Review on C301 OBD2 Scanner Automotive EOBD OBDII Code Reader with Battery Test Car Diagnostic Tool for Check Engine Light [2022 Updated Version] by Kevin Robinson

I have long needed an ODBII scanner for our domestic cars and have tried several of them with mixed results. The less expensive readers I've tried before are so feature-poor that they're difficult to use or don't provide accurate information. I've also received Bluetooth adapters that require an app on the phone and I find them too complicated to use while working on the car. Whilst we don't have many problems with our vehicles, reading the fault code when there is a problem can be a real money saver as they often point directly to a solution. The Creator OBDII Scanner sounded like a decent option at a reasonable price, so I gave it a try and was generally very pleased. The scanner fits well in the hand. The buttons work well and make menu navigation much easier than on the touchscreen, especially when working on the car with greasy/dirty hands. Once the scanner is plugged into a socket in your car, usually just under the steering wheel, it will power up and be ready to use. The manual describes the use of the device in sufficient detail, which was a pleasant surprise since many inexpensive devices have little to no documentation. The main menu is very easy to navigate thanks to large icons for each function and a colored square that is moved by pressing the arrow keys and selected by pressing the OK button. Text on all menus is clear and easy to read. However, in one option, it is very difficult to see which menu item is currently selected. I used this in a garage so there was minimal sunlight or glare on the display and I didn't really know there was a backlight until looking at the photos taken for this review, and only very much so saw little backlight. While I couldn't see the choices, it wasn't difficult to click the appropriate number of times and then press the OK button to access the menus/features I wanted, but it would have been nice to see the choices more easily. I've used this on a 2010 Dodge truck and a 2014 Ford passenger car with no problems. Both allowed me to view previous codes, test the battery, collect VIN information, track vital info while the engine was running, and more. Overall, this did exactly what I was hoping for in terms of gathering information from the vehicle it was connected to. There is also a code library on the device itself. While I usually turn to online resources for any code I find, I tested some of the codes I had and the information provided was surprisingly reliable and helpful. I wasn't expecting a lot of code detail on a device like this, so it was a pleasant surprise that it provides useful content right on the OBDII reader. BIG PLUS - there is actually a website for support and firmware updates for this device. I didn't need help so can't comment on how helpful they are, but many inexpensive devices of all types have little or no support other than contacting a Revain salesperson. I think you have to accept the fact that many inexpensive devices have little to no long-term support, so finding something that's inexpensive and seems to offer more than the bare minimum is great. Aside from a small complaint about menu highlights, I found this to be a very reliable OBDII reader. A site to download updates and a whole host of features combined with a very reasonable price make this device what I recommend if you need an OBDII reader.