Scan tool time!

[Smitherines]

Hello friends, it's been awhile!
I purchased a Solus Ultra about two years ago now, for doing sidework since I was working for Mercedes for the past five years or so. I'm not really impressed with it by any means, and yes, I have VAGCOM as well. I work on mostly euro cars on the side. Anywho, I'm getting out of the business (thankfully) but I have the ability to trade in my Solus Ultra w/ Euro package for a couple grand worth of Snappy tools, which I would like to take advantage of since I barely use my Solus.

So here's my question/plight. I need something for most euro cars, MB, BMW, VAG and that's about it, but I want to be able to tap into Jap and American cars as well and have a good amount of bidirectional controls. So basically I'm looking at the Autel and Launch units now. I haven't used any of them, but I've seen the DS708 on a few youtube videos over the years and it seems pretty comprehensive, but I've heard some bad things about Autel as a whole in light of their recent legal issues.

Does anyone have any Autel and Launch units? I would love to hear about them as well as what limitations you have found over the course of using it. How are the updates, support, etc? Launch's website doesnt really have any product info, so it's hard to get an grasp on what their tools do. Also, what about the life spans of the units?

Lay it on me!
-John

 

[JonnyMac]

Got the 708. Its awesome. We don't really bother with updates so the withdrawal of some software is not a problem.

 

[shockwave]

I have the launch Maximus 2.0 it's good with euro and Asian but I prefer the autel over launch there is is better and constantly updating

Look at auto logic I know that is what bmw techs use over oe scanner

 

[Smitherines]

I have the launch Maximus 2.0 it's good with euro and Asian but I prefer the autel over launch there is is better and constantly updating

Look at auto logic I know that is what bmw techs use over oe scanner

This is for side work, I'm not paying the 10k for Autologic, but thanks though.

 

[logikal]

Launch x431 Pad is what I am currently using for my BMW/Mini, Jaguar, Land rover, and Misc. vehicles. I work mostly on Porsche/Audi so I have the PIWIS software and Vagcom loaded on a laptop. The Launch is spectacular. Very simple interface, streamlined, wonderful refresh rates on data streams and the varoius coding applications it provides are more then enough for most diagnostics. I have used the GT-1 software at previous shops, and find the launch line to be the most complete in coding and diagnosis.

The Autel I have minimal experience with but another guy at my shop has a verus pro with the whole custom cart and monitor and 10k worth of awesome. It will not reset adaptions for f series cars and will not perform any abs, srs, kombi, or VSG coding. Also the code readouts on the Launch are in hex as factory codes so research becomes as easy as opening up INSA or a simple google search.

I vote Launch.

 

[Rioredsn8k]

I have the Autel 708 and have no complaints. Its reasonably priced and updates are inexpensive. I use it for Euro, Asian and Domestic cars. I bought the scan tool a year ago and its been great since day one.

 

[Smitherines]

Launch x431 Pad is what I am currently using for my BMW/Mini, Jaguar, Land rover, and Misc. vehicles. I work mostly on Porsche/Audi so I have the PIWIS software and Vagcom loaded on a laptop. The Launch is spectacular. Very simple interface, streamlined, wonderful refresh rates on data streams and the varoius coding applications it provides are more then enough for most diagnostics. I have used the GT-1 software at previous shops, and find the launch line to be the most complete in coding and diagnosis.

The Autel I have minimal experience with but another guy at my shop has a verus pro with the whole custom cart and monitor and 10k worth of awesome. It will not reset adaptions for f series cars and will not perform any abs, srs, kombi, or VSG coding. Also the code readouts on the Launch are in hex as factory codes so research becomes as easy as opening up INSA or a simple google search.

I vote Launch.

And the Launch does all of that?

 

[logikal]

Yes, though you may run into issues with EWS syncing. This is because BMW key coding is done from a direct download to the DME from Germany. But then again we wouldn't want just anyone to be able to change keys and sensitive DME information would we?

 

[Smitherines]

So I see Launch has the X431 Pad, the Pad 2 and now the ScanPad 101. opinions?

 

[logikal]

Pad 2 is the newer version of the orginal pad. The Pad 2 runs on a Windows platform which allows for loading of other applications of your choosing. The 101 is more like the Autel in that it is comprehensive but does not allow more in depth features the Pad line provides. Also it is Android based and is much smaller.

 

[smoking stroker]

another vote for the autel 708. its a great inexpensive scanner

 

[MLB0611]

I have the maxisys mini works great on euro, asian and domestics, it will do adaptions coding etc. I have never used it on VAG as the shop has VAGCOM so I cannot answer on how well it works there, and grab it over the HDS for Hondas

 

[Smitherines]

Also throwing Autoenginuity into the mix as well. I didn't know about it until just now.