The BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool has carved out a significant niche in the automotive diagnostic market, distinguishing itself from basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanners. It offers a deeper dive into your vehicle’s health, coupled with practical repair suggestions. Praised for its user-friendly app and comprehensive features, it still presents considerations like its larger size and varying feature compatibility across different car models. For those in the market for a reliable OBD2 scanner, understanding the nuances of devices like the BlueDriver is crucial. Let’s delve into a detailed Bluedriver Obd2 Reviews to see if this tool lives up to the hype.
BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool: Pricing and Value
At a price point of $120, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool from Lemur Vehicle Monitors positions itself as a step above the most basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanners. It stands as the company’s primary diagnostic offering in the US, focusing on delivering a robust and feature-rich experience within a single product. When considering bluedriver obd2 reviews, pricing is often a key factor, and BlueDriver aims to justify its cost through its advanced capabilities and comprehensive app.
Design and Physical Attributes of the BlueDriver Scanner
Compared to many Bluetooth-based OBD scanners, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is noticeably larger and heavier. It measures 2.2 x 1.9 x 1.0 inches and weighs 2.4 ounces. While it’s bulkier than ultra-compact scanners like the Jethax OBD2, it remains more streamlined and less intrusive than larger handheld units such as the ThinkDiag scanner. This design balance seeks to provide functionality without excessive bulkiness within the OBD-II port area.
The BlueDriver’s all-black casing features ribbed sides, intentionally designed for a secure grip during insertion and removal from the OBD-II port, a practical consideration for users in various conditions.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
An LED indicator on the side of the device provides visual feedback on its operational status. It emits a blue light during startup and flashes blue when actively transmitting data. To avoid driver distraction, the light dims after initial operation. A red blinking light indicates a disconnection from the paired device, while a solid red light signals recovery mode, typically after a firmware update interruption. These visual cues are helpful for understanding the scanner’s state at a glance, a point often noted in bluedriver obd2 reviews.
Functionally, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool aims to replicate the capabilities of a handheld scanner by leveraging the processing power and display of smartphones or tablets via the BlueDriver app. This free application is available for both Android and iOS platforms, and is designed to be intuitive, presenting vehicle diagnostics in a clear and organized manner.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The app excels in real-time data acquisition, displaying live automotive data through customizable, automotive-style gauges on the connected device’s screen. For data analysis and record-keeping, the app includes an export function to save data in .csv format. Furthermore, the BlueDriver app goes beyond just reading codes; it generates reports detailing potential causes of detected issues, suggests possible fixes, and even provides links for sourcing necessary replacement parts. This comprehensive approach makes it a valuable tool for DIY mechanics and a useful aid for communicating with professional mechanics, features frequently praised in bluedriver obd2 reviews.
(Image credit: BlueDriver)
The BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool incorporates a Smog Check feature, which is essentially an I/M readiness test, common among OBD-II scanners, to assess vehicle emissions system readiness for inspection. It also performs standard OBD-II functions such as reading and clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
Beyond basic OBD-II functionalities, the BlueDriver offers in-depth diagnostics for systems like ABS and engine misfires. However, the depth of data access is vehicle-dependent, influenced by the manufacturer and model year. This variability is important to consider when reading bluedriver obd2 reviews, as experiences can differ based on vehicle compatibility.
BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool Performance Evaluation
Testing the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool involved connecting it to a vehicle’s OBD-II port and using the BlueDriver Android app on a Galaxy S9 phone. The scanner established a connection promptly, and the app displayed its main menu with nine diagnostic options.
(Image credit: BlueDriver)
These options included fundamental functions like “Read Codes,” “Smog Check,” and “Mode 6”—a more advanced diagnostic mode for preemptive issue detection before the Check Engine Light illuminates. Retrieval of the vehicle identification number (VIN) was also immediate.
(Image credit: BlueDriver)
In practical use across multiple vehicles, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool performed consistently. It successfully identified a deliberately introduced fault—a disconnected oil-temperature sensor—and effectively cleared the Check Engine Light after the issue was resolved. The app provided real-time driving data, such as engine and vehicle speed. However, it lacked a trip-summary feature, which is available in some competitor scanners like the AncelBD310. This feature set and performance are key aspects discussed in bluedriver obd2 reviews.
Setup and Usability
Despite its slightly larger form factor, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is designed to be unobtrusive once installed beneath the dashboard. During testing, it maintained a Bluetooth range of 32 feet with an S9 phone, offering considerable freedom to move around the vehicle during diagnostics.
The package includes a basic setup guide with a flowchart for initial setup and connection. However, a comprehensive user manual is not included in the physical package. Instead, BlueDriver provides an extensive online resource library on their website, which includes diagnostic and repair tips. While rich in content, navigating this material on a smaller phone screen can be less convenient. The BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is backed by a 1-year warranty.
Bottom Line: Is BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool Recommended?
Concluding this bluedriver obd2 reviews, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool stands out for its ability to not only identify vehicle faults but also to offer fault code analysis and suggest probable causes and solutions. For users who prefer a smartphone-centric approach to vehicle diagnostics, the BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is a compelling option. Its diagnostic depth and user-friendly app can potentially save significant amounts on automotive repairs, making it a worthwhile investment for informed vehicle maintenance.
