Topdon Carpal Scanner | Owner’s Review

Topdon Carpal is a step up from ELM327, giving you some extra functionality from their professional OBD-II software as they also make tablet scan tools. Carpal will let you scan all modules in the car, make diagnostic PDF reports, and even use 6 service procedures.

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Sponsored Warning: I got this product for free to make a review. Despite that, I provide an honest review based on personal testing and share my truthful opinion of the product. Read more in sponsor policy.

Topdon Carpal

6 My Rating

Topdon carpal is not a bad scanner, it does a lot more than classic ELM327 but it’s not a bi-directional scanner.

You have to pay a subscription yearly (first year free) of $30/year, which is not a lot but if you pay a subscription of $50-60 you can get a scanner with a lot more features.

For example one of Bluetooth Bi-Directional scanners.

Pros

  • Full scan
  • 6 Service procedures
  • Diagnostic report
  • Helpful libraries
  • Diagnostic guides for fault codes

Cons

  • No bi-directional
  • No full live data
  • Subscription

Find the best price

Who tested product & wrote this review?

Juraj Lukacko

Tester & Editor for this review: Juraj Lukacko

Hello, I am Juraj (Yuri) and I tested this product to help you decide if it is something you would want to buy, and if yes, show you how to use it.

I make honest reviews based on personal testing in my own garage and If I see the product is bad, I will make it very clear in review.

Read more about how I do reviews on Iamcarhacker.com in my review policy.

Topdon carpal is great, but…

topdon carpal in box

It is more advanced than the traditional ELM327 adapter, especially with its full scan + PDF report, but there is just something missing.

There is no bi-directional testing or accessing all modules for live data, which wouldn’t be a big deal for a scanner in this price range, but there is a subscription, and in that case, I would rather get something with this stuff supported, and without a subscription even though initial costs may be little higher.

I tested a lot of different Bluetooth OBD scanners

I tested more than 30 different Bluetooth OBD scanners, so the review is crafted based on the level of value it can give you for money spent. Here is a list of the Best Bluetooth OBD scanners.

Features

FeatureVerdict
Connection TypeBluetooth
Device typeBluetooth adapter
Need extra deviceSmartphone (iOS/Android)
Need internetYes
Own softwareYes
Can use 3rd party softwareNo
Subscription/Update$30/year (1st year free)
Vehicle coverageAll
Global OBD ModesYes
Live data graphsYes
Data loggingYes
Scan other modulesYes
Diagnostic report PDFYes
Full live dataNo
Bi-DirectionalNo
Service Procedures6
ECU codingNo
Full review + videohttps://www.iamcarhacker.com/topdon-carpal-scanner-owners-review/
Price range$50-100
Current price https://amzn.to/42IB5rC

OBD-II scanner Buyer’s Guide

  • Scanner features explained
  • Different types of scanners
  • Scanners for coding/odometer/ECU/checks
  • Best picks + discount codes

Download PDF Here (it’s free :))

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