Scan tool recomendations

[GKF]

I'm up in the Canadian artic in a small community setting up a repair shop and I was wondering what the best scan tool to buy out there is. I have mostly ford, chev, dodge trucks but there are a few Toyotas and some Hondas in town as well. I have about $5000 to spend on one.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Modis is under your budget

 

[softailgarage]

Stay away from Snap On, they're over rated, over priced and the cost of the updates will make you cry. Autel puts out an excellent piece of equipment and falls within your budget.
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/AUTMS908P-%2d-MaxiSYS-Pro.html

 

[WhiffySpark]

We had the maxidas and it was the biggest pos I ever used. Not to mention they're always being sued by someone

 

[Rioredsn8k]

The Autel Maxsys Mini 905 or the Maxsys 908P for Flashing Pcms etc. Other than those mentioned; Tech2, VCM2 or Micropod2 for Dealer Level Diagnostics for GM, Ford and Chrysler.

 

[GKF]

my boss just told me he is looking at the mac mentor touch has anybody used it.

 

[Brownsfan]

It's an OTC Genesis touch rebrand for Mac. Only difference is the red color. Can be had for around 3500. http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...cse&utm_campaign=sc&scpid=7&scid=scsho6841030

 

[softailgarage]

We had the maxidas and it was the biggest pos I ever used. Not to mention they're always being sued by someone

Yeah, your right, my bad. What I meant was Launch x431, runs $3200.00
http://www.launchtechusa.com/assets/products/x431pad.pdf

 

[sam.coll]

Have an Autel works well and does all i need it to

 

[JonnyMac]

I use the autel maxidas in an environment with a huge variety of vehicles. Its not let me d9wn in 3 years of owning and the updates are done via an sd card and an internet connection, however ive never updated it!

 

[GKF]

I will look into the autel maxi pro, I am having trouble finding the for sale in Canada though especially as I 'm in a remote community. everything comes in on a plane and its extremely expensive usually stuff gets thrown out because warranty is not worth it.

 

[joecon]

I have use otc scanners since the 80s and they always worked good
for me. I used them on all kinds of cars and trucks with good luck. I
would not hesitate to buy one again.

 

[devoncoolman]

I wouldn't recomend an autel product. Like said above everytime you turn around they are getting sues. I personally used the maxidas and it was a sliw pos that froze all the time. I use snap-on scanners along with a launch x431 pad, tech 2, drb3 and wds.

 

[Skin]

Stay away from Snap On, they're over rated, over priced and the cost of the updates will make you cry.

Couldn't disagree more. Unless you work at a dealership the troubleshooter and component test meter are worth their weight in gold otherwise you have to stop and run to alldata (or equivalent) for every unfamiliar issue, which will be often.

Time is money.

 

[wafrederick]

Problem with OTC scan tools is they are obsolete after a few years.Plus Bosch owns them now.Bosch scan tools are to avoid big time,their reps don't last and the scan tool is yours with no tech support.Their reps either get fired by Bosch or they quit basically.Most of these aftermarket and Snap On scan tools will not work on certain systems.Fixing a Ford ABS system is one of them,diagnostic chart says to use their scan tool.Seen this with a pump motor code in a Ford Explorer to do some tests on,Diagnostic chart said Ford's scan tool had to be used.

 

[GKF]

I have had trouble with snap on sending me stuff up here the reps in Winnipeg(the closet city about 1500 miles away) do not want to deal with us. I tried to get my souls updated and gave up on it. mac has been great though, the rep packages the stuff and drops it off at the airport for no charge. I wish we could get the oem tools but they are out of the price range right now.

 

[purplezr2]

Rankin inlet that's way up there . You have your own shop or work for the coop

 

[GKF]

I work for a local contracting company, we are just in the process of setting up right now. There is a gold mine opening in 2017 35 miles outside of town so we are getting ready for it.

 

[dnschmidt]

I like the fact that Autel gets sued. That means they are stealing the good stuff. For the money their products can't be beat and they are so close to factory scan tools the manufacturers sue them. To me that's a positive.

 

[thefoobag]

I just started talking to my matco dealer about Mdmaxme setup, basically subscription base scan tool, that if you want their full access to bi-directional stuff all you have to pay is 20 bucks for the manufacture for 30 days of access. Charge that to the customer and its a pretty damn powerful scanner for $800. Only fooled around with it a bit before i had to get back to work but i was impressed.

 

[WhiffySpark]

$100 for all manufactures. $20 per Manu if you want one. Forgot how much region is.

After a year you've spend 2 grand on it

 

[Dusty61]

Genysis Touch. Ive had one for about three years, the Mac version is more expensive for the same thing, they run around 3,500 and its well worth it. it come with a bunch of OBD-1 cables EXCEPT the jeep and GM (for SOME reason!) the good news is they arent real expensive. around 50.00 each. the scanner has gone through quite a few updates, and they are downloaded automatically. 2-3 a year, some are software improvements, others are to add new vehicles/codes/information and to update Repair Trac (a kind of free version of Identifix) it is a very detailed scanner with lots of information, it is wireless when connected to the car (has a box that is plugged in and connects via Bluetooth, or you can plug it in directly to the USB port on top)
the box (VCI interface) also functions as a J2534-1&2 passthrough and with any laptop can do PCM flash/programing (you CAN use the scanner, but it is much easier to use an old laptop)

 

[ImportTuner]

From personal experience:

The Autel works great .. update experience after the 1 year free update, not so much. PTEN had advertised a update for the MD802. Went on the site and asked about the update. A person in China (yes, Autel is from China) named Cherry said the update will cost $60. I thought, no problem. After a month of emails in an attempt to get the update, I was told that my MD802 is over two year old and it would cost another $130. I said .. no and would like my initial $60 back. She said no refund ..

Long story short, I had to get PayPal involved to get my refund. Not happy with Autel customer support.

 

[Brownsfan]

I wouldn't buy an Autel because of the bad offshore customer service and the fact that they are being sued left and right. I would look at the OTC or Snap On

 

[GKF]

I think I'm going to go with the mac mentor touch just because of the dealer, he takes care of us pretty good he quoted me $4200 Canadian delivered and assured me a loaner if I have to send it in. Snap on won't give me the time of day and I have no local parts or tool suppliers anywhere close. I don't want to have to deal with china to get an update or replace a broken cable.

 

[Skin]

I like the fact that Autel gets sued. That means they are stealing the good stuff. For the money their products can't be beat and they are so close to factory scan tools the manufacturers sue them. To me that's a positive.

No, they're sued left and right because they don't pay licensing fees like other legitimate companies do. It has nothing to do with their tools being, to paraphrase, "closer to OEM". Most of their stuff ranges merely from good to terrible in functionality. Its the all too common Chinese 'we steal without repercussions' thought process.

In a twist of irony Autel themselves have massive problems with knock-off products. They're all over Ebay and Amazon so unless you're content with having no ability to upgrade watch out.

 

[Laracar]

the MaxiSys Pro works fine for mine car,it's a great and useful tool,especially for automotive repair technicians and shop owners.

 

[Charlief]

Autel gets sued because they don't pay for the information. They steal it.

Try calling autel for support. Good luck.

Call snappy for support. Call answered by a human based in CA in under 90 seconds.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I have the Autel 908p and it hasn't let me down.