THINKCAR AI+Bidirectional Scan Tool THINKSCAN 689BT Lifetime WiFi Updates

Great tool that really upped my automotive diagnosis game from a basic OBDII tester! This is a very intuitive to use scan tool. It can be a little slow on doing a complete auto scan on some models, but if you select a specific area of concern, it is quite fast. It also gives you a detailed report with suggested repairs or other testing. I like how you can email scan results etc. I have not used customer support, but imagine that is easy to utilize as well. If you are an advanced DYI’er such as myself, this is really a great tool to do even more repairs yourself! Highly recommended!!

Works great and easy to use a little slow but is still good

The ThinkCar bidirectional scan tool is a major upgrade over basic OBD2 devices. Equipped with a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, it offers wireless diagnostics—no cables cluttering your dashboard. Research shows the ThinkScan 689BT model supports OE-level full-system diagnostics, bidirectional active tests, ECU coding, and 34+ maintenance services, with free lifetime updates and no subscription fees. In my experience, setup was smooth—just pair the dongle to the Android-based tablet. The interface is responsive, and connecting vehicle modules (ABS, airbags, transmission, etc.) took only seconds. The build quality feels robust, suitable for shop or field use. For the price, it’s a bit of an investment, but if you’re a mobile technician, shop owner, or experienced DIYer, it delivers the depth and reliability of higher-end lab tools. Q&A: Q: Does this support bidirectional (active) tests and ECU coding like premium diagnostic tools? A: Yes, models like the ThinkScan 689BT support bidirectional control, including active tests (e.g., pump, injector, fan, window), plus ECU coding and 34+ maintenance resets—all at no extra cost. Q: Is the Bluetooth connection stable and easy to use? A: Very stable. The Bluetooth OBD2 dongle connects quickly, and diagnostics run smoothly—no wires to manage. Q: Are updates free and does it require a subscription? A: Yes, ThinkCar offers lifetime free updates, with no subscription fees. The tool keeps getting new car coverage and features

Bidirectional OBD II tool that is a must have when you work on your own vehicle. In my case I paired it with THINKTPMS in order to re-program my TPMS sensors during tire rotation, or when the tire shop forgets to re-program the sensors and I can use this to save a trip. When using the THINKCAR scanner alone, I mainly smart scan all modules and graph data to see problems with my vehicle. Most recently, I used sensor measurement graphing to find which wheel speed sensor was bad on my car. Overall, this is a reasonably priced tool. I found it new in box as advertised. There is a VOID sticker that would let me know if it happened to be used. The tablet I believe is Android based, and the software runs smooth. Have yet to see if there is lifetime support for updates. The only downside to this tool is you need WiFi for updates and can’t use a USB to Ethernet adapter. The USB to Ethernet adapter is for Automotive Ethernet only. For example, Automotive Ethernet can be used when scanning newer BMW vehicles. This is not a deal breaker, but it would be nice to have for faster downloads. One important note, you can use this device offline. There is no requirement to connect to the WiFi unless you want updates, online support, or to look up DTC codes. Would definitely recommend.

This scanner arrived in a condition that completely undermines trust: it was already registered to another account. That alone would merit a refund, but it turns out the registration issue was just the first of many failures. Advertised as a professional-level bidirectional scan tool with wireless updates and advanced features like ECU coding, CANFD, DoIP, and AutoAuth for FCA vehicles, the THINKSCAN 689BT couldn't even get the basics right. Out of the box, I expected auto-search to scan and identify the vehicle system with minimal input. What I got instead was an error-prone guessing game that forced me to manually enter basic vehicle information- something even cheap generic OBDII tools do automatically and correctly. I spent more time navigating failed connections and incomplete module detection than diagnosing anything useful. It felt like this tool had the guts of a budget scanner buried under a flashy touchscreen and inflated claims. The user interface feels clunky and outdated. Menus are inconsistent, scanning speed is painfully slow, and the bidirectional functions are hit-or-miss at best. Many of the functions I tried either failed to execute or required multiple retries just to connect. It promises full system diagnostics, but several ECUs couldn’t even be accessed on vehicles where I know communication is possible. I tested it on a late model FCA vehicle and a mid-range GM model, both of which required multiple retries just to consistently pull the same DTCs I can pull from my 2 other scanners. We are not even talking advanced advanced diagnostic scans. Just basic codes. Wireless updates? The process froze during the initial update and device restarted. I eventually got it updated, but the first experience was anything but confidence-inspiring. When I dug deeper into reviews across seller platforms, I found a disturbing pattern: many buyers also received pre-registered devices. Others mentioned having to contact the company to clear account lockouts. That means THINKCAR is either repackaging returns as new or has an inventory control problem that allows used units to be sold again. Either way, that's unacceptable. The worst part is that none of this is priced like a budget tool. This unit sits in the mid-to-upper tier range and for that, it has to deliver. It didn't. The combination of misleading sales practices, half-baked firmware, and a basic failure to deliver even entry-level performance is a deal-breaker. Support is a condescending joke. They ignore all questions that require any knowledge of how to use the product and pick and choose anything else based on whatever sounds the most condescending. I absolutely abhor this product and their support. Pros: Device physically appears sturdy On paper, feature list seems impressive Cons: Device arrived already registered to another user Auto vehicle scan failed many subsystem and package detections Interface is confusing and poorly optimized Bidirectional functions often fail to connect or perform their expected function Basic DTC reading is unreliable across common vehicles Wireless update can fail providing 0 user feedback just a reboot and retry Customer support response times are atrocious Marketing claims do not reflect real-world performance Other buyers have reported the same registration issue Hot Take: What THINKCAR delivered here is a bloated tool that pretends to be high-end while failing at even the basics. Getting a used device labeled as new is already grounds for distrust, but when you add in failed scans, broken auto-detection, and buggy software, and the absolute worst customer support, the THINKSCAN 689BT becomes an overpriced paperweight. The best thing this scanner did was convince me to return it and never look back.

Great scanner tool, it worth the money 💰 will save hundreds.

Update: I cpuld finally get real support. Some of the failures on Mercedes they are working on an update for that. I still think is a good prpject running on a good debloted hardware. Lets just hope they keep updating the software. First, I did an extensive test, and I gave it a second, third, and fourth opportunity. It kept failing, but mostly, support was REALLY bad. The good things: The hardware is OK. It worked mostly smoothly, everything loaded fine, and updates did not take long. I downloaded them via 5GHz Wi-Fi, and even “heavy” packages, like 200MB, installed in seconds. After tons of updates, it still worked smoothly. It is an Android tablet with a very modified ROM. They did a great job removing most of the bloatware and leaving only the necessary options. BUT, Google will pop up now and then saying Chrome is not official, or that you need Play Services to use Chrome, etc. I also love the magnetic holder for the OBD dongle. That is a great feature. This is not the cheapest scan tool. There are several others with good reviews, but I rolled the dice on this one, and lost. The cons: It threw tons of errors while reading a 2007 Volvo. Eventually, going into the modules manually somehow worked, but the reset that I needed was still not there. On a 2022 Mercedes Sprinter, tons of modules showed “Unknown variant.” I primarily got this for the Volvo, and it failed there, but I tried hard to keep it, so I tested my second “excuse” to keep it. It failed there too. I contacted support about the issue. After very delayed replies, they told me to open a feedback ticket and send the info (video, screenshots, system log, etc). I did. Two days later, the reply was basically, “couldn’t find anything, contact the company for support.” Literally, the reply was “contact the company.” YOU are the company. I started another chat with a basic question about how to use the Volvo OBD to Ethernet connection, and the guy kept pasting a reply about Wi-Fi connection. I told him, please, take a second, read again, I’m about to return the product. He said “yes sure,” and then pasted the same canned reply again. If this works for what you need out of the box, perfect. The hardware is great for the price, and the software is decent. But if it does not work right away, forget about support. Support is a joke. More than a joke, it feels like an insult. I really do not like returning products. I gave the company plenty of opportunities to help me fix the issue, but they pushed me hard to return it. The support was totally unacceptable. Other stuff: - Seal was broken - Chat with support from the device is super buggy. Will lag when typing so you will miss some letters, and always will not send the last word unless you hit enter at the end of the phrase before sending it.... So if even the support app is broken.... - Sending feedback ask for email address to update of any changes, never got any notification (yeah is not in spam either). I had to manually go into the devices to check the status of the feedback.

I really wanted to like this scanner. The lifetime free updates is a huge attraction! However, this scanner left me feeling like something was missing and desiring more. The Good: The quality of the product is ok. The sides are a hard rubber for drop portection, the body and the BT OBD II adapter appears to be a medium grade plastic. The OBD II adapter is held in place on the back of the scanner with a strong magnet. I am able to lift the scanner up by holding onto the OBD II adapter alone. The stand on the back has a good stiff hing and is more that sufficient for the scanner. BT connectivity between OBD II adapter and the scanner body is sufficient. I never lost signal while scanning any vehicle; though I never left the cab of a vehicle during a scan either. The touch screen is responsive and functions just like a regular tablet or ipad. Operating system: There are several things I really liked about the operating system. One was the ability to chat with someone directly from the tablet in the "online services" function of the scanner. However, their ability to answer questions is limited. Several times I was told to submit an official "feedback ticket". Also, the person I was chatting with would submitted by question to their engineers for a definitive answer but I have never got a reply or answer back even several days later. So the idea of instant support or help directly on the scanner/tablet itself is a great idea, just poorly executed. The second thing I really liked about the operating system was the possible, causes and solutions to vehicle codes the scanner picked up during a scan. If the scanner picked up a vehicle trouble code (stored or active) you can click on the code and it wold bring you to a separate screen and explain possible causes, for the coed, as well as options for further testing/diagnostics and possible solutions (see attached picture). You can also go directly to Google on the scanner to look up videos for the issues found by the scanner. This made diagnosis very easy. Now for the not so great. Functionality of the operating system: The layout of the operating system is clunky. It takes a long while to understand where tings are at and how to use the scanner. Once you complete a vehicle scan it takes a lot of trial and error by clicking everything to figure out how to perform an active test or special function test for different vehicle modules. I scanned a 2020 GMC and a 2016 Jeep GC. Scanner does have CAN FD so it was able to scan the GMC, read and clear codes and function a few modules like power mirrors for instance, but not much past that. On the 2016 Jeep GC the scanner was able to "program" vehicle tire size outside of OEM specifications however it could not perform an EGR test. I really wanted to like this product. Especially due to the lifetime free upgrades but the scanner just left me wanting more from a $500 product. If all you want to do is read and clear codes and maybe control some basic modules on your vehicle then this scanner may be for you. But if your a serious DIY car guy, chance are you are going to want more from your scanner.

Qui n'a pas déjà galéré avec des petits OBD2 à relier à son téléphone? Maintenant, c'est fini. Cet OBS2 est complement autonome. Raccorder le module a votre voiture et toute les options sont accessible par une connections Bluetooth. Module qui se range facilement par aimantation à l'arrière de l'écran. Au top. L'utilisation reste très professionnelle. Il n'est pas aisé pour un novice de s'y retrouver. Mais les options sont très complètes. Jusqu'à créer et sauvegarder des rapport avec les informations de votre société. L'interface est agréable disponible en plusieurs langues, dont le français. Pour ma part, j'ai quelques difficultés sur un Vito de 2003. La reconnaissance du véhicule est aléatoire avec des erreurs de model qui passent de Viano à Sprinter. Mais c'est un vieux véhicule. Pas de problème avec des véhicules plus récent. Lecture des erreurs, remise à zéro des alarmes, réglage des capteurs,... je dirais que tout y est. On appréciera sa pochette rigide de rangement. Franchement, belle surprise pour cette "valise" OBD2.

Excelente equipo y a un gran precio, una herramienta indispensable para los que nos gusta reparar nuestros coches.

AMAZING SCANNER WONT BUY ANY MORE FOR ME THANKS THINKCAR

Zur Hardware: Das Gerät kommt mit dem beschriebenen Zubehör komplett und gut sortiert in einer handlichen Softbox. Alle Teile sehen hochwertig aus und sind gut verarbeitet. Optik und Finish sind tadellos, auch die Haptik ist sehr gut. Das Gerät liegt gut und fest in der Hand, es ist nicht rutschig glatt. Der Aufstellbügel aus Metall dient auch dazu, das Gerät von oben auf das Lenkrad zu stecken. Das Bluetooth-OBD-Modul hält mit einem starken Magnet an der Geräterückseite, wenn es nicht gebraucht wird. Eine gute Idee. Die Bluetoothverbindung zum Modul und auch die W-Lanverbindung zu meinem Handy als Hotspot funktionierten auf Anhieb und sehr schnell. Die Verbindung hält auch, wenn man mit dem Gerät außen um das Fahrzeug herum geht oder tätig ist. Das Gerät läßt sich schnell hochfahren. Im Menü läßt sich u.a. die Sprache einstellen und ein deutsches Benutzerhandbuch ist dort auch vorhanden. Das Gerät war also innerhalb mehrerer MInuten nach dem Auspacken schon verbunden und einsatzbereit. Die Funktionen sind wie beschrieben, wobei der Umfang nicht zuletzt von den Fahrzeugen und ihrer Ausstattung abhängt. Ich habe mittlerweile etliche Fahrzeuge mit dem Gerät ausgelesen, zwei Fahrzeuge klappten nicht, ein VW Fox und ein Iveco Daily, beide sind eigentlich in der Liste der Fahrzeuge hinterlegt. In beiden fällen piepte das OBD-Modul schon nicht beim Einstecken, als ob es keinen Strom bekäme. Ein einfaches Diagnosetool funktionierte an den Fahrzeugen aber problemlos. Bei einem Kia C'eed ließ sich die Fahrgestellnummer nicht auslesen. Nach manueller Eingabe klappten aber alle weiteren Funktionen. Das Gerät ist gleichzeitig das Basisgerät für diverse Zusatzkomponenten, zB zum Anlernen von RDK-Sensoren. Diese Zusatzgeräte sind aber etwas teurer als bei einigen Konkurrenzgeräten, zB von Launch. Alles in allem ein gutes und funktionales Gerät zum Auslesen der Fahrzeugwerte, Steuergeräte, Reset-Funktionen und Programmierungen. Jeder Interessent sollte aber gut vergleichen, ob die von ihm benötigten Funktionen nicht auch in Geräten unter 200€ vorhanden sind, weil diese auch schon die Steuergeräte auslesen und aktuelle Werte anzeigen können, was für viele Diagnosen und Prüfungen im Hobby-Bereich ausreicht. Wenn es mehr sein soll, bietet sich dann dieses Gerät an!

Nice package nice seller nice delivery