Please advise, diagnostic tools.

[demarpaint]

I stumbled upon this in another thread and didn't want to hijack it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0744B55QV/?tag=atomicindus08-20 New to this type of unit, go easy on me. For Jeeps 2008-2016 how does this unit compare to this: I realize the cost difference is huge. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098N7QMGC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[richfinn]

I stumbled upon this in another thread and didn't want to hijack it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0744B55QV/?tag=atomicindus08-20 New to this type of unit, go easy on me. For Jeeps 2008-2016 how does this unit compare to this: I realize the cost difference is huge. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098N7QMGC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The second unit is VW group specific.

If that's what your looking for try VCDS, pretty close to a factory scan tool in performance for a bargain price, you would need a Windows laptop though.

Ross-Tech: Home

www.ross-tech.com

I don't know about Chrysler/Jeep (we don't see many here in the UK) but Eric from SMA uses his factory tool a lot on them despite having a few top of the line generic scan tools from Bosch/Autel etc.

If it's for DIY and you only have a couple of brands to deal with, I would look at manufacturer specific tools to be honest (either tools that emulate factory tools like VCDS or FORscan or in some cases actual factory tools work out cheaper!!)

Might be worth researching something like this (I've not used it)

Multiecuscan - Diagnostics software for Italian cars

www.multiecuscan.net

 

[demarpaint]

The second unit is VW group specific.

If that's what your looking for try VCDS, pretty close to a factory scan tool in performance for a bargain price, you would need a Windows laptop though.

Ross-Tech: Home

www.ross-tech.com

I don't know about Chrysler/Jeep (we don't see many here in the UK) but Eric from SMA uses his factory tool a lot on them despite having a few top of the line generic scan tools from Bosch/Autel etc.

If it's for DIY and you only have a couple of brands to deal with, I would look at manufacturer specific tools to be honest (either tools that emulate factory tools like VCDS or FORscan or in some cases actual factory tools work out cheaper!!)

Might be worth researching something like this (I've not used it)

Multiecuscan - Diagnostics software for Italian cars

www.multiecuscan.net

Thanks for the info. I use Linux for my laptop, so I would have to invest in Windows based laptop.

 

[Roert42]

Thanks for the info. I use Linux for my laptop, so I would have to invest in Windows based laptop.

Could always run a windows emulator. I had wine back 10 years ago when I ran Ubuntu. Slower then a dedicated machine, but for what it’s used for it should be fine.

 

[richfinn]

Thanks for the info. I use Linux for my laptop, so I would have to invest in Windows based laptop.

Check with Ross Tech about VCDS, they have been around a very long time and may have a version for your operating system. It's a good diagnostic platform with plenty of support, tutorials and the ability to do a lot of special functions and coding.

The beauty of laptop based scan tools is you can always just buy another cheap laptop if it gets damaged and just install the software you already have, and the screen size for graphing data Pids (so much nicer on a 14" screen), You can get laptops "partitioned" (so it can boot in different o/s) you can then run multiple scan tools on one "go to laptop" and keep your favorite o/s. (I'm not an expert on this stuff just a tech who has to diag stuff, but there are guys out there who can make it work)

What brands of vehicles are you specifically interested in, there maybe other hidden gems your not aware of

G-scan tab is pretty comprehensive for Japanese/Korean and recently some USA/Euro manufacturers (its based on the OEM factory tool for Kia/Hyundai) this entry level version doesn't support pass through for reflashing modules but could be an option if you deal with Asian stuff regularly.

Hickleys :: G-scan Tab Tablet PC Based Diagnostics

G-scan Tab Tablet PC Based Diagnostics

www.hickleys.com

Trouble with this game is the Chinese electronics industry has been particularly good at marketing scan tools on YouTube (mostly based on Autel/Launch) consumers then overlook a lot of really good cost effective tools because they buy into the "all in one" concept.

Before you buy into any of the Chinese tools, look at Thinkcar. Same basic software as Launch/Topdon but really cheap as you supply the hardware (they send you a VCI and license and you download the software)

THINKDIAG

Thinkdiag OBDII Scanner supports all Systems diagnostic function, Bi-Directional Test + ECU Coding, 15 Maintenance RESET Functions 1. Read fault Codes For All System: ECM, TCM, ABS, SRS, BCM, IMM, BMS, TPMS, SAS, Fuel System, Light System, Wiper System, etc. 2. Bi-Directional/Active Test+ECU...

mythinkcar.com

 

[White Shadow]

Depending upon just how much functionality you want, there are inexpensive apps that will do like 95% or more of the stuff that even some factory scan tools can do.

Yes, Ross Tech is a good tool in the VW/Audi world, but you can also use something like OBDeleven or even Carista to do all kinds of similar functionality.

In Jeep world, there are also similar options such as AlfaOBD and JScan.

All of the tools I mentioned do all basic scan tool functions, have a lot of bi-directional capabilities and also allow you to do customizations via software changes. I have both an Audi and Jeep and have used these tools to do lots of different things with both of my vehicles.

 

[demarpaint]

What brands of vehicles are you specifically interested in, there maybe other hidden gems your not aware of

Thanks for all the replies! I'm interested in Jeep, at the moment 2008-2016, with the possibility of 2023 or 2024 if things work out as planned. But I do help friends and do a bit of side work on occasion which would include Subaru, and Hyundai, but they aren't as important as the Jeeps.

 

[richfinn]

Depending upon just how much functionality you want, there are inexpensive apps that will do like 95% or more of the stuff that even some factory scan tools can do.

Yes, Ross Tech is a good tool in the VW/Audi world, but you can also use something like OBDeleven or even Carista to do all kinds of similar functionality.

In Jeep world, there are also similar options such as AlfaOBD and JScan.

All of the tools I mentioned do all basic scan tool functions, have a lot of bi-directional capabilities and also allow you to do customizations via software changes. I have both an Audi and Jeep and have used these tools to do lots of different things with both of my vehicles.

There are lots of good affordable diag programs available as you say, but people fall for the marketing on YouTube and feel compelled to buy whatever those guys are using, but I have noticed after watching a gazillion diag videos they almost always have a brand new scan tool every year, and they only ever do an intro video, they never come back and tell you how good it is 1-2-3 years down the line or how much the updates cost, or about any bad points.

I suspect they just keep sending them new tools for free

 

[White Shadow]

There are lots of good affordable diag programs available as you say, but people fall for the marketing on YouTube and feel compelled to buy whatever those guys are using, but I have noticed after watching a gazillion diag videos they almost always have a brand new scan tool every year, and they only ever do an intro video, they never come back and tell you how good it is 1-2-3 years down the line or how much the updates cost, or about any bad points.

I suspect they just keep sending them new tools for free

Well, I can tell you that I've been using the apps I mentioned for at least 5 years on both the Audi and the Jeep. Since I interface them on my phone or my tablet, there's nothing else to buy. And they keep adding functionality to them over time, so that's a plus too. For example, they recently added battery registration to Carista for my Audi's platform.

Honestly though, the software coding is the coolest thing about the apps. Being able to unlock features that are already in the vehicles is a great advantage.