As a long-time user of car diagnostic tools, I wanted to share my experiences with the Carly OBD scanner specifically for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Having upgraded to the latest Carly dongle a couple of years ago, and also owning the iCarsoft MB v2.0, I can offer a comparative perspective for fellow Mercedes enthusiasts considering these tools.
Both the Carly and the iCarsoft MB v2.0 scanners connect to the same number of modules in my Mercedes (26), which is a good starting point. However, the user experience with Carly is significantly smoother and more modern. Carly excels in its ease of use. It performs a complete vehicle scan in one go and conveniently generates a PDF report. This report is then stored in your Carly account in the cloud, allowing for easy access and record-keeping of all past scans from any PC. This cloud feature is invaluable for tracking vehicle health over time. Another standout feature is Carly’s ability to perform a full system scan while driving. While it’s worth noting that the EPS/ABS might briefly disable during the scan process, the convenience of on-the-go diagnostics is undeniable. Furthermore, Carly remembers your car model after the initial setup, saving time during subsequent uses. Its compact and portable design is also a major advantage, especially if you own multiple vehicles or are inspecting a car you’re considering purchasing.
In stark contrast, the iCarsoft MB v2.0 feels somewhat outdated. It lacks the streamlined features of Carly and doesn’t offer cloud storage, in-drive scanning, or the same level of user-friendliness.
However, my experience isn’t entirely one-sided in favor of Carly. I’ve encountered situations where Carly struggled to clear fault codes despite multiple attempts. In these instances, the iCarsoft consistently cleared the codes on the first try. This could be specific to my vehicle, and I am yet to test the newest Carly app update (on Android) to see if this issue has been addressed. The new app’s ability to access stored service data is certainly a promising feature.
Despite this fault code clearing issue, I personally value having both the iCarsoft and Carly in my toolkit. While I recognize that owning two OBDII scanners might not be practical for everyone (especially since I also have a basic ELM327 with the Torque app), each tool offers unique strengths.
Finally, it’s crucial to address a common misconception regarding Carly for Mercedes. Many users are disappointed because it doesn’t offer the extensive coding capabilities found in Carly for BMW or Carly for VAG (Audi/Volkswagen). It’s important to understand that Mercedes vehicles have different systems and limitations. As highlighted in many discussions, deep coding functionalities are not as readily available or user-accessible for Mercedes through tools like Carly, unlike some other European brands. Therefore, while Carly for Mercedes is a powerful diagnostic tool, users should manage expectations regarding advanced coding features.
