Ancel BD310 OBD-II scanner review
Our Verdict
Small, attractive, like shooting fish in a barrel to hold and moderately priced, Ancel'south BD310 OBD-2 scanner operates both every bit a handheld unit of measurement or via Bluetooth and can act equally an extra dashboard brandish.
For
- Tiny handheld scanner
- Can work on its ain or with a phone or tablet
- Works as supplemental dashboard display
- Elegant pattern
Against
- Small screen
- Minimalist interface
Tom's Guide Verdict
Modest, attractive, easy to concord and moderately priced, Ancel's BD310 OBD-2 scanner operates both every bit a handheld unit or via Bluetooth and can deed as an extra dashboard display.
Pros
- +
Tiny handheld scanner
- +
Can work on its own or with a telephone or tablet
- +
Works as supplemental dashboard display
- +
Elegant design
Cons
- -
Small screen
- -
Minimalist interface
Ancel BD310: Specs
Size: five.i x 2.iv x 0.half dozen inches
Weight: v.4 ounces
Alive data: Yep
Brandish: Color, ii.0 inches
Number of keys: 4
Bluetooth: Yep
Handheld: Yeah
Warranty: 3 years
Ane of the smallest OBD-II automotive diagnostic scanners effectually, the Ancel BD310 does double duty as a wired device or equally 1 that connects through Bluetooth for greater flexibility. A deal at $60, the BD310 can act as a supplemental gauge inside the car to monitor parameters like engine speed or battery voltage.
Read on for the balance of our Ancel BD310 review.
Ancel BD310: Pricing and availability
The Ancel BD310 sells for $threescore. But information technology is a handheld OBD-Two scanner like no other because it can exist used in three dissimilar means: as a handheld wired to the car'due south OBD-II port, while continued wirelessly to a phone or tablet, or as a supplemental dashboard display.
Ancel as well sells OBD-II extension cords and cases, as well every bit diagnostic scanners than range from rudimentary models that cost as little as $25 to the $1,350 DS700 professional diagnostic tool.
Ancel BD310: Design
The black-and-chrome Ancel BD310 is among the smallest and lightest handheld OBD-II scanners available, and it fits comfortably in the manus. At v.four ounces and with dimensions of only 5.1 x ii.iv x 0.6 inches, it'southward half the size and half the weight of the typical scanner and won't make full up your car's center panel or glovebox.
Because it is and so small, the Ancel BD310 gets by with a 2-inch colour brandish. That's about one-half the size of most other OBD-Two scanners' screens, and the small size takes a little getting used to. For instance, instead of 6 or eight icons on its principal screen, the BD310 has only four: OBD-II (diagnostics), Meter (live data), I/1000 (pre-inspection test) and Settings (system configuration).
In addition to traditional OBD-2 work, the Ancel BD310 can operate as a supplementary dashboard display to prove you anything from engine timing and speed to oil temperature and voltage. It comes with a heater-vent mounting kit and has a magnetic back plate.
The Ancel BD310 can as well send its diagnostic data to a phone or tablet via a Bluetooth link. There are dedicated apps for Android also as iPhones and iPads, making the scanner a versatile tool. Only a few other scanners, such as the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310, can operate in handheld style too every bit communicate via Bluetooth.
Despite its complexity, the Ancel BD310 gets past with a bones four-cardinal interface and navigation scheme. The interface can feel limiting and some tasks crave an extra keystroke. The scanner also has a mini-USB port and a push button for toggling betwixt handheld and Bluetooth mode.
Ancel BD310: Performance
The Ancel BD310 connected with both of my car's computers in less than xv seconds. It made the vehicle identification number (VIN) bachelor, merely that required a little earthworks. The scanner caught the fault that I introduced into the arrangement (a manually disconnected oil-temperature sensor) and was able to turn off the dashboard's Check Engine calorie-free.
Indicative of its function as a basic scanner, the Ancel BD310 lacks a charging organisation, starter tests or the ability to turn off the oil-monitor light. Nor does it provide repair information or access to the needed parts. More expensive scanners may include all these functions.
Once I got out on the road, the BD310 did well, specially with a trip-assay mode that summarized my high and depression speeds and rapid-braking events. The scanner's power to display a diverseness of alive data makes it platonic equally a supplemental running gauge, showing air temperature or the condition of the oxygen sensor.
Ancel BD310: Setup
Different most handheld diagnostic scanners, the BD310 has a permanently attached flat cable. The cable is easy to snake underneath the dashboard if the scanner is used as an extra performance display; it has a flat OBD-Ii plug that won't get in the way. At 58 inches, the cord is long enough to attain the OBD-Ii port most the front seat from the engine bay.
In addition to the scanner, the kit includes a USB cablevision, a vent-mounting kit and a short booklet that covers the basics merely is far from a detailed manual. The scanner's 3-year warranty leaves many competitors with shorter warranty periods in the grit.
Ancel BD310 review: Bottom line
Able to work as a handheld scanner, attached to the dashboard or wirelessly continued with a telephone or tablet, the Ancel BD310 OBD-Two scanner covers all the automotive bases.
The scanner itself is fairly basic, just it'due south so small and attractive that it would be a shame to hide it in the glove box. This is an OBD-II scanner that you lot'll want to bear witness off and employ as an extra brandish within the machine.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/ancel-bd310
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