INNOVA 6100P SRS ABS OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader Scan Tool Ignition Tester with Battery Alternator Test Oil Service Light Reset Car Health Monitor with Free Pouch

I have an old Innova that can't do ABS. Have never had any trouble with it. Decided to get this one because of special price. Simple to use and it works better than my old one

While I am only a "shade tree mechanic," I consider this to be a mid-level tool. For the price you seem to get a lot of features. It helped me to diagnose catalytic converter and oxygen sensor issues on two of my vehicles. It allows you to display live data, so I was able to monitor the oxygen sensor voltage while driving to find the faulty unit. It's also nice to know that I can access ABS, SRS, and transmission codes, if needed.You can use it in conjunction with a phone app to receive clearer problem descriptions and links to parts sources, but you DO NOT have to use the app to get data from your vehicle's computer.You can view/clear codes and also reset some service reminders. For example, it was able to quickly reset the oil life meter on one of my vehicles. On the other, it couldn't do it directly but was able to provide exact instructions on how to do so manually.It's great to be able to check my vehicles for pending codes before taking them to the garage for my state's required inspections. That way, there are no surprises. I think my mechanic is honest, but I take the "Trust but verify" approach.It doesn't ship with extensive instructions, but if you are someone who works on your own vehicles, you probably enjoy and are good at figuring things out. If you read the prompts, the menus make sense and are easy to navigate after a little trial and error. I find it fun to explore all of the various options. It seems to be able to provide far more data than I will likely need to use in my home garage. If not having a thick, descriptive manual included with this device seems daunting, you may be better off stopping by your local auto parts store to use their free reader.

I have not yet used all the capabilities of this tool (Innova 6100P) but have used it to identify why I have a “check engine” light on (the last time this light came on I was charged $145 by a garage for running a diagnosis that concluded that I had encountered a problem but it had gone away on its own). I also have already used it to verify that another car was OK before taking it for a state mandated emissions inspection. I assume I will use more of the tool’s capabilities over time. I was also initially impressed that Innova’s user guide was fairly detailed and was written by someone for who English is clearly their native language. Despite all this I have to subtract a star due to confusing and incorrect information. Three issues:1. Not a “quick start guide”. The tools came with a two page “Quick Start Guide” diagramming nine steps for doing something (all drawings, no words). I was expecting things like how to install the batteries, how to turn the tool on, etc. but instead it started out with diagrams of something being done on a cell phone. Turns out that this wasn’t a “quick start guide” for the tool but rather instructions on how to download a “Repair Solutions 2” (RS2) app to a mobile device and pair it with the tool. I didn’t figure this out until after encountering conflicting instructions as discussed below.2. Out of date user’s manual. The back of the “quick start guide” included a URL for the real user’s manual. The manual was for an Innova 6100P but it didn’t match mine. My 6100P includes a button for “Line Data” whereas the manual identifies that button for “freeze frame” data which is handled by a differently located button on my 6100P. I couldn’t find anything in the manual concerning “line data”. Also, the instructions for RS2 setup and use were totally different (involved a personal computer (PC) and a mini-USB cable) and clearly out of date. I tried following the instructions for installing a copy of RS2 but it wouldn’t work. I assume the manual is out of date which seems strange as it is downloadable so only the master copy needs updating.3. Partially incorrect diagnosis. I eventually concluded that the “quick start guide” was really a replacement for the RS2 section in the user’s manual (wish they had said that) and got an RS2 instance installed on a mobile device (not a PC as the user’s manual incorrectly identified). I downloaded the diagnostic information from my 6100P to the RS2 app with no problem. RS2 correctly diagnosed a P0300 DTC and recommended that I install six new ignition coils. My vehicle (BMW X3) only has 4 cylinders which should have been obvious as the 6100P had captured the vehicle’s VIN and model information. A common alternate cause for P0300 DTCs can be bad spark plugs but that wasn’t mentioned (my X3 has about 30,000 miles on a set of replacement ignition coils but has 55,000 miles on the original spark plugs so I would think of replacing spark plugs first. At any rate, I used the 6100P to turn off the check engine light and the problem hasn’t reoccurred yet.

The scanner works great, identifies errors as it should.

I like that you can also download an app to read the scanner. It does what I need it to, I'd recommend this scanner for the typical DIYer like myself.