Profesional Scantool Buyers Guide

[connorm]

My shop is at the point where we need a scantool, a code reader isn't cutting it anymore. We service nearly 40 vehicles and a handful of large pieces of equipment, and we think we'd significantly speed up our diagnosis and reduce waste (ie throwing parts at a problem) with a high quality scantool.

I've heard out of the "big three" snap on is the way to go. Matco is not much better than the autels you can buy on amazon for half the price, I'm told. What should I get?

My friend has a versus pro he bought used, loaded, with the cart, printer, everything. I probably want to do the same but I worry about buying something outdated, that I can't update, and throwing thousands down the drain. I'd talk to the dealer that comes to our shop but I don't want to get upsold. Once I know a little more about them I'll approach him but I don't want to get blindsided.

I primarily deal with 2003-present ford diesels, medium duty internationals, and medium duty isuzus.

Basically my questions are what are the differences between the different pro-grade scanners on the market? How do I sort through them to figure out what I need? There are 17 that snap on currently sells, let alone older models or other manufacturers.
If I buy one used can I update the software indefinitely? Do I need a different scantool for my class 6 internationals or my class 4-5 isuzus than my fords?
Are there any other options? Are there comparable suites for a high powered laptop? Can I install forscan on a scantool? (my buddies looks like it runs on a modified windows XP)
What accessories or other things do I need to pair with it?

This would be the most expensive tool in the shop (beside maybe the lift) so I'd like to make sure it fits my wide range of vehicles and remains useable for a very long time. My back room has a shelf full of code readers that don't work or work with limited functionality on most everything but our oldest trucks we use as snow plow beaters.

Additionally, I'm sure there are other smaller shops, fleet managers, and mabe even some very well funded home mechanics that have similar questions, and I hope this can help them as well. Sorting through the market is hard especially when most "informational" websites are for-profit reviews or contain zero research and are low effort clickbait articles reposting manufacturer specs and calling it a review.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

A verus pro should still be updatable but every so many years snap on does away with a generation of tools and no more updates are offered. The shop has a new verus and it does a fair amount, I personally have a matco maxme(made by launch) that I bought used that does stuff the verus can't having multiple brands in the shop makes better coverage in my experience. As far as what lines work ext you will have to look into or someone hear may know but I believe both my maxme and the verus go up to 3500 on the trucks maybe you can add HD to the tools I know I've seen tools marketed to HD specifically. Also putting factory tooling on laptop.....some brands don't play well with each other and need harddrive partitioned or multiple computers.

 

[VinceG]

Look here they have Auto and diesel scan tool comparison. Its free to sign up. If not message me I will get you a copy.

https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/...hicleserviceproscom-2019-scan-tool-spec-guide

 

[VinceG]

Matco scanners are made by Launch. I have a Matco Max/Me for home use it is subscription based. I like it.

 

[MattT]

Can I install forscan on a scantool? (my buddies looks like it runs on a modified windows XP)
What accessories or other things do I need to pair with it?

Probably running XP embedded. Could be challenging to impossible to install Forscan on it. And if you get that far it probably won't communicate with Snap-ons internal OBD-II data interface. So then you'd have to attempt to use some kind of adapter if the scan tool has a way of connecting to it. And you'd risk bricking the scan tool attempting it.

That said Forscan would definitely be worth a try. Just use a regular laptop to test it. Or you could even use a smartphone though those apps don't have the full functionality of the Windows version.

An OBD-II adapter that'll run Forscan shouldn't be expensive. Probably $20 on the low end up to about $100 max. And if you go with a bluetooth OBD-II adaper a few bucks for a bluetooth usb adapter for the laptop if it doesn't have bluetooth built in.

Personally I've got an $80 Obdlink MX+ which works with iOS, Windows and android.

For the larger diesels you'll probably need to start another thread with a title that'll catch the diesel mechanics attention.

 

[rijndael]

I use ForScan on a Windows 10 laptop with a USB ODB2 adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F0GVBWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr_John]

I own an Autel, and love it. I'm not normally a big advocate of Chinese companies, but Autel is to scanners what DJI (also of China) is to drones. It's been around since 2004, and has been the largest or one of largest growing scan/premium scan tool companies. That said, the company was sued for all types of intellectual property theft issues. The good news, for a user is, though, that whatever sketchy behavior they've employed in the past, the current products are world class, and they have extensive databases of vehicles.

I did note that Autel was mainly focused on passenger cars and I see that you focus on heavy trucks. A quick google of current Autel products for trucks, though, shows that they have a dedicated scanner, the: Autel Maxisys CV Scanner MS908CV Heavy Duty Truck Diagnostic Tool With J2534 ECU Programming Tool that is sold, clearly, with the idea of heavy duty trucks in mind. The best price I could find after a quick look was $2399 -- https://www.obdprice.com/products/a...MIpffap9nE5QIVA4bICh2fdQmwEAQYBiABEgLTKfD_BwE.

I've seen Snapon and Matco reviews, online. I've read about OTC offerings, as well. Snapons are not only very expensive, but the software updates are very expensive. I've also read that Snapon REQUIRES you to update the scanner regularly, or there may be a penalty in future upgrades. Some other brand scanners supposedly disable themselves when out of subscription.

Snap-on dealers are known for offering discounts, so it's worth following up with them and getting the full story related to pricing and subscription requirements, but, again, the Autels are very hard to beat for the price, they have regular and numerous software updates, the product works great with lots of flexibility, and you can use it even after your software sub has expired. All things you should take into account when making a final choice.

 

[Coloradical]

I personally have no hands on experience but our service department has nothing but praises for "diesellaptops.com" and their level of customer service. I would take a look through their site and see what they offer that you might be able to use. Its crazy how the techs were explaining their customer service/technical help. For example, on one of those situations where they were out of ideas, they basically summon a master tech through the tablet and he literally walks through the whole diagnosis with you through video to see what he can figure out. Reminds me of those headlines of doctors operating on a patient in another country... haha

 

[lethal-6]

I just purchased a snap on modis edge. I looked at different ones but settled on it. We have an autel at work but has been shipped out for repairs. We updated it and it just became a brick. As far as updates with the snap on, it will continue to work up to the last update. Just get all of the info you can before you make your purchase.

 

[mautotech]

I have many scan tools, both aftermarket and OEM, and can tell you without a doubt that if I could only have one, it would be my Autel Maxisys Elite. The Maxisys Elite is by far the most functional multi-car-line scan tool I've ever used. It is definitely not the highest quality hardware or the most polished software, but it's not bad, and will do more across more car lines than any other scan tool I've used. And comparing it to the OEM tools I have, the Autel will do most, if not all, of what my OEMS do.
To be fair though, I've never used a Snap-On Verus or better in the Snap-On line. But when I was looking to buy a new aftermarket scan tool, I looked at the functionality of the Verus, etc. and was not impressed with what it/they can do.