If you’re reading this Jethax Bluetooth vs Thinkcar 1 vs vgate iCar Pro review & comparison, then chances are you’re trying to figure out which of those three tools is the best for you.
That’s what we’re here for; to help you pick the right OBD2 scan tool for your car. And the first step towards that is knowing each brand.
Jethax OBD2 Bluetooth scanner is one of the handful products made by Jethax Auto. The company specializes in car accessories. Its product line includes handheld scanners, battery chargers, tire inflators and this Bluetooth adapter.
Thinkcar 1 Bluetooth code reader is a product of Thinkcar. The latter is a Canadian company that only makes car diagnostic tools. It’s safe to say that they know their trade.
Finally, vgate iCar Pro is manufactured by OBD Innovations. This American-based company has a wider range of products that range from OBD software to connecting cables, car programming devices and car diagnostic tools.
With that, you have a brief overview of each of these OBDII scanners. And now it’s time to see how they measure up against each other.
Jethax Bluetooth Vs Thinkcar 1 Vs Vgate iCar Pro: Detailed Comparison And Review
All these three car diagnostic tools cost under $70, which means that they fall in the same price range. As you would expect, they are similar in a number of ways. But then again they have fundamental variations that can make the difference between a successful car diagnosis and a failed one.
Common Features Of Jethax Bluetooth, Thinkcar 1 & Vgate iCar
- Wireless connectivity: each of the three scanners connects to a car’s OBD computer via Bluetooth.
- OBD2 compatibility: all of them are designed for OBD2-compliant vehicles. None of them works on OBD1 cars.
- Support for all OBD2 protocols: there are 9 OBD2 protocols and each of these three scan tools support all of them.
- iOS & Android: these three scanners can be linked with iOS and Android devices to run diagnostics straight from the phone.
- Diagnostic apps: they are compatible with all the popular OBD2 apps like Torque, ScanMaster, Auto Doctor, DashCommand etc. However, Thinkcar 1 works better with the Thinkcar app.
Key Differences Between Jethax Bluetooth, Thinkcar 1 & Vgate iCar
Design And Specifications
With dimensions of 4 x 2.5 x 1 inches, the Jethax Bluetooth scanner is the biggest of the three. Both the Thinkcar 1 and vGate iCar measure 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.4 inches.
While the iCar Pro and Jethax both weigh 1.6 ounces, the Thinkcar 1 is slightly heavier (2.1 ounces). Clearly, the iCar Pro is the smallest of the three when you consider both weight and size.
That’s an important consideration if you want an OBD2 adapter that’s inconspicuous. You can leave it plugged in the car and no one will notice it. Meanwhile, the tiny device will keep feeding your phone with all the important diagnostic data.
As far as construction, all the three feature a plastic chassis. They are all solid enough and won’t break easily. It helps that the vgate iCar Pro comes with a 2-year warranty on hardware.
While still on the iCar Pro, it’s the only one of these three OBD2 scan tools that has LED indicators. The red LED comes on when the device has failed to connect with your car’s OBD computer. Green shows that there’s a connection while blue indicates that it’s performing diagnostics.
The other two do not have this handy LED system. Actually, most scanners, including the popular Launch CRP123X do not have an LED system at all. It’s always nice to know from the get go if your car and scanner have connected and if diagnostics is happening.
Overall Features And Functions
Functionality
Functionality is the most important part of any scanner. For that reason, this is arguably the most important part of our Jethax Bluetooth vs Thinkcar 1 vs vgate iCar Pro review & comparison.
4.2 / 5With that in mind, the Jethax and vgate iCar Pro are virtually similar in functionality. In addition to streaming live data, they can read and erase engine codes.
4.4 / 5That simply means that both of them can diagnose and turn off the Check Engine Light (CEL). And you can use either of them to monitor live sensor data, which basically indicates the health and performance of various systems in your car.
3.5 / 5The Thinkcar 1, on the other hand, blows the other two out of the water. Alongside the engine, it can diagnose (read and erase codes in) every other system in the car. That includes ABS, SRS, transmission, PCM, TPMS, ECM etc. Which means that it doesn’t turn off the CEL alone but every other warning light (like transmission or brake warning light).
Besides, this OBD2 scan tool displays live data, freeze frame data and I/M readiness. It also performs on-board monitoring, O2 sensor test and component test. With such amazing functionality, the adapter is easily comparable to some of the best handheld OBD2 scanners like the Launch CRP123.
Supported Vehicle Makes
The Thinkcar 1 is compatible with exactly 23 brands of vehicles. They are Audi, Benz, BMW, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Skoda, Smart, Sprinter, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo, & VW. Something else to keep in mind is that the vehicle should be a 2005 or newer model.
Jethax, on the other hand, is similar to vgate iCar Pro. They both work on all OBD2-compliant vehicles that are sold in North America. These are all cars and light trucks that are 1996 or newer models.
Software And Updates
All the three OBDII scan tools come with free software updates. It doesn’t matter which device you have, as long as its manufacturer has released an update, you can download and install it for free.
Having said that, it’s worth mentioning that Jethax and iCar Pro do not require any additional expenses after purchase. You can use them alongside free diagnostic apps like Torque Lite.
Of course there’s always the option of buying a premium app like Torque Pro. It will offer significantly more functions at a small fee.
Speaking of fees and functions, Thinkcar 1 has some free and premium functions bundled in the scanner. All OBD2 functions are free for the product’s lifetime. However, a full vehicle scan and VIN searches are only free for the first year after purchase.
Every subsequent year will attract a fee of $9.95 for full vehicle scanning and another $9.95 for each VIN search. If you stay with the scanner long enough its total cost will probably rival the buying price of some mid-range scan tools like the Launch CRP123E.
Jethax Bluetooth Vs Thinkcar 1 Vs Vgate iCar Pro: Complete Comparison Table
 Jethax |  Thinkcar 1 |  iCar Pro |
|
| Our Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Price |  | | |
| Item Weight | 1.6 ounces | 2.08 ounces | 1.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.4 inches | ||
| Read & Clear Codes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| I/M Readiness | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Data Stream | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Freeze Frame Data | -- | ✓ | -- |
| O2 sensor Test | -- | ✓ | -- |
| On-Board Monitoring | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Vehicle Information | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Turn Off Check Engine Light | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Read live PCM Data Stream | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DTC Lookup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fuel System | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Ignition System | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Electrical System | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Exhaust System | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Transmission | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Suspension and Steering Systems | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Brake System | -- | ✓ | -- |
| SRS | -- | ✓ | -- |
Pros Of Jethax Bluetooth, Thinkcar 1 & Vgate iCar
| Jethax | Thinkcar 1 | vgate iCar |
| Compatible with all OBD2 vehicles | Packs basic and some advanced diagnostic features | Compatible with all OBD2 vehicles |
| Compatible with iOS and Android | Compatible with iOS and Android | Compatible with iOS and Android |
| Easy to set up and use | Thinkcar 1 users have access to Discovery community which provides guides for DIY fixes | Tiny in size and can be left unplugged even as you drive |
| Works with almost all third part diagnostic apps | Package includes Thinkcar app | Works with third part diagnostic apps |
| Delivers accurate data | Provides data that’s simple to understand | It’s a simple plug-and-play scan tool |
| Has built-in light to help when connecting to OBD2 port | Excellent customer service, especially through social media | Has LED lights for faster communication when connecting |
Cons Of Jethax Bluetooth, Thinkcar 1 & Vgate iCar
| Jethax | Thinkcar 1 | vgate iCar |
| Occasionally fails to display some live data like engine temp | Only compatible with 23 car brands and the car should be a 2005 or newer model | Too basic in functionality |
| Could use better instructions | Extra costs make it expensive in the long run | Some connection issues, especially with iOS |
Recommendation
The Jethax Bluetooth and vgate iCar Pro are equally great for reading and clearing engine codes, and viewing live data. If you want a simple car diagnostic tool for turning off the CEL, any one of those two will do. They generally make ideal picks for the ordinary car owner.
On the other hand, the Thinkcar 1 is for enthusiasts (tree shade mechanics). It has lots of functions, from access to all OBD2 systems to running component tests and so on.
OBD2 FAQs
If it was made after 1996 then it is OBD2. All cars sold in North America since 1996 are OBD2-compliant.
While Jethax Bluetooth and vgate iCar Pro are great for ordinary car owners, Thinkcar 1 is ideal for enthusiasts and mechanics.
Yes, if it’s an OBD adapter (dongle) like the three above. They connect to your smartphone and utilize an OBD app to perform diagnostics. Make sure that the adapter is compatible with your phone’s operating system.
Start by scanning all engine codes. Fix the problems associated with each code and then scan again to clear codes. Repeat until there are no pending codes. The light will reset after a short test drive.
Yes, all the above scanners can be used on multiple vehicles.
In case you’re not sold on any of the three scanners compared herein, you can consider going with another reputable brand. Launch has some of the best scanners, including the Launch CRP123E, Launch CRP123, Launch CRP123X, and many more.