The ANCEL X7 is a budget friendly and user friendly Bluetooth bi-directional OBD2 scanner.
I firmly believe every DIYer should have one of these scanners as it turned a huge headache of mine into a few second fix. I will explain how later in this article.
Yes, ANCEL sent me the device for free, however, this is my honest and truthful review.
Let’s discuss the quality and functions of the ANCEL X7, how it fixed my issue and finally I will give my final thoughts… I do spread my thoughts throughout every segment as well.
Unboxing
The ANCEL X7 was shipped to me in a very nice heavy duty box. Within the box was its carrying case, a durable polycarbonate, which really protect the device.
As soon as the box is opened, I was presented with the bi-directional scanner surrounded by a nice rubber cover. After removing the nicely slotted scanner out of the case there are cords underneath: charger, hard wire (if you do not want to use Bluetooth), OBD2 plug and finally the Bluetooth transmitter.
I am happy.
Setting up the ANCEL X7
Before you do anything you need to activate and update the unit.
Step one:Â is to slide down from the top right corner with two fingers. Press the Wi-Fi and connect to your local Wi-Fi.
Step two: go to update and activate the unit with the already pasted unit code and password.
Step three: continue to add all of your information
Step four: download the manufacture you will be using
step five: go to settings
step six: select version update
step seven: update your unit. Mine arrive with version 10. As of writing this article it was at 12.2
Throughout this article I will post my video with different starting times that correspond with each segment. Now, keep reading here and do not get stuck in the video as I do give additional information here that the video does not have.Â
Functions
First, plug the Bluetooth transmitter into the OBD2 port. Usually the port is located underneath the dash of the car.
The transmitter and the scanner should automatically connect.
On the front page you will find a lot of functions:
Diagnose:
Allows you to run the diagnostics to pull up everything that may be wrong with the vehicle. Within the same page you can control different relays, which is the beauty of this budget bi-directional scanner. When everything is ran underneath diagnostics the unit can run live data. For an example, you can read your intake pressures, 02 sensor percentages and in my case the wheel speed sensors. I will get to that later.
Hot Function:
I found this to be semi-difficult to use. The page is meant to be a list of the most used functions mechanics use.
I was not impressed with this as it seemed to lack some of the functions that the diagnostic page could do. For instance, I tried to use the reset oil hot function. For some reason there was no 2008 Tahoe listed. However, If I went through the diagnostics page, I could easily do the process.
Update:
The update page has the initial setup then proceeds to the downloadable content. For whatever vehicle the scanner will be used one, the scanner needs to have the manufacturer content downloaded. Simple enough. The content downloads pretty quick too.
Data Manager:
Data manager holds all of your saved photos and screen recordings. Yes, you can record your screen which is pretty nifty.
Quick Support:
This is the TeamViewer page. What does that mean? Well, it is an app that allows someone on the other end to see exactly what you are seeing in real time. Whether it is a friend or a mechanic helping you out, this could be very useful.
DTC Query:
The name says it all. This page explains every error code.
Feedback:
Sending feedback to ANCEL is here. Yes, they actually listen and fixed their devices to whatever feedback is sent… IF the feedback is valid. I am impressed.
Data Playback:
Here is where the recording can begin. The recording button is on the top left of the screen and it works perfectly. Getting the data off the scanner is a bit harder than I expected. I will talk about that later.
The last page has the function list, settings and the users profile.
The ANCEL X7 and ABS
I have had this very annoying ABS issue for a long time. My driver side front wheel bearing was making a noise as I drive. This resembled a bad bearing, SO I replaced that wheel bearing. After I replaced it the ABS light illuminated as well as the Stability track error code popped up. I automatically assumed it was a bad wheel bearing so I removed it and installed a higher quality one. I still had the ABS lights blaring in my face.
I proceeded to live without traction control and had faith my wife would not spin out into a curb.
I connected a cheap OBD2 Bluetooth scanner to my Tahoe and the scanner could not pick up ANYTHING related to the ABS.
Year later passed and ANCEL wanted to send me this unit.
Thank goodness.
The bi-directional scanner easily picked up the ABS issue and I was quickly able to see that the passenger rear wheel speed sensor was not sending data to the ECU. This was my issue.
Turns out the sensor was unplugged.
I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THAT SENSOR.
All I can this is that the mechanic that I took my Tahoe who diagnosed a blown engine (IT WAS NOT BLOWN) unplugged the sensor. Maybe the 5 minute oil changing place unplugged it. Who knows. Either way, some sketchy stuff happened.
I guess removing the front wheel speed sensor triggered the computer when I replaced the bearing.
Final Thoughts
I love this scanner. It is high quality and cheap.
There were a few things I did not like about the unit and that is the hot function tab and the methods of transferring data to another device.
I already talked about the hot function, so let me quickly talk about transferring data. The tablet has two methods of doing this: Bluetooth sharing or a share nearby option that only works with Androids.
I have an iPhone and a windows computer. I tried to use the Bluetooth option which failed over and over, no matter how i went about it.
The only method to transfer data is by plugging it into the computer. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is not. I break down the steps to do this here:
As of now the ANCEL X7 is selling for $369.99. That is a pretty good and competitive price. This is one of the only ones that has bluetooth capabiility at this price. There is a cheaper X6 scanner that is currently selling for $279.99.
I would really appreciate it if you use my link here if you are in the market:
If you are want to watch the unit in action, check out my video: