If you are wondering about the state of your vehicle or want to get a price estimate for vehicle repair, these affordable car scanners are a great option. We fully compared FIXD and ELM 327 to see which one offers better features and, eventually, suits your needs better.
FIXD vs ELM 327 Comparison Table
FIXD | ELM 327 | |
 |  | |
US cars | ||
EU cars | ||
Asian cars | ||
Certificate | ASE Certified Mechanics | RoHS Certified |
Mobile Apps | ||
Operating System (Android and iOS) | NOT compatible with IOS system (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), just work with Android device or Window system. | |
OBD2 port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Skill Level | DIYER OR ENTHUSIAS | DIYER OR ENTHUSIAS |
Reset CEL | ||
Smog Check | With Premium | |
Diagnostic Reports | ||
Live Data | ||
Car Monitor | ||
Freeze Frame | ||
Number of vehicles | 5 | 1 |
Engine, Transmission Codes | ||
TPMS | ||
ABS, airbag Codes | ||
Language | English, Dutch, German, | N/A |
Warranty | 1 YEAR | N/A |
Money back guarantee | 30 DAYS | N/A |
Where To Buy | ||
Review |
What is an OBD-II Port?
The On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD-II) port is a gateway to your vehicle’s computer to perform a couple of tasks, including diagnostics and emission tests.
FIXD Overview
At a glance
What we like
- You can check multiple vehicles
- Excellent for DIY and garage mechanics
- Maintenance reminders
- Fault detection notification
- Can estimate costs (average)
- Easy to use
What we don’t like
- Lack of support for diesel vehicles (Cars before 2006 and trucks before 2008)
- Doesn’t support electric cars
- Doesn’t read CODES such as ABS, Airbag
FIXD is an Automotive specialist company that helps car owners and drivers better understand keeping their vehicles in tip-top conditions. Over the ages, the company has taken pride in lending a helping hand to drivers when they can’t help but worry about why the check engine light is on their own.
The FIXD device features a hardware-software combo, giving you essential information about your car. The hardware part of the device sends information from your vehicle to an application on your smart device, the software part of the FIXD device.
How Does the FIXD Work?
The hardware-software combo is designed to work with all vehicles with an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD-II) port.
The package comes with a scanner that you should plug into your vehicle’s OBD-II port. The sensor automatically draws its power from the car, which means you will never have to recharge it.
Once the device is powered, you should download the FIXD app from the App Store or Google Play Store, depending on the operating system that powers your device. Next, you will need to connect the FIXD sensor to the app on your phone via Bluetooth. Once that is successfully done, the system will automatically share information about your vehicle throughout the connection.
How Do You Use FIXD?
Download the FIXD app from Google Play Store for Android devices or App Store for iOS devices, power ON Bluetooth on your smart device, and pair to the FIXD sensor.
Open the FIXD app and create an account by filling in the required information. Set up your maintenance reminders and repair preferences.
Identify the FIXD sensor on the app and input the sensor code (found on the back of the sensor). Plug the FIXD sensor into your vehicles OBD-II port (located on the driver’s side of the dashboard). Once the device is properly plugged-in, a blue light should flash. Finally, add the sensor on the app and allow it to scan for all nearby devices. Once this is done, you can begin running diagnostic tests on your vehicle.
ELM 327 Overview
At a glance
What we like
- It is quite affordable
- Compact, practical, and versatile
- It is compatible with a wide range of third party diagnostic apps
What we don’t like
- Not compatible with iOS
- You might not get some data readings like with some premium options.
- ELM327 might not be able to read yours car OBD2 protocol
Like the FIXD car health monitor, ELM 327 has become a vital piece of technology for drivers and car owners worldwide. With car issues becoming more frequent, a trip to the mechanic can set you back quite a significant amount. ELM 327 comes in handy in saving you money by keeping your vehicle in tip-top condition.
The ELM 327 is one of the most advanced OBD-II scanners available in the market today. It features a wide variety of functionalities and supports most third-party apps that come with several innovative, useful features.
The ELM 327 can be controlled from any Android and Windows device by using a third-party app (not compatible with iOS).
How do You Use ELM 327?
Plug the ELM 327 adapter into your vehicles OBD-II port. It should indicate that its receiving power even when the car is turned off. Download a third-party app to connect your phone to the ELM 327 device. You can opt for the Torque Pro app. Power ON Bluetooth on your smartphone and pair it to the Bluetooth adapter.
Once paired, open the Torque Pro app and give it a few seconds to load and properly pair up to the ECU. Once this step is complete, you are connected to the adapter and can start your vehicle to receive real-time information from your vehicle’s computer.
FIXD Features
Check Engine Light
The check engine light turning on can be a real source of panic and worry for most drivers and car owners.
The light is designed to indicate a range of issues that your car might be experiencing. It could be a minor malfunction such as a faulty gas cap, or something much more severe, such as faulty ignition coils or spark plugs.
The FIXD device is designed to allow you to pinpoint the exact reason why the light is on. The tool also gauges how serious the problem is and the consequences of leaving it unchecked.
It also gives you a rundown of how the problem is interfering with your vehicle’s overall performance.
Maintenance
Most car manufacturer’s give a factory recommended maintenance schedule for their different models.
If correctly followed, you can save a lot of time and money on frequent unnecessary trips to the mechanic.
With a FIXD device, you don’t have to worry about keeping every maintenance date at the back of your palm.
The device provides you a factory recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle and notifies you on your smartphone when maintenance intervals are closing in.
Multi-vehicle Control
Another cool feature about the FIXD device is that it allows you to manage the status and health of multiple vehicles from a single device.
This feature allows you to own more than one car and have a FIXD sensor on all of these vehicles. You can keep track of them all from a single smartphone.
Portability
The FIXD scanner is designed with practical dimensions, making it compact and less conspicuous when plugged into your vehicle’s OBD-II port.
Mobile Push Notifications
FIXD automatically sends important notifications to your smart device every time the check engine light is detected, which allows you to take prompt action and get more insights into your vehicle’s problem on the spot.
The device also sends you reminders for any upcoming maintenance.
Wireless Connectivity
The FIXD hardware-software combo uses Bluetooth to send and retrieve information from your vehicle’s computer, ensuring you do not have to worry about entangled wires on your dashboard every time you need a report on your car’s status and health.
Where to buy FIXD
Even though the FIXD device is available in both physical and online automotive stores, it is advisable to purchase the device from the official FIXD website (https://getfixd.io/). This way, you are guaranteed a one year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.
The device is available in a number of packages that offer varying numbers of sensors, which is especially handy if you intended to use FIXD on several vehicles.
ELM 327 Features
Check Engine Light
Most drivers have encountered the check-engine light error code at one point or the other, making it one of the most encountered problems in most vehicles. The light usually indicates that the engine is facing a problem that needs immediate attention.
The ELM 327 can read Check-Engine Light codes and pinpoint the exact problem your vehicle is experiencing. The scanner explains the codes in a simple language you can understand, allowing you to solve some issues without any professional help.
Freeze Frame Data
The Freeze-Frame Data is designed to help keep the emission system of your vehicle in a working condition. It contains essential Parameters ID (PID) information for the displayed Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). The codes are then saved in the memory when any problem is experienced in the emission system, allowing you to view a detailed side-by-side report on the various codes and share the information with professionals.
Ignition Response
This feature will give you information about the time taken to ignite the fuel mixture, indicating any underlying ignition problems.
Live Data
Live Data allows you to determine your vehicle’s performance as you go. It provides a live feed of your car using built-in sensors.
RPM
Information about the Revolutions Per Minute can help you determine the overall condition of your vehicle.
Speed
If all of a sudden, your vehicle starts running at lower speeds than usual, it could be an indication of a problem with the emission system. You can access live data on the speed sensor and establish your vehicle’s running speed.
Mass Air Flow
A sensor installed in the engine reads the flow of air entering the combustion engine.
Throttle Position
This pulls any information related to the engine air intake.
Smog Test
In today’s environmentally conscious world, t is lawfully required that all vehicles on the road pass the emissions inspection. This is why the ELM 327 offers a smog test capability, for you to gauge whether the emissions of your vehicle are within regulations
Dashboard Customization
Last but not least, the ELM 327 allows you to customize your app’s dashboard to organize the most used features for easier access.
ELM 327 is compatible with a wide array of protocols, including KWP, CAN, VPN and PWM. These translate to OBD-II protocols, such as:
- ISO 15765-4 CAN(11 bit, 500 kbit/s)
- ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit, 500 kbit/s)
- ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit, 250 kbit/s)
- ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit, 250 kbit/s)
- ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbit/s)
- ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbit/s)
- SAE J1850PWM (41.6kbit/s)
- SAE J1850VPW (10.4 kbit/s)
- ISO 9141-2 (5 baud init, 10.4 kbit/s)
- SAE J1939 (250kbit/s)
- SAE J1939 (500kbit/s)
Where to Buy ELM 327
Just like the FIXD device, the ELM 327 is also available in most automotive stores. However, it is also advisable to buy the device from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer to guarantee quality products and valid warranties.
Summary
All in all, owning any car health monitor is a worthwhile investment. It will save you both money and time on frequent trips to the dealership every time the check engine light illuminates. The technology allows you to keep tabs on your vehicle’s status at all times.
The FIXD and ELM 327 are practical and versatile devices designed to be used by an average driver. They boast a wide array of features that give you a better understanding of your vehicle’s status and health. Choosing the right device for yourself boils down to personal preference and what you intend to get out of it.
If you want to save yourself from constant stress every time the check engine light comes on, you should consider getting an OBD-II scanner.
With the continual development and increase in technology, gadgets, and gizmos, Amar never has a dull day researching new gadgets. Being an enthusiastic gamer, traveler, soccer lover, and avid car driver means that he always looks for the next cool thing to try out.