GEARWRENCHProfessional Bi-Directional Diagnostic Scan Tool | GWSMARTBT

Very solid unit for the price. Initial setup is quick and simple - mine on an Android based phone. Normal Play Store app install and then a few demographic entries for registration and license key activation. First use then goes into vehicle specific data downloads. Expect 5-10 minutes as this unit has compatibility with many vehicles makes and models.Once initial config of the app is done and the unit is plugged into the vehicle OBD port the app connected quickly. Once connected to the unit the app gives you the option of doing vehicle specific diagnostics either automatically or manually. The auto detect function worked well for multiple vehicles - BMW, 2015 and 2024 Subarus. Speed of the diagnostic scan depends on the actual vehicle as each of mine varies but all were extremely fast when compared to my other scanners (hardware and software based). The initial scan auto detects VIN, make, model, etc. and then scans all of the vehicle's available modules. Once scanned you can view a large amount of module parameters and states. A few examples - for the 2015 Subaru it was stated on a different forum that the GW tools do not have CVT fluid temp, which is key to proper filling procedure. Well, I can confirm that it does w 1/10th degree resolution. While I was in there, I was able to read and clear all errors across many modules. While in the transmission module, the BT unit has a broad number of good monitors for many different states (e g., shows live state of each gear) and a nice feature is it gives the normal value ranges for the numeric monitors. Just to check, I went into a few other modules and was please to see the same broad range of monitors (for example, live state of brake light switch) which makes troubleshooting and ruling out certain components so much easier. Unlike other scanners, you don't have to setup a data display screen to see every value. You do have the option to monitor the value trends and then generate a report. For the BMW, it actually has BMW error codes vs P codes and a large number of diagnostics when compared to my other BMW specific scanner. The unique item I wanted to try was the FCA Autoauth function which allows you to bypass the firewall on newer FCA vehicles (e.g., Fiat, Chrysler, Ram, etc.). Tried the unit in my 2019 Ram 1500 - unit auto prompts to enter an Autoauth account - I was able to quickly login w my Autoauth account and it was able to get through the secure gateway to do full diag and actuation - this is a big bonus.Aside from diagnostics, the unit has a robust set of functions that you can perform (of course these are vehicle specific). As an example, with a button push or two I was easily able to place the emergency brake in maintenance mode on all my vehicles with this unit.All in all, a pretty decent unit for the money especially for multiple makes. Of course this does not do what it isn't designed for - so it is not a programmer and doesn't claim to be. So for those with dealer lever tools (like ISTA for BMWs) this won't give you module layouts, troubleshooting plans or maintenance plans - but what it advertises itself as it did an exceptional job across my 4 different vehicles.

As a Toyota/Lexus Master tech, I love this thing! Was not sure of the wireless aspect of it as I’ve tried other wireless OBD Bluetooth Scanners that were horribly slow but this one is actually pretty fast! A full vehicle health scan only takes about a minute or 2 depending on how many ECUs the vehicle has. Pretty standard DTC read and clear. Live data is actually pretty good with many PIDs, Search feature, Custom Data list and even graphing! The real impressive thing is the Bi-Directional support this thing is capable of! Compared to the Factory Scan Tool, does pretty much everything (ECM Active Test, Main Body Active test ETC….) the factory one can do. It connects and performs the active tests pretty much instantly! The Special Function seems pretty good especially the TPMS reset/relearn feature, haven’t tried it yet but will try it out.This is only my first impressions on my Toyota Lexus Vehicles but so far I’m very pleased with it. The fast wireless, small and portable, feature packed, compatibility and support, ease of use at this price point makes it a VERY good choice. Definitely great for DIYers or having for emergency situations.

I bought two of these and neither worked. the first one would only connect to an iphone. then it wouldn't actually connect to the car more than the one time in 4 hours i was fiddling with it. in that 10 minutes it worked, i cleared some codes after reading them and it thru my subaru into a frenzy. if you know subarus they flash the cruise light and have a solid CEL on. once clearing with this, i had a flashing CEL and no cruise light what so ever. never in my 15 yrs have i had that happen. returned that one and ordered a second onereceived the second one, got it to sync to my phone and when i went to connect it to the car it says invalid license even though i just pulled it out of the box. i want this thing to be awesome and work the way I want but apparently that isn't going to happen unfortunately.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:So far I like it for personal use. I’m a Diesel Mechanic by profession but bought this for my personal cars. It requires a lot of updates when you first buy it which is fine but takes time. Sometimes I have to make multiple attempts to connect to a vehicles but it definitely gives you good live data and bidirectional functions. The APP is pretty intuitive and quick for me. It takes some practice and clicking around but it’s just fine for the price. I’ve tested this on a 2014 Jeep JK (a lot more ECU’s and I was able to bidirectionally control HVAC, fuel pump, etc), 2004 Jeep TJ and a 2004 Chevy Express. It reads all cars and has the ability to really help with diagnostics for a cheap price. So far so good!

Let me start off by saying I work full time as a mechanic and own more scanners than I can remember, both hi end tablet style and little Bluetooth ones like this one. This little thing exceeded my expectations. It has so many features that you would normally need to buy a dedicated scan tool to do like bi-directional controls and accessing all modules on your vehicle, not just the standard PCM and ABS that most of these little Bluetooth dongles do. It gives you live data on every module too, not just current codes. If you need a DIY scanner or you’re a pro that needs something you can keep in your pocket for quick checks this is the one to get. I’ve got 6 different Bluetooth scanners and this is the best one. The only downside I can see is it’s locked down to using the Gearwrench app, where the OBDLink MX+ will work with many different programs, but the OBDLink app isn’t nearly as versatile as this app and any apps or programs that are more powerful that it works with are going to cost you considerably more. From what I can tell this tool is made by XTool, but with a different user interface, no volt gauge built into the case of the tool and a much cheaper price point.