Launch scan tool any techs got one

[oilslick]

I have been researching an upgrade for the shops solus pro scan tool and found this brand Launch from you guessed it CHINA. Guess they have the advantage of stealing anything they need with no chance of getting in trouble as far as information that is. Anyway I plan to demo one from Napa soon and I will see for myself I guess,

 

[slowz32]

I have the Launch CReader V. For a cheap basic scan tool it works good. On a completely different level then the solus though.

 

[oilslick]

I am looking at one that is PDA based.

 

[adamturbo]

I've used the one we have at work (we also have a Snap-on Solus Pro and a OTC Genisys) and I've found it has somewhat better support on certain imports but it is so damn slow to use. Lately I've just been reaching for the Solus and I think they managed to return the Genisys, cause it was more-or-less pure ****. I got to play around with a friends Snap-on Verdict...I can't imagine any scanner being better than that, but the price reflects that.

 

[xurusaibobx]

cant beat the support from Baum Scanner i use at work best for european and asian cars which i find nobody else can even come close with support on european cars.

 

[Skyline]

I got a Launch Book recently, (one of their mid-priced scan tools). So far, I tried one job with it, to scan a CEL on my son's 95 z28 and it failed miserably. Could not communicate with the car at all, even though the software showed the car and engine. Spoke to their tech support, and they had no clue whether it should work or not. Now this car is a bit tricky, as it's OBDI with an OBDII connector, but I never had a problem reading it with Modus, Solus or Verdict.

Also, all the software and manuals are written in a quasi English...like the whole thing was translated from Chinese using Bablefish.

Friend of mine has a higher end model (x431), and he claims it's pretty good; and better at certain jobs than his Verdict. I don't get the idea of a very big unit with such a tiny screen. The PDA based units don't seem too convenient either. Seems to me a bigger touchscreen would be idea...who will be the first iPad scan tool????

 

[Jeeper]

I am looking at one that is PDA based.

Do they make pdas anymore? Seems like old tech.

 

[ceekaymark]

I have the MAC Tools version of the CReader V. Decent little code reader for what I paid, but very slow to move through the menus and the data graphing was pretty slow. If the graph moved out of the values that were on the screen it has to clear the screen and start a new graph with different values set. Can be very hard to follow. I've head decent things about the more expensive models, but if you're going to invest big money, I'd probably just got with snap on. I bought the blue point microscan to replace my mac/launch reader and it is far superior.

 

[diesel research]

Do they make pdas anymore? Seems like old tech.

They call them "smart phones" these days.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I got a Launch Book recently, (one of their mid-priced scan tools). So far, I tried one job with it, to scan a CEL on my son's 95 z28 and it failed miserably. Could not communicate with the car at all, even though the software showed the car and engine. Spoke to their tech support, and they had no clue whether it should work or not. Now this car is a bit tricky, as it's OBDI with an OBDII connector, but I never had a problem reading it with Modus, Solus or Verdict.

95 GM OBD1 with OBD2 DLC trip up most scanners because of the unusual setup. (I guess GM did not want to purchase the 12pin OBD1 connectors since they were being phased out.

The only aftermarket scanner that recognizes this set up is the snapon. I've had several local shops send those over for repair since their OTC scanners would not connect to them.

 

[williaty]

I have a Launch CReader V. For the mainline stuff I work with every day, I have a program on the laptop that actually gives me more access to the car than what the dealer techs get. However, when someone brings me a pre-2002 model, that program won't work and I fall back on the Creader. It works perfectly for what it does at all. Unlike others, I don't find it slow in comparison to other readers in its price class.

I REALLY would like a Launch X431 Diagun!

 

[diesel research]

I have a program on the laptop that actually gives me more access to the car than what the dealer techs get.

Please explain, in great detail. Who? What? When? Where? How?

 

[williaty]

Probably won't help you as it's Subaru-specific, even down to the specific years, models, and trim-levels that are supported.

It's called RomRaider and the software is completely free. It allows for real-time logging and diagnostics as well as tuning/reprogramming the ECU. It'll work over a couple of different cables, some of which are as cheap as $15.

 

[oilslick]

I was told of a website the shows how to access factory manuals and upload reprograms on factory ecms you pay a subscription fee all the way from a day pass to a whole year, I really need to bone up on this stuff. Anyway anybody using the Diagun from launch? I plan to keep our solus pro with 9.2 it is pretty usefull still just dont want to get too far behind ya know. I am trying out the new solus ultra as well, it has no keys but otherwise seems much the same as are old one.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I've used X431s a lot. For the most part they're just a glorified code reader. There is some coverage for live data (slow) and special functions, but not for all models. It's decent here in Europe as it has a lot of coverage for European and Asian cars, i've never used one on anything American. It does cover almost every brand and car that i deal with, but often that's only to pull and clear codes.

They're worth having (I think overpriced at ~£2,300 here) for their coverage, but only in addition to a better machine, like a Snap-on or Bosch.

If you want really good coverage over a particular brand and have (very) deep pockets, look into an AutoLogic. They run around £12,000 for one brand here.

 

[williaty]

I've used X431s a lot.

There's like four different models with vastly different capabilities that are all "X431s". Which do you mean?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

There's like four different models with vastly different capabilities that are all "X431s". Which do you mean?

I've only ever know there to be X431 and X431 Master. The ones i've used were X431s, not Masters. Didn't know there were more options.

 

[williaty]

I've only ever know there to be X431 and X431 Master. The ones i've used were X431s, not Masters. Didn't know there were more options.

There's also an x431 TOOL, an X431 BOOK, and an X431 DIAGUN. Not sure why they use all caps. The Diagun is a MUCH more advanced box than any of the others and competes favorably with the top of the line OTC stuff.

 

[mt2marc1]

theres a guy at our shop with the x431 launch and i just bought the solus ultra, the launch was pretty good for what he needed it to do, i was having alot of problems with airbag modules in gm's with it.. since i got the solus ultra i have yet to find a vehicle ive had a problem with. when is launch wouldnt reset an ac module on a mercedes my ultra didnt even think twice. i truly love this thing. its been great so far. lets hope it stays that way.

 

[williaty]

theres a guy at our shop with the x431 launch and i just bought the solus ultra, the launch was pretty good for what he needed it to do, i was having alot of problems with airbag modules in gm's with it.. since i got the solus ultra i have yet to find a vehicle ive had a problem with. when is launch wouldnt reset an ac module on a mercedes my ultra didnt even think twice. i truly love this thing. its been great so far. lets hope it stays that way.

Again, which Launch X431? There's like four of them. What you just said is nearly as vague as "His Snap-On tool didn't work".

 

[mt2marc1]

to be honest im not exactly sure i will let ya know tomorrow il have to check

i do no his "master kit" set him back like 3500, its wireless and has like a little palm pilot thing, its super slow, lags all the time. but ill get the model number in the morning.

 

[williaty]

to be honest im not exactly sure i will let ya know tomorrow il have to check

i do no his "master kit" set him back like 3500, its wireless and has like a little palm pilot thing, its super slow, lags all the time. but ill get the model number in the morning.

The wireless and the "palm pilot" sound like the Diagun. He'd be the first person I've heard to badmouth one, which is sad since I thought I wanted one.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

to be honest im not exactly sure i will let ya know tomorrow il have to check

i do no his "master kit" set him back like 3500, its wireless and has like a little palm pilot thing, its super slow, lags all the time. but ill get the model number in the morning.

$3,500? Damn, he got done on that deal. I can buy a new one over here for like £900.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

There's also an x431 TOOL, an X431 BOOK, and an X431 DIAGUN. Not sure why they use all caps. The Diagun is a MUCH more advanced box than any of the others and competes favorably with the top of the line OTC stuff.

That's what i've used. Not used a Master. I think the Tool is for trucks. Not sure the Diagun is the most advanced, i think the Master is above it.

 

[williaty]

Yeah, even off the tool trucks, you can get Diaguns for just over $1200 with all the connectors.

 

[williaty]

Diagun:

I had thought they were positioning it as their top of the line model. It's possible it's only "top of the line" in size and wirelessness and other products actually are more capable tools.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I had thought they were positioning it as their top of the line model. It's possible it's only "top of the line" in size and wirelessness and other products actually are more capable tools.

That's the impression i get. I believe the X431 Master is their top of the line machine.

That said, wireless is appealing. I could sit in my tiny heated office and do lousy diag remotely.

 

[slipjointed]

That said, wireless is appealing. I could sit in my tiny heated office and do lousy diag remotely.

Lol. It's kinda like playing darts, but with your shop's overhead as the dart, and the car as the dartboard.