Ok I am looking to buy a scanner for work because we only have 2 tech 2's at work, one of them doesnt work properly and with 10 guys its hard to get one to use, and since I do most of the used cars I need something that can scan more than gm (the shop use to have a solus but it got stolen), I have been looking on flebay and found the snap on mt2500 which I know is older but they are less expensive and I can find them with many of the cartridges included, through sep I can get an ethos for 1,300 but thats still high for me I dont imagine you can finance it like on the tool truck, I have seen a couple of innova scan tools on sears' website they look nice but I dont know anyone that has one so I dont know the quality, any suggestions would be great
Diagnostic Scanners
- Thread starter Ducroix
- Start date
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I use PC-based software and a USB-OBDII/CAN cable. I only use VAG-COM at work and it does me just fine. Better than spending loads on scanners that do the same job.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The MT2500 is a great platform for older cars but, it's going to fall off the edge of the earth soon and will no longer be supported by snap on. Alot of it depends on what you want to spend. If you just need something to see why the check engine light is on, take a look at the OTC Nemisys or some of the other scan tools from OTC, Autoxray, Innova, etc. without bidirectional controls. Shop around. There are some nice PC based tools such as autoenginuity. You can probably find something for half the price of a new Ethos that will service your domestic used car needs. Just make sure it's updatable and CAN capable.
Even Sears has one now.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...nics+Tools&sName=Automotive+Testing+Equipment
Even Sears has one now.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...nics+Tools&sName=Automotive+Testing+Equipment
Like Fedwrench said the mt2500 is a good scanner but will no longer be supported by Snap On, no more updates or anything! Your dealer might possibly have a used solus someone has traded in on a Modis, and with the new verus coming out someone might trade in there solus to upgrade and you might get a good deal on one with truck financing. I would stay away from the Ethos, but thats just me. Ethos has no bi-directional controls, no trouble shooter just codes and data from what I undertand. If you have a laptop you might look at autoenginuity.
Forget the MT2500, SO will no longer support after spring 09; that is why they are so cheap on evil-bay.
Most scan tools are going to PC based software, so that is what I would recommend. If you have a laptop, look into the autoenginuity software Pro bundle. The most bang for the buck and with bi-directional controls on many makes and models. These guys are on top of the latest changes well before SO or OTC.
Most scan tools are going to PC based software, so that is what I would recommend. If you have a laptop, look into the autoenginuity software Pro bundle. The most bang for the buck and with bi-directional controls on many makes and models. These guys are on top of the latest changes well before SO or OTC.
So would you say something like this would probably do,
http://www.iequus.com/product_info.php?product_id=3140&category_id=1_10_7
http://www.iequus.com/product_info.php?product_id=3140&category_id=1_10_7
Hoot
Well-known member
I'm interested in the 3140 myself. It runs about $210 - $220 on Amazon. My opinion is that it will do more than the other scanners in that price range. But comes up short compared to the computer based scanner software that's out there. But the software providers charge quite a bit for "coverage" (more makes/models covered = more money) and also for updates.
As a weekend mechanic, I think the 3140 will fit my needs. If not, I've only invested $200.
As a weekend mechanic, I think the 3140 will fit my needs. If not, I've only invested $200.
Please, refresh my memory about the bi directional controls, is that where you can test system components? I have a matco branded otc nemisys and I know that it is not bi directional and that is why I was considering upgrading to possibly a solus in the future.
As far as the mt2500 they are becoming extinct, fedwrench and autotech summed them up. THe only thing I want to add is that my snap on dealer said on can systems they are basically just a code reader.
chammyman
Well-known member
I have used a fair few including blue tooth ones which are rubbish.
I used the modis everyday and occasianally the solus.
TBH out your own pocket then I'd say the solus.
I used the modis everyday and occasianally the solus.
TBH out your own pocket then I'd say the solus.
Merkava_4
Banned
You're going to have to have a fairly rugged laptop for using it as a scanner aren't you? The IBM Thinkpad is the only one I can think of that might survive a shop environment.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
You're going to have to have a fairly rugged laptop for using it as a scanner aren't you? The IBM Thinkpad is the only one I can think of that might survive a shop environment.
toughbook...
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I have an old PC laptop with windows 98 on it... I was hoping (at some point) to find software to turn it into a diagnostic scanner. Other than that, it just pretty much is a doorstop.
It's too bad that they don't make this software for Mac. That would kick ***!
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
I have them supply the scanners
back in the day we didn't have scanners , just flash diagnostics and a multimeter
used tech 2 with candi is in the 2g range
I still would rather spend that on iron
back in the day we didn't have scanners , just flash diagnostics and a multimeter
used tech 2 with candi is in the 2g range
I still would rather spend that on iron
bowlofturtle
Well-known member
its really a tough call on scanners. so many out there... for me being the weekend DIY type of guy.
i only have 2 options...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EQUU...009QQitemZ190245499929QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
the 3140 for $210 shipped
or
http://www.autoenginuity.com/products.html
the basic scan tool from them for $250.
i would imagine i can do a whole lot more with the laptop based one. But its not exactly 100% portable as having a scanner. i'm a weekend DIY. so i wont exactly run into too many things as i would at the dealership.
i'm really **** between the 2.
i only have 2 options...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EQUU...009QQitemZ190245499929QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
the 3140 for $210 shipped
or
http://www.autoenginuity.com/products.html
the basic scan tool from them for $250.
i would imagine i can do a whole lot more with the laptop based one. But its not exactly 100% portable as having a scanner. i'm a weekend DIY. so i wont exactly run into too many things as i would at the dealership.
i'm really **** between the 2.
OEMs are being very tight with the release of bi-directional software to aftermarket scan tool manufacturers for CAN. No one wants to pay the big $s to buy it yet
palaina59
Member
Snappy has fairly good "All Around" coverage for the cars in the North American market. If you need bi-directional controls, go with a Solus Pro as the Ethos does not support it. Also, another reason to go with the Solus Pro is that the last software update for the MT2500 is 9.2 which I think is getting released next year, around March/April.
I tried Auto-Enginuity and wasn't too impressed with what I saw. That was a year ago, and they may have improved their product. Pico which is the PC based lab scope, I did like its feature set, and resolution of the traces.
If you were happy with the Solus, then go with the Solus Pro.
I tried Auto-Enginuity and wasn't too impressed with what I saw. That was a year ago, and they may have improved their product. Pico which is the PC based lab scope, I did like its feature set, and resolution of the traces.
If you were happy with the Solus, then go with the Solus Pro.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
The Solus Pro is a good machine. I don't like the personality key thing though, not sure why they couldn't just build that in.
yeah it's for testing system components. such as cooling fans,fuel pump, EGR selenoids, idle air control, injector balance testing etc. Then you have transmission test ,body module test ,ABS test. It just speeds up the diagnostic time, tells you if the problem is on the input or output side of the circuit.
Thanks autotech and jay50 for answering my question, have either of you used the solus? Is it a decent scan tool for the money? I really like the troubleshooting that snap on has with their scan tools, that is the downside with my scanner. Also, doesn't the solus actually tell you what the ranges are for the sensor that you are testing?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Whichever scan tool you buy, remember to consider the price of updates when making your initial purchase. Snap on makes great platforms but, their updates are also expensive. Secondly, using anything other than an OE scan tool is a compromise at best. This is especially true when working on Body control systems, ABS, SRS, and the newer instrument clusters.
As diagnostic platforms continue to evolve and move towards being PC based, you may not be able to get as long of a service life out of a scan tool as in the past. Take the famous Snap on MT2500 red brick for example. When it stops being updated next year, it will have assisted mechanics for more than 20 years fixing computer controlled vehicles. Where snap on only had one scan tool, they now have the Ethos, Solus, Modis, and Versus. You may want to look at getting a lower end scan tool that will serve your purposes now with a smaller investment and updating to something else later as your needs change. As technologies changes so will their diagnostic platforms. I think you'll be lucky to get 10 years out of a scan tool in the future.
As diagnostic platforms continue to evolve and move towards being PC based, you may not be able to get as long of a service life out of a scan tool as in the past. Take the famous Snap on MT2500 red brick for example. When it stops being updated next year, it will have assisted mechanics for more than 20 years fixing computer controlled vehicles. Where snap on only had one scan tool, they now have the Ethos, Solus, Modis, and Versus. You may want to look at getting a lower end scan tool that will serve your purposes now with a smaller investment and updating to something else later as your needs change. As technologies changes so will their diagnostic platforms. I think you'll be lucky to get 10 years out of a scan tool in the future.
Merkava_4
Banned
What's nice about the Tech II is that it will tell you what the computer is seeing in ways of what the sensors are reporting to the computer; and it will also allow you to control the engine speed right from the scanner; that's useful for checking EGR operation.
QUOTE=toolfreak;271300]Thanks autotech and jay50 for answering my question, have either of you used the solus? Is it a decent scan tool for the money? I really like the troubleshooting that snap on has with their scan tools, that is the downside with my scanner. Also, doesn't the solus actually tell you what the ranges are for the sensor that you are testing?[/QUOTE]
The shop has a solus and I have a Modis, and I think there a good scan tool for the money. My Modis has made me alot of money and help me fix alot of cars! The troubleshooter is a good part of the snap on scanners. In troubleshooter you have code tips, symptom tips, test procedures (for testing sensors), techincal assistance for manufacture TSB's. Theres a ton of imformation in troubleshooter for engine, abs, transmission, and now there adding troubleshooter for body modules on some vehicles! Fedwrench made a great point about cost of updates when purchasing a scan tool because they can get very expensive.
The shop has a solus and I have a Modis, and I think there a good scan tool for the money. My Modis has made me alot of money and help me fix alot of cars! The troubleshooter is a good part of the snap on scanners. In troubleshooter you have code tips, symptom tips, test procedures (for testing sensors), techincal assistance for manufacture TSB's. Theres a ton of imformation in troubleshooter for engine, abs, transmission, and now there adding troubleshooter for body modules on some vehicles! Fedwrench made a great point about cost of updates when purchasing a scan tool because they can get very expensive.
I would love a modis but out of my price range for no more than I do. I priced the updates a few weeks ago and it was more than I thought it would be per year, when I asked about updated every couple years I think it was going to be $800.
gibbon_guy
Well-known member
Where can you get Autoenguity?
As far as the scanner part the Modis and the Solus are the same! Same troubleshooter, and system coverage.
