Ancel FD500 Vs. Ancel FD700 Vs. AUTOPHIX 7150: What Ford driver must know before buying it?

Ancel FD500 vs. FD700 Vs. AUTOPHIX 7150: Complete Comparison Table

Direct introduction to Ancel FD500 vs Ancel FD700 vs AUTOPHIX 7150

The Ancel FD500, Ancel FD700 and Autophix 7150 are OBD2 scanners that are specifically made for the Ford Group line of vehicles, including Ford itself, Lincoln, and Mercury. These Ford-vehicle-special scan tools are usually developed by different companies to provide niche and car-specific functions that generic scan tools can’t provide.

These three models are not winners in anything. Their performances and functions are average at best and quite standard. However, they all differ in the number of features they pack, thus ranking differently when compared to each other on various scales.

In this article, we will focus on the key differences and similarities of the Ancel FD500, Ancel FD700, and Autophix 7150. We will help you match them side by side and tell you which is the best purchase for your Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury.

Ancel FD500 vs Ancel FD700 Vs. AUTOPHIX 7150: What do they share?

Supported Vehicles Makes

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Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles can be scanned using these tools. They are however not limited to these car models. The Ancel FD500, FD700, and Autophix 7150 are specifically made to work with most 12 V 16 pin Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars made after 1996 to newer that have OBD2 16 pin sockets.

These scan tools can also support 12V cars and non-electric light trucks after 1996. They can also be used on newer cars and light trucks from the US, Europe, and Asia with OBD2 16 pin sockets.

All the functions and features in the vehicles are only accessible to Ford Group Vehicles. Other Non-Ford Group models can only diagnose the engine systems.

Moreover, it should be noted that different car models have different and specific reset functions. Some vehicles will be able to access other reset functions and systems that others can’t due to the system configuration.

Supported Protocols

A good scan tool must be able to support an ideal number of OBD protocols. The Ancel FD500, FD700, and Autophix 7150 come with support for 16-Pin OBD2 protocols such as CAN, J 1850PWM, J 1850VPW, ISO9141, and KWP2000.

Similar OBD2 functions, special functions, and system diagnosis

As stated earlier, these scan tools can perform all of their special functions and system diagnosis on Ford Group Vehicles. Non-Ford models will only access the engine diagnosis while Ford Group vehicles can perform the following system diagnosis:

1. Engine system.
2. Transmission system.
3. ABS.
4. Airbag system.

They also share various special reset and maintenance functions such as:

1. Oil reset.
2. ETC reset.
3. TPMS reset.
4. EPB reset.
5. Battery maintenance (BMS).
6. Throttle reset.
7. ABS reset.
8. SRS.
9. PCM reset.

As much as these scan tools pack great specifications, they lack in the OBD2 functions department. None of them possess full OBD2 functions. The FD500, FD700, and Autophix 7150 do not have freeze frame data, and only the FD700 and Autophix 7150 can turn off the check engine light.

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The shared OBD2 functions include:

1. Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
2. Clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
3. Data Stream – which supports engine, transmission, ABS, and airbag systems only on Ford Group Vehicles.
4. EVAP system test.
5. Vehicle information.
6. Read live PCM data stream.

The Ancel FD700, FD500, and Autophix 7150 exhibit detailed graphical representations that showcase elements such as battery voltage usage. You can be able to see the plotted graph to find more details about the health and general condition of your battery.

We also cannot forget the importance of multiple language support on these scanners. Different people from all over the world buy For Group Vehicles. Multilingual support is a great attribute on these scanners, especially for the international market.

Thankfully, these three models have up to ten language options including languages such as English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, German, Finnish, Danish, and Norwegian.

Warranty and Lifetime Software Updates

A one-year warranty is provided for the three scan tools. One year may not seem like a lot, but you probably won’t ever need it considering the durability of these scanners.

A cost-free lifetime software update guarantee is also provided. You can update the software on the devices using a Windows 7/8/10 computer since you cannot do it on a macOS device.

Ancel FD500 vs. Ancel FD700 Vs. AUTOPHIX 7150: Key Differences Explained

Design and Display

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Ancel FD500 and FD700 share a similar body: size, shape, and aesthetics. The only visible design and layout difference is the placement of an I/M readiness hotkey on the FD700. Autophix 7150 is different from them with a separate color scheme and display.

Ancel FD500 and FD700 come with a 2.8” LCD, colorful and backlit 320 x 240-pixel screen with two UI color themes. The color themes can be switched from Sky grey and Gem blue to give you an option of choosing your ideal color scheme.

The ability to choose between different user interface color themes sets the Ancel scanners apart. The Autophix scanner also comes with two color themes/skin style – white skin for daytime and black skin for nighttime. The Ancel displays are more vibrant and richer as compared to those from Autophix.

Delightedly, the three displays are easy on the eyes, easily readable, and operable.

Other Feature and Function Differences

Apart from Ancel FD500 not being able to turn off the check engine light, it also cannot perform fuel injector coding like its competitors. It also cannot do DPF regeneration or Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) calibration. The FD500 is however capable of reading and clearing the trouble codes of the SAS if SAS MIL light comes on.

Unlike the Ancel FD500 and FD700, the Autophix 7150 does not have a battery voltage test feature to help in Battery maintenance. It cannot also perform an emissions test or smog tests like the FD500 and FD700.

All in all, these scan tools share more features than they do not. They are comprehensive and versatile for normal usage which means that you won’t be disappointed with any one of them.

Which should I go for?

The Ancel FD700 will offer the best value for your money. At just $104.99, you will get OBD 6 modes for OBD2 vehicles and all system diagnosis for Ford Group vehicles.

You will also be able to access several functions for your Ford Group vehicle: Battery registration, ABS service bleed, SAS calibration, EPB maintenance, rest EGR adaptive tables, reset TCM KAM, PCM reset, Fuel injection Pump learning, TPMS reset, and many more.

It offers more features than Autophix 7150 which follows second when it comes to value for money at just $126.99. The Autophix scanner is a great option over the FD500 if you do not care about performing an emissions test. FD500 on the other hand is a good choice if you don’t care about turning off the check engine light or performing SAS calibration and DPF regeneration.

It is recommended to get a scan tool that can be able to perform the smog test. Therefore, purchasing the FD500 will be beneficial over the 7150 because the 7150 cannot perform a smog/emissions test.

For most users, getting the FD700 will be the best option since it parks more features, costs less than the Autophix, and has all the necessary functions.

Final Thoughts

When choosing scan tools, you should focus on full OBD functions, system diagnosis for specific vehicles, and special functions.

You may be tempted to always pick the most expensive tool under the assumption that it is better, this is not always true. And this can be seen when you compare the Ancel FD700 to the Autophix 7150. Despite being more expensive than FD700, the Autophix 7150 lacks a few features that FD700 can provide, making it the champion.

FAQs

1.How do I obtain the user manual for Autophix 7150?

Go to the official Autophix website and open the product landing page. You will find a link to download the user manual for your specific scanner. A PDF file of the manual can also be downloaded from the Amazon product page.

2.How to update the Ancel FD500 and FD700?

Go to the manufacturer’s website and search for your specific scanner. Use your unique model number to download the right software updates. Go ahead and install the update by just connecting the OBD2 scan tool to a Windows 7/8 or 10 computer using the provided USB cable.

3.How do I register a battery on the Autophix 7150?

Disconnect the old battery and install the new one (must have the same characteristics as the original battery). Proceed to use the scan tool to enter the new battery 12-digit code. Special care should be taken to ensure you use the right code, lest the accuracy of the device will be affected.

4.Can the Ancel FD500 support OBD1?

The FD500, same as the FD700 and Autophix 7150 do not have any support for OBD1 vehicles. They can only support 12V cars and non-electric light trucks from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury after 1996 or newer with OBD2 16 pin sockets. They can also support other 12V cars and non-electric light trucks after 1996 or newer with OBD2 16 pin sockets.

5.What powers the Autophix 7150?

The Autophix 7150 is a plug-and-play type of device. It means that all you have to do is plug it onto the OBD2 port on your vehicle, turn on the engine and you are all set. The device will get power from the car battery via the OBD2 data link connector linking the scanner and car.

Read more: ANCEL VD500 Vs. ANCEL VD700 Vs. AUTOPHIX AP7610: Review and Comparison