Alldata or Mitchell or ????

[01ps]

I am a professional technician and work on many different makes as models, mostly domestic, some Asian, not much euro other than vw.

I have used both alldata and Mitchell in the past, and currently am using Alldata. I can't really remember why I got rid of Mitchell a few years ago to be honest ( I think it was a lack of relevant info quite often), but apart from the sometimes confusing search and navigation Alldata seems pretty good. Maybe Mitchell's product has improved?.

I am on IATN and of course google is more and more useful.

Any other options?

 

[shockwave]

Try identifix they are pretty useful at times for test procedures and common issues with here said vehicle with here said engine

 

[drewzfoster]

I used Mitchell crash estimating software and we are pretty happy with it. The "Work Center" program that have for body shops can be glitchy...

 

[jimindm]

I have found that many of the parts stores that offer online ordering have some repair procedures. I am not sure that it is available on there public site. If you are professional installer and have online ordering, you may just search the home screens and see what you can find.

 

[turdferguson13]

Alldata is still way better than Mitchell. Occasionally it will have a labor time or repair procedure that is not on Alldata, but not that often.

How do you like IATN? How much does it cost?

 

[Skin]

Mitchell trumps all-data in a big way with their more detailed engineering wiring diagrams. Instead of just copying what was supplied by the manufacturer they actually take the time to redraw/re-label them. If you don't do electrical work you wont care but if you do, this can be an enormous time saver especially on unfamiliar vehicles and if you work on multiple makes. Just my 2 cents but I think that's worth the cost of admission on its own. I also like the user added tech tips. AllData has a better overall layout and is easier to navigate off the cuff. If you have the shop volume get a bit of both.

 

[Nanashi]

We had all data and identa fix. Identa fix is great for everything except wiring diagrams. We actually got rid of all data we where only using it onceevery few months.

 

[Carguy99]

If you want to be good and you want to be consistent. both. plus identa fix and aitn. and friends at the at other shops including dealer level…. sometimes you have to pull out all of the guns. information is key.
been at this for 40 yrs. only one i couldn't fix and I only get the crazy ones. id say thats a good track record.

 

[turdferguson13]

Mitchell trumps all-data in a big way with their more detailed engineering wiring diagrams. Instead of just copying what was supplied by the manufacturer they actually take the time to redraw/re-label them. If you don't do electrical work you wont care but if you do, this can be an enormous time saver especially on unfamiliar vehicles and if you work on multiple makes. Just my 2 cents but I think that's worth the cost of admission on its own. I also like the user added tech tips. AllData has a better overall layout and is easier to navigate off the cuff. If you have the shop volume get a bit of both.

Ah yes I forgot about the wiring diagrams!! They're really useful, for example, you can highlight wires and make all the others disappear. Probably the main reason my shop still uses Mitchell.

 

[01ps]

Mitchell trumps all-data in a big way with their more detailed engineering wiring diagrams. Instead of just copying what was supplied by the manufacturer they actually take the time to redraw/re-label them. If you don't do electrical work you wont care but if you do, this can be an enormous time saver especially on unfamiliar vehicles and if you work on multiple makes. Just my 2 cents but I think that's worth the cost of admission on its own. I also like the user added tech tips. AllData has a better overall layout and is easier to navigate off the cuff. If you have the shop volume get a bit of both.

Good to know. That is one thing I don't like about alldata, that wiring diagrams are not consistent. Like I say, I can't really remember why we got rid of Mitchell.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[chris142]

Both are better than the total lack of diagnostic tools we have where i work.we are supposed to wing it like its 1973 again, shoot we still hand write work orders! Sorry bout the rant...as you were.

 

[MG44]

I use All-Data. Simple and it works. I know the diagrams on Mitchell are dumb dumb proof with their color coding, but anybody who can read a schematic can use AllData diagrams, they are generally exact copies from the manufacture.

 

[wafrederick]

Mitchell is owned by Snap On.Mitchell has the better wiring diagrams than Alldata.With Mitchell and Alldata,you won't find any diagnostics for the Japanese and European makes,they don't let it out at all.

 

[rider9195]

I like Mitchell for wiring diagrams and labor times. I was taught wiring diagrams using it and prefer it over All Data. Although, All Data does seem to have better step my step instructions for installation and removal.

 

[Super Mech]

I've got Alldata, Mitchell, and Identifix. Each one has its pros and cons, But you can't beat Mitchells wiring diagrams especially on German cars.

 

[larryq]

I believe both Mitchell and Alldata have DIY subscriptions for the little guys out there trying to fix their 2003 Ford Focuses in the driveway. Either one of those stand out?

 

[F16CrewChief]

ive seen autozone is now selling annual subscriptions for one vehicle with alldata. can you save/print from alldata? basically buy a subscription and save everything for a particular make/model to your computer.

 

[Mxjr12]

I use shop key which is powered by Mitchell

 

[92integra]

We had all data at my shop for the longest time I did think it was to great we just switched to pro demand and I can't find **** on that thing.... I agree Mitchell has bad *** wiring diagrams but regular repair procedure I can't find ****

 

[T VETTE]

Mitchell is owned by Snap On.Mitchell has the better wiring diagrams than Alldata.With Mitchell and Alldata,you won't find any diagnostics for the Japanese and European makes,they don't let it out at all.

Are you sure about that Snap On statement??

 

[Skin]

Are you sure about that Snap On statement??

Unless something has changed they don't own them outright however they are indeed a majority owner in the company.

 

[blaynefossati]

mitchell *****,we have it at work and its too damn hard to navigate.

 

[efb16acrx]

We have shopkey at work, pain to navigate but overall ok. I'd hate it if I was flat rate.

 

[chickenhauler]

We had all data at my shop for the longest time I did think it was to great we just switched to pro demand and I can't find **** on that thing.... I agree Mitchell has bad *** wiring diagrams but regular repair procedure I can't find ****

I like Mitchell for wiring diagrams and labor times. I was taught wiring diagrams using it and prefer it over All Data. Although, All Data does seem to have better step my step instructions for installation and removal.

I switched from AllData to ShopKey last year and agree with both of those. In a perfect world, I'd have both, but I'll stick with ShopKey. After using it for 8 months, I do like the Shopkey Management software better than Alldata Manage. I'm not ever planning on switching back - even with the database conversion, it's still a pain in the ****.