As a long-time user of Carly, I’ve experienced its evolution firsthand, upgrading to the latest dongle a couple of years back. The ease of use compared to other OBDII scanners like my iCarsoft MB v2.0 is immediately noticeable. Both connect to the same number of modules in my Mercedes (26 in my case), but the experience is quite different.
Carly truly shines in its user-friendliness. Scanning all car systems is a breeze – it’s a one-click operation. The automatic PDF report generation and cloud storage are incredibly convenient, allowing me to keep a digital history of all car scans accessible from any PC. A particularly handy feature is the ability to perform a full system scan while driving. (Note: you will experience a momentary EPS/ABS interruption during this process). Furthermore, Carly remembers your car model, saving valuable time during subsequent uses. Its compact, mobile nature is a significant advantage, especially if you manage multiple vehicles or are evaluating a used car purchase, as highlighted in many online videos.
In stark contrast, the iCarsoft feels like a scanner from a bygone era. It lacks these modern conveniences that Carly offers.
However, my experience hasn’t been entirely flawless with Carly. I’ve encountered situations where Carly struggled to clear fault codes despite repeated attempts. In these instances, the iCarsoft consistently succeeded on the first try. This might be specific to my vehicle, but it’s a point worth noting.
I recently updated to the new Carly app on my Android phone but haven’t had the chance to test it in my car yet. I am hopeful that this fault code clearing issue might be resolved. The new app’s ability to access stored service data looks very promising and is something I am keen to explore.
Personally, I find value in having both the iCarsoft and Carly at my disposal, but I understand that owning two OBDII scanners isn’t practical for everyone (especially when considering basic ELM327 options with apps like Torque).
Finally, it’s crucial to address a common misconception: Carly for Mercedes is not designed for in-depth coding in the same way as Carly for BMW or Carly for VAG. Many users are disappointed by this, expecting similar coding capabilities. However, as many experts explain, the Mercedes system is different, and extensive coding through Carly isn’t possible. Therefore, while Carly for Mercedes excels in diagnostics, ease of use, and convenient features, it’s important to have realistic expectations regarding “Carly Coding Mercedes.” It’s primarily a diagnostic tool, not a comprehensive coding solution like its BMW and VAG counterparts.
