As a content creator at obd-de.com and an automotive repair expert, I understand the importance of selecting the right tools for vehicle diagnostics and modifications. If you’re using FORScan, a powerful software tool for Ford, Mazda, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles, choosing the correct OBD2 adapter is crucial for optimal performance. While USB adapters offer robust connections, Forscan Obd2 Adapter Bluetooth options provide unparalleled convenience and flexibility, especially when using mobile devices. This guide will delve into the key considerations for selecting the best Bluetooth OBD2 adapter for FORScan, ensuring you get the most out of this software.
FORScan is a specialized software designed to work with specific Ford communication protocols, going beyond generic OBD2 scanners. Therefore, not just any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter will unlock FORScan’s full potential. It’s essential to understand the protocols your vehicle uses and ensure your chosen adapter is compatible.
Understanding Ford Communication Protocols for Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters
Ford vehicles utilize a range of communication protocols for different modules and systems within the car. These protocols dictate how diagnostic tools like FORScan communicate with your vehicle’s Electronic Control Units (ECUs). Choosing a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth that supports these specific Ford protocols is the first step to successful diagnostics and modifications.
Here’s a breakdown of the common Ford protocols:
Table 1.1 – Ford protocols
| OBDII name / Ford name | OBDII jack pins | Bus speed | Bus min. response time | How to detect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAE J1850 PWM / Ford SCP | 2, 10 | 41600 bps | 20…40 ms | |
| ISO9141 / Ford ISO | 7 | 9600 bps | 150…250 ms | |
| CAN / Ford HS CAN | 6, 14 | 500 Kbps | 0…20 ms | |
| / Ford MS-CAN | 3, 11 | 500 Kbps | 0…20 ms | |
| / Ford UBP | 3 | 10400 bps | 150…250 ms |
Understanding these protocols is vital when selecting your forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth.
Table 1.2 – Ford protocols by model generations
P – primary protocol (PCM) S – auxiliary protocol (not mandatory for FORScan)
| Generation | SAE J1850 PWM | ISO 9141 | CAN | Ford MS CAN | Ford UBP | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford 1996 – 2003 | P | S | – | – | – | |
| Mazda 1996 – 2003 | – | P | – | – | – | Some models used SAE J1850 PWM as primary |
| Ford EU, Mazda 2004 – 2009 | – | S | P | S | – | Some models used SAE J1850 PWM as primary |
| Ford NA 2004 – 2009 | – | S | P | S | S | |
| Ford, Mazda 2010+ | – | – | P | S | – | HS2, HS3 through MS-CAN |
Check this table to determine the protocols relevant to your Ford or Mazda vehicle before choosing a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth.
A simple visual inspection of your OBDII port can offer clues about the supported protocols. Observe which pins are populated in the connector.
| Focus Mk2 – only HS-CAN and MS-CAN | Mondeo Mk3 after restyling – J1850, ISO9141, HS-CAN, MS-CAN |
These OBD2 port examples illustrate the physical pin differences associated with various Ford communication protocols, helpful in visually assessing compatibility with a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth.
Table 1.3 – Ford protocols by adapters
| Chip | SAE J1850 PWM | ISO 9141 | CAN | Ford MS CAN | Ford UBP | Adapter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELM327 standard | X | X | X | – | – | ELM327, Kiwi 3 |
| ELM327 with HS/MS switch | X | X | X | X | – | ELM327 marked as Ford, Mazda compatible |
| STN 1100 | X | X | X | – | – | OBDLink SX/LX |
| STN 115x | X | X | X | X | – | OBDLink MX BT |
| STN 1170 | X | X | X | X | – | ELS27 (old versions), Viaken STN1170 |
| STN 2120 | X | X | X | X | X | ELS27 (new version) |
| STN 2255 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink MX+ |
| STN 2230 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink EX |
This table is crucial for determining which forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth (and other types) supports the necessary Ford protocols based on the chipset used.
Performance Benchmarks for Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters
Performance is another critical factor when choosing a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth. Two key parameters influence the speed and responsiveness of your connection:
- Minimum interface response time (Ping): The time it takes for the adapter to respond to a request from FORScan. Lower is better, indicating faster communication.
- Maximum interface baud rate: The data transfer speed between the adapter and your device. Higher is better for quicker data exchange.
These parameters directly impact connection speed, the refresh rate of live parameters (PIDs), and overall programming time, especially crucial for tasks like module configuration and firmware updates within FORScan.
Table 2.1 – Adapters’ performance
| Adapter | Chip | Interface | Min.interface response time | Max.interface baud rate | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELM327 OHP HS/MS WiFi | ELM327 (clone) | WiFi | 30-40 ms | 38400 bps | Unknown manufacturer – “good clone”. Recommended only for iOS |
| Kiwi 3 | ELM327 compatible | Bluetooth Low Energy | 40 ms | – | Can be used only with FORScan Lite for iOS |
| ELM327 HS/MS USB | ELM327 (original) | USB | 0..2 ms | 500 Kbps | |
| OBDLink EX | STN2230 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2Mbps | Recommended for FORScan for Windows |
| OBDLink SX | STN1100 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2Mbps | |
| OBDLink LX | STN1100 | Bluetooth | – | – | |
| OBDLink MX+ | STN2255 | Bluetooth | 6..20 ms | – | Recommended for FORScan Lite for iOS, Android |
| OBDLink MX BT | STN115x | Bluetooth | 8..20 ms | 115200 bps | |
| OBDLink MX WiFi | STN115x | WiFi | – | 115200 bps | WiFi interface works unstable – it freezes and times out. Strongly not recommended! |
| ELS27 v3 | STN2120 | USB, Bluetooth | 0..2 ms USB, 20 ms BT | 8 Mpbs USB | |
| Viaken STN1170 USB | STN1170 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2 Mbps | Last versions of this adpater have buggy firmware 4.3.x. Recommended to downgrade to stable 4.1.1 or upgrade to stable 4.5.1 |
| Viaken STN1170 BT | STN1170 | Bluetooth | 20..30 ms | 38400 bps | Uses cheap BT chip so may freeze on some cars. Not recommended |
When considering a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth, pay close attention to the ‘Min.interface response time’ to ensure smooth and responsive communication with FORScan.
Overall system performance is a combination of adapter performance and vehicle bus parameters:
- Overall min. response time = Min. adapter response time + Min. bus response time
- Overall baud rate = MIN (Adapter max. baud rate / 2, Bus baud rate)
Examples:
Example 1: Ford Mondeo Mk3 PCM, bus J1850. Adapter ELM327 OHP HS/MS WiFi.
Bus parameters (Table 1.1): min. response time 20 ms, baud rate 41600 bps.
Adapter parameters (Table 2.1): min response time 40 ms, baud rate 38400 bps.
Overall min. response time = 40 ms + 20 ms = 60 ms
Overall baud rate = MIN (38400 / 2, 41600) = 19200 bps.
Example 2: Mazda 323 2001, bus ISO. Same adapter.
Bus parameters (Table 1.1): min. response time 250 ms, baud rate 9600 bps.
Adapter parameters (Table 2.1): min response time 40 ms, baud rate 38400 bps.
Overall min. response time = 40 ms + 250 ms = 290 ms
Overall baud rate = MIN (38400 / 2, 9600) = 9600 Kbps.
Example 3: Ford Fusion 2015, bus CAN. Adapter ELS27 v3 USB.
Bus parameters (Table 1.1): min. response time 0 ms (assumed), baud rate 500000 bps.
Adapter parameters (Table 2.1): min response time 2 ms, baud rate 2 Mbps.
Overall min. response time = 2 ms + 0 ms = 2 ms
Overall baud rate = MIN (2000000 / 2, 500000) = 500 Kbps.
These examples illustrate how adapter and vehicle bus specifications combine to determine overall communication performance when using a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth or any other type.
Reliability Considerations for Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters
Reliability is paramount, especially when performing critical operations with FORScan, such as module programming. Two key aspects influence the reliability of a forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth:
- Adapter Quality: Non-original or clone adapters often exhibit lower build quality and component reliability compared to genuine adapters from reputable brands like OBDLink or ELS27.
- Interface Type: Wireless interfaces like Bluetooth and WiFi are inherently less stable than wired USB connections. This is true for both clone and original adapters. Bluetooth connections can be susceptible to interference and dropouts.
For Windows-based FORScan usage where stability is crucial, a USB adapter is generally recommended when feasible. Bluetooth adapters are more suitable for mobile platforms (Android and iOS) where wireless connectivity is a primary advantage.
It’s also important to note that adapters with mechanical HS/MS switches, while supporting both CAN buses, can be inconvenient and may not support operations requiring simultaneous access to both HS-CAN and MS-CAN buses. This limitation can affect certain FORScan functions.
Recommendations for Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters for FORScan
Table 4.1 – Recommendations on adapters
NO – not recommended for this platform
D – recommended for diagnostic: read PID, read/reset DTC, simple service functions
C – recommended for configuration: write configuration parameters to modules, complex service functions
P – recommended for programming: complex configuration, firmware update (only for CAN )
| Adapter | FORScan for Windows | FORScan Lite for iOS | FORScan Lite for Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBDLink EX | D, C, P | NO | NO |
| OBDLink SX | D, C, P* | NO | NO |
| OBDLink LX | D (if MS-CAN is not required) | NO | D (if MS-CAN is not required) |
| OBDLink MX+ | D, C | D | D |
| OBDLink MX BT | D, C | NO | D |
| OBDLink MX WiFi | NO | NO | NO |
| ELS27 v3 | D, C, P | NO | D |
| Viaken STN1170 USB | D, C, P | NO | NO |
| Viaken STN1170 BT | NO | NO | NO |
* – can be modified for MS-CAN support as described here.
This table provides platform-specific recommendations to help you choose the best forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth or USB option based on your FORScan usage needs.
For Bluetooth specifically, the OBDLink MX+ and OBDLink MX BT stand out as reliable choices for FORScan Lite on Android and iOS. These adapters offer a good balance of performance and reliability in a Bluetooth form factor. While ELS27 v3 also offers a Bluetooth option, OBDLink products are generally considered more consistently reliable for Bluetooth applications.
While Bluetooth offers convenience, for critical operations or when using FORScan for Windows, a direct USB connection with adapters like OBDLink EX or ELS27 v3 (USB) generally provides a more robust and faster experience.
Links to Original Adapters
Ensure you purchase genuine adapters from authorized sources to guarantee quality and compatibility.
- OBDLink product line: https://www.obdlink.com/
- ELS27: http://els27.ru
- Viaken: https://viaken.pl/pl/polski-elm327-v3-f … -2014.html
Choosing the right forscan obd2 adapter bluetooth depends on your specific needs, platform, and the types of operations you intend to perform with FORScan. By understanding the protocols, performance, and reliability considerations outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision and unlock the full potential of FORScan for your Ford, Mazda, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle.
