difference between snap on solus edge and snap on solus Legend?

[volaredon]

as title says. I'd rather work on cars with a vacuum gauge, timing light and maybe a dwell tach. that stuff never changed/ or neeeded an update 2-3 times a year like a scanner. and the price they want for their updates is nothing short of highway robbery.

I bought a Solus Edge (one of the last ones left in the pipeline) nearly 2 years ago. S/O dealer said to expect support (updates, etc) for 6-7 years. but they wanted $1000 a year for updates. Ridiculous. I guess they have a subscription program, for about 1/2 price but it's $11/week on the truck account. Still ridiculous.
well yesterday the S/o guy walks in and asks if I've considered trading. supposedly at a dealers meeting they lowered the price on a Solus Legend. Anyways out of the blue he said he'd take my Edge back and sell me a Legend for $600 difference... including a new factory warranty on the new machine. I've been thinking of updating mine (but REALLY not wanting to spend even half of what they want for it.) I mean they plug a cord into it, push a few buttons and ****. Lotsa money gone. but I have recently had a couple of 2020s in that even with the latest 2020 update I really could not do much if anything. I'm a fleet mechanic for a state govt agency. the system they bought and handed out *****, nobody in the other state garages I have talked to likes them either, or can get them to work right. but they probably got some sort of "sweetheart deal" on them.
so anyways I grudgingly went ahead and traded my Edge for the Legend, I haven't yet had to do anything with the Legend. I figured it's a lil over half of the $1000 normal update fee and I have a brand new warranty again, "just in case"....
Anyone here run either? or Both? Thoughts on either?


The more things change, the more anxious I am to finish my project truck I have here in the garage so I can start driving it daily/ as soon as this winter ends and the salt is washed away.... an 85 Dodge D150 with (of all things) a Slant 6, which stays/ after an extensive rebuild, and upgrade for more power.
Hell, even Lean Burn wasn't "that bad" some days, and it was quite easily converted to something more reliable when it did dump. I'm actually still running that setup (for the time being) in my 78 Fury 2 door HT. though I have teh conversion parts on hand. Story on that for another time.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Legend includes motorcycle software. LOL I believe the legend also includes the DiOP? cable or however it's spelled. Ethernet capability or something, newer euros and some domestics want that now. Allows for a faster data transfer rate. Downside is you can't just jam a 20' OBDII extension cable on it, that 2020 volvo will no-comm. What unit did your employer buy out of curiosity? And what does it not do well?

If it is cheaper to purchase a new unit on trade-in, than update your current unit, the answer is obvious.


I'm more of a lab-scope guy myself. Works on all makes and models, new and old. Add in some pressure transducers and you can ditch the vacuum gauge too. Cursors on the secondary traces show dwell time, and RPM. Degree cursors between two firing lines can calculate degrees of crankshaft revolution which occur during the dwell.

 

[Htscheg]

I bought My legend specifically for the motorcycle aspect which has made me enough to pay for the machine so that said I like it!! Bonus is i can also work on my cars and truck

 

[AJHD]

I'm running the Solus Edge. Got the 2021 update for "free" (yeah, right) when I bought it. Been happy with it thus far, besides cringe every time I think of how expensive that fucker is. And I likely will never update it again, but I got a message a few days ago showing there is yet another update available. Also not sure as to the issue of "support or warranty", I'll cross that bridge if/when I come to it.

If I was going to update or trade-in, I'd look at the Apollo series. But I'm honestly not sure what the capability difference would be for that $5k price tag.

Having said that, I've not used the higher end after market scan tools but I went Snap On after trying about a half dozen Autel and Launch tools. Buggy Chinese garbage. One of the Launch tools nearly fried my ECM/TCM. The Solus Edge is the only tool I've used yet that actually just works.

 

[volaredon]

I see autel and launch advertised in trade mags at work, and have never seen one on a tool truck or elsewhere that I can hold in my hands and actually try. That is something that makes me definitely not interested in them
At work they got is "auto enginuity" and I have seen a lab scope pop up once, but we can't seem to get it to do hardly anything, I don't remember specifics but since I bought my own I haven't even opened that one up to look at it.

 

[volaredon]

My edge had Harley on it, never needed it. Not have I ever needed euro coverage which was something they made a big deal about with the legend.

 

[javyLSU]

I'm running the Solus Edge. Got the 2021 update for "free" (yeah, right) when I bought it. Been happy with it thus far, besides cringe every time I think of how expensive that fucker is. And I likely will never update it again, but I got a message a few days ago showing there is yet another update available. Also not sure as to the issue of "support or warranty", I'll cross that bridge if/when I come to it.

If I was going to update or trade-in, I'd look at the Apollo series. But I'm honestly not sure what the capability difference would be for that $5k price tag.

Having said that, I've not used the higher end after market scan tools but I went Snap On after trying about a half dozen Autel and Launch tools. Buggy Chinese garbage. One of the Launch tools nearly fried my ECM/TCM. The Solus Edge is the only tool I've used yet that actually just works.

Agreed. I wasn’t impressed with all the crashes and instability of the Launch stuff - Autel was better, but not as good as the Snap-on units I tried. I used a buddy’s Solus Legend, and I liked it until my dealer let me demo an Apollo D8. The coverage, stability, and speed of the Apollo really impressed me. I do like the Intelligent Diagnostics that narrows down which PIDs to look at, and the Sure Track, that’s helped a few times. Having TSBs and recalls right on the unit is nice too. The subscription is pricy so I’m not sure I’m going to renew after my “free” year of data expires, but I’m using it while I still can.

 

[toolenthusiast]

I'm a fleet mechanic for a state govt agency. the system they bought and handed out *****, nobody in the other state garages I have talked to likes them either, or can get them to work right. but they probably got some sort of "sweetheart deal" on them.
so anyways I grudgingly went ahead and traded my Edge for the Legend

I’m never the guy who says this, but why are you buying your own scan tool if you’re a fleet mechanic for the government? If the state doesn’t want to buy a good scan tool, they’re going to have to deal with slow repairs… or incorrect diagnoses… or dealer sublets… right?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Agreed. I wasn’t impressed with all the crashes and instability of the Launch stuff - Autel was better, but not as good as the Snap-on units I tried. I used a buddy’s Solus Legend, and I liked it until my dealer let me demo an Apollo D8. The coverage, stability, and speed of the Apollo really impressed me. I do like the Intelligent Diagnostics that narrows down which PIDs to look at, and the Sure Track, that’s helped a few times. Having TSBs and recalls right on the unit is nice too. The subscription is pricy so I’m not sure I’m going to renew after my “free” year of data expires, but I’m using it while I still can.

Counter point - my 20.2 solus legend could not control the purge valve on a 2016 jeep today. Autel had no issue. Actually the autel had the same worthless test for "proportional purge valve" in its test menu which seemed to actually just make the electric throttle body wiggle and clack around. But the autel also had "EVAP purge valve control", which actually did control the purge valve. I have not used a high end launch product, so no comment there.

IMO if one is going to run one, and only one scan tool, it's tough not to look at snap on. Especially if one is going without service info as well. Another big one is the built in scope, although I know autel is now has a scope built into the VCI of their top of the line stuff. Guided component test, troubleshooter, it goes on - snap on makes a strong product. But in my experience, you will be left behind using a snap on device vs. an autel. Snap on graphs better IMO with higher resolution or sample rate than the autel in general. Snap on is faster. But the autel does more. I've certainly been in situations where the snap-on does something better or simply has an additional bi-directional. But more often than not, if one tool is missing a feature, it's the snap on. I find both to be equally buggy. Snap on needs a hard reset most times, autel I can just relaunch the scanner software. Autel also has a much superior mode $6 decoding in generic mode - shows all the self test items on one giant chart.

I’m never the guy who says this, but why are you buying your own scan tool if you’re a fleet mechanic for the government? If the state doesn’t want to buy a good scan tool, they’re going to have to deal with slow repairs… or incorrect diagnoses… or dealer sublets… right?

If he works piece-work, it may be more profitable overall to buy a scan tool.

I always wanted to play with auto enginuity - it looks powerful, but clunky to use.

 

[volaredon]

you guys apparently aren't familiar with the screwed up ways in Illinois, are you?
I've supposedly been approved for a new tire machine-- and its supposed to have been on the way, for 3 YEARS! been nothing but wasted Email space about that so, far.

They got me a new scanner a few years ago, but it is a piece of **** setup (the Autoenginuity) that we can't seem to get worked out. I still use the "only good to 2014" OTC Genisys when I can, that we have wanted updated since it went out of date. It's had 1 update since I have worked there. I can only "cheat" the machine so much to get it to do as I need.

I’m never the guy who says this, but why are you buying your own scan tool if you’re a fleet mechanic for the government? If the state doesn’t want to buy a good scan tool, they’re going to have to deal with slow repairs… or incorrect diagnoses… or dealer sublets… right?

sometimes I gotta do what I gotta do, just to be able to do my job. I'm the only mechanic at this location. I do get tired of hearing how many guys "used to work here" at any given time.
and also I won't get in trouble for taking something I OWN (my scanner in this case) home if I get a side job....

I had a bunch more in here about life in Illinois, that is true for everyone here (not good things either) highest taxes, nobody's vote for or against anything outside the city limits of Chicago, mean a damn, even for the rest of the state/ even being 100 or more miles away from that $#!thole// but I was in a pretty good mood when I came to GJ today and want to keep that way, don't want to be PO'd today.... so I deleted most of it... don't get me started on that. Being a state employee, just amplifies things and makes them more obvious to see.....

 

[volaredon]

Counter point - my 20.2 solus legend could not control the purge valve on a 2016 jeep today. Autel had no issue. Actually the autel had the same worthless test for "proportional purge valve" in its test menu which seemed to actually just make the electric throttle body wiggle and clack around. But the autel also had "EVAP purge valve control", which actually did control the purge valve. I have not used a high end launch product, so no comment there.

IMO if one is going to run one, and only one scan tool, it's tough not to look at snap on. Especially if one is going without service info as well. Another big one is the built in scope, although I know autel is now has a scope built into the VCI of their top of the line stuff. Guided component test, troubleshooter, it goes on - snap on makes a strong product. But in my experience, you will be left behind using a snap on device vs. an autel. Snap on graphs better IMO with higher resolution or sample rate than the autel in general. Snap on is faster. But the autel does more. I've certainly been in situations where the snap-on does something better or simply has an additional bi-directional. But more often than not, if one tool is missing a feature, it's the snap on. I find both to be equally buggy. Snap on needs a hard reset most times, autel I can just relaunch the scanner software. Autel also has a much superior mode $6 decoding in generic mode - shows all the self test items on one giant chart.



If he works piece-work, it may be more profitable overall to buy a scan tool.

I always wanted to play with auto enginuity - it looks powerful, but clunky to use.

I have never seen a Launch or an Autel, other than pictures of them. The snap on an OTC Genisys, I can actually see and touch and feel and try out I have no idea who sells Launch or Autel. They may well be the biggest and teh baddest// but if I can't buy them, if I can't try one or buy one or play with one locally, that does me absolutely no damn good. I can't use a piece of equipment, just by opening a trade magazine and look at the picture of it. so I got what I have ready access and support for.

 

[toolenthusiast]

If he works piece-work, it may be more profitable overall to buy a scan tool.

That’s what I’m getting at. I don’t imagine that a government fleet mechanic is FHR, it seems like they would be salary. In any situation where you have techs maintaining an internal fleet, you would want them on salary so they are not penalized for keeping the fleet well-maintained and on the road.

 

[volaredon]

no it's not a flat **** based pay system here. it's salary, is right. but we have to track our day, and fill out our daily time/ as if it were a flat **** pay scale. If we don't "average 100%" based quarterly, there is a "discipline scale" attached/ from a "talking to," to a writeup to a 2nd writeup to "see ya" for a 4th quarter of not meeting that. I honestly think I'd get more done in a day than I do, if it wasn't that way. I mean, I can't leave early and get paid for the day, if I have my tally in before I have been there my 8-1/2 hours.

but for me to be able to do my job when it involves a check engine light, I'm screwed and can hardly do anything with the majority of the fleet with what work provides me. and though the higher ups ask for feedback from the regional garages it is mostly wasted breath/ or bandwith in the case of Email. My Edge was updated to 20.2 and I thought the same as was listed above that I was "never" gonna update it when I got it. I got it with 20.1 and my S-O guy waited to register it after I bought it since he knew that 20.2 was close to being out when I bought the Edge, if he would have registered it to me from Day 1, I would have had to pay for 20.2 so he registered it to me (which effectively extended the warranty on it too) the day he said 20.2 was out and he installed that.
When he told me about the deal on the Legend, he also told me that the latest update had "just" come out/ and he put that in right from the S/O truck, when I got the legend/// before I ever got to touch it. he said I was "3 updates behind" on the Edge.

 

[Bennylava]

I had a bunch more in here about life in Illinois, that is true for everyone here (not good things either) highest taxes, nobody's vote for or against anything outside the city limits of Chicago, mean a damn, even for the rest of the state/ even being 100 or more miles away from that $#!thole// but I was in a pretty good mood when I came to GJ today and want to keep that way, don't want to be PO'd today.... so I deleted most of it... don't get me started on that. Being a state employee, just amplifies things and makes them more obvious to see.....

Get outta there! Move out of that corrupt hell hole state.

 

[volaredon]

wish I could afford to. Would have to pay for 2 places at a time during the process of the move. NO WAY I can.

 

[Bennylava]

wish I could afford to. Would have to pay for 2 places at a time during the process of the move. NO WAY I can.

If you own, sell and move into apartment. Ditch out on the last rent or take advantage of what must be ridiculous squatter's rights there in that sorry state. That way it's like you've generated some free time you didn't have to pay for, in order to complete the move.

 

[egdede]

Yeah move to Texas after you scam your landlord in Illinois. They have no income taxes in Texas and their property taxes (while amongst the highest in America) are still lower than Illinois'. And you can carry a gun!

 

[volaredon]

I'm not a renter. That would make things easier. Stuck in a mortgage.

 

[volaredon]

and more back on subject of the post/ 2 days ago I was asked to go by a diesel shop nearby, my son is friends with the owners/ and look at a gas powered truck they have there. 99 C3500 HD, 454 engine. I get there and they have a Solus "Ultimate" on the seat of said truck. Definitely an older model, looks like it has been thru WWIII, it was ROUGH. I never tried to use it, didn't need to, for what they wanted to know my thoughts on, pertaining to this truck. (which would take a whole novel of a thread in its own right, not going there right now)
Point being... Original Solus (which I have had) then Solus Edge (which I have had) Solus Legend (which I now have) and now I see a Solus Ultimate..... W T F? all look like basically the same unit....
My current Legend has even more stuff on it I will probably never use, my Edge had Harley programmed in, this one has many more motorcycle stuff.

I wish I could trade the motorcycle info within its memory banks and the Euro piece o'**** vehicle info, for more specific manufacturer specific stuff from the domestic brands..... kind of like wishing that domestic vehicles still used SAE fasteners, exclusively.......

 

[AJHD]

I wish I could trade the motorcycle info within its memory banks and the Euro piece o'**** vehicle info, for more specific manufacturer specific stuff from the domestic brands..... kind of like wishing that domestic vehicles still used SAE fasteners, exclusively.......

Yeah, I'm in much the same boat. Even when I worked in a shop, I avoided euro cars as much as possible.
I guess it's nice to have the capability for those "just in case" situations, but I do wish there was more control over or options for these scan tools in regards to what gets loaded on it.

I'd even like to see maybe a domestic option, an import/Asian option, a euro option, a motorcycle option, etc. Sort of an "a 'la carte" system, only paying for what you really need/use/want. Maybe even similar options for features of the tool itself.