Autel - Question before purchase

[dmaxfireman]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my code reader to a real scan tool. I was looking seriously at an Autel DS808 as from what I read it will fit my needs and leave plenty of room for growth.

I talked to a friend who claimed to have on several years ago and said that if I did not maintain the updates every year then some features would be disabled. Is this true? I had planned to not purchase any updates until I find the need to but will change my mind on scan tool brand if this is the case.

This will be a home use tool not professional or daily use.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[39CAMC]

Correct , you have to purchase the updates yearly. You can find them discounted quite a bit...i think mine were $300 instead of $500

DaveW

 

[uncwstudent]

My Autel updates are free so I'm not sure what you have to pay for. I've never paid a dime for them. Also, ai can choose which car brands I want to update. Love my Autel scanner even if the interface isn't great.

 

[gotwheels]

UNCWstudent, Which Autel scanner do you have and what vehicles have you used it on? Thanks

 

[bigdav160]

I have two 908's at the shop. I have never noticed any disabled features by not updating. One unit is from 2015

 

[dmaxfireman]

Thanks for the info everyone. Found a local deal on an Ethos Edge with 18.4 I could not pass up on this morning. Got it for less than a new DS808.