FIXD vs. Innova CarScan Pro 5210

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. Innova CarScan 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 Innova CarScan) 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

There are many great OBD2 scanners under $100 on the market today. 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.

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, 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	Doesn’t offer ability to custom encode your vehicle
Compatible with iPhone & Android
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.

Innova CarScan Pro 5210 Overview

Innova offers a variety of OBD2 diagnostic scanners that range in price and size, and the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 is one of the company’s entry-level products starting at $99.99. All of these scanners are able to read and clear engine and ABS codes with the CarScan Pro 5210 also able to display real-time vehicle data, perform battery and charging tests, and show emissions/smog readiness. The large size makes the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 easy to hold, while the full-color digital screen provides a clear readout for all data.

According to the Amazon reviews, some users found the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 to be confusing and difficult to use. Even one of the five-star reviews on Amazon pointed out that the scanner’s interface was confusing. Another downside of the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 is that most DIY mechanics tend to have limited tool box space, and the hand-held scanner design will definitely take up a lot of that space. This size also means that you won’t be able to keep the scanner in the car to address potential check engine lights that might pop up when you aren’t near your tools.

Pros & Cons of Innova CarScan Pro 5210:

Innova PROS	Innova CONS
Emissions testing capability	CONS
Able to read and clear ABS codes	Bulkier scanner design
Shows live vehicle sensor data	Protective case costs extra
Displays freeze-frame data at the time a DTC is triggered	Confusing design
	No wireless connection or smartphone app

Best for:

A DIYer who wants a hand-held, plug-in scanner.

FIXD vs. Innova CarScan Key Features at a Glance

	FIXD	Innova CarScan Pro 5210
Price	$59, Free Shipping (includes FIXD Sensor and free app) Click here to get 67% off!	$99.99, Plus Shipping
Amazon Customer Rating	4.1/5	4.5/5
Technology Designed In USA	✔	✔
Diagnose and Reset CEL	✔	✔
Know Issue Severity	✔	✔
Real-Time Vehicle Health Monitoring	✔	✔
Cordless Design	✔
Automated Maintenance Alerts	✔
Multi-Vehicle Remote Monitoring	✔
Transparent Pricing	✔	✔
Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity	✔
Android & iOS Compatible	✔

FIXD vs. Innova CarScan: Which Is Better?

Whether FIXD or Innova is the best OBD2 scanner depends on who you are and why you need a scan tool. We’ve ranked each scan tool on the following categories to give you a better idea of which to buy:

Budget Shopper	Everyday Driver	Amateur DIYer	Repair Shop
🏆 FIXD	🏆 FIXD	🏆 FIXD	🏆 Innova
At a cool $59 and free shipping, FIXD is the obvious choice for cost-conscious shoppers looking for a comprehensive OBD2 scanner that won’t break the bank.	For everyday drivers who want to understand the check engine light without spending time and money at the repair shop, FIXD is the champ. The app looks great, is ultra-easy to use , and gives you everything you need to know about your car in plain English.	Both Innova and FIXD make it easy to read and reset your engine light. But FIXD takes it to the next level with a list of possible fixes and DIY repair guidance. With FIXD Premium, you can even contact a FIXD Mechanic for help with at-home repairs and more.	FIXD and Innova both make it easier to read and clear trouble codes. The hand-held design from Innova’s scanner tools are more fitting for a shop environment with a dedicated tool and a number of different options.

Best Overall Winner: FIXD

For the best overall value with transparent pricing and an easy-to-use smartphone app, it’s easy to see that FIXD takes the win over the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 for DIY mechanics.