The NEXPEAK NX501: Caring for your car the right way

Most people don’t think they need a car scanner. After all, that’s what mechanics are for, right? However, more consumers have realized the importance of maintaining their vehicles.

But how do we do that? We can try and learn. We can take a class, observe our mechanic, or purchase the NEXPEAK NX501car scan tool.

The NEXPEAK NX501 is a device that allows users to run tests on their vehicles. It can also be used to request data and read codes. It is basically used to see if your car in in good working order.

Here’s why I choose the NEXPEAK NX501 over other car scanners:

It’s compact and sturdy

The NEXPEAK NX501 is nicely packaged. It includes a carrying case, cables, and an instruction manual. It’s nicely shaped that it fits ergonomically into your hand.

What I like about it is that it feels solid. It’s not too heavy, but I have the impression that it won’t break easily. The silicone casing feels nice too.

It has a nice array of functions

The menu of the NEXPEAK NX501 is simple. However, this does not mean that it has limited functions. It is actually amazing how many functions this small device has.

One of the most popular functions is determining the cause of the pesky check engine light. The NEXPEAK NX501 pinpoints the cause and allows you to assess how serious it actually is. I also appreciate the live sensor data and all graphs, but I confess I’m not entirely sure what they mean.

Data storage

This is a particularly handy function, especially when you can’t readily hook your device to a computer. The freeze screen allows you to save test results to show to your mechanic later on.

It has good support

The 3-year warranty is very good compared to the 1-year warranty other brands offer. In addition, it offers updates. All you have to do is hook your device to a computer and avail of the free update online.

Product	NEXPEAK NX501 OBD2 Scanner	FOXWELL NT301 Car Obd2 Code Scanner	Autel AutoLink AL319 OBD2 Scanner
Price	$65.99	$69.99	$34.88
Compatibility	This device can work with most car models after 1996	This device works with US (1996 onwards), EU (2001 onwards), Asian cars and other newer models	On Amazon, it says that this device is compatible with all car models
Functions	This can read and erase engine codes, as well as show exactly why the check engine light keeps blinking. It also shows live sensor data, graphs, and other information that is useful to mechanics. It also helps you monitor the status of your battery.	It can read and erase codes. It also has built in library for the codes. It can turn off MIL and check the status of your battery.	It can turn off MIL and correctly determine the cause of such. It also offers a test for emission readiness and a one-click system to check for I/M Readiness.
Pros	I like how the code definitions appear after they are read. That makes it easier for me to understand rather than look it up. Also, it reads really fast! Apparently, it is able to diagnose 2-3 times faster than other models	Code definitions appear after the readings are displayed.	This is one of the cheapest scanners available. It is easy and simple to use.
Cons	The downside to this is that if you need updates, this cannot be updated on a Mac system. Good thing I was able to use my husband’s computer and it worked fine. Further, this device only supports 12V vehicles.	This device cannot read air bag codes and it is a bit difficult to discern the codes. You sometimes have to look them up.	This device will not show live readings or allow actuator tests. In addition, it does not read airbag as well as ABS codes as it claims in the listing. It also does not work on all vehicles as advertised
Others	3-year warranty and a free lifetime update service	On Amazon, it says that warranty is provided for parts. However it does not mention the specific duration.	1 year warranty, free lifetime update

Compatibility

The OBDII system was enforced in the United States in 1996. Since then, all cars and light trucks need to adhere to this system.

The NEXPEAK NX501 works well with US cars (from 1996 onwards), EU cars (from 2003 onwards), as well as most Asian cars. It works with both gas-based and diesel based vehicles.

Pros

Easy to use interface

The NEXPEAK NX501 has a large, colored screen. The graphics are friendly and the text easy to understand. The buttons are just the right size and make a satisfying sound when you press them.

To use, you simply connect the large cable to the device (not the USB). Make sure to screw it in securely. Then you can start your car and start running tests.

Easy to understand results

The NEXPEAK NX501 does not just give you codes to decipher. The code definitions appear automatically after the results. This way you don’t have to scramble for the manual and look for meanings.

Saves time and money

This is an invaluable tool in understanding the status of your car’s overall health. By pinpointing exactly what your car’s problem is, it breaks down the barriers between you and your mechanic. It saves time, and thus, the amount of money you spend on labor.

Good speed

According to reviews, the NEXPEAK NX501 is 2-3 times faster than other models. Actually, the scanning doesn’t take very long. However, sometimes my friend’s scanners take a bit longer to run diagnostics. And probably as a consequence, their device sometimes hangs.

This is why I feel very satisfied to get the results of the tests from the NEXPEAK NX501 almost right away.

Reasonably priced

Its price is one of the most satisfying things about the NEXPEAK NX501. It’s not the cheapest model on the market. However, it provides great value for money.

Cons

I am very happy with my NEXPEAK NX501. However, when I needed to install updates, I had a problem. The software could not be updated on a Mac computer.

In this case, I was glad for my husband’s help. I used his computer (Windows OS) to install the updates needed for the device.

It is also important to note that this device only works on vehicles with 12V batteries.

Who can use the NEXPEAK NX501?

From online reviews, the consensus was that this can be used by almost anyone. I’ve read glowing reviews from seasoned mechanics. But I am comforted by reviews done by newbies like me.

Perhaps that was what encouraged me to purchase this---the fact that most of the users weren’t professionals. This meant the NEXPEAK NX501 was a device I could actually manipulate and understand. This was good because why invest in something you won’t be able to use?

The Bottom Line

Our society depends heavily upon horizontal transport. So we should learn to be responsible and take care of our vehicles. A large part of this is maintenance and this is where the convenience of having a car scanner comes in.

Having a car scanner such as the NEXPEAK NX501 saves you a ton of money, time, and frustration. This is a crucial aspect in car maintenance. Especially when your livelihood depends upon your car.

On the whole, I am very glad that I decided to invest in a car scanner. And I’m glad I chose NEXPEAK NX501.

Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Automotive Battery Tester: More than just a battery tester

For most people, driving is a necessity of life. However, a blinking ‘check engine’ light makes most people panic. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Lots of people have spent hundreds of dollars for simple diagnostic checks only to be told everything was fine. This is why I decided to get the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Automotive Battery Tester. And I am so glad that I did!

This is because this handy device is so much more than a battery tester. Read on to find out why I find it so amazing:

Easy to use

You only have to clip on the wires. And don’t worry---if you make a mistake clamping (like I did), the device won’t turn on. The best part is: you don’t need to take the battery out of the car!

Next you need to select the battery type. It should be clearly visible on the top of your battery. Then just press another button for the testing to start.

The backlit screen is very easy to read. I like how “Testing” shows up on the screen to assure you that data is being processed. You get the results in seconds!

Compact and Sturdy

The device comes in a handy carrying case that contains everything you need. The case is padded so you are assured that your device is well protected. It also has pockets / elastic bands to hold everything in place.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester may be small, but it is very sturdy. I especially like the ergonomics---how it feels in my hand. The size allows for a firm grip, even though my hands are tiny.

Multi-functional

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester also runs simple diagnostics on your car system. After you’re done testing the battery, you can check out the options on the menu. You can start your engine and rev up your car, all with just a button.

And in case you forget the details of the testing you did, the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester also has an in-built printer function! You can also set the date and time in the settings menu. That way you won’t forget when you last did checked your car.

This last part is especially handy when you need to show test reports to your mechanic. This way you streamline time and effort needed to fix your car.

Compatibility

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is compatible with most types of batteries. You can choose your battery type onscreen before testing. After testing, it also allows for data export through a USB port.

The apparatus also comes with an OBDII cable. This is mainly for use with cars with major protocols. The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is well matched with cars built after 1996.

Pros

The main asset of the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is its compact size. This translates to portability. It is easy to stash this in your garage or in the boot of your car.

This convenience allows users to do on-the-spot checks in case of car emergencies. It aids swift decision-making processes. It also prepares the owner for how little or how big the work to be undertaken is.

Its user-friendly interface produces results that are easy to understand. Having simple terms such as good / replace eliminate the guesswork for non-mechanical people. However, it’s commendable that more technical information is also available and can be downloaded into your computer.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester saves you time and money by running several diagnostics tests. This makes it easier to pinpoint the problems of your car. Thus, your mechanic does not need to waste time analyzing different possibilities.

The testing time and the time spent on actual labor is cut. This results in cheaper mechanics fees.

This is one of the more low-priced devices on the market. But cheap price does not equate to cheap quality. This device offers real bang for your buck.

Another good point of the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is its accuracy. The CCA readings from this device are more than comparable to heavy-duty (and bulkier) apparatus that most shops have.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is truly a modern motorist’s dream. It simplifies hard-to-understand concepts and helps owners understand their vehicles better.

Cons

The only thing to criticize is the plastic lid of the printer on top. This seems to be the most fragile part of the device. Some customers have complained that the thermal paper sometimes gets stuck in it.

However, some people have solved this by connecting the device to their computer and downloading the data.

Product name	Ancel	Foxwell
Price	$54.99	$128.99
Ease of use	Very easy to use. It has a simple plug and play interface.	Instruction manual a bit hard to understand. Updates need to be downloaded and CD sometimes won’t load.
Tests	This device can test Capacity-Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), as well as other information integral to understanding battery health. Other tests include the internal resistance value (m), the current percentage of battery life, as well as the cranking and charging systems.	This device is able to perform a battery health test, cranking test, as well as charging system test.
Evaluation	Easy to use interface. Easy to read LCD display. The screen shows good / replace / bad cell, etc.	The LCD screen is easy to read, but it outputs codes, which need to be interpreted
Check engine light	This device can scan your car and tell you exactly why your light is blinking. It pinpoints the exact problem area.	This device can clear the codes and stop the blinking lights
Compatibility	Can mostly scan newer models, after 1996	Can scan both older and newer models
Others	Does not read air bag codes	Does not read air bag codes

A wide range of people can use this device. This applies to professionals, home mechanics, and even people who know almost nothing about cars.

Overall, this is a great buy for people who want to know what’s wrong with their car before approaching pricey mechanics. Being able to show the shop the printed results of the diagnostics tests save a lot of time and money. In addition, this device definitely makes it difficult for mechanics to run bogus bills and give you the runaround.

Now the blinking engine light doesn't have to cause terror. Because with the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester it is easier to test and diagnose what repairs need to be done.

It’s not clean until it’s NanoTowel clean!

Nano Towels to the rescue!

Now, I’m not a total slob, but my mom would attest to the fact that I’m not Mrs. Clean either.

But since I’ve become a mom to three boys, I’ve become acquainted with All Things Dirty. Surfaces I never knew could get grimy would get streaked with dirt. And on top of the hundred and one things every mom on the planet needs to do to survive, I cleaned. But no, an ultra squeaky-clean house wasn’t on top of my list.

Like most moms, I’m perpetually on the lookout for things that would make my life easier.

Then I saw an advertisement for Nano Towels.

What really got me was the chemical free tagline. With all the news about the long-lasting toxic effects of everyday cleaners, I’ve tried to explore more organic options in our house. I’ve tried baking soda and vinegar for a lot of things, but I still use paper towels to clean them up.

I watched videos and read the reviews. Could it all really be that easy?

I was so excited; I jumped in glee when the deliveryman came to call a few days later. I was a bit taken aback when I was handed an overly large box.  I actually thought I’d gone on a drunken online shopping binge. But no, when I opened them, there they were---gasp---my very own set of Nano Towels.

Do they live up to the hype?

I was supposed to start dinner in half an hour, but what the heck---I decided I’d give the towels a quick run. So I opened the package, dampened one of the towels and looked for something to clean.

The towel was big, so I folded it several times before it felt right in my hand. I wiped down the counter and followed up with a dry towel. I ran a finger over it. It seemed clean. Well, it hadn’t been overly dirty to begin with, so it wasn’t much of a challenge.

A glance at my refrigerator told me that was where my next challenge lay. Halfway up my legs, it had orange smears from where my toddler did pumpkin puree art after lunch. There were sticky handprints made by my older boys. And yeah, I didn't want to know what those old, brown stains were. Determinedly, I headed toward it.

It took a few minutes---the pumpkin puree had dried up by now---but I managed to get it all off! With just one towel and without having to use any of the chemical spray cleaners I used to love. My refrigerator looked brand new!

Giddy, I proceeded to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets (they were grimy too). I followed up with a dry towel because the shiny, clean finish was attractive.

I was having so much fun cleaning, I almost forgot to start dinner!

Now I’m a believer

My husband actually laughed when he came home and saw me rubbing the refrigerator door. I couldn't help myself---it was just so clean!

The next day, I tackled the bathroom. I loved how Nano Towels were able to get out the dried up gunk that was stuck to my shower walls. The mirror over the sink, as well as the windowpanes, shone like new after a rubbing.

Soon, my whole house was clean, minus all the equipment I used to drag around with me when I was on a cleaning spree.

Why Nano Towels rock

I kid you not---the amazing Nanolon fibers can clean almost every surface! This is true. We’ve all seen those chemical cleaning commercials that have tidy little homemakers rubbing away stains with graceful movements. I’ve used a lot of commercial cleaners, and those stains would never have come away without a bit (or a lot) of elbow grease.

It's the same with Nano Towels, there are just some stains that require you to put your back into it. But worry not---they will give way to the gazillion-count fibers embedded within your Nano Towel. And just think---you didn’t have to use any harmful chemicals at all!

The Nano Towels are super absorbent! Having little kids around easily equates to a lot of spills. Milk, water, juice---you name it, and the Nano Towels can clean them up more efficiently than paper towels can. Nano Towels are so absorbent they can soak up to ten ounces of liquid in one go. And no, you don’t have to grab a basin or run to the sink, because Nano Towels hold all the water in without dripping.

You’re doing your share in protecting the environment. I like how using Nano Towels feels like signing a petition to save the trees (not that that endeavor is less commendable). But just like bringing your own cup and straws, this is a tangible step we can all take toward minimizing waste.

They are easy to clean! You can throw your towels into the laundry with the rest of your clothes. Just remember not to use bleach or fabric softener. However, I still prefer washing them by hand at the kitchen sink, especially if I used them to clean up lots of gunk. I use regular detergent, scrub, rinse, squeeze them out, and then hang them to dry.

The Nano Towels help you save money. This is probably my favorite reason. Raising a family translates into all sorts of costs, and it helps to find a product that helps you pinch pennies---or a little more than that.

Sure, Nano Towels don’t come cheap. However, if you compute how much you spend on paper towels and chemical cleaners in three to four years (which is the average lifespan of Nano Towels), and compare that to the price of your Nano Towels, you will still come out a winner.

Well, it’s not perfect

The Nano Towels aren’t anti-bacterial. They clean just as much as regular water does. If you’re like me, you’ll probably have antibacterial wipes withdrawal symptoms. But there are lots of alternatives available! Vinegar for one is a very strong anti-bacterial agent. I put it in a spray bottle and use it to disinfect surfaces. It works great with Nano Towels and the acrid smell clears up in minutes.

When my Nano Towels finally arrived, I was a bit surprised by how big they were. I mean, most cleaning cloths measure a foot square or less, but these towels measure 14 x 14 inches. I understand that you can fold them over, but I’d appreciate having a variety of sizes to choose from.

I read about reusable organic cotton facial pads the other day and I thought that the fabric of the Nano Towels would make great reusable pads. I even wondered whether I should chop one of my Nano Towels into 2 x 2 inches---that would get me almost fifty pads that I could reuse over three years!

Also---this may be a tiny thing---but my fashionista heart weeps at the thought that there are only green towels on the market. So, Nano Towel genies, if you’re listening, maybe a pink one in the future?

My STWOR Journey: Towards Darkness or Light?

I’ve a confession to make. I’m not really much of a gamer.

I played around a bit with Super Mario when I was a kid. In college, I dabbled in Warcraft only because my boyfriend loved it. But no, neither game left a lasting impression upon me. My husband played a bit of Starcraft when it first came out, but after we had kids, we had to deal with adulting and all it entailed.

So what to do when my tween asks permission to play Star Wars: The Old Republic on his computer?

Given all the blood and gore that appear in television, print, and social media, I was kind of wary. I wanted to make sure that the game was age-appropriate for him.

So I decided to do a bit of research.

What the website says

I know Star Wars. Or at least I thought I did. I watched all the three movies when they were first released. I watched them again when they were digitally enhanced. I loved Han Solo. So yeah, I thought I knew my stuff.

It turns out I don’t know as much as I thought I did.

Apparently, SWTOR Credits US is set in a fictional Star Wars universe more than 3,500 years before the setting of the original Star Wars films. The premise of the game is that the Sith Empire and the Republic had agreed upon a half-hearted peace treaty.

The game features eight different classes, each favoring a different style of gameplay. Like most games, each class has a storyline that continually develops as the players level up.

What I find interesting about it is that while players can choose to join either the Republic or the Sith, at any point in the game, their morality is judged along a light/dark spectrum. I like how this is relevant to the one of the key concepts of Star Wars---that people possess both light and darkness within them---and that you can always choose to do what is right.

I watched the short animated teaser of the game on the website, and I must say that video game graphics these days are truly on a different level. SWTOR Credits US features extensive options for customization, as well as fully voiced dialogues.

SWTOR Credits US is a multiplayer online role-playing game, which basically means that the game involves role-playing and that your kid gets to virtually play and interact with a huge number of players. The website also reveals that since SWTOR Credits US was released, it has became very popular, gaining players from all around the world.

The game is free to play, which makes my mommy heart (and pocket) happy.

What the pro gamers say

My online research showed that since its release, SWTOR Credits US had received numerous upgrades. I wanted to know what these developments meant, so I read several articles. Philip Kollar at polygon.com was one of those who praised the latest upgrade. He wrote that although SWTOR Credits US was already a solid game when it was launched, its multiple goals clashed with each other. It caused players to reach a plateau while gaming because neither aspect was fully satisfying. However, he notes that the best part of the most recent update is that it allows players to play solo from level 1-60.

As a mom, this was good news because I had been feeling a bit iffy about letting my kid play with people he didn't know. This development allowed him to play the game and progress by himself. Definitely win-win!

Some people may say that interacting with other people is the essence of MMOG and that I can’t screen all of his friends forever. So it’s good that the upgrade also allows the player to join MMOG once he caps off a certain level. And I’m hoping my tween will have the sense to be a bit more careful around strangers by then.

What other moms (or dads) say

I was very glad to learn that I’m not the only mom actively researching things that her kids get into. So I logged onto commonsensemedia.org to check the game out.

There is a lot of information online on how much violence, sex, and swearing was in the games. But as one reviewer pointed out, if you’ve let your kids watch the movies, you can let them play the game.

Huh. Made sense. I had let my sons watch the movies. They had seen Princess Leia in her gold bikini. They knew light sabers could kill.

One review stated that swear words seemed to be kept to a minimum and that the light / dark aspect of the game sometimes made kids rationalize choices. One parent even praised how the issue of consent was dealt with when one of the characters discovered his girlfriend at a bar. Forcing her to leave would earn him dark points, but letting her make her own choices, scored him light points.

Wow. Who knew we could get so philosophical about online video games?

This was cool.

Another point raised in some of the forums was the issue that the games weren’t really ‘free’ as I had initially thought. There were monthly subscriptions that allowed your kids to buy cool gear or firearms in order to advance in the game. One parent advised observing how your kids progressed before purchasing extras, and I agreed with her advice.

Another parent’s review addressed security settings. Aside from monitoring the privacy settings, he encouraged parents to play with their kids. This was not solely to supervise their actions, but to teach them how to be careful of the people they interact with on the Internet.

What other kids say

On the same website, I was able to check out what kids had to say and I was surprised by the depth of some of the reviews. There were the usual I’m-better-at-this-than-you statements trying to upstage each other, but what really got to me was how they interpreted the light / dark roles. Lots of kids marveled at how you could be Light-side Sith or a Dark-side Jedi.

It was also interesting how some kids rated the sexy scenes in the games as suggestive. Some even went as far as to suggest that the average age allowed to play the game be changed to 10. This reinforced my decision to ask my husband to supervise and play with our 12-year old.

What my husband says

So, I talked to my husband about it the verdict was: we can’t shield our kid forever. We can try and guide him as much as we can, but in the end, it’s always his choice (whether to succumb to the Dark Side). We decided that it was just a game and if our son wanted to try it out, we would restrict his daily computer time, but we would let him play.

It’s a go!

That decided; we both tried registering for an account online. It was surprisingly easy. After registration, we were allowed to download the game. My husband was kind of giddy because it was the first time he’d try out ‘a real game’ in a very long time. The download finished and we tried to install it.

Ooops. Unfortunately, in all my research, I’d failed to notice that Windows was a requirement and the game refused to install on our Mac.

As my son told me the next morning, “Big time fail, Mom.”