One of the most frustrating malfunctions that anyone can notice in their car is when the check engine light is turned on. The indicator has such a vague meaning because it can mean many different things are malfunctioning in your car, and there is no way of finding out without an OBD scanner. This is a review of one of the most popular OBD scanners available right now – the Launch CRP129E Scan Tool.
First: What Exactly Is An OBD Scanner?
An OBD scanner is a device that connects to your dashboard to interpret the check engine light (and other indicators on your dashboard to specify the location of the malfunction. Mechanics use the best OBD1 and OBD2 scanner devices every day to help them diagnose problems in vehicles, taking a lot of the guesswork out of the equation. Vehicle owners may also benefit from purchasing this type of scanner, but they will nonetheless need to visit a mechanic to repair the malfunction in the end.
Key Features Of The Launch CRP129E Scan Tool
With nine languages supported, this wi-fi connected device can send detailed reports via an email you can provide in the settings. The device is small enough for portability, but large enough for ease of use. In fact, everything is controlled via a high-resolution touch screen, making the user interface very intuitive. Additionally, it is not simply an OBD scanner, but includes a number of other reports as well. This includes diagnosing the steering angle for calibration, throttle reset, and much more. One of the best features is that the touchscreen doesn’t simply give you a code (which you need to further decipher). The scan results provide OBD protocol codes and their interpretation all at once. This means you don’t need to look online or ask a mechanic what the results of your scan mean. The device can also be used as a reset tool for several systems.
You can easily use this device to check your emission levels, and in fact some government-run facilities use this device to scan drivers before cars are allowed on the road. This Launch scan tool is equipped with the scanning protocols for thousands of vehicle models from almost every manufacturer; so unless you have a particularly obscure model – this device will work with your car.
Is It Worth Getting?
Considering it is a very affordable model, this device packs a lot of features. Whether you are a mechanic, or someone who deals with a lot of used cars (such as a used car salesman), this tool is a great way to get insight into the specific repairs required for your car. We highly recommend this device because it outshines other models available by combining many features in a user-friendly interface and easy to use design. All you need to do is learn how to connect it to a vehicle, click on the scans you need and read the results. It can help you decide before buying a used car, or whether your visit to the mechanic is particularly urgent or not.