FIXD vs. Ancel AD310

Looking For an Easy-To-Use OBD2 Scanner That Won’t Break the Bank? If You’re a DIY Mechanic, the FIXD Vehicle Health Monitor and Mobile App Is What You Want.

Like all technology these days, no two OBD2 scanners are the same, and a quick Google search shows there are hundreds of options with different features, functionality, and especially price. In this article, we compare the FIXD vs. Ancel AD310 OBD2 scanners, so that you can make an informed decision as to which scan tool works better for you.

What Should I Know Before Buying An OBD2 Scanner?

Since 1996, every gas-powered passenger vehicle in the U.S. has come equipped with an OBD2 port that is located somewhere under the dash… usually on the driver’s side of the vehicle. By accessing this port, you can read your vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostics (OBD2) System and understand the check engine light without paying repair shop diagnostic fees, which can sometimes cost more than $100.

So, if you’re looking to perform DIY repairs on a 1996 or newer gas-powered vehicle (or diesel-powered vehicle from 2008 and newer), you can save time and money by diagnosing car problems at home. All you need is an OBD2 scan tool that is compatible with your car.

>> Use FIXD Compatibility Checker

Key Features To Look For In An OBD2 Scan Tool

Diagnose and Reset CEL

If nothing else, an OBD2 scanner needs to be able to read most engine fault codes and reset the check engine light. This feature alone can save you the time and money of having to go to a repair shop to have the issue diagnosed. Most scanner tools (including FIXD and the Ancel AD310) are not able to read trouble codes for systems such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), tire pressure monitoring (TPMS), and airbags.

Know Issue Severity

Ever been scared to drive with a check engine light? Some OBD2 scanners not only tell you what your check engine light means in simple terms, but also how severe the issue is so you know if it’s safe to drive.

Real-Time Vehicle Health Monitoring

To get the most value from your car scanner, look for a device that you can leave plugged in to monitor vehicle health 24/7. Even better if your scan tool gives you the option to view live vehicle data, such as oxygen sensor voltage, fuel trims, vehicle speed, and more while you drive. This makes it easy to check car performance on the go.

DIY Repair Guidance

If you’re a hands-on driver interested in saving money with at-home repairs, you’ll need a scan tool that accurately diagnoses engine problems and suggests possible fixes with helpful blogs and videos to walk you through repairs.

Automated Maintenance Alerts

This is a rare feature with OBD2 scanners, but extremely helpful in extending the lifespan of your vehicle. Look for a scan tool that sends automated maintenance alerts based on your specific make, model, and mileage so you never miss an important oil change or other service.

Connect Wirelessly via Bluetooth

When you’re stuck on the side of the road, the last thing you want is to be searching through your glove compartment and untangling messy wires. Make sure your OBD2 scanner is wireless and connects to your iOS or Android smartphone using Bluetooth technology for the fastest possible engine diagnostics.

Transparent Pricing

OBD2 scanners range in price from under $50 to $2000+. Unless you’re a professional automotive technician or specialist, there’s no need to fork out thousands for a scanner. Just be sure to find a tool that offers transparent pricing so you know exactly what you’re getting and don’t end up paying for a subscription you may or may not need.

FIXD Overview

More than 2 million FIXD Sensors have been sold, and the free FIXD app has more than 10,000 5-star reviews. It’s priced affordably at just $59 and delivers massive value at that price point.

The FIXD OBD2 scanner is easy for anyone to pick up and use right away. The data display inside the free FIXD app is much more user-friendly than other scan tools and features a mix of text and visual data, including charts and graphs that make it easy to understand what’s going on inside your vehicle.

It not only reads most engine codes, but it translates them so you don’t have to be a mechanic to understand what they mean. The FIXD Sensor and free app also gives you a list of possible fixes for your specific error code and links to in-depth OBD2 code descriptions and DIY repair articles and videos to help you fix simple issues yourself.

Plus, it comes with added features that other scan tools don’t have, such as Automated Maintenance Alerts so you never forget an oil change and Multi-Vehicle Health Monitoring. This feature allows you to connect multiple FIXD Sensors to any car you own and monitor their health in real time from your smartphone – even if you’re 500 miles away! This makes it a great choice for parents who want to keep track of the whole family’s fleet of vehicles.

FIXD is an American-owned company based in Atlanta, Georgia that stands behind its quality products with a 100% risk-free money back guarantee.

Pros & Cons of FIXD:

FIXD PROS	FIXD CONS
Comprehensive OBD2 scanner that’s a great value at $59	Doesn’t read ALL trouble codes or warning lights, such as ABS and Airbag
Compact scanner design	Only reads Transmission codes in certain makes and models
App is designed for anyone to easily use, even if you know nothing about cars, compatible with iPhone & Android	Doesn’t offer ability to custom encode your vehicle
Translates 7000+ engine codes into plain, simple terms in minutes
U.S. based technology and customer support
Sends automatic maintenance reminders so you never miss an oil change or other important service
Offers users the ability to connect up to 5 FIXD Sensors to one phone, so they can remotely monitor the whole family’s fleet of vehicles and know when it’s time to schedule service – even if the car is hundreds of miles away
Backed by a 1-year warranty, plus no-risk money back guarantee

Best for:

Everyday drivers to amateur DIYers and car enthusiasts with a “hands-on” approach to caring for their cars and saving money with at-home repairs and maintenance.

Ancel AD310 Overview

Ancel sells a variety of OBD2 diagnostic scanners that range in price and size, and the AD310 is one of the lower-priced versions although it’s also an older model. The Ancel AD310 classic enhanced universal OBD2 scanner is priced at $34.99 not including shipping, while the newer version of this scanner tool (the AD530, according to Amazon) costs $64.99. If you want a case to keep your Ancel AD310 protected while stored in your vehicle or toolbox, that will cost extra.

This handheld scan tool allows users to read trouble codes, clear check engine lights and retrieve VIN information, and it is able to display live data and show freeze frame information. All of the information is displayed on the large, easy-to-read LCD screen, while the lightweight design and 2.5-foot cord make it ideal for working around your garage. Overall, this all-in-one scanner design is ideal for DIY mechanics on a budget.
The Ancel line of OBD2 scanners are produced by China-based Obdspace Technology, and some of the negative Ancel AD310 reviews on Amazon point out compatibility issues this scanner has with certain vehicles. One inherent downside of handheld scanners like the Ancel AD310, though, is that most DIY mechanics tend to have limited tool box space, and this scanner will definitely take up a lot of that space. This size also makes it harder to keep the scanner stored safely in the car to address potential check engine lights that might pop up when you aren’t near your tools.

Pros & Cons of Ancel AD310:

Ancel PROS	Ancel CONS
Low price	No smartphone integration
Shows live vehicle sensor data	Doesn’t read ALL trouble codes, such as ABS and Airbag
Displays freeze-frame data at the time a DTC is triggered	Does not include a case
Large, easy-to-read LCD screen	Reviews indicate questionable compatibility
Lightweight, handheld design2.5-foot cable

Best for:

A more professional setting such as an independent repair shop.