ScanTool 423001 ElmScan 5 Compact OBD-II Scan Tool and OBDwiz Diagnostic Software

by ScanTool

• Free OBDwiz engine diagnostic PC software; read and clear trouble codes (over 7000 generic and manufacturer-specific codes), turn off check engine light, view freeze frame; display, record, and graph 90+ real-time parameters; calculates MPG
• Find out why your check engine light is on before visiting the mechanic; save money by fixing simple problems yourself
• See for yourself if your vehicle will pass smog/emissions test
• Easy to install and use; CD includes a full copy of OBDwiz diagnostic software, drivers, user documentation, and helpful how-to videos
• Works with all models - year 1996 and newer cars and light trucks

Product Description

ElmScan 5 is the perfect entry-level scan tool for the budget-minded do-it-yourself mechanic. ElmScan 5 compact lets you turn your computer into a sophisticated diagnostic system. The scan tool is a breeze to install and configure and provides a lot more information about your vehicle, than a handheld scan tool. It is fully OBD-II compliant and works with any Windows PC with a USB port. ElmScan 5 includes all necessary hardware and software to diagnose your vehicle's problem. The free exclusive, feature-packed OBD wiz diagnostics software included with the scan tool allows you to: turn off check engine light, and erase stored diagnostic information. Read and erase stored, pending, and permanent trouble codes (both generic and manufacturer-specific, over 7000 codes in database). Built-in online lookups for probable causes and possible solutions, access freeze frame information. Display, graph and log 90+ real-time parameters. Create custom digital dashboard. Measure and display fuel economy and much more. Recommended third party software: easy OBDII Pro Scan diagnostic software, Scan Master, Scan XL standard (including GM, Ford, and Mazda add-ons). Touch scan package contents: ElmScan 5 compact unit quick start guide installation CD (device drivers, user documentation, OBDwiz diagnostic software). This product comes with a 90 day money back guarantee, and 3 year "repair or replace" warranty.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

122 of 124 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Value March 20, 2011

By TD

Amazon Verified Purchase

I work as a professional ASE certified mechanic and I bought this for home use on my new netbook that uses Windows 7 starter.

installation was easy, but simply plugging the scanner into the laptop while connected to the internet got better results because windows automatically finds the best drivers.

when you first try to connect i found it easiest to click auto-detect to make sure the pc can communicate to the scanner.. then click connect and it finds the correct protocol to use.

Reading and clearing codes was very easy.

To view all the PIDS you have to manually set it to monitor all of them or you only get a few. However when you do this the PID update rate gets very very slow and is almost useless, I was able to rev the engine up and let it come back down to idle and the scanner never updated in time to pick up the RPM change.

If you deselect all PID's and select only RPM, it will update almost instantly so the update rate depends on the car AND how much data you are trying to pull all at once. when selecting 5 or less PID's the update rate is acceptable

I've tried this product on a 2006 Honda Ridgeline and a 1996 Ford Escort, the escort appeared to have faster data refresh rates, but was still too slow when all PID's were selected

Overall this product is worth the low cost if you're trying to check and clear codes, and if you know what you're doing you can do SOME diagnostics with this, to do any real diagnosis you need a much much faster scan tool capable of monitoring all PID's as fast as the car will update them.

OBDWiz was the best software I tried for this scanner, stick with and check for updates within the program to auto update to the newest version and gain some more power

Also the best way to install the software onto a netbook is to copy the CD onto another computer and transfer it to the netbook. Or create an ISO image of the CD using daemon tools and mount it in a virtual drive

91 of 98 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok CEL Tool April 23, 2010

By Ed

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an alright product:

Pros:
+Read & Reset Check Engine Light codes
+Can read many OBD parameters (just not with the included program)

Cons:
-Slow. The refresh rate is at best 1-3 updates per second when reading OBD2 values. This is way to slow to be of much use.
-Fuel mileage calculations with included software is woefully optimistic
-Included software can only read a few parameters. There are some free software alternatives, but most of the good stuff is quite expensive

Overall:
Decent for CEL reading/resetting. Although, a cheap handheld device does the same thing and is more portable.
Poor for monitoring values over OBD2. The refresh rate is too low to be of much diagnostic use.

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and easy to use OBD Scanner December 20, 2010

By D. Turner

Amazon Verified Purchase

I needed a simple, inexpensive scan tool to check and reset error codes in my 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. I work in computers and have a laptop available so the ElmScan 5 USB scan tool looked like a nice package. The form factor was what I was looking for, it in included OBD software and the price was right. The unit arrived promptly, the software installed easily and linked to the scan tool without issue. The software was simple to learn and easy to use and proved to be totally adequate for my needs. It provides a simple link to look up codes on the internet and does a very good job with standardized codes. The basic software does not handle manufacturer specific codes but there are other software packages available for more advanced uses, some of which are free. I have used the ElmScan 5 on all of my vehicles and several friends vehicles and really like the unit.