Product review: Memoscan U380 OBDII Car Diagnostic Scanner

   

This review for Memoscan U380 OBDII Car Diagnostic Scanner Trouble Code Reader







I tried two units of this scanner.  I received a replacement because the first one did not work, but the same scanner worked the same.





Memoscan scanner did not work with either of our cars even thought both were listed as compatible.



Both Honda CRV and Chrysler 300 work with another OBD II scanner but with Memoscan we get "Linking Error!" which indicates that Memoscan has trouble communicating with the vehicle.



All cars and light trucks built and sold in the United States after January 1, 1996 were required to be OBD II equipped. The connector is very distinctive looking, I am including a picture of it in my video for reference. In both of our cars this connector is located under the dash, under the steering wheel.



The scanner displays information on a small screen on the hand held unit. The scanner works as soon as car is turned on. There is no need to turn on the engine. The scanner goes through a series of messages (see video) but for both of our cars the sequence ends with "Linking error!"



Memoscan comes with an impressive manual. It is well written and easy to understand and includes 36 pages of trouble codes.



Unfortunately the replacement unit also generates "Linking Error!". It appears that the seller has a bad batch of these. I have reviewed another OBD II scanner (a bluetooth unit) and it worked it both cars, so I know the connectors are not faulty. This connector is always on according to documentation. Just in case I have tried running it with the engine off, with the engine on, and with the key on ACC setting.





You can find it on Amazon by following this link. Based on my experience I would stay away from it.



Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Car Window Shade Sun Shade To Protect Your Baby in Rear Seat

On long trips where I am the passanger in the cat I have been using a plastic sun shade held down by suction. These shades are typically used for babies but I have been using it on the passagenger side window.  Suction cups do come off every now and then and a fabric door sleeve sounded like a better idea in theory.



I have tried it on the doors of small size SUV and a small size sedan.  The sleeve I shaped to the car door shape, sloping on one side, taller on the other.  It fit on the rear door of both cars.  It was too small for the front door of wither car.  However, even though the shade is not larger enough to fit over the front door that actually works out fine because it leave the side mirror uncovered and it does not obscure the mirror from the driver's view. 



This sunshade is made out thin nylong fabric. The sun shade does not totally block out the sun, it dims it.  In attached video I show a few comparison with and without the sun shade so you can see the difference.  It does obscure the view through the window, you can see things but not clearly.



If you are using it for a baby in the back seat it works better as you don't need to worry about exposing the side mirror, shaded view out of the window.



The shade size is 20.5" x 31"





You can find it on Amazon by following this link.





Ali Julia review ★★★★

Product review: Tiergrade 3 port Car Charger Adapter

We usually travel with a lot of gadgets so a 3 port car charger is very useful to us.



I checked each port using Nexus6p while its battery was 33% full keeping all other variables (what apps are running, whehter the screen is on or off, and so forth the same). At 31%-33% full level Nexus 6p uses rapid charging if possible.  Nexus 6p does not suppor QC charging so that port performed the worst, the 2.4A port quite well.



QC 3.0 port: 1610 mA / 4.077V

middle 2.4A port: 2300 mA / 4.14V

top 2.4A port: 2270 mA / 4.15V



The charger fits into the port tightly and does not unplug easily. Overall, pretty good charger.





You can find it on Amazon by following this link.





Ali Julia review ★★★★★