tried out the trial versions of the other software. I intend to do that at some point. Also I'm interested in looking at using the cable with the Linux program called Freediag. It would also be cool to have a look at the included C++ source code. I haven't had time to do these things yet.

By the way, I did purchase an extension cable as other reviewers suggested.

Works perfectly with my Jeep. Was pleasantly surprised that it works perfectly with Vista/7 and Snow Leopard. The build quality is excellent and the free software saved a lot of searching around online.

The only downside is the mini CD. It won't work in a slot-loading drive. Also, the lack of an official website is disconcerting.

This was the cheapest OBD scanner I could find and it works great. Being a generic OBD to RS232 (via the USB2Serial adapter) you can make your own diagnostic procedures for your car if you know what you're doing. Two potential drawbacks : 1) If your OBD connector is in a place really close to the pedals or other area that's difficult to see, the LEDs on the box that indicate data transfer are kind of useless. 2) You might need an extension cable as the USB cable is not very long. You can buy an OBD extension cable that costs may be $15-$20 (that way you can see the LEDs too and drive the car and test, if the box is obstructing the pedals), but you can also use a USB extension cable, if the only concern is the length, that could be $3 a piece here on Amazon with free shipping.

Connects and installs easily. Some initial confusion over Com Port assignments, but nothing that couldn't be easily solved by exploring USB port designations. Accompanying software will work nicely for reading codes and demonstrate some features available with commercial packages. Works well with my Acer One netbook - installed from SDHC card.

Reader works great, compatible with most (all that I've tried) Elm327 OBD2 software. CD comes with the driver, Freeware applications. that work well and demos of non-freeware applications. Cord is long enough for my case (97 Neon) with the port above the clutch, to reach the center console without issue.

Lists support for Windows through vista, I'm running Windows 7 on the system and it works without issue, Properly installed the 32bit driver and set a correct com port.

Very happy with the purchase, and shipping was quick, received the cable in less than a week.