On the surface, the DND Echo looks pretty much like countless other OBDII diagnostic scanners on the market. But, where the DND Echo sets itself apart isn’t just its Bluetooth functionality, but the immense versatility and depth of information it provides to help you diagnose problems with your car. It has, by far, the fastest and most reliable data transmission rate of any OBDII scanner that I’ve used before, and DND has even built in an AI digital assistant to help you with diagnosing specific error codes. For the price, it’s no doubt a really good little OBDII tool to keep in your glovebox, and it might even be the only pair you’d ever need!
Once you plug the DND Echo into your car’s OBDII port – which does feel rather nice in the hand, and it’s solidly built, if that’s something you value – it audibly beeps for a quick second as it’s connecting. Once it has paired to the companion mobile app via Bluetooth on your phone (Android or iOS), a bright green LED will light up. This entire process, particularly when it comes to scanning for fault codes in your car and performing a diagnostics report, is pretty fast, to boot. That’s due to the fact that the DND Echo, as I mentioned earlier, has noticeably faster data throughput compared to other OBDII readers out there, allowing for speedier data transmission.
A Highly Detailed And In-Depth OBD App
To be more specific, the DND Echo has a data throughput of 93.3 PID/s, which is around 50% higher than most competing products in this price bracket (around 64.5 PID/s). On top of that, it’s about 70% faster compared to more conventional, often budget-priced OBDII readers. Additionally, this also means that you could clear codes way faster, too. The data transmission between your car and the DND Echo isn’t just fast, it’s equally far more reliable. DND claims that the Echo is able to achieve zero data loss, thanks to its optimised data transmission. This makes sure that you’re not diagnosing incomplete data or executing any false commands.
Speaking of, the DND mobile app is one of the key selling points of the DND Echo. Compared to other Bluetooth-enabled OBDII readers – particularly at the same price point – the DND Echo’s companion app is among the most in-depth and complicated that I’ve seen before. It might even prove daunting when you’re interacting with it the first time. However, once you get used to it, the app is pretty intuitive, and I do appreciate the many things it’ll do. There are, of course, a multitude of functions that you’d normally get out of other similar OBDII diagnostics tools (and more).
AI-Powered Automotive Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
For instance, you’re able to pull in error codes, reset the check engine light, as well as being able to reset other systems, such as the battery management system, the brake system, and so forth. On top of that, you could run a full diagnostics check on your car, and get a detailed report after the fact to see what’s wrong with it, while also being able to preview live data streams for your car. This includes previewing the engine RPMs or readouts from the vehicle speed sensor. It’ll even give you basic information about your car, such as the VIN number, or the 12V battery voltage, informing you that it might be time to replace it.
One of the more interesting additions to that aforementioned DND companion app is the inclusion of its D-GPT programme, their intelligent AI-powered diagnostics assistant. So, if you get a DTC (diagnostics trouble code), you could then prompt D-GPT and ask it for more insight into what that specific error code meant, what caused it to appear in the first place, and what could be done to fix it for good. This could be massively helpful in trying to expedite the process of troubleshooting issues with your car. Through the app, you could also save multiple cars, making it easier if you need to fetch diagnostic reports from each car that you’ve analysed in the past.
Elsewhere, and best of all, if that official, first-party DND companion app doesn’t have what you’re looking for, the DND Echo could pair, via Bluetooth, to a large selection of third-party car diagnostics apps. This includes the likes of OBD Auto Doctor, LeafSpy, DashCommand, OBDFUSION, and more. This can benefit you both ways… For starters, you could get more value out of it, as you’re not just tied to the first-party app. Aside from that, if you need specific diagnostics and troubleshooting processes that are a bit more specific to certain vehicles or sub-systems, these third-party apps might have something that the DND app might not cover.
Well-Priced & An Awesome OBDII Reader For Keeps
In addition, the DND Echo is compatible with a myriad of systems on your car, from the airbags and the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all the way to the transmission and EVAP system. Moreover, the all-new DND Echo could seamlessly work with a diverse array of vehicles from different makes, such as General Motors, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, and many more. And, since the battery usage for the DND Echo is so low, you can even just leave it plugged into your car’s OBD port at all times, without harming your car’s battery.
If that isn’t compelling enough for you, one cool aspect of the DND Echo is that unlike a lot of OBDII diagnostic tools that I’ve used – which often demand a recurring monthly or yearly subscription fee – the DND Echo is a one-off payment. It normally costs $119.99, but as of writing, it’s been marked down to a discounted price of $79.99. Yet, despite the incredibly attractive price for what you’re getting – which is way more affordable than its rivals, where you might be paying that same amount, but every single year – the DND Echo also promises lifetime free updates. Overall, the DND Echo is a pretty good bit of kit, not only for its versatile mobile app and software, but all the little things besides, be it the rapid data transmission, or the AI assistant.
