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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. OxGord MS300 car code readers, 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 OxGord MS300) are not able to read trouble codes for systems such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), tire pressure monitoring (TPMS), and airbags. This FIXD vs. OxGord comparison will show you which scan tool is better.

Know Issue Severity

Unsure if it’s safe to drive with your check engine light? Some OBD2 scanners like FIXD 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

FIXD OBD2 scanner and app

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 PROSFIXD CONS
Comprehensive OBD2 scanner that’s a great value at $59Doesn’t read ALL trouble codes, such as ABS and Airbag
Compact scanner designOnly reads Transmission codes in certain makes and models
App is designed for anyone to easily use, even if you know nothing about carsDoesn’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.

OxGord MS300 Overview

OxGord offers a handful of budget-friendly OBD2 diagnostic scanners, and the MS300 is the entry-level model when it comes to handheld, plug-in scanners. The OxGord MS300 is a very simple scanner only having the ability to read and clear certain trouble codes as well as retrieve VIN information. 

The OxGord MS300 is one of the lowest priced scanners on the market, but pricing isn’t exactly transparent. This scanner is listed for different prices on different sites with OxGord pricing it for as little as $14.95 on Amazon, and the company’s own website lists the price at $19.95, which does not include a case or any type of protection.

The MS300 is a compact, lightweight option when it comes to handheld OBD2 scanners that can fit easily in a car’s glove compartment for easy storage, which means you can always keep it on hand for unexpected check engine light issues. The OxGord MS300 is not able to read transmission, ABS or airbag codes, and it can’t display real-time vehicle data.

According to various Amazon reviews, the OxGord MS300 suffers from quality control and useability problems taking away some of the value benefit this scanner boasts. 

Pros & Cons of OxGord MS300:

OxGord PROSOxGord CONS
Low costNo live data
Compact design means you can keep it in your glovebox
Doesn’t read ALL trouble codes, such as ABS and Airbag
Bright, clear LCD screenMany bad reviews for quality control and useability

Best for:

DIY mechanics on a tight budget.

FIXD vs. OxGord MS300 Key Features at a Glance

FIXD OxGord MS300
Price$59, Free Shipping(includes FIXD Sensor and free app)$14.95, Plus Shipping
Amazon Customer Rating4.1/54.2/5
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. OxGord MS300: Which Is Better?

Choosing the best OBD2 scanner between the FIXD vs. OxGord MS300 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 ShopperEveryday DriverAmateur DIYer
🏆 OxGord🏆 FIXD🏆 FIXD
Depending on where you shop, prices for the OxGord MS300 scan tool are as low as $14.95 making it ideal for budget shoppers. 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 OxGord 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.

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 OxGord MS300 for DIY mechanics. Learn more at fixd.com.

Jeffrey N. Ross

Lifelong automotive enthusiast with a soft spot for offroading. Wrencher turned writer, but I still love to tinker on just about anything with an engine. Dream car: tie between a ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda and a ’91 GMC Syclone. #GirlDad #SaveTheManuals

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