New scanner needed

[coolen]

Good day to all. After many google searches,this forum seems to be one of the more popular- so..here I am.

I just opened up a shop in a small rural area. I'm in need of a scan tool. Now, I fully understand that snap on is typically over priced, but they make purchases sooooooo easy. I'm looking at the solus ultra. The rep said he'll throw in the European software free, and well as a snap on vantage pro. My thing to him was anyone can view live data and see what any sensor is doing- but where I'm just getting off the ground and don't have much experience yet, how is one supposed to know what any given sensor is supposed to be doing. He claims that the vantage will tell me that. Is this true?

Long story short, it's the 2 scan tools taxes in for $3350. To buy, or not to buy??

Thank you

 

[pl_silverado]

Great deal. The Vantage Pro gives you the readings that you should be seeing out of whatever sensor you select as well as back probing diagrams so you know which wire is which.

At $3350 for both with euro, its a no brainer. Go for it. FYI, They also have obd1 adapters that do not come with the ultra.

 

[FiendFX]

Good day to all. After many google searches,this forum seems to be one of the more popular- so..here I am.

I just opened up a shop in a small rural area. I'm in need of a scan tool. Now, I fully understand that snap on is typically over priced, but they make purchases sooooooo easy. I'm looking at the solus ultra. The rep said he'll throw in the European software free, and well as a snap on vantage pro. My thing to him was anyone can view live data and see what any sensor is doing- but where I'm just getting off the ground and don't have much experience yet, how is one supposed to know what any given sensor is supposed to be doing. He claims that the vantage will tell me that. Is this true?

Long story short, it's the 2 scan tools taxes in for $3350. To buy, or not to buy??

Thank you

brand new solus ultra + new vantage pro? BUY!

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I use a Bluetooth enabled scanner adapter to plug into the diagnostic port. They are super cheap and simple. You can get the adapter on Amazon for around $15. It connects to your smartphone (Android- sorry iPhone Apple users- Apple intentionally disabled that ability on your phones). With my smartphone and this adapter, I can get real time information on every function, have virtual gauges for every sensor, check the history of trouble codes, clear them in real time, and look them up all from one device.

When I bought a Suburban, it was throwing codes for a bad knock sensor. I was able to clear the code... while still driving and feel the computer reset and run better. It was very handy to test with. Being able to set the phone (or tablet) on your dash running extra gauges was nice on a long trip. It also mapped my trip by GPS coordinates so I could see where and when each code would trip- was it on an incline? What was the speed of the vehicle at the time? What was the load?

It's hard to justify the prices of the standalone scanners when a $15 Bluetooth dongle can do all of that and much, much, more.

Looks like the price has gone down to $12.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076KBPNI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jros4]

I own a shop and am well versed with scanners, i own 4. I have the solus pro, the new matco maximus the rosstech vag-com, tech stream toyota factory tool. I also own a vantage pro.
I bought the solus and the vantage years ago and pretty sure with euro, obd 1, cost me 8000 for the solus and like 3000? It was a lot. Seems like a screaming deal that you have. Bought the matco tool recently for 3500 (retail 3800). Both have advantages. If you are unsure about how to use a scanner the snap on is best for you. Easy to use, intuitive and does give a lot of info on data points and typical values. The vantage is a great scope in my opinion since scopes although a must have do not get used all the time it gives you lots of help with pinouts, locations of sensors and wave forms. I migyt buy another one for the price you are paying

Any thing else you want to know?

 

[jros4]

I do not have a phine scanner but with either of my scanner in can graph multiple data points and compare between them excelent for P0420 codes. The matco scanner will graph 10 points and overlay them. Must have for a shop.

 

[MLB0611]

Good day to all. After many google searches,this forum seems to be one of the more popular- so..here I am.

I just opened up a shop in a small rural area. I'm in need of a scan tool. Now, I fully understand that snap on is typically over priced, but they make purchases sooooooo easy. I'm looking at the solus ultra. The rep said he'll throw in the European software free, and well as a snap on vantage pro. My thing to him was anyone can view live data and see what any sensor is doing- but where I'm just getting off the ground and don't have much experience yet, how is one supposed to know what any given sensor is supposed to be doing. He claims that the vantage will tell me that. Is this true?

Long story short, it's the 2 scan tools taxes in for $3350. To buy, or not to buy??

Thank you

Your opening a shop and you have limited experience?

How you find know good is experience, your information system, MOD Alldata OE info subscription or Identifix and Experience!!!!!

The Vantage Pro Has know good waveforms in it.

 

[MLB0611]

I use a Bluetooth enabled scanner adapter to plug into the diagnostic port. They are super cheap and simple. You can get the adapter on Amazon for around $15. It connects to your smartphone (Android- sorry iPhone Apple users- Apple intentionally disabled that ability on your phones). With my smartphone and this adapter, I can get real time information on every function, have virtual gauges for every sensor, check the history of trouble codes, clear them in real time, and look them up all from one device.

When I bought a Suburban, it was throwing codes for a bad knock sensor. I was able to clear the code... while still driving and feel the computer reset and run better. It was very handy to test with. Being able to set the phone (or tablet) on your dash running extra gauges was nice on a long trip. It also mapped my trip by GPS coordinates so I could see where and when each code would trip- was it on an incline? What was the speed of the vehicle at the time? What was the load?

It's hard to justify the prices of the standalone scanners when a $15 Bluetooth dongle can do all of that and much, much, more.

Looks like the price has gone down to $12.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076KBPNI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Your Dongle will do very little for a real Diag tech, The tech next to me is programing keys on a ford for a no start can your app do that? ABS service bleed? give you correct info? on a GM maybe on some other makes no! I spend all day doing Diag work, get into the BCM on a dodge, to clear codes so after a light burns out it will work again?

 

[bcradio]

Your Dongle will do very little for a real Diag tech, The tech next to me is programing keys on a ford for a no start can your app do that? ABS service bleed? give you correct info? on a GM maybe on some other makes no! I spend all day doing Diag work, get into the BCM on a dodge, to clear codes so after a light burns out it will work again?

Sounds like he is working... Are you?

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Your Dongle will do very little for a real Diag tech, The tech next to me is programing keys on a ford for a no start can your app do that? ABS service bleed? give you correct info? on a GM maybe on some other makes no! I spend all day doing Diag work, get into the BCM on a dodge, to clear codes so after a light burns out it will work again?

Checking the options.

Programming keys on a Ford? Yes. Easily.
ABS Service Bleed? No problem. Full access to the ABS.
GM and other makes? Well, I've used it on GM, Ford, and Dodge. Haven't tried every single OEM on the market yet.

It's only limited to the software you use. It's an access point to the system. In all the cases you've brought up, the system could readily perform those tasks. Times change as does the technology.

 

[wafrederick]

Can't do a lot with the aftermarket scan tools,don't what the OEM scan tools like the Tech 2 will do.Replace a window switch in a trailblazer/envoy,has to be programed to the vehicle and the Snap On scan tool can't do this.The Tech 2 is the only scan tool that will program it.Programing a GM computer requires a Tish program and the Tech 2 and it includes their BCMs.Chrysler's 1997 and down ABS systems,Bosch kept it hush hush which the DRB III is the only scan tool to read the codes.Have sent one Ford Explorer to the dealer for an ABS code,it was for the pump motor and said to use their factory scan tool to cycle it in the diagnostics.

 

[GTA Matt]

Checking the options.

Programming keys on a Ford? Yes. Easily.
ABS Service Bleed? No problem. Full access to the ABS.
GM and other makes? Well, I've used it on GM, Ford, and Dodge. Haven't tried every single OEM on the market yet.

It's only limited to the software you use. It's an access point to the system. In all the cases you've brought up, the system could readily perform those tasks. Times change as does the technology.

Lol at all of this. A cell phone and a $12 bluetooth adapter will certainly not program ford pats keys. At all. It takes a constantly updated IDS and licenses to pull that off. It also won't have bi-directional controls and show manufacturer specific data.

That price on a solus and vantage pro is a smoking deal.

 

[the tool man]

Go to Amazon.com and look up OBD2 scanners and they have some cheap ones that work great



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk

 

[shockwave]

If u can get both for 3400 I would go with that the solus ultra is a nice scanner I have using it since it came out and has been great for general repairs .

Also check out autel ds708 is a great full function scan tool that can be had for cheap I believe around 1400 thru Amazon (closest scan tool to solus ultra) with functionality but foes not require update every 6 months

I would recommend a bluetooth scanner aswell as they will show live data at a quicker refresh rate than solus will in generic obd2 I have had good luck with actron u-scan

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Lol at all of this. A cell phone and a $12 bluetooth adapter will certainly not program ford pats keys. At all. It takes a constantly updated IDS and licenses to pull that off. It also won't have bi-directional controls and show manufacturer specific data.

Guess I'll just have to tell the locksmith that redid the Expedition keys that what he did was impossible. You've got the knowledge. All he had was successfully programmed keys. Actually, maybe we shouldn't tell him what he did was impossible- it might not work again!

Technology changes. You have to keep up or get left behind.

I'm going to keep an open mind on the subject. A closed mind won't learn.

 

[wafrederick]

Tech support is a must too.There is one to void and don't buy their equipment,Bosch.They don't stand behind their equipment at all and the reps don't last.The reps get fired or they quit.Once you buy their equipment,it is yours with no tech support.Bosch even owns OTC now.

 

[GTA Matt]

Guess I'll just have to tell the locksmith that redid the Expedition keys that what he did was impossible. You've got the knowledge. All he had was successfully programmed keys. Actually, maybe we shouldn't tell him what he did was impossible- it might not work again!

Technology changes. You have to keep up or get left behind.

I'm going to keep an open mind on the subject. A closed mind won't learn.

I do keep up with technology, I have 9 scan tools and always looking to add more

There are procedures to add pats keys if you have an original, and of course locksmiths have special tools and licenses as well. If you do not have an original key, or replace the lock cylinder, etc., a cell phone app won't cut it.

 

[dankicksass]

Good day to all. After many google searches,this forum seems to be one of the more popular- so..here I am.



I just opened up a shop in a small rural area. I'm in need of a scan tool. Now, I fully understand that snap on is typically over priced, but they make purchases sooooooo easy. I'm looking at the solus ultra. The rep said he'll throw in the European software free, and well as a snap on vantage pro. My thing to him was anyone can view live data and see what any sensor is doing- but where I'm just getting off the ground and don't have much experience yet, how is one supposed to know what any given sensor is supposed to be doing. He claims that the vantage will tell me that. Is this true?



Long story short, it's the 2 scan tools taxes in for $3350. To buy, or not to buy??



Thank you

I'd buy the Solus Ultra for that price. I don't really care for the Solus line, but they're better than most aftermarket OBD tools. The Vantage Pro is very nice and the SO guy is right - it does a lot of hand holding if you want it to.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you're in business for the long haul, join iatn.net you'll find all of your answers and a wealth of experience to guide you there.

The snap on offer is a good deal but, think of it as a baited hook or lure to snag you for the long term. Snap on updates are pricey.

Lastly, there is no substitute for an OE scan tool regardless of whose name is on it. Aftermarket scan tools are a compromise at best.

Some tech really like the Autel maxidas and their newer offerings.

 

[MLB0611]

Sounds like he is working... Are you?

Yep, just waiting for parts and approvals, the story of every Auto tech

 

[MLB0611]

Checking the options.

Programming keys on a Ford? Yes. Easily.
ABS Service Bleed? No problem. Full access to the ABS.
GM and other makes? Well, I've used it on GM, Ford, and Dodge. Haven't tried every single OEM on the market yet.

It's only limited to the software you use. It's an access point to the system. In all the cases you've brought up, the system could readily perform those tasks. Times change as does the technology.

If your app will program key why the locksmith?

EVERY Aftermarket scan tool will have limits, no matter what you think, I spend hours of my personal time on this stuff, more and more parts are VIN locked, meaning you have to program them to the car, for a simple example a fuse box, simple to replace has to be coded or programmed to the car or stuff will not work right.

Getting codes from a Cell phone and limited data is not enough for a real diag tech, I get stuff DIYers can't fix because their cell phone app or code reader gave them BS. And no they will not do what you claim.

 

[dankicksass]

I'm fairly sure FORSCAN has full PATS access, for those looking for Ford key programming with ELM327 cheap import tools in this thread. No idea why that's going on. While that's a robust platform with some promising software available, the vast majority of ELM327 use doesn't exceed the capabilities of entry level code readers like the Creader-V.

 

[MLB0611]

I'm fairly sure FORSCAN has full PATS access, for those looking for Ford key programming with ELM327 cheap import tools in this thread. No idea why that's going on. While that's a robust platform with some promising software available, the vast majority of ELM327 use doesn't exceed the capabilities of entry level code readers like the Creader-V.

I just looked over that site, NO WHERE does it say it can program keys, it does get into PATS module, but getting some codes and data is not the same as programing keys

 

[krdiesel03]

Auto enginuity will reprogram PATS, it will also make changes to tank size on a 03 superduty DIC.