As a dedicated user of FORScan for vehicle diagnostics and customization, selecting the right OBD2 adapter is crucial. While USB adapters offer robust connections, Forscan Bluetooth Obd2 adapters provide unparalleled convenience, especially when paired with mobile devices or when wireless connectivity is preferred. However, not all Bluetooth OBD2 adapters are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration and limited functionality with FORScan. This guide will delve into the essential aspects of selecting the best Bluetooth OBD2 adapter for FORScan, ensuring optimal performance and reliability for your diagnostic needs.
Understanding FORScan and OBD2 Adapter Essentials
To make an informed decision, it’s important to grasp the basics of FORScan and OBD2 adapters.
What is FORScan?
FORScan is a powerful software application designed specifically for Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, and Mercury vehicles. Unlike generic OBD2 scanners, FORScan can access all modules in these vehicles, offering advanced diagnostics, service procedures, and even module programming capabilities. This makes it an invaluable tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Decoding OBD2 and its Protocols
OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) is a standardized system used in vehicles to monitor and report on various vehicle parameters. Communication between diagnostic tools like FORScan and your vehicle happens through specific protocols. For Ford vehicles, these protocols are crucial:
- SAE J1850 PWM (Ford SCP): Older Ford protocol.
- ISO9141 (Ford ISO): Another legacy protocol.
- CAN (Ford HS-CAN): High-Speed CAN, the primary protocol in modern Fords.
- Ford MS-CAN: Medium-Speed CAN, used for body and comfort modules.
- Ford UBP: Used in some specific Ford systems.
Table 1.1 – Ford Protocols and OBDII Jack Pins
| 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 |
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 |
A quick way to identify the protocols your car supports is to examine your OBD2 port.
| Focus Mk2 – only HS-CAN and MS-CAN | Mondeo Mk3 after restyling – J1850, ISO9141, HS-CAN, MS-CAN |
Why Choose a Bluetooth OBD2 Adapter for FORScan?
Bluetooth OBD2 adapters offer several advantages:
- Wireless Convenience: No more cables to tangle or restrict movement around the vehicle.
- Mobile Device Compatibility: Ideal for use with FORScan Lite on smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android).
- Ease of Use: Simple pairing process with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
However, it’s important to be aware that Bluetooth connections can sometimes be less reliable than wired USB connections, especially with cheaper or lower-quality adapters.
Key Factors When Selecting a FORScan Bluetooth OBD2 Adapter
Choosing the right Bluetooth OBD2 adapter for FORScan involves considering several critical factors:
1. Protocol Compatibility: Ensuring Full Ford Support
The adapter must support all Ford protocols, especially MS-CAN, which is essential for accessing modules beyond the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Many generic ELM327 adapters lack MS-CAN support, limiting FORScan’s capabilities.
Table 1.3 – Ford Protocols by Adapter Chipsets
| Chip | SAE J1850 PWM | ISO 9141 | CAN | Ford MS CAN | Ford UBP | Adapter Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELM327 standard | X | X | X | – | – | Basic 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 | – | ELS27 (new version) |
| STN 2255 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink MX+ |
| STN 2230 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink EX |
As seen in Table 1.3, chipsets like STN115x, STN1170, STN2120, STN2255, and STN2230 are recommended for full Ford protocol support, including MS-CAN. Standard ELM327 chips often lack MS-CAN.
2. Performance: Speed and Responsiveness
Performance is defined by two key parameters:
- Minimum Interface Response Time (Ping): The time it takes for the adapter to respond to a request. Lower is better for faster diagnostics and real-time data.
- Maximum Interface Baud Rate: The data transfer speed between the adapter and your device. Higher baud rates improve data throughput, especially crucial for programming and reading live parameters (PIDs).
Table 2.1 – Adapter Performance Benchmarks
| 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 | “Good clone,” but WiFi unstable, iOS only recommendation |
| Kiwi 3 | ELM327 compatible | Bluetooth Low Energy | 40 ms | – | FORScan Lite for iOS only |
| ELM327 HS/MS USB | ELM327 (original) | USB | 0..2 ms | 500 Kbps | USB connection, high speed |
| OBDLink EX | STN2230 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2Mbps | Top USB recommendation for Windows FORScan |
| OBDLink SX | STN1100 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2Mbps | USB, excellent performance |
| OBDLink LX | STN1100 | Bluetooth | – | – | Bluetooth, good for basic diagnostics |
| OBDLink MX+ | STN2255 | Bluetooth | 6..20 ms | – | Top Bluetooth pick for FORScan Lite (iOS/Android) |
| OBDLink MX BT | STN115x | Bluetooth | 8..20 ms | 115200 bps | Bluetooth, reliable performance |
| OBDLink MX WiFi | STN115x | WiFi | – | 115200 bps | Unstable WiFi, not recommended |
| ELS27 v3 | STN2120 | USB, Bluetooth | 0..2 ms USB, 20 ms BT | 8 Mbps USB | High-performance USB and Bluetooth options |
| Viaken STN1170 USB | STN1170 | USB | 0..2 ms | 2 Mbps | USB, potential firmware issues (downgrade/upgrade recommended) |
| Viaken STN1170 BT | STN1170 | Bluetooth | 20..30 ms | 38400 bps | Bluetooth, may freeze on some cars, not ideal |
Understanding Performance in Practice:
Overall system performance is a combination of adapter performance and the vehicle’s bus parameters:
- Overall Min. Response Time = Adapter Min. Response Time + Bus Min. Response Time
- Overall Baud Rate = MIN (Adapter Max. Baud Rate / 2, Bus Baud Rate)
Example Scenarios:
-
Example 1: Ford Mondeo Mk3 (J1850) with ELM327 WiFi:
- Bus Response Time (J1850): 20 ms, Bus Baud Rate: 41600 bps
- Adapter Response Time (ELM327 WiFi): 40 ms, Adapter Baud Rate: 38400 bps
- Overall Response Time: 40 ms + 20 ms = 60 ms
- Overall Baud Rate: MIN (38400 / 2, 41600) = 19200 bps
- The adapter limits performance, especially for real-time data and programming.
-
Example 2: Mazda 323 2001 (ISO) with ELM327 WiFi:
- Bus Response Time (ISO): 250 ms, Bus Baud Rate: 9600 bps
- Adapter Response Time (ELM327 WiFi): 40 ms, Adapter Baud Rate: 38400 bps
- Overall Response Time: 40 ms + 250 ms = 290 ms
- Overall Baud Rate: MIN (38400 / 2, 9600) = 9600 bps
- Adapter performance is adequate as the bus itself is slow.
-
Example 3: Ford Fusion 2015 (CAN) with ELS27 v3 USB:
- Bus Response Time (CAN): 0 ms, Bus Baud Rate: 500 Kbps
- Adapter Response Time (ELS27 USB): 2 ms, Adapter Baud Rate: 2 Mbps
- Overall Response Time: 2 ms + 0 ms = 2 ms
- Overall Baud Rate: MIN (2000000 / 2, 500000) = 500 Kbps
- Optimal performance, limited only by the CAN bus speed.
Note: ELM327 family adapters use text-based data exchange, hence interface baud rate is divided by two in calculations.
3. Reliability: Build Quality and Interface Type
Reliability is crucial for consistent and error-free diagnostics. Factors influencing reliability include:
- Adapter Quality: Original, reputable brands generally offer better quality than generic clones.
- Interface Type: USB connections are typically more stable than wireless (Bluetooth or WiFi) interfaces in ELM327-based adapters. Wireless connections can be prone to dropouts or freezes.
Recommendation: For Windows-based FORScan, a USB adapter is generally recommended for maximum reliability. Bluetooth adapters are more suitable for mobile FORScan Lite versions due to their wireless nature.
Avoid adapters with mechanical HS/MS switches as they can be inconvenient and may not support simultaneous access to both CAN buses required for certain FORScan functions (e.g., reading PIDs from all modules or some service procedures).
Recommended Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters for FORScan
Considering the factors discussed, here are some top forscan bluetooth obd2 adapter recommendations:
Table 4.1 – Adapter Recommendations by FORScan Platform
NO – Not Recommended
D – Recommended for Diagnostics (PID reading, DTCs, basic service functions)
C – Recommended for Configuration (module configuration, complex service functions)
P – Recommended for Programming (complex configuration, firmware updates – CAN only)
| 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 not needed) | NO | D (if MS-CAN not needed) |
| 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 (see link).
Top Bluetooth Choices:
- OBDLink MX+: Considered the premier Bluetooth adapter for FORScan, offering excellent speed, reliability, and full protocol support (including MS-CAN). Ideal for both FORScan Lite and Windows (via Bluetooth).
- OBDLink LX: A more budget-friendly Bluetooth option from OBDLink. Suitable for diagnostics if MS-CAN functionality is not critical for your needs.
- OBDLink MX BT: A reliable Bluetooth adapter with good performance, supporting MS-CAN.
- ELS27 v3 (Bluetooth): Offers Bluetooth connectivity in addition to high-speed USB. A versatile option for users wanting both wireless and wired capabilities.
Conclusion: Choosing Wisely for Optimal FORScan Experience
Selecting the right forscan bluetooth obd2 adapter significantly impacts your FORScan experience. For optimal performance and full access to your Ford vehicle’s systems, prioritize adapters that support MS-CAN, offer fast response times, and are known for their reliability. While budget-friendly options exist, investing in a recommended adapter like the OBDLink MX+ or ELS27 v3 ensures a smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more valuable diagnostic and customization experience with FORScan.
Links to Original Adapter Manufacturers:
- OBDLink: https://www.obdlink.com/
- ELS27: http://els27.ru
- Viaken: https://viaken.pl/pl/polski-elm327-v3-f … -2014.html
