ANCEL DS200 OBD2 – Pays For Itself With The 1st Use

I have tested a few OBD2 devices from a few different manufacturers in the past and all I can say is that they pale in comparison to the DS200.

Having this diagnostic data available to the you BEFORE you go to the repair shop can literally save you some serious money. This could pay for itself on the very first use.

Brief Description

I can copy and paste their description but that has no impact and hey, you can look that information up on their website or Amazon web page. So let me give you MY description.

This is a beautiful 5″ HD touch screen OBD2 computer with WiFi, Bluetooth, and email capabilities. It runs a comprehensive slew of tests, and has the capability to reset 15 displayed dash lights. It can auto-detect most VIIN numbers. Diagnostic testing parameters can be updated by manufacturer. Reports can be generated and sent via email directly to your repair shop.

I can’t stress how important that can be. When the repair shop knows that YOU KNOW what’s wrong it is a lot more likely that you’ll get an honest repair action. I don’t mean to sound misogynistic but this would be extremely valuable to single women (or men) who don’t know anything about automobile maintenance. Literally, all you do is plug this into your OBD2 port on your car or truck and run a diagnostic check by pushing a button on a touch screen. ANYONE CAN DO THIS.

What’s In The Box?

Contents (click pics to enlarge)

First of all I love a zippered hard case. Keeping tools clean and free from day to day wear and tear is super important to me. So here is what you get:

• DS200
• USB cable
• Diagnostic Cable (for OBD2 connector)
• Hard Case
• Manual (not depicted)

Connecting The ANCEL DS200 OBD2 & First Use

The ANCEL DS200 is very easy to hook up and very intuitive to use. It is safe to say that it is so intuitive that it is beginner friendly. In fact during my first tests I figured out how to run those tests without looking at the manual.

It also lets you know when updates are available to install.

The ANCEL DS200 covers almost every car on the market. It can be used on over 100,000 makes and models post 1996. Additionally, as manufacturers update their product lines, the DS200 receives updated data and prompts you to install those manufacturer updates.

Here is a quick look at a couple of the things you can do with it.

Reports

After running your diagnostics you can generate reports and send them to yourself or directly to your repair shop. You can send them via email or via Bluetooth file transfer. If you send the report via email it doesn’t actually send you the report but rather a link to the report. The file goes to somewhere called file.diagreport.com. Clicking the “View Report” button in the email sends you there.

For my money I prefer sending the report via Bluetooth file transfer. You get the report directly. But you need to make sure your computer has Bluetooth file sharing enabled. Most computers (Mac for 100%) have file sharing disabled.

That was me sending this video regarding sharing reports. Very cool.

Potential Use Case

I live in a State that requires annual auto inspections prior to the issuance of license plate renewals. If I run an annual check with this device I can know before whether I am going to pass or not. And of course that excludes things like wiper blades and tires, light bulbs etc.

I do NOT do my own auto maintenance.

Conversely, my truck inspection is due next month. The diagnostic report tells me that it will pass.

Additionally, Toyota programs a maintenance light to go off when the oil change is due. If I change my own oil I can reset the maintenance light myself with the ANCEL DS200. As mentioned earlier the DS200 can hot reset 15 different indicators.

Who Is This For?

Usually, I write a short list and try to explain who I chose and why. This is for anyone who owns a car. Especially people who do not do their own auto maintenance.

Scenario

1. Your car or truck is running sluggish. An indicator light is on. It backfires. You then go to an auto repair shop and say. “Muh car is messing up (in your best country boy voice) and you leave it there.

OR

2. You go to the same shop and say “My Air to Fuel (A/F) sensor has malfunctioned. Here is the OBD2 report. Replace it please and check with me before you do anything else.”

Which one of those two scenarios is going to net you the best results at the lowest repair cost?

Final Thoughts

I review a LOT of items. Some of those items just get stacked up in the corner somewhere. I give lots of stuff away too.

But, as soon as I was done testing I put the zippered hard case behind the back seat of my Tacoma with the Jumper Cables, and First Aid kit. I’m keeping this at arms reach. The DS200 has achieved “Valuable Tool” status.

I have several OBD2 devices, actually a couple in each vehicle we have. They are all small devices that require a phone app to work. They are also limited in function and reporting. And while helpful, they are not ANCEL DS200 helpful. ANCEL is putting professional grade diagnostics information into the hands of the automobile owner at a very reasonable price.

JOHN’S TECH BLOG HIGHLY RECOMMENDS THE ANCEL DS200 OBD2 COMPUTER