I've used one of these for a few years part of my daily carry as I move vehicle to vehicle. But also purchased an Autel tablet reader a few months ago that I'm learning. Have an Autel TMPS/Remote coder reader that works well. Have just under $1k ti cover all those devices.
Scanner - No problem
@cgrutt
Yeah you only get a year on subscription but I didn't extend it. We just replaced TCM in my buddy's Chrysler about a week ago and he commented how he loves that the tool works without a live connection. I just updated all the common brands before my subscription expired. It asks you if you want to renew everytime you use it but just click out and it works fine. My buddy is trying to get me to upgrade so he can buy this one from me lol.
I know Ivan personally, and yes, like all of us, he's a commercial *****, but he doesn't sell out. What he recommends typically always does what he claims it does. He's just made an arrangement with Topdon, which he openly stated at the start off the video. Ivan is as straight of an arrow as there is and he's one super smart dude.
Yep, I follow Ivan, but the Autel I'm getting is more in line with the stuff I do at the moment.
When watching his videos, often times a specific scanner will program something that his other scanners won't do. It depends on what it is that needs programming.
Well he talked about Thinktool, Launch, Autel and Topdon. That about covers the entire market. If he showed preference to any brand it surely wasn't obvious to me. Personally, I like Launch. Ivan has his fingers on the scanner market because he's close friends with Keith DeFazio, who I met at Automechanika in Chicago, who is on top of the scanner market and is considered to be a diagnostic god among his peers. He isn't up there with Bernie Thompson, who routinely walks on water, but he's not far behind.
Exactly! He doesnt show any specialized tools at all - for example: key programming tools like Xhorse VVDI, ECU chip tuning tools like Alientech KESS3, Odometer correction tools like the Yanhua Digimaster 3,... etc etc etcIvan is talking specifically about generic global Chinese scantools in the sub $1000 range that give the best bang for the buck on sale via Amazon in these Black Friday sale videos.
It's more of a round up of good deals for guys like me willing to take the risk (which isn't so risky after all) of buying from Amazon.
I like the technical content of Ivan's videos and the fact that they aren't just super slick High Definition over produced adverts, he actually fixes cars with the products he recommends much like SMA and New Level Auto.
I don't begrudge any YouTuber building a commercial relationship with a tool supplier as long as the channel stays relevant, I like technical content and tools
Bernie Thompson is a fantastic technician and teacher but he is selling his own product at the end of the day