Having the best Bluetooth OBD2 scanner can give you access to your car’s health status and help you keep your car expenses under control! There are many great scanners you can use, two of which are the Carly scanner and the FIXD OBD2 scanner.
Bluetooth OBD2 scanners are extremely easy to use. They don’t require much equipment and can let you access your car’s information from your phone.
With the right scanner for your car, you can save up to $500 per year on car repairs and maintenance. All without relying on a car technician!
Therefore, we will compare two of the most popular Bluetooth OBD2 scanners: Carly and FIXD. And we will evaluate every feature to discover which is the best OBD2 scanner to buy.
Comparison Overview
Even though both options are within the same category of Bluetooth OBD2 scanners, they offer different features.
Additionally, there are some features that are only available for certain car models. For example, in the case of Carly’s advanced features, they are only compatible with certain car brands.*
In the table below you can see a comparison of Carly and FIXD. We have defined the “Best Value” based on the number of features offered for the price.
| Best Value | ||
|---|---|---|
Carly
|
FIXD
|
|
|
$69.90
+ yearly license for premium
features > $21,99 |
$59.00
+ yearly license $69.99
|
|
| Portability & ease of use | ||
| Portability & ease of use | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| OBD diagnostics & live data (engine only) | ||
| OBD diagnostics & live data (engine only) | ✔ | ✔ |
| In-depth diagnostics (manufacturer-level) | ||
| In-depth diagnostics (manufacturer-level) | ✔ * | ✖️ |
| Car coding | ||
| Car coding | ✔ * | ✖️ |
| Used car check | ||
| Used car check | ✔ * | ✖️ |
| Maintenance features | ||
| Maintenance features | ✔ * | BASIC |
| Customer support | ||
| Customer support |
✔ Quick response / response in max 72h
|
✔ |
| Device | ||
| Device | OBD2 device with lifetime warranty | Device with limited warranty |
| Car brands | ||
| Car brands | Cars with OBD2 port (* advanced features only for core brands) | Cars with OBD2 port |
FIXD vs. Carly – Feature Comparison
Let’s dive into each individual category and compare Carly versus FIXD!
Reading and Clearing OBD2 Engine Fault Codes
With both Carly and FIXD OBD2 scanners, you can read out your car’s fault codes (also called error codes or OBD2 codes).
Reading fault codes is highly useful in order to prevent smaller problems from becoming expensive issues. For example, it is possible that your car’s check engine light has not appeared yet even though the engine might need maintenance.
Additionally, once you fix the faults and issues, you can go ahead and clear them out from your car’s system. Clearing the fault codes is also possible with both the Carly and FIXD scanners. It is quick and all you need is your smartphone.
Winner: Both Carly and FIXD OBD2 scanners score equally for reading and clearing engine-related fault codes. While engine-related problems are the most critical, they are not the only ones that deserve your attention.
Let’s continue and see how the Carly and FIXD scanners perform for reading other types of systems.
Manufacturer-level Scanning of Other Systems (ABS, Airbags, Multimedia, etc)
Besides the engine, there are also other important systems that keep your car in shape and enhance your driving experience or safety. For example, these include the ABS system, the airbags, multimedia, and more!
Unfortunately, the FIXD device only offers in-depth diagnostics on systems related to the engine.
On the other hand, with Carly, you can access in-depth information that is usually only accessible with more expensive and professional scan tools.
Since Carly’s “manufacturer-level diagnostics” feature performs a manufacturer-level scan, it covers systems beyond the engine. So you can get a complete overview of your entire vehicle’s state.
Winner: If you want to have full access to detailed information about your car’s system the best choice is the Carly OBD2 scanner.
However, since every car has unique components, only certain car models are compatible with Carly’s manufacturer-level diagnostics feature. Here you can find out if your car model supports this feature!
Emissions Check
Another important feature that an OBD2 scan tool should provide is an emissions check. This helps you determine the level of pollutants that are emitted from your motor’s exhaust.
If your car’s exhaust is emitting too many pollutants it can also be a sign that some parts may need maintenance. For example, your car may have a loose gas cap, or the OBD emission components are malfunctioning.
Emissions tests are usually required by law on a periodic basis.
If you fail an emissions test in the USA, the Department of Motor Vehicles can ban you from legally driving your car until it gets repaired. However, with your own OBD2 scanner you can easily avoid this scenario.
You can run an emissions test on your own first. This will help you check if there are issues that need to be fixed before the official inspection.
With the Carly OBD2 scanner, you can perform emissions check with the free version of the app. This feature is supported by all car brands in the world.
With the FIXD OBD scanner, you can also conduct an emissions check. However, this feature is only available with a premium subscription.
Winner: An emissions check for free? We’ll give this round to the Carly scanner!
Car Coding
There are many features of your car that are automatically set up in a certain way by the manufacturer. Luckily, with an OBD2 scan tool, you can customize these features to personalize your car!
For example, you can code the way that your car’s welcome lights brighten up. You can also deactivate the Start/Stop System, or activate other features.
With the Carly OBD2 scanner and app you can customize hundreds of features on your car. However, this feature is only compatible with certain car models.
Winner: Unfortunately the FIXD OBD2 scanner does not offer any coding features. Therefore, Carly is the best OBD2 scanner in this category!
Additional Features
Who wouldn’t want additional features to be included in the price? Before purchasing your OBD2 scanner, make sure you research everything that is included! Some brands offer many more features that will enhance your experience.
In the case of FIXD, the app offers extra features such as “Talk to a mechanic”, “Know your repair costs” and “Predict future car problems”. These features can help you keep your car expenses under control and understand where the costly repairs may come from.
Additionally, FIXD also sends you real-time reports and maintenance reminders. This can help you stay on top of your car’s health and make timely repairs.
In the case of Carly, the app also offers additional features beyond diagnostics and coding. With the “used car check” feature, you can detect mileage fraud in cars and avoid car scams.
In addition, if you truly want to save even more money on car maintenance, Carly offers a step-by-step guide for performing basic DIY car services on your own. For example, performing a service reset or a battery replacement.
Usually, these services are done at auto repair shops for a cost. However, the truth is that they are easy enough to perform on your own and can help you save a lot!
Moreover, with Carly, you can also save PDF versions of your car’s diagnostics reports and repairs that you have performed. This way you have organized documentation on your car’s history if a car technician requests it.
Finally, if you are a car enthusiast you will have access to real-time data from your car with Carly’s “live data” feature. Some examples of live data include oil temperature and turbo boost pressure.
Winner: Depending on how many features of your car you want to access, the winner in this category will vary. If you want to know more about the costs of repairs and get a quote for maintenance, the winner is FIXD. However, if you want to access many different features in your car to personalize it and save money, Carly takes first place!
Ease of Use (OBD2 Scanner + App)
The best part about Bluetooth OBD2 scanners is their portability and convenience. They are small enough to fit in your pocket and don’t require additional cables or complex equipment.
In the case of Carly and FIXD, both Bluetooth OBD2 scanners are easy to plug into vehicles. It’s also simple to connect them to their mobile application via Bluetooth.
Furthermore, when it comes to performing a diagnostic check and reading out fault codes, both FIXD and Carly make the issue severity easy to understand. In both applications, color coding is used to indicate the different levels of severity.
Additionally, both apps have a friendly user interface and are easy to navigate. They can be used by beginners or professionals to get engine-level data. With Carly, the big plus is that you can get in-depth information about all systems, as it’s not limited to only engine data.
Winner: A tie since both scanners and apps are easy to use. However, considering all of Carly’s advanced features, we’ll give more points to Carly since car enthusiasts will get more data out of the product!
Compatibility
Both the Carly and FIXD OBD2 scanners work with cars that have OBD2 ports. OBD2 is the most advanced version of the OBD system. Before purchasing a scanner make sure that your car model is compatible with either option.
Scanner
The FIXD OBD2 scanner is compatible with gas-powered cars built after 1996 (sold in the United States) or after 2006 (sold outside the United States). It is also compatible with diesel engines, however, only if the vehicle was manufactured after 2008.
Regarding Carly, the OBD2 scanner is compatible with most car brands in the world. If your car was built in 2001 or later, Carly’s basic features (engine check, emissions check, live data) will be available for your car model. This applies to both diesel vehicles and gasoline-powered cars.
One exception to this is BMW. If you have a BMW built from 1996 onwards, the Carly scanner is compatible with your car.
However, for cars from other brands built before 2001, you can use an OBD1 Cable with the Carly scanner to access Carly’s advanced features.
Remember, Carly’s advanced features are only supported by certain car brands. These include BMW, Mini, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Renault, Porsche, Toyota, and Lexus.
App
Both apps from Carly and FIXD are compatible with iOS & Android devices.
Winner: Both FIXD and Carly score very close in this category since their scanners are compatible with all car brands! However, we will give more points to Carly, since the scanner can be used on gasoline and diesel cars manufactured since 2001 everywhere in the world.
Before purchasing the scanner we recommend that you ensure that it is compatible with your car. If you are interested in the Carly scanner, you can check and see which features are available for your car model here!
Customer Support and Warranty
When you purchase an OBD2 scanner tool, it is important to consider the additional support and conditions that are included.
This way you will be able to replace your device in case of a defect, or contact customer service when you need help.
With FIXD, you will get a 1-year guarantee for your OBD2 scanner. This includes the replacement of the device in case there is an issue with it.
With Carly, you will get a lifetime warranty on the OBD2 scanner, meaning if there are any defects you would get a free replacement.
Additionally, their customer support is available in case you have questions or need help. You can contact Carly’s support via their website and will receive a response within 72 hours.
Winner: We consider the warranty a very important part of your experience. Therefore, the lifetime warranty puts Carly in first place for this round.
Pricing & Value for Money
Both FIXD and Carly require you to get their OBD2 device which works with their free app. Basic features come for free, while advanced features are only included in the app license.
The FIXD OBD2 scanner costs $59.99 and the basic features can be used for free. The FIXD premium features cost an additional $69.99/year. At the time this article was written, FIXD offers their OBD2 scanner for free if you purchase their premium app.
The Carly scanner (called the Carly Universal Adapter) costs $69.90 + shipping. The basic features (engine check, emissions check, and live data) can be used for free in the Carly app. To use advanced features such as coding, you will need a license for the app. The price for the license starts at $21.96 for a yearly subscription. This depends on your car model, and how many car brands you want to have advanced features for in the Carly app.
Winner: If you are looking for a scan tool that can do more than just basic diagnostics, Carly is the one! The price for the Carly OBD2 scanner and app is affordable considering all the features that are available. It provides the best of both worlds: in-depth diagnostics (and more) for an affordable price.
Usually, to access all the features that Carly offers, you would need to have a professional device or software which can cost you up to $3,000. Therefore, we consider the Carly OBD2 scanner a great deal and an investment you can use throughout your car’s lifetime.
Carly vs. FIXD — Bottom Line
After comparing every feature offered by the Carly and FIXD OBD2 scanner, the first place goes to Carly!
With the Carly OBD2 scanner and app you get many advanced features that will give you full control over your car.
Its in-depth diagnostics will give you complete access to your vehicle’s data and you’ll know the real health status of your car. Moreover, with the DIY maintenance feature, you can easily save a lot of money and time.
And, if you have a BMW, Mini, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Renault, Porsche, Toyota, or Lexus, Carly is definitely the go-to choice! There are many more advanced features for these car brands, such as coding, that will let you go further and even personalize your car!
To top it off, the lifetime warranty and 72-hour response time will make your experience stress-free.
In summary, with the Carly OB2 scanner, you can get access to features and information that usually only professional-level mechanic tools offer. And these can cost thousands of dollars. Therefore, considering that Carly does more than diagnostics, our experts have rated it as the best overall Bluetooth OBD2 scanner!