anndel
Well-known member
Worth picking up? I'm currently using the Bluedriver and getting frustrated with the connect times connecting to either my iPhone/Android phone or ipad, sometimes up to 5 minutes. thanks
Autel Maxidas 708
- Thread starter anndel
- Start date
dnschmidt
Well-known member
For the money it's unbeatable.
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
The autel devices have a ton of features for the price. Unbeatable, actually.
But I hate Autel. Website doesn't list all their products (especially some of the smaller/cheaper units out there), and Autel support can't give you a straight answer on most of their products (see Autel MD802 All system vs 4 system, not even their own support has been able to give me a real answer on what is the different ability besides don't buy the 4 system in North America).
Finding a good comparison of the differences between their 30+ options is also next to impossible. And some literature contradicts other advertisements.
Furthermore, Autel will not support any of their products unless it is purchased through an authorized dealer. They provide no list that I can find of authorized dealers however, and everyone online claims they are authorized.
Which leads to horror stories of people spending $1000+ on one of the bigger units and being told that they will get no help or support from autel because it wasn't a model that was designated for the North America market and was purchased from an unauthorized outlet.
Plus you can buy straight from Autel in China (where they are based) and still not get an authorized unit (as some have had happen to them). Autel USA explanation is that the parent company is not authorized to directly sell units to the USA because it undercuts them.
To make things even better, Harbor Freight sells the MaxiDAS DS708 and HF corporate says they are an authorized dealer. Last time people from this forum checked with Autel USA on whether or not HF was an authorized dealer and Autel USA said no.
Maybe Autel has gotten their **** together, but they've been a cluster **** of a company to deal with for a lot of people. Take that as you will. The above is just a portion of the complaints people have had with Autel.
But I hate Autel. Website doesn't list all their products (especially some of the smaller/cheaper units out there), and Autel support can't give you a straight answer on most of their products (see Autel MD802 All system vs 4 system, not even their own support has been able to give me a real answer on what is the different ability besides don't buy the 4 system in North America).
Finding a good comparison of the differences between their 30+ options is also next to impossible. And some literature contradicts other advertisements.
Furthermore, Autel will not support any of their products unless it is purchased through an authorized dealer. They provide no list that I can find of authorized dealers however, and everyone online claims they are authorized.
Which leads to horror stories of people spending $1000+ on one of the bigger units and being told that they will get no help or support from autel because it wasn't a model that was designated for the North America market and was purchased from an unauthorized outlet.
Plus you can buy straight from Autel in China (where they are based) and still not get an authorized unit (as some have had happen to them). Autel USA explanation is that the parent company is not authorized to directly sell units to the USA because it undercuts them.
To make things even better, Harbor Freight sells the MaxiDAS DS708 and HF corporate says they are an authorized dealer. Last time people from this forum checked with Autel USA on whether or not HF was an authorized dealer and Autel USA said no.
Maybe Autel has gotten their **** together, but they've been a cluster **** of a company to deal with for a lot of people. Take that as you will. The above is just a portion of the complaints people have had with Autel.
Last edited:
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You may want to check with Autel to see how much longer they will support the 708 before spending your money.
You may want to check with Autel to see how much longer they will support the 708 before spending your money.
I bought one a couple of years ago and checked with their customer service prior to buying it and they said they had no plans of discontinuing it. As is mentioned above, I probably could have gotten a different answer the next day. My only complaint is the cost of updates after the first year. With the 20% coupon from HF the unit was around $850 and I think Autel wants almost $600 for a single year of updates.
I debated back and forth between this and AutoEnginuity and several people on here recommend the Autel.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
The USA thing is simple. ALL USA UNITS HAVE A Q IN THE SERIAL NUMBER. The Harbor Freight units all have the Q so that's where I bought mine and I've had no issues. This has been discussed to death here so do a search. Apparently Autel will issue updates until 2018 but really if the updates are $600 and the unit $800 who's going to update. Also, new cars are under warrantee so you're not going to be fixing new cars. When the DS708 dies I'll buy a Maxisys to replace it. For $900 you've got a bi-directional scan tool that damn near does every car on earth. As stated you can't beat it.
All the statements about Autel Customer Support are absolutely true. THEY ****. That stated you'll seldom need it and for the money nobody is really close.
All the statements about Autel Customer Support are absolutely true. THEY ****. That stated you'll seldom need it and for the money nobody is really close.
pl_silverado
Well-known member
You may want to check with Autel to see how much longer they will support the 708 before spending your money.
It's already discontinued. I wouldn't buy a new one. That being said, I have 15 used ones in stock I took in on trade I'd be willing to let go of relatively cheap.
I'm a factory distributor for Autel US.
The New MaxiSys 906 TS is the best deal out there at the moment. You get a full fledged TPMS tool built into the scanner.
smittyjones
Well-known member
How cheap do you mean when you say "relatively cheap"?
pl_silverado
Well-known member
Stay tuned. I'm going thru all of my used stuff and making sure everything works and replacing missing connectors. I will be posting them in the classifieds in the next couple days.
smittyjones
Well-known member
Thanks, will keep an eye out!
pl_silverado
Well-known member
They are posted!