For DIY enthusiasts and Mercedes Sprinter owners, understanding your vehicle’s diagnostics is crucial. OBD2 scanners are essential tools for reading fault codes and maintaining your van. As someone who works on their own 2020 907 chassis RV, I decided to explore some of the lower-cost OBD2 scanner options from Launch, specifically their Creader Elite line. My experience, detailed below, focuses on using these scanners with a Mercedes Sprinter, highlighting what I learned about their capabilities and limitations.
Launch offers several versions within the Creader Elite series. The base model provides support for basic modules like SRS across numerous car brands. However, expanded module coverage requires individual add-on purchases. They also market brand-specific units with in-depth coverage for a particular manufacturer. Initially, I opted for the Creader Elite Benz, priced around $120-$180 (listing at $179 with frequent Amazon coupons).
It’s important to note that despite being a “Benz” unit, the Creader Elite Benz does not automatically include Sprinter support. Sprinter diagnostics are considered a separate module, requiring an additional $35 download. While I didn’t purchase and test the Sprinter module for the Benz unit, I did update the device software via Wi-Fi at home, confirming it lacked Sprinter functionality out of the box. It was purely for standard Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, not Sprinter vans.
Next, I purchased the Creader Elite 200, the most affordable model in the range, offering generic support for multiple brands. This model, available for around $100 on Amazon (originally listed at $129), advertised SRS and ABS support. Like the Benz unit, the Creader Elite 200 was easily updated to the latest software and included a built-in Sprinter module. This update process, conveniently done over Wi-Fi, meant I could prepare the scanner before even heading to my garage.
With the Creader Elite 200, I successfully reset an SRS airbag error code related to the driver’s seat. However, its capabilities beyond this basic function seemed limited. Despite having a “Sprinter module,” there was no comprehensive Sprinter system scan option in the device’s online store. Instead, numerous individual Sprinter subsystems were available for purchase at $35 each – a cost that would quickly escalate for broader diagnostic needs.
Customer support proved challenging to navigate. Reaching the correct contact involved a series of emails to Chinese addresses (one helpful address is [email protected]). On a positive note, the Android-based operating system and touchscreen interface were user-friendly, making updates and navigation straightforward without needing a computer.
Regarding software versions, the Sprinter module included with the Creader Elite 200 was version V21.44 at the time of writing. Customer support indicated that ABS support was supposedly included in version V21.46, but this update was not available for download on the unit, nor easily located on their website. They also mentioned a planned “official version V21.50” release in February 2023. This lack of readily available updates and clear information was a point of frustration.
Ultimately, the Creader Elite 200 at $100 allowed me to resolve my immediate SRS airbag fault – my primary goal. However, its restricted functionality and the unclear path for expanded Sprinter diagnostics make it seem less useful for future, diverse issues. Therefore, I decided to return both the Creader Elite 200 and the Benz unit to Amazon.
For Mercedes Sprinter owners seeking a comprehensive and cost-effective OBD2 scanner, it’s crucial to carefully consider the specific model’s Sprinter capabilities and potential for future diagnostic needs beyond basic code reading. While tools like the Creader Elite 200 can address simple issues, their limitations and the module-based purchase system might not be ideal for long-term or in-depth Sprinter maintenance.
