The Centech 60794 Scan Tool, often found at Harbor Freight, offers OBD-II and CAN capabilities at an attractive price point. However, real-world use presents some potential drawbacks. This review explores some unexpected behaviors and quirks observed while using the Centech 60794 on a 2002 Impala and a 2011 Equinox.
Questionable Features of the Centech 60794
While the Centech 60794 boasts functionality beyond basic code reading, certain aspects of its performance raise concerns.
Screen Readability
The screen’s dimness when unplugged from the vehicle’s OBD-II port makes it difficult to navigate menus or review saved data indoors. This issue persists even with a fresh battery installed, suggesting a design flaw rather than a power supply problem.
Alt: The Centech 60794 scan tool screen displaying diagnostic information while connected to a car’s OBD-II port.
Data Capture Inconsistencies
The Centech 60794 can store up to three data captures. However, inconsistencies arise when reviewing saved data. While three distinct captures appear on the device when connected to the vehicle, only two unique datasets are often retrievable when the scanner is unplugged. Furthermore, the number of data points captured can fluctuate unexpectedly. For instance, a capture on a 2002 Impala initially recorded 54 data points but later jumped to 59 without any apparent changes in the parameters being monitored.
Alt: A close-up of the Centech 60794 scan tool displaying a list of captured data points from a vehicle’s diagnostic system.
Unreliable Manual Trigger
The “Complete Data Set” with “Manual Trigger” function, designed to allow users to initiate data capture at a specific moment, exhibits erratic behavior. While initially requiring a manual key press to start recording, the Centech 60794 began automatically initiating data capture without user input. This issue persisted even after clearing the Check Engine Light (CEL), suggesting the automatic trigger is not solely CEL-dependent.
Centech 60794: Performance Compared to Other Options
Compared to a reliable, albeit basic, Actron code reader used previously, the Centech 60794’s added features come at the cost of unpredictable performance. While more advanced options like the ScanTool MX tool exist, concerns about connectivity issues led to the choice of the Centech 60794. However, the encountered problems raise doubts about the overall reliability of this scanner.
Conclusion: Is the Centech 60794 Worth It?
The Centech 60794 scan tool offers appealing features at a budget-friendly price. However, the screen readability issues, data capture inconsistencies, and unreliable manual trigger raise significant concerns about its overall dependability. Users seeking a reliable and consistent diagnostic tool might want to consider alternative options, despite the Centech 60794’s attractive price. Further investigation and comparison with other scan tools are recommended before committing to this particular model.
