I've been promoted in my job and need to step up to a better scan tool. The one's the Tool Guys bring around are neat and nice and though I'm heavily leaning towards the Matco MaxMe. But I'd rather have one PC based if I can. What software are you guys using?
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Best PC Based Scan Tool Software?
- Thread starter krjcook
- Start date
jerseykat1
Well-known member
the matco maxme is a launch based scan tool..You need to find out if you will like launch. I personally am not a fan of the monthly subscription idea. But im sure it works for a lot of people.
As far as PC based goes. I would like to know as well.
As far as PC based goes. I would like to know as well.
I have AutoEnginuity which I think is really the only serious game in town. The UI is cumbersome and its up to you to figure everything out. There is no automated tutorial which would of been nice. Also the functionality can be hit/miss and you have to deal with lugging around your laptop. Few other negatives is that its very slow to load so if you just want to clear codes its the wrong tool. Lastly they do software interface upgrades and for some reason it shoe-horns you into paying the upgrade costs on your enhancements. For example Win8.1 broke the software for awhile (literally if your laptop was 8.1 you either needed to rollback or you couldn't use it), they fixed that compatibility issue and released a couple more versions, well I asked for the latest software and they tell me I have to upgrade my enhancements package (which is already up to 2013 model years) for another X hundred dollars for me to use the newest software.
So basically its pay us for enhancement unlocks you don't need or your existing version is literally bricked. To put it another way lets say OTC/Launch/Snap-On makes a scan tool, a year later forces you to upgrade to fix bugs but bricks the unit until you pay. Kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I shot their CSRs a message and did get it sorted for the time being but that's just a warning. The upgrade costs are cheap enough that shops wont care but for me its the principle especially since I believe one of the selling points was that Software/UI upgrades were always going to be free.
I also use a couple of the newer touch based scan tools and older Snap-On units and have to say I prefer them when fiddling in a vehicle. Its just more intuitive and Snap-On in particular has their troubleshooter and connector pin-outs right there for you as well. On the downside a lot of them cost a lot more than a full AE subscription which I think is around $1200 but they are almost all faster than AE, more intuitive than AE, and assuming they've been out for more than a year or two, less buggy. When I say less buggy I often encounter, in AE, functionality tests that they list but aren't necessarily supported either in the Software yet or the vehicle model simply never supports it to begin with. Its quite common.
You get a lot for your money with AutoEnginuity but im not sure there is any other benefit over a dedicated scan tool since there have been a lot of instances where it has cost me productivity.
So basically its pay us for enhancement unlocks you don't need or your existing version is literally bricked. To put it another way lets say OTC/Launch/Snap-On makes a scan tool, a year later forces you to upgrade to fix bugs but bricks the unit until you pay. Kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I shot their CSRs a message and did get it sorted for the time being but that's just a warning. The upgrade costs are cheap enough that shops wont care but for me its the principle especially since I believe one of the selling points was that Software/UI upgrades were always going to be free.
I also use a couple of the newer touch based scan tools and older Snap-On units and have to say I prefer them when fiddling in a vehicle. Its just more intuitive and Snap-On in particular has their troubleshooter and connector pin-outs right there for you as well. On the downside a lot of them cost a lot more than a full AE subscription which I think is around $1200 but they are almost all faster than AE, more intuitive than AE, and assuming they've been out for more than a year or two, less buggy. When I say less buggy I often encounter, in AE, functionality tests that they list but aren't necessarily supported either in the Software yet or the vehicle model simply never supports it to begin with. Its quite common.
You get a lot for your money with AutoEnginuity but im not sure there is any other benefit over a dedicated scan tool since there have been a lot of instances where it has cost me productivity.
Last edited:
737mechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2010
- Messages
- 205
http://easescantool.com/
Never used it but have read many people talk about it. Has bidirectional capability Kinda expensive though.
Never used it but have read many people talk about it. Has bidirectional capability Kinda expensive though.
vette-kid
Well-known member
Im not a pro, so I have no idea if this fits the bill for you, but I have used their products in the past and was happy with them...figured I would give them a push here.
http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/index.php
http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/index.php
mdtaylorjr
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2015
- Messages
- 37
I use the autel maxisys it uses a wireless tablet that can be used anywhere around the car. Plug in the Vci connect and set the tablet under hood while you check stuff. And the software is pretty good also with full bi-directional controls and free weekly updates for a year included.
mnoeltne
Well-known member
I'm using the Auterra software and it does the job for me. But, as an amateur home mechanic, I really haven't been able to compare it to AutoEnginuity and the others.
JonnyMac
Well-known member
I would consider eepod.com
But you also need to consider the ways in which pc based vs stand alone tools differ.
For ********* investigative work the pc is the way to go as they are a functionally speaking a CAN reader. However they dont have the same levels of built in functions as a stand alone tool or model specific program. The things like key reprogramming or dpf forced regen are not something which pc based stuff generally have. Either way ive used eepod many times and they are very good and perform well..
But you also need to consider the ways in which pc based vs stand alone tools differ.
For ********* investigative work the pc is the way to go as they are a functionally speaking a CAN reader. However they dont have the same levels of built in functions as a stand alone tool or model specific program. The things like key reprogramming or dpf forced regen are not something which pc based stuff generally have. Either way ive used eepod many times and they are very good and perform well..
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Why use a computer when you can get the computer with the scan tool. For less than $1000 you can get an Autel MaxiDAS and that ends the discussion. For the money it's the nuts.
smittyjones
Well-known member
Why use a computer when you can get the computer with the scan tool. For less than $1000 you can get an Autel MaxiDAS and that ends the discussion. For the money it's the nuts.
I really seriously thought about getting the MaxiDAS for a while. I ended up deciding to get something much cheaper, didn't feel like I needed to spend the money on bidirectional for as infrequently as I need it.
MaxiDAS uses Windows CE, which is like the Diet Coke of Windows. It may not support other things they need in their shop (like MPi or similar)
dnschmidt
Well-known member
If you buy the complete AutoEnginuity it cost as much as the MaxiDas. Nothing has better coverage than the MaxiDas. By the time you buy all of the makes for AutoEnginuity they both cost the same. Then additionally you have to buy a computer for AutoEnginuity.
anndel
Well-known member
I tried the Snap On Verus Pro and like it very much but the $10,000 price tag chokes me up.