How to choose a hand-held OBD2 scanner?

car diagnostic tool

This is for those who are looking for a good handheld OBD2 scan tool for universal cars to have a diagnostic test.

Here, we list the most populous obd2 diagnostic tool here for comparison, incl Vident iEasy 300 Pro, Foxwell NT301, Autophox OM126, Autel AL519 and Launch Creader VI.

Scanning features (1996 to Present):

OBD2 Scanners Vident iEasy 300 Pro Foxwell NT301 Autophix OM126 Autel AL519 Launch Creader VI
Image   Vident-iEasy-300-Pro      foxwell-bt301  vident-ieasy-300-pro  Autel-AL519  Launch-Creader-VI
Scanning Functions
Reads generic data and monitors (Mode 1) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Displays freeze frame data (Mode 2) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads trouble codes (Mode 3) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Clears all trouble codes for all systems (Mode 4) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads test results for oxygen sensors (Mode 5) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads Non-continuously monitored systems test results (Mode 6) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads pending codes (Mode 7) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Bi-directional control of the on-board system(Mode 8) Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ Ÿ
Oxygen monitor test(Mode 5) Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ  
On board monitor test Ÿ Ÿ      
Component test Ÿ Ÿ      
Modules Present Ÿ Ÿ      
Vehicle information -VIN (Mode 9) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads permanent DTCs (Mode 0A) Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Other Functions
Record and play back OBDII live data Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Graph live data on screen Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Graphs multiple values on screen simultaneously (list how many)         4
Customize live data Ÿ Ÿ      
Reads manufacturer specific codes Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Displays monitor and Inspection Maintenance (I/M) readiness status Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Reads ABS codes          
Enhanced mode 6 Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ  
Automtic VIN decoding so no need to select vehicle maker when manufacturer specific codes are found or when doing enhanced mode 6 test Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ    
Built-in DTC lookup Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

 

Hardware features:

OBD2 Scanners Vident iEasy 300 Pro Foxwell NT301 Autophix OM126 Autel AL519 Launch Creader VI
Image          
Hot keys for quick access to most frequently used functions Reading/clearing code and I/M readiness hot keys Reading/clearing code and I/M readiness hot keys   I/M readiness hot keys  
Red-Yellow-Green LEDs indicate monitor status Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ  
Build-in speaker indicate emissions monitor status Ÿ Ÿ      
Trouble code tips built-in Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ  
Multilingual – on screen definitions in Englsih/Spanish/French 10 Lanugages 10 Lanugages Yes Ÿ Ÿ
Includes battery          
Memory backup for off-vehicle review Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
High resolution LCD color screen 2.4″ 2.4″ 2.4″ 2.8″ 2.8″
Display 320*240 pix 320*240 pix 128 × 64 pixel 320*240 pix  
Print vehicle diagnostic report capabilities Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ Ÿ

Tech support after sale:

OBD2 Scanners Vident iEasy 300 Pro Foxwell NT301 Autophix OM126 Autel AL519 Launch Creader VI
Image          
Call-in support Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ Ÿ
Update online Ÿ Ÿ   Ÿ Ÿ
Checks updates automatically and one-key automatic updates Ÿ Ÿ      
Most Important Features hot keys, automatic VIN decoding and updates; Red-Yellow-Green LEDs and build-in speaker indicate emissions monitor status; enhanced mode 6 hot keys, automatic VIN decoding and updates; Red-Yellow-Green LEDs and build-in speaker indicate emissions monitor status; enhanced mode 6   One-Click I/M Readiness Key; Red-Yellow-Green LEDs and build-in speaker indicate emissions monitor status; enhanced mode 6 Saves up to 8 hours of live data streams and displays 4 colored PIDs graphs simultaneously