atikovi
Well-known member
Don't get hung up on updates. Unless you work on late model cars, it's not important. If you have a 2002 Cavalier or even a 2012 Cruze, you don't need any updates if the tool works fine on those now.
bi directional scan tool.
- Thread starter billconner
- Start date
JOE.G
Well-known member
Do all of the higher level scanners allow you to reset HVAC blend doors? ABS Bleed? Program keys? With All these choices it gets confusing? Would it be better to buy a used snap on? Even then it gets confusing with all of the models.
atikovi
Well-known member
Higher level scan tools are supposed to mimic the factory tools except for some security enhanced procedures.
JOE.G
Well-known member
I guess it would make it easier for me if there was a certain tool that most liked but its all over the place.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nothing wrong with "send me a link"
Sure. I've got a CS2000 with a cartridge because it's specific to an older application.
However, most people have intentions of getting a new car at some point and helping friends/family.
atikovi
Well-known member
New car is under warranty for 3 or 4 years so by the time you need it, a newer and better tool will be out. With that said, the one I bought in 2018 works great on my 2020 Toyota.
By that logic, why
Why buy a new tool at all then? Restrict oneself to the highest year owned. Get a nice used 2012 unit for your 2012 car. No need to pay for all those extra premium years.
atikovi
Well-known member
Because a used 2012 unit will be slow and clumsy and probably have a smaller screen and not be wireless. My post was about the concern for updates, not the age of the tool.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Your issue will.be secure gateways, any added features for older models, and some online configuration stuff. The later often wants current software, and without current software you'll be locked out of Chrysler group bidirectional. You need current software and autoauth
JOE.G
Well-known member
Which ones of these would do HVAC/Blend door calibrations? Its difficult choosing a scanner, I don't want to pay a lot and find out it doesn't have certain features.
At least for Autel their product coverage checker is very good at showing what procedures and routines are available for a given model.
Vehicle Coverage | AUTEL
www.autel.com
Rusted Nut
Well-known member
Not all features of a particular Autel tool will work on all vehicles. Best to call Autel tech support to verify if a specific function of a specific tool will work on your particular vehicle.
JOE.G
Well-known member
Thats one of the problems with having a bunch of different vehicle manufactures in one fleet, I have quite a wide range.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
I know Ivan, I have met Ivan personally (last time was at Automechanika in Chicago). He and Keith DeFazio are the best of the best both as diagnosticians and as human beings. If he says it then that's the way it is.Shop around and you might find one of these for around $600
Phoenix Lite 2
The Phoenix Lite 2 is TOPDON’s new compact pro-level scan tool. This tool is designed to be streamlined and deployable. When technicians have jobs outside the shop or jobs need to be resolved fast, the Phoenix Lite 2 is up to the task. With a robust array of special functions, online coding, and...www.topdon.us
Ivan always gives good advice on Amazon purchased scan tools
richfinn
Well-known member
Redraptor
Well-known member
That's quite a collection of tools. Instead of creating a new thread I just want to ask that these Autel devices sold on Amazon with model numbers and features NOT listed on the Autel website are legit? Are they upgraded old stock? I emailed Autel and asked but haven't gotten an official responce.The Launch tech that you're dealing with is wrong. If the Autel scan tool is registerable via the Autel website, then it's a legit tool. Autel North America is located in New York. Google it, then go to street view to see the big fancy building for yourself. Sure, there may also be another office in CA, but Autel North America headquartered is in New York. Do you really think Amazon allows the sale of counterfeit tools through their website? They don't. And if some bad guys eventually make their way onto the Amazon platform, they certainly wouldn't last very long before Amazon boots them right back off. Amazon is VERY strict when it comes to enforcing their policies.... the LAST thing a legitimate seller on Amazon wants to do is lose their ability to ever sell on Amazon again. Legit Amazon sellers are legit. And lastly, you have absolutely nothing to worry about when buying from Amazon. They offer free returns on 99.8% of everything sold on their site. If I buy a defective tool on Amazon, I simply send it back for a refund, or a replacement. I purchase many things from Amazon. I place an order probably 2-3 times per week. I have made many returns back to them and there has NEVER been a problem with any of my returns.... Regardless if it was sold BY Amazon, or if it was a private seller on Amazon. Amazon has the best return policy, and best return procedure on the entire internet.
Now, buying from various other Chinese websites is a completely different story. If you see a certain Autel scan tool on *** website that you've never heard of before, and it's listed $20 bucks cheaper than the same tool on Amazon...... BUYER BEWARE. Don't be stupid when shopping on-line and you will probably be just fine. If someone buys a $750 scan tool from a website that nobody has heard of, then that person probably deserves to lose their money.
I have included a screenshot of MY Autel account. I have 9 scan tools registered with them between my Autel and OTOFIX tools. TRUST ME when I say, fake or counterfeit tools will be rejected when trying to register them on the REAL Autel website. Fake tools will not make it past this first step in using a new tool. Every one of my 9 tools that are registered on the Autel site came from Amazon.
Stuff I've been looking at,
atikovi
Well-known member
My guess is they are legit in China and sold by Chinese sellers, but Autel will not provide any support or warranty in the U.S.
Which tool isn't listed on the Autel website?
This is the Autel page, on the Autel website for the Autel MK808TS that you were asking about: https://www.autel.com/mk2/3230.jhtml
Like I said before, if the tool is registerable on the official Autel website, then it's an official Autel tool. As mentioned in my previous post ALL NINE of my Autel tools are registered on the official Autel website, and ALL NINE of them came from Amazon.
Sure, some dealers won't provide service unless you purchased the tool from them, but that doesn't mean the tool is fake, it just means the DEALER won't help you. It's like buying a new car, when you bring it in for service, the first thing they ask is... "did you buy it here?". In fact, I have a personal car in the dealer RIGHT NOW getting service work done under warranty, and that is exactly the first question they asked me when I made the appointment. It's just dealers being dealers....
All these people who talk bad about Autel tools from China must not realize that Autel IS a Chinese company, and their headquarters are IN China..... even the Autel tools sold in the USA by USA dealers are made in the Autel factory in China.
And lastly, if buying a scan tool from Amazon makes you nervous, then buy one from a USA dealer... Problem solved.
atikovi
Well-known member
Yes they are made in China by a Chinese company but there are different distribution channels they don't want you to go around. The tool that sells for $1000 in the U.S. might sell for $500 in a third world country because Autel figures that is all that that market will bear. If U.S. customers went directly to the sellers in countries selling them for $500, the U.S. sellers would be pretty annoyed, and so would Autel since they aren't maximizing their profits.
Like I said... It's dealers being dealers.
And again, if buying an Autel scan tool from Amazon makes you nervous, or doesn't seem right to you, then buy it from a USA dealer. It's that simple. BUT, just know, the Autel scan tools sold on Amazon are not "fake".
Redraptor
Well-known member
Thanks for the link. I was on a different site but seemed legit to me.
Diagnostic Tools | Autel
autel.com
I want a scanner that's bi-directional, does ABS brake bleeding, and advanced TPMS. Seems like The MK808 or MP808 will do the job.
If you want advanced TPMS, then you need to buy a scan tool specifically marketed and sold with full TPMS capabilities. Most scan tools (even higher end tools) don't always include full TPMS capabilities. The MK808TS that you originally asked about appears to have TPMS ability.... hence the TS on the end of the model. (MK808TS) ABS brake bleeding will be a part of just about any "tablet style" scan tool these days.Thanks for the link. I was on a different site but seemed legit to me.
Diagnostic Tools | Autel
I want a scanner that's bi-directional, does ABS brake bleeding, and advanced TPMS. Seems like The MK808 or MP808 will do the job.
Honestly, unless you're a tire guy and you plan to do a lot of tire work, I'd spend the extra money on the next size up.... something in the new 900 series of Autel scan tools, but a NON TS model. Most tire guys use stand alone TPMS tools for programming sensors, etc. I don't do tire work so TPMS ability doesn't mean much to me.
What year, make/model?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
You're not programming anything with a scan tool. A blank module typically needs a J2534 interface. Some newer systems have "programable module installation" where the scan tool can **** the build data out of the old.module and put it into the new one. Very select coverage here, its not a free pass to forever avoid programming. That and the old module needs to work and communicate.
If it's old.enough, it's plug and play.
If it's old.enough, it's plug and play.
Its a 2004 Silverado 2500 2WD gas. I was thinking the bidirectional scanners would act as the J2534, and that if I saved money replacing the module myself I could apply that savings to the scanner cost. This would be for DIY so costs at or above $1K are beyond reasonable.