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Proper starter battery maintenance is crucial if you want to get the most out of your starter battery and avoid being stranded. This can be achieved in two ways: battery testing and battery monitoring—two important tasks handled by our Ancel AD 410 Pro and our BM 300 battery monitor respectively.
This Ancel AD410 Pro vs BM300 article reviews these two items, explains their strengths, and compares them to help you decide which will best suit your battery needs.
A Brief Overview of the Ancel AD410 Pro
The Ancel AD410 Pro is an enhancement over our best-selling code reader, the Ancel AD410.
The AD410 Pro adds the ability to test the starter battery, determining its state of health and charge to help avoid battery-related challenges down the road.
Besides testing the starter battery, the Ancel AD410 Pro also tests the charging and starting systems, subjecting the alternator and starter to a series of tests so that you can easily (and quickly) isolate the culprit in a no-charge or no-start situation.
The AD410 Pro also retains its traditional code-reading abilities. Essentially, it’s a 2-in-1 unit: traditional engine code reader and battery tester.
A Brief Overview of the Ancel BM300 Battery Monitor
The Ancel BM300 battery monitor, unlike the Ancel AD410 pro, hooks to the terminals of the battery to be tested and remains connected there, throughout the duration of use.
With the aid of an app available through the App and Play stores, metrics such as battery voltage, cranking time, and charging can be monitored without the need to be physically present as the Bluetooth connection can ensure pairing several meters away.
Connected, the Ancel BM300 battery monitor offers continuous battery alerts in real time, keeping you in the loop of what’s happening with your starter battery.
Battery Testing vs Battery Monitoring: Which is Best for You?
The Ancel AD410 Pro is an OBD II code reader with the added functionality to test your starter battery, starter, and alternator to quickly determine a vehicle's challenge. It’s a 2-in-1 unit that aims to save you costs while combining the two important features of engine code reading and testing the starting system of a vehicle (into one small, portable unit).
The Ancel BM300, on the other hand, is a different ball game altogether: the Bluetooth-powered unit is a battery monitor and needs to be permanently attached to the terminals of your starter battery to work. In this position (and with a proper connection to your smartphone), you get real time battery feedback, without needing to physically be in the same space as your vehicle (or starter battery).
So, which is better for you? Continue reading to find out.
Related Reading: AD310 vs. AD410: Which One is Better? | ANCEL
Ancel AD410 Pro vs Ancel BM300 Battery Monitor: Which Should You Buy?
You should consider buying the Ancel AD410 Pro 2-in-1 battery tester and OBD II code reader if:
-You’ll occasionally need to scan your vehicle for engine codes, besides checking your battery health. The 2-in-1 function is a smart, handy money saver.
-You don’t want to own two separate units
- an OBD II code reader and a battery tester.
-You’re in the habit of opening your hood periodically to take a look at things there.
On the other hand, you should consider the Ancel BM300 battery monitor if the following apply:
-You don’t have a direct need for reading engine codes (i.e. you drive a make/model that does this natively or, you already own a code reader).
-You have a vehicle that you need to keep an eye on its starter battery (either because of age or the infrequency you drive the car).
-You don’t love opening the hood (or going to the garage) just to test a starter battery.
Overall, the choice between a 2-in-1 battery tester and a battery monitor bores down to needs and actual preferences, since both handle similar but distinct tasks (in varying manners).
In conclusion, here’s a summary, in tabular form:
| Ancel AD410 Pro | Ancel BM300 | |
| 1 | Needs to be physically connected to the starter battery every time battery values need to be taken. | Is connected to the starter battery terminals and forgotten. Updates users in real-time and battery monitoring can be done remotely (via Bluetooth). |
| 2 | Perfect for users who drive frequently and open their hoods periodically. | Ideal for users who don’t drive frequently and rarely open their hoods. |
| 3 | Ideal for users who don’t already own a code reader (or who don’t own a car that self-diagnoses). | Perfect for users who already have a code reader (or own a car that self-diagnoses). |
FAQs
What is the difference between battery testing & monitoring?
Battery testing requires actively connecting the test clamps/probes of a battery tester (or multimeter) to the physical terminals of a battery - each time you need to read battery values. On the other hand, battery monitoring involves a much more holistic approach that implicates permanently attaching a monitor to the battery terminals of the starter battery to be tested. With such an arrangement, the battery reports in real time through a wireless medium (such as Bluetooth) and an app, installed on your smartphone.
Do you still need a battery monitor if you have a battery tester?
Yes - and no. Yes, because the job of a battery monitor (like the Ancel BM300) is slightly different from that of a battery tester. A battery monitor is more proactive and generally works great with batteries that aren’t used frequently (to keep tabs on their health). No, because if you drive every day and don’t mind occasionally opening your hood to physically test your starter battery, you don’t exactly need a battery monitor. A simple, versatile tool like the Ancel AD410 Pro 2-in-1 code reader and battery tester is all you need.
Is an OBD II code reader with a battery tester reliable?
OBD II readers designed with battery testers are generally reliable and deliver results with a negligible error margin. For basic battery testing and OBD II code reading, they work well and deliver acceptable results. However. If you’re bothered about quality (and reliability), consider sticking to the Ancel AD410 Pro, a 2-in-1 code reader and battery tester based on the best-selling and reliable code reader, the Ancel AD410.
