Very few code readers have had the commercial success of the little, insignificant-looking Ancel AD310. On face value, there’s little to suspect that the smallish-looking unit is worthy of some space in the glovebox of a car; any glovebox, for that matter.
This was what attracted me to it: for the 310 to register the level of success it has, it certainly had something going on in its favor. Ancel, without a shred of doubt, had got something right with it.
Or maybe, they hadn’t. Whichever way it was, I wanted to figure out – and share.
Being eternally curious, I placed an order for the code reader, and it shipped to my address. Today, I’ll share with you my findings, which I hope will help you decide to make the big move on whether to buy the AD310 or look elsewhere.
I’ll ultimately conclude if the Ancel AD310 is the perfect code reader, especially for beginners/casual vehicle owners, or simply, some cheap unit, unworthy of your attention.
First things first, however: why should you even consider a cheap code reader in the first place?
Second, here’s what the Ancel AD310 looks like, on Amazon (if you’d love to take a quick look before continuing the article).
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I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.
Article Outline
Why a Cheap Code Reader?
If you’ve casually come across this article, it’s only natural to wonder why you need a code reader, especially a cheap (or, if you prefer, an affordable) one.
This is especially so since affordable things generally have the stigma of not serving their intended purposes and packing up before their time.
So, why bother with one?
It turns out, there are many good (and interesting) reasons:
1. They’re Cheap (& Can Be Forfeited)
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), about 880,595 vehicles were stolen in 2020 in the US, translating to a fresh vehicle being stolen every 36 seconds!
Such statistics are a valid reason for car owners having sleepless nights (or restless days), especially when their cars are parked in less secure areas.
With a cheap code reader (like the Ancel AD310), you’re more likely to sleep better at night or carry on your daily activities better with the full consciousness that even if a car is broken in (or even stolen), what you’ll be losing will at best be the vehicle (and a code reader that costs only a few bucks).
Why leave an expensive code reader (or scanner) in the vehicle when it’s a known fact that insurance generally doesn’t cover items left in the vehicle at the time of theft?
2. They’re Portable & Perfect for Life on the Go
Generally, affordable code readers like the Ancel AD310 also double as portable and are perfect for life on the go, in the glovebox (minus options like the extra-large Konnwei KW850).
Because of their small, portable size, they simply slid into the glove box and there, with the Owner’s Manual (and any other things left there), live out their lives happily.
Their compact size means you don’t have to worry about storage, whether in a small car or an SUV. Why ignore what goes to the ends of the world to make sure that you’re happy?
3. They’re Usually Fast & Great for the Roadside
A check engine light flashing on your cluster by the roadside is a grave reason for concern. On a long, deserted stretch, you’re likely to panic and immediately start wondering what options you have.
With a dedicated professional scanner, taking it out alone, assuming you’ve taken the liberty (and the inconvenience of carrying it along), will be a chore. Factor in the booting time, and it’s already enough time for your blood pressure to begin to spike.
With a simple, cheap unit, however, you simply open your glove box and plug…and within seconds, you’re retrieving codes and sorting out the reason you’re detained by the roadside in the first place.
Easy still does it, even today…and will continue to do it in the years to come. Why ignore the easiest route for the most taxing and challenging?
Now that you see why a budget scanner makes sense, let’s get into what the AD310 actually offers out of the box.
Ancel AD310: First Impression & What’s in the Box
The Ancel AD310 arrived at my front door without any fanfare: it came in a simple brown box about six inches in length and roughly three across. The brown box was properly labelled, and you could immediately tell what it contained.
The face of the brown, recycled, biodegradable packaging box had a simple, beautiful photo of the Ancel AD310. On the reverse, product features and functions were listed, detailing how the code reader is compatible with most vehicles manufactured post-1996.
For the price point, nothing to bother (or worry about) yet.
On opening the box, I was greeted with three (3) things: the code reader itself, a user manual, and another printed paper, which turned out to be an advertisement for Ancel’s other products they’re looking to create awareness around.
First impressions?
The code reader looked smaller than anticipated. Granted, I had expected it to be small, but its actual size took me some steps back. The quality was okay – at least, for the price point, and the black color was a relief from the extra bright red/orange most code readers feature in the name of ‘safety painting’.
I gave the unit a pass mark at this point, eager to wait and see what would come of it once plugged into the OBD II port of a vehicle.
Functions & Abilities
It took a few weeks before I remembered that I was supposed to test the newest addition to my code readers, the Ancel AD310. Excitedly, I took the code and plugged it into the nearest OBD II port I could find.
Here are the functions and abilities, as I found them.
1. Basic Code Reading & Erasure
The core of any code reader is basic code reading and erasure. In this regard, the Ancel AD310 performed exactly as expected. It quickly scanned the vehicles I tested it on and displayed the stored engine and emission codes for makes and models that had them logged.
In the same vein, the 310 also erased the codes I wanted erased easily—and without incident. I did not quarrel with the unit in this regard.
First box, ticked.
2. Live Data Function
Next, I looked at the live data function of the unit: though clumsy, I was impressed that I was presented with the option of looking at the ‘numbers’ in a serial (or graphical) manner.
I tried to select some group of options to display graphically, but could not; instead, what I found that I could do was to select a metric, say RPM, and render it graphically.
This didn’t make much sense to me, especially since I needed to see the relationship between the various units under test simultaneously.
Other Notable Functions & Features
Besides the two major functions shared above, the Ancel AD310 is blessed with other notable functions and features worth noting, especially the ones below.
Here:
1. Fast Boot & Operation
From the moment I plugged the AD310 into the OBD port of the vehicle I was interested in reading its codes to the moment the summary displayed on its cute little screen took about 10 seconds, give or take.
This, in the world of code reading – whether with a basic unit or a professional scanner, is fast. As a matter of fact, blazingly FAST.
2. Ultra Portable Reality
I have several code readers in my collection now (I may soon start giving them away). However, out of my collection (from the lowly options to the mid-range and beyond), there is simply no code reader that is more portable than the petite Ancel AD310.
It fits into my palms during use with the same ease that it slides into the glove box when stored away. Nothing interferes with it when stored, and in my palms, it remains one piece that makes impressive sense.
Portability is truly one of the greatest gifts that Ancel bestowed upon the 310.
Ancel AD310 Vehicle Compatibility
One of the OBD II scanners that I have and thoroughly enjoy using is the Innova 5610 – an amazing device that does everything (well, almost) a professional scanner does, and importantly, doesn’t charge subscriptions.
However, the challenge of the 5610 is that it only works with North American models! With Peugeots, Tata, and Innosons, for example, it’s basically useless.
The Ancel AD310 doesn’t suffer from that limitation: it works well with most American, European, Asian, Chinese, Korean, and even Indian makes and models. I’ve tested it across marques and models, and I must say, I’m impressed: it has consistently worked across the board.
Granted, there may be some make or model that may present challenges with this code reader, but the truth is that I’m yet to come across such a make or model (and I’ve tested the unit across a bunch of options).
Limitations
Not all about the Ancel AD310 is rosy, however: there are a lot of limitations that you ought to take special note of when considering this code reader.
1. Basic, Boring Monochrome Display
When I first plugged in the code reader, I was shocked that it had a basic, boring monochrome display that made the unit look like an early Nokia 3310 feature phone!
Having used mostly code readers with color display before this time, I find the 310’s display basic and extremely boring.
Besides the monochrome display, I also found out that the overall display of the Ancel AD310 is basic at best, with most of the writing needing to be shortened or running off the display.
This makes the unit look truly cheapened out.
2. Non-Intuitive Keypad Settings
The Ancel AD310 has just four keys – a reality that ought to have made using it a dream since there aren’t many keys to fumble with.
However, the key placement isn’t natural, nor are the keys where one would generally expect.
The ENTER button, for instance, is placed at the extreme left, a position that one needs to constantly remember, in order not to depress something else.
The center position, traditionally reserved for the ENTER button, has also been swapped for the BUTTON DOWN, which again means you have to consciously internalize these positions/physically look at the buttons, or you’ll be depressing them wrong all the time.
3. No Auto VIN Feature
The auto VIN feature is a beauty to behold: it brings out the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a car you’re interested in, right on command.
Unfortunately, with the Ancel AD310, I did all I could to get this information, but failed. Flat.
Granted, I wasn’t trying to confirm the VIN or anything of the sort…but it was still annoying that such a basic feature was absent from the code reader.
The question I asked myself was simple: What if I was very interested in confirming the VIN and really needed to see that the ECU reading tallied with what was physically pasted?
4. A Short, Annoying Cord
Finally, one of the things I didn’t like about the Ancel AD310 is the short cord that the unit comes standard with.
When I was retrieving codes on a 2010 Corolla, I attempted to keep the code reader on the center console cover to take a quick photo. To my shock, the chord was simply too short!
Needless to say, I didn’t even attempt to take a physical look at the hood with the reader in hand (as I normally do when faced with challenges such as misfires). If I had, I’m certain that the code reader would have been forced out of the vehicle’s port completely!
This is a no-no in my auto DIY world!
Alternatives to Consider
The Ancel AD310 is quite a popular code reader, and its commercial success isn’t debatable. However, while okay in many respects, it isn’t exactly great. Below are two alternatives to consider before you make up your mind whether or not to buy the little code reader.
1. Motopower MP69033
If you’re on a budget and are looking for an absolutely affordable OBD II code reader, you’ll be better served by the Motopower MP69033: it traditionally retails around the same price point as the AD310 but offers more than the AD310 does.
For instance, not only does it figure out vehicle VINs, but it also has a dedicated button for it.
The Motopower is also slightly larger than the Ancel and fits in the palm better than the Ancel AD310.
2. Ancel AD410
If you’re not convinced about the Motopower above, you should take a close and interested look at the Ancel AD410, a senior sibling of the 310 under review here.
The 410, unlike the 310, doesn’t suffer from a poor display (it has a superior color display), has an impressive length cord, and overall, is a better code reader than the 310.
As a matter of fact, it has been my glove box code reader of choice for several years now, and there was never a moment I considered replacing it (for more than a few seconds, that is) or regretted making it my preferred choice reader for the road.
Should You Buy the Ancel AD310?
NO…unless you’re looking to buy the absolutely cheapest code reader from the stables of Ancel.
The reason? There are better options when compared to it, looked at from whatever angle.
The Motopower MP69033 (for example) has a dedicated VIN button (and feature) – an important option missing on the AD310, is larger, and, importantly, usually retails around the same price point as the Ancel AD310.
The Ancel AD410, on the other hand, is simply superior to the Ancel AD310: it comes in a color display (that functions well under intense sunlight), has a longer cable, has an auto VIN lookup feature, is larger (in a good way), allows for a comparison of a plethora of graphical live data items and overall, is simply better looking than the 310.
The best part? The price difference isn’t that significant, but the differences in their realities are well worth the upgrade, in my professional opinion.
Click here to take a look at the AD410 on Amazon. However, if you’re absolutely looking to spend the least amount of money on a code reader and are interested in an Ancel product, then I can’t imagine any other option better than the Ancel AD310.
So, is the Ancel AD310 a perfect code reader for beginners or a cheap imposter? It’s neither, and the reasons have been explained clearly above.
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Throttle Lan
DIY Mechanic and Freelance Auto Writer