The advancement in technology has allowed OBD2 scanners to be Bluetooth or Wi-Fi compatible. In the past, OBD scan tools didn’t have such connectivity. But most of today’s scan tools come equipped with either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or both. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivities have simplified the use of scan tools and allow them to be linked to the internet and other devices like the PC.
OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth VS Wi-Fi: which one is the best to use?
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled OBD2 scanners are widely used as it is easy to connect and you don’t have to link the scanner with the port. Also, both are quite fast in terms of connecting and showing diagnosing data. But there are some differences between these advanced scan devices. Choosing one of them depends on how often and where you will be utilizing the scanning tool. So let’s check which technology is better for transferring data from your vehicles to your scanning devices.
WI-FI Data Transferring
Typically, OBD2 Wi-Fi works more or less like a bridge between the onboard computer in your vehicle and your PC or any other OBD2 compatible handheld gadget, communicates with the OBDII systems, and then relays data either through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Also, the Wi-Fi OBD2 scanner acquires data from your vehicle’s computer via the use of your PC and a hardware interface.
Benefits of Using Wi-Fi OBD2 scanner
Actually, the Wi-Fi OBDII car scan tool allows you to carry out a number of operations which include:
- To read both generic as well as manufacturer-specific error codes and show their meaning on the PC.
- Supplementary vehicle instrumentation
- To display all the current sensor data that includes vehicle speed, engine RPM, calculated load value, coolant temperature, fuel pressure, and intake air temperature, among others.
- Clear all the trouble codes and turn off the check engine light
Bluetooth Data Transferring
The Bluetooth scan tool has a wireless OBDII adapter which can be utilized both with a PC and a smartphone. This works in the same way, such as OBD2 Wi-Fi android. The scanner uses its medium-speed CAN bus protocol to offer data in a quick way. Also, it functions with all the 1996 and newer cars and light trucks that are OBDII compatible.
Related article: What are the exact differences between OBD1 and OBD2 scanners?
Benefits of Using Bluetooth OBD2 scanner
One of the benefits of using the Bluetooth adapter over the traditional scan tools that use hard-wired connections is that it gets rid of the use of a cord. Also, connections are made easy. In addition, the Bluetooth version of a diagnostic scanner is not only easy to use but as well offers informative engine scanning. It can retrieve trouble codes, reset engine lights, and read numerous statistics which are not present in other diagnostic scanners. All you have to do is to connect the Bluetooth to your phone or laptop and start diagnosing your vehicle.
Which one is better – Bluetooth scan tool or Wi-Fi scanner?
All in all, you can decide to use a scan tool by linking it to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. Bluetooth is much easier as once the scanner is installed or connected, it will be stable and won’t interrupt your process. But with Wi-Fi, has interruptions that might force you to reconnect from time to time.
If you want to ask anything related to ‘OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth VS Wi-Fi’, please comment below.
