Hi all, Im looking into getting a PC based scan tool for work and my own work outside of the dealership. Although working for a dealer i use a factory scan tool all day long and have never used many others besides snap on at school, basically for you professionals and non professionals out there what are you using and do you like it?
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PC based scan tools!
- Thread starter Tekemp
- Start date
scott37300
Well-known member
autoenginuity, I bought it with the ford bundle to read the advanced codes on my diesel. Was the most bang for the buck and got great reviews.
MartinTech
Well-known member
I use a couple of Autologics. They're not really priced right for diy, but they are Win95 based.
Launch??
Launch??
Toolhorder
Well-known member
What product do you work on currently?
I work on mostly ford's but i get a lot of domestics and having the ability to access manufacturer specific info. and output controls is def. something that i want to have, and i would like to be able to upgrade to Asian and European stuff later down the road when money allows.
I have already been looking into the AutoEnginuity ford bundle and that seems pretty good.
So im guessing im should check out ScanXL, & AutoLogic.
I have already been looking into the AutoEnginuity ford bundle and that seems pretty good.
So im guessing im should check out ScanXL, & AutoLogic.
MartinTech
Well-known member
Sorry, scratch Autologic for domestics. They're eurotrash only.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
I work on mostly ford's but i get a lot of domestics and having the ability to access manufacturer specific info. and output controls is def. something that i want to have, and i would like to be able to upgrade to Asian and European stuff later down the road when money allows.
I have already been looking into the AutoEnginuity ford bundle and that seems pretty good.
So im guessing im should check out ScanXL, & AutoLogic.
If you work on Fords you probably have toughbooks already. You can get a lease return toughbook from Tigerdirect for $300-400 and load the OEM software to it and just buy a pass through OBD2 cable. That's what I did when I worked for a dealer.
Same with Yota and Honda. Seems like most makes are going the toughbook route.
PM inbound.
I have met the lead guy (Jay) from autoenginuity about 3-4 years ago. He showed me the program and he was at the time adding Land Rover and Jaguar pids and what not to his system while I was with Land Rover. Very nice diag software.
Last edited:
JayL
Well-known member
Looks like Autoenguinity does not work for Japanese and Asian Domestic Models.
Looks like Autoenguinity does not work for Japanese and Asian Domestic Models.
coverage for Autoenginuity:
Ford group
GM group
Toyota group
Chrysler group
Mazda
Hyundai / Kia
Nissan group
BMW / Mini
Honda group
Land Rover
Jaguar
Subaru
Porsche
Isuzu
Mitsubishi
VW / Audi
Mercedes
If you work on Fords you probably have toughbooks already. You can get a lease return toughbook from Tigerdirect for $300-400 and load the OEM software to it and just buy a pass through OBD2 cable. That's what I did when I worked for a dealer.
Same with Yota and Honda. Seems like most makes are going the toughbook route.
PM inbound.
Yes i use a toughbook at work which is great and im pry gonna try and get the IDS software also just for Ford because i really like IDS, and from what im reading AutoEnginuity seems to be really good.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Yes i use a toughbook at work which is great and im pry gonna try and get the IDS software also just for Ford because i really like IDS, and from what im reading AutoEnginuity seems to be really good.
I found IDS to be slow and a PITA as far as the Land Rover version I used. Hopefully you don't have symptom based diagnosics at Ford. That's the worse software ever. You tell the computer exactly what it's doing and it tells you to do anything but what it takes to fix it. Then to make matters worse when it doesn't work and the dealer trys to get paid Land Rover software changed and said they take NO responsiblity for the diagnosis using their system and place all blame on the techs. Useless, I found for non warranty work my little Matco unit worked awesome.
Sorry just spent many hours wasting time not getting paid to like IDS.
If it's different on Fords forgive me.
Here's a link to getting a lease return toughbook. I bought one 6 months ago and it works awesome. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6076260&CatId=4947
Patrick Boyle
Well-known member
I have an AutoEnginuity and can tell you it's a really great system. Be aware though that when you purchase the base package for $250 you're only getting generic OBDII functionality. You have to add a manufacturer package for another $200 on average to get into the real juicy stuff. The good thing though is you really get a lot with the manufacturer packages. OBD, CAN, ABS, Air bags, transmission, etc. My AutoEnginuity with GM expansion has essentially all the functionality of a GM Tech II scanner and I paid under $500. Good stuff
I found IDS to be slow and a PITA as far as the Land Rover version I used. Hopefully you don't have symptom based diagnosics at Ford. That's the worse software ever. You tell the computer exactly what it's doing and it tells you to do anything but what it takes to fix it. Then to make matters worse when it doesn't work and the dealer trys to get paid Land Rover software changed and said they take NO responsiblity for the diagnosis using their system and place all blame on the techs. Useless, I found for non warranty work my little Matco unit worked awesome.
Sorry just spent many hours wasting time not getting paid to like IDS.
If it's different on Fords forgive me.
Here's a link to getting a lease return toughbook. I bought one 6 months ago and it works awesome. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6076260&CatId=4947
wow ya ours does not use the symptom based diag, but im glad because it sounds like a waste of time. But on that note i love the IDS on ford its by far one of the best scan tools i have used and i use a Modis nearly everyday at school. Ive never used it on land rover so i cant agree or disagree there. Thanks for that link!
I have an AutoEnginuity and can tell you it's a really great system. Be aware though that when you purchase the base package for $250 you're only getting generic OBDII functionality. You have to add a manufacturer package for another $200 on average to get into the real juicy stuff. The good thing though is you really get a lot with the manufacturer packages. OBD, CAN, ABS, Air bags, transmission, etc. My AutoEnginuity with GM expansion has essentially all the functionality of a GM Tech II scanner and I paid under $500. Good stuff
Agreed for the price you cant beat it because even to buy a comparable snap on Modis your gonna spend way more and it still wont do as much. Def. a better way to go then to go buy all the manf. scan tools.