Selecting the best OBD2 adapter for use with FORScan can be challenging. With a plethora of options available, it’s crucial to understand the key factors that differentiate them and ensure optimal performance with FORScan software. This guide provides a detailed overview to help you choose the most suitable Forscan Compatible Obd2 adapter for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned professional.
Understanding Ford Communication Protocols for FORScan
The foundation of OBD2 adapter compatibility lies in understanding the communication protocols used by Ford vehicles. These protocols dictate how your adapter interfaces with your car’s computer system. FORScan relies on these protocols to perform diagnostics, configuration, and programming.
Table 1.1 – Ford Communication 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 OBDII Jack Pins: The images in the ‘How to Detect’ column visually represent the OBDII port and highlight the specific pins associated with each Ford protocol. This visual aid helps in identifying the protocols potentially supported by your vehicle by examining your OBDII port.
Table 1.2 – Ford Protocol Usage by Vehicle Generation
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 |
Protocol Evolution in Ford and Mazda Vehicles: This table illustrates the progression of Ford’s communication protocols across different vehicle generations. Notice the shift from older protocols like SAE J1850 PWM and ISO 9141 to CAN (HS-CAN and MS-CAN) in newer models, which is crucial for forscan compatible obd2 adapter selection.
A simple method to determine your car’s supported protocols is to visually inspect your OBDII port.
| Focus Mk2 – only HS-CAN and MS-CAN | Mondeo Mk3 after restyling – J1850, ISO9141, HS-CAN, MS-CAN |
Visual OBDII Port Inspection for Protocol Identification: These images demonstrate how to visually identify supported protocols by examining the pins present in the OBDII port of different Ford models. This is a practical step in choosing a forscan compatible obd2 adapter.
Table 1.3 – Protocol Support by OBD2 Adapter Type
| Chip | SAE J1850 PWM | ISO 9141 | CAN | Ford MS CAN | Ford UBP | Adapter Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | – | ELS27 (new version) |
| STN 2255 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink MX+ |
| STN 2230 | X | X | X | X | X | OBDLink EX |
Adapter Compatibility Matrix for FORScan: This table clearly outlines the protocol support offered by different OBD2 adapter chips and specific adapter models. When selecting a forscan compatible obd2 adapter, ensure it supports the necessary protocols for your Ford vehicle, especially MS-CAN if required.
Performance Considerations for OBD2 Adapters
Beyond protocol compatibility, performance is a critical aspect of choosing a forscan compatible obd2 adapter. Two key performance parameters directly impact the efficiency of diagnostics and programming:
- Minimum Interface Response Time (Ping): The delay between sending a request to the adapter and receiving a response. Lower times are better for faster data retrieval.
- Maximum Interface Baud Rate: The maximum data transfer speed between your computer and the adapter. Higher baud rates facilitate quicker data transmission, especially important for programming and real-time data monitoring.
Table 2.1 – OBD2 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 | 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 | 2 Mbps | Recommended for FORScan for Windows |
| OBDLink SX | STN1100 | USB | 0-2 ms | 2 Mbps | |
| 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 Mbps USB | |
| Viaken STN1170 USB | STN1170 | USB | 0-2 ms | 2 Mbps | Last versions of this adapter 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 |
Performance Comparison of OBD2 Adapters for FORScan: This table provides a comparative analysis of different forscan compatible obd2 adapters based on their response time and baud rate. Notice the superior performance of USB-based adapters like OBDLink EX and ELS27 v3 in terms of speed and responsiveness, making them ideal for demanding tasks in FORScan.
Estimating Overall System Performance:
Overall Minimum Response Time = Minimum Adapter Response Time + Minimum Bus Response Time
Overall Baud Rate = MIN (Adapter Max. Baud Rate / 2, Bus Baud Rate)
Note: The adapter baud rate is halved because ELM327-family adapters often use text-based communication, requiring two bytes for every data byte.
Performance Example Scenarios:
Example 1: Ford Mondeo Mk3 (J1850) with ELM327 WiFi
- Overall Min. Response Time = 40 ms (Adapter) + 20 ms (Bus) = 60 ms
- Overall Baud Rate = MIN (38400 bps / 2, 41600 bps) = 19200 bps
Example 2: Mazda 323 2001 (ISO) with ELM327 WiFi
- Overall Min. Response Time = 40 ms (Adapter) + 250 ms (Bus) = 290 ms
- Overall Baud Rate = MIN (38400 bps / 2, 9600 bps) = 9600 bps
Example 3: Ford Fusion 2015 (CAN) with ELS27 v3 USB
- Overall Min. Response Time = 2 ms (Adapter) + 0 ms (Bus) = 2 ms
- Overall Baud Rate = MIN (2 Mbps / 2, 500 Kbps) = 500 Kbps
Performance Impact on FORScan Usage: These examples illustrate how adapter performance can significantly affect overall system responsiveness. While a slower adapter might suffice for basic DTC reading, real-time PID monitoring and programming, especially on CAN bus vehicles, demand a high-performance forscan compatible obd2 adapter like OBDLink EX or ELS27 for optimal results.
Reliability Factors in OBD2 Adapters
Reliability is paramount for consistent and error-free communication with your vehicle. Two key aspects influence the reliability of a forscan compatible obd2 adapter:
- Adapter Quality: Genuine, reputable brands generally offer higher quality components and better manufacturing standards compared to generic clones.
- Interface Type: Wired USB connections are generally more reliable than wireless Bluetooth or WiFi interfaces, which can be susceptible to signal drops, interference, and latency issues, especially in budget-oriented adapters.
For Windows-based FORScan, USB adapters are generally recommended for their superior reliability. Wireless options are more suitable for mobile platforms (FORScan Lite on iOS and Android) where physical connections are less convenient.
Important Note on HS/MS CAN Switch Adapters: Adapters with a mechanical switch for HS/MS CAN switching, while offering MS-CAN support, can be inconvenient and may not support simultaneous access to both CAN buses. Certain FORScan functions requiring simultaneous HS and MS CAN communication may not function correctly with these adapters.
FORScan Adapter Recommendations
Table 4.1 – Recommended OBD2 Adapters for FORScan Platforms
NO – Not Recommended D – Recommended for Diagnostics (PID reading, DTCs, basic service functions) C – Recommended for Configuration (module parameter writing, 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 as described here.
Platform-Specific OBD2 Adapter Recommendations for FORScan: This table provides clear recommendations for forscan compatible obd2 adapters based on the FORScan platform you intend to use (Windows, iOS, Android). The OBDLink EX stands out as a top recommendation for FORScan on Windows due to its performance and reliability, while OBDLink MX+ is a versatile choice for mobile platforms.
Direct Links to Recommended Adapters
For your convenience, here are direct links to purchase the recommended forscan compatible obd2 adapters:
- OBDLink Product Line: https://www.obdlink.com/
- ELS27: http://els27.ru
- Viaken: https://viaken.pl/pl/polski-elm327-v3-f … -2014.html
Note: Information regarding Viaken adapters pertains to older versions (v1 or v2). The v3 version has not been extensively tested at the time of writing.
By considering these factors—protocol compatibility, performance, reliability, and platform suitability—you can confidently select the ideal forscan compatible obd2 adapter to maximize your FORScan experience. Choose wisely to ensure seamless diagnostics, configuration, and programming of your Ford or Mazda vehicle.
