OBD scanner recommendations?

[tminter4]

I am looking to get a OBD scanner for my Mach E. I'm not looking for a top of the line unit. I am just wanting to monitor my battery performance over time. Any recommendations?

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[connoisseurr]

OBD2 Bluetooth Dongle:

• Veepeak BLE+ OBD2 Scanner
• OBDLink CX/MX/MX+

Car Scanner for iOS or Android

 

[daemonic3]

I believe CarScanner only supports one BLE scanner, the ELM327. I initially tried it using my BAFX OBD device but it really insists on the ELM327. I have used the BAFX OBD in combination with Torque app on my F150 and they work great for what I like to see in that vehicle.

For the Mach E, the good news about the ELM327 is that it is about half the size of the BAFX which stuck out visibly on the Mach E. The ELM327 isn't even visible! Just leave it in there and forget about it. So for Mach E my recommendation is Carscanner (free!) with ELM327 (about $13 on amazon). Oh! Almost forgot, it does logging to a file each time so you could always export it (CSV) to some other analysis tool of your own over the long run.

I have no experience with wifi or BT classic dongles, or apps other than Carscanner and Torque.

 

[ShaggySS]

I have an iPhone so I went with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FSNVZVK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use CarScanner and loved it so much I paid the couple bucks for the lifetime license.

Its really easy to use just connect it then open the dashboard and there are a bunch of prebuilt ones. I just created my own for charging. I will post a photo if you like later when I am in the car.

 

[phidauex]

I believe CarScanner only supports one BLE scanner, the ELM327. I initially tried it using my BAFX OBD device but it really insists on the ELM327. I have used the BAFX OBD in combination with Torque app on my F150 and they work great for what I like to see in that vehicle.

The good news is that there are a lot of BT dongles that use the ELM327 chipset and protocol, so there are a number of choices, all various clones of one another. I use a Viecar ODB2 Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, for instance.

 

[daemonic3]

The good news is that there are a lot of BT dongles that use the ELM327 chipset and protocol, so there are a number of choices, all various clones of one another. I use a Viecar ODB2 Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, for instance.

Oohh, gotcha I thought it was the model number. Well the tiny size one I got that you can't see in the Mach E was this one:

Mini Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner OBDATOR ELM327 Automotive OBD OBDII Code Reader Car Check Engine Light Diagnostic Scan Tool for Android PC https://a.co/d/eIvVGD4

 

[ARK]

Would an OxGord MS309 be too primitive to get battery info? I already have this, but can’t seem to get any data that isn’t related to an error code (aside from VIN).

 

[Tbird]

I have an iPhone so I went with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FSNVZVK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use CarScanner and loved it so much I paid the couple bucks for the lifetime license.

Its really easy to use just connect it then open the dashboard and there are a bunch of prebuilt ones. I just created my own for charging. I will post a photo if you like later when I am in the car.

Thanks for the link. Just ordered the scanner. I have been wanting to do this for a while. I sure wish Ford would add a page of odb2 info to the main screen. So easy to do for them and so useful to us.

 

[ShaggySS]

Here is the one I created for charging. I guess I should increase the font size for SOC Display to match. Really easy to modify. Did it in about 15 min one day while I was charging. I did the amps as a chart because some chargers I have found slowly ramp so I wanted to see history.

 

[phidauex]

Would an OxGord MS309 be too primitive to get battery info? I already have this, but can’t seem to get any data that isn’t related to an error code (aside from VIN).

Unfortunately a generic scanner like that wouldn't be likely to support all the various custom PIDs that are used for EVs. You might be able to clear standard trouble codes, but that would be it.

 

[MME_Adventurist]

I have an iPhone so I went with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FSNVZVK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use CarScanner and loved it so much I paid the couple bucks for the lifetime license.

Its really easy to use just connect it then open the dashboard and there are a bunch of prebuilt ones. I just created my own for charging. I will post a photo if you like later when I am in the car.

I have the same scanner. Do you leave it plugged in all the time or do you plug it in when you want to see data?
I just got mine and I have had mine plugged in for maybe 5 hours and I got a low voltage warning.

I’m just curious what you do. I was hoping to leave it plugged in all the time but looks like I can’t without risking my 12v battery.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I have the same scanner. Do you leave it plugged in all the time or do you plug it in when you want to see data?
I just got mine and I have had mine plugged in for maybe 5 hours and I got a low voltage warning.

I’m just curious what you do. I was hoping to leave it plugged in all the time but looks like I can’t without risking my 12v battery.

If you want to leave an OBD plugged in all the time, then go with the OBDLink MX+ because it has a low enough standby draw (verified by me). The other brands you should unplug while parked.

 

[MME_Adventurist]

If you want to leave an OBD plugged in all the time, then go with the OBDLink MX+ because it has a low enough standby draw (verified by me). The other brands you should unplug while parked.

Thanks for the information! At the price point for the OBDLink MX + i think I’ll just unplug mine except for when I’m curious about the data, like when I’m DCFC or roadtripping.

 

[ShaggySS]

I have the same scanner. Do you leave it plugged in all the time or do you plug it in when you want to see data?
I just got mine and I have had mine plugged in for maybe 5 hours and I got a low voltage warning.

I’m just curious what you do. I was hoping to leave it plugged in all the time but looks like I can’t without risking my 12v battery.

Like Mach-Lee confirmed you can leave it plugged in all the time I have received a low 12v battery alert a few times. I park in the garage and my office is right above the garage so there have been times where that bluetooth connection has been maintained for several hours after the car is parked. The car does a great job maintaining the 12v battery but be aware to close the app when you are done.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Thanks for the information! At the price point for the OBDLink MX + i think I’ll just unplug mine except for when I’m curious about the data, like when I’m DCFC or roadtripping.

What @Mach-Lee said.

I have the exact same unit and just unplug it when not in use. I use it in our otter cars as well though.

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