Generally works OK. Yes, need to buy the adapter and the full version, but that compares favorably to one shop visit. Support is really poor -- consists of automated responses based on best matches to your question. Really poor, but I guess better than some very amateurish apps. Interface is all brand new... again... and now has more pointless fluff. not an improvement! Lets you log live data but there's no way to view the log -- it's encrypted. I guess the "save log" feature is either there for future use or just to make you mad. Shows error codes in a non-standard format, so makes it hard to google for answers. All that said, it's a cost effective way to get clues as to the source of the problem, much more convenient than a laptop/cable, and I get the impression they're growing, so one can hope they'll eventually actually improve the product vs just trying to grab market by adding compatibility with other brands?
Reviews for Carly — OBD2 car scanner
← Back to Carly — OBD2 car scannerOverall everything looks great, however I don't see how this app/adapter system can fit a subscription model. Lite version is useless. Request to work out some other options without the subscription was returned like "nope, you need to pay subscription". So, I'm going to return it and will end up not paying anything at all, though I'm not sure how that's better for the business... Also, people who need money will work with you, so... Think for yourself, guys. I personally am very disappointed.
The app used to be one of the best options out there... Not perfect but worth spending money on. Now you pay decent money and STILL get begged for even more money. "Remember how we gave you code descriptions before? Not anymore!! Now you have to pay even more!" Those are tricks free apps pull... That's unacceptable after I've already dumped $60+ on a one year subscription. Interface has continually gotten worse over the years as well. More and more layers to do simple things.
Great tool. Not exactly intuitive though, and there's a few pay-walls to get additional features - especially for BMW/MINI. Considering that it is cheaper than paying a BMW mechanic to do some of these things, it's worth it - but not the subscription service in my opinion. I already paid for the BMW features - I shouldn't have to also pay for the additional features in a subscription on top of that. Seems very "nickle & dimey"
This app used to be great, before the "subscription" only days. Saved me a few times with a mini Cooper. Now it is nothing more than a heaping pile of garbage. Can't connect via USB and otg adapter which worked great with the old app. No thanks, I don't code over an unreliable wireless connection. The interface is made for someone who knows nothing about cars, who most likely wouldn't use an app like this. Option to change to an advanced interface? Nope.
It mostly works, but they promise a lot in their trial and marketing, then you find out what really works for your model. Worst is that they're a really shady company to deal with. They give no warning for impending renewals or price increases, and they make it really, really hard to cancel. For BMW Buy Protools instead, it does a ton more, it's a one time purchase, support is great (and based in the US).
So this app needs a subscription to unlock all the features. Paid for the year so you already got my money. I was using a USB cable to read error codes and do coding, but this new update looks like it broke that. Needed to check something last night, but it gets stuck looking for a Bluetooth device when connecting. I guess this update is to get people to spend more money. So even though I've paid, I can't really use the app anymore.
Bluetooth adapter didn't work for my phone, so I ordered a Bimmergeeks cord but Carly won't allow all the features to work with the cord. I upgraded phones last night and now its saying i need to rebuy the app even though i had the full version on my old phone. its an easy app to use, it has great potential but in my opinion it's not worth the money. Protool is a one time payment and has more options.
Fails 90% of the time. It will connect to my OBII adapter and then will not move past the 3rd part of the connection process. The first time took 20 minutes with no results. Then 30 minutes with no results. Then 10 minutes and it connected. When it finally did connect it lost connection when I tried register my car battery (one of their selling features). Then, for some inexplicable reason, it made me go through the connection process again!!! This app is terrible. Get bimmergeeks protool
Powerful app in that it can do a lot of coding that others can't. However, compared to other solutions which also use the model of wireless adapter and mobile app, Carly's connection between car and adapter is fragile and finicky. Further, the user interface is much worse than its main competitor, and it's more expensive. I bought this thinking that after years of development, the GUI would have improved, but no. Cannot function in Portrait mode. Gives poor descriptions of codes. Can't recommend
Purchased in May of 18 thinking it was a one time deal, bought the adapters and everything for all of my cars, used it, and put away. Now that I need it once more a year down the road, I need to renew a subscription? I literally used the ap for less than a week getting codes and resetting stuff, and that's apparently worth a yearly subscription? Now to program a battery I need to pay another year? This is a rip-off to a here and there user like me....
Downgrading from 2 to 1 star. They couldn't support my E92. Fine they offered to add smart mechanic. I agreed to that. They said they have added it. Yesterday I tried using smart mechanic for the first time and it is not added to my profile. I reached out to them and they asked me to file one form. I submitted that form and then the said to submit another form. I submitted that form and they asked to submit a different form. And then they closed that ticket. Carly = forms galore.
The app itself is ok, provides good info about your car but slow processing. Subscription? First-timers get the device come from Germany, which can be ok in terms of price point, but... they expect you to pay the same amount every year. Not acceptable, cancelled right away. Now I have a junk obd scanner device which I paid over $100.
Requires subscription. Bought the Pro version but still can't upgrade to the latest. Good for Mechanic but for individuals subscription is expensive. Have GPA number but won't accept it. Thanks for responding. While I understand your point, I believe the subscription amount is too highe if you do not use often. I don't mind paying $30 annually even if I don't use it often, but $82 is a bit much. Discount for those who have GPA.3380-6038-....that are not working?? Just a thought. Added STAR
Was a subscriber for 2 years. This app just feels like a scam. Maybe it was great once. Older reviews talk about how great it was. But now the subscription model cost is too high when you can buy other scan tools for the same price. And those are one time cost . Not yearly. I had to email them a request with a copy of my original invoice in order to stop the auto renewal. No way to do it online. Or to remove any payment or personal information.
Bought this with a subscription so I could tweak some stuff with my headlights and DRLs as well as a few other things. Worked well. I ended up buying aftermarket headlights and wanted to reverse what I did with the DRLs, so I fired up Carly again and found out that none of the same coding options were there. I had two really lame things I could modify and that's it, so I was dead in the water with my headlights. Carly support was of no help and suggested that my car wasn't compatible. 🙄
The app was ok for my Bimmer - some coding possible. Good for someone like me with limited experience. Useless for my Ford Edge. Bought the full version, and I get to download some reports. Wow. Reports my mechanic would never need or use. Useless to me now. Forgot about the subscription. Renewed this morning because they don't send a reminder. Requested a refund 10 minutes later. Of course, got the old "You agreed to No Refund policy when you purchased - Sorry". No more business from me.
Straight out of the box it will not connect to any vehicle. I have tried everything the app and Google says. I submitted multiple support tickets with zero response. No refund and absolutely no real response from the company. It also takes an insane amount of effort to cancel your subscription. If it doesn't get canceled they will bill you every year! do not buy this product!
If your okay with paying a subscription to get even the basic OBD2 functionality go for it. I just ran a scan to see what codes came up and it won't even show them without renewing my subscription. It says it sent a free report to my email which isn't exactly the most convenient way to do things. That was 10 minutes ago and still no email. it's worth it if you want programming capability with a subscription. Otherwise I have a Bluetooth dongle from Walmart that does everything but the programmi
Update: if you do not cancel a month prior to the renewal, they will not honor it. The only way to cancel is a very obscure spot to fill out your info. I was charged for renewal without any way to stop it either on the app or their website. I have been forced to provide my location when using this app, and forced to provide the make of vehicles when filling out a contact form. The app is no better than a standard scanner you can get at any auto parts store. I recommend going anywhere else.