Scanners... Which one?

[Scherf]

Hello yall!

My name is Zack and i am new to the garage, i have been creeping on here in the shadows for the past few months, but now i need some help and advice.

I am a mechanic and i am looking at purchasing a scanner to have for personal use, as well as professional use. I primarily work on Domestic diesel trucks, but honestly anything can come into the shop and we will work on it. but the bread and butter IS diesel.

i have been researching snap on, matco, and launch scanners. while i have experience with a snap on solus ultra.

I have been leaning on the idea of the matco or launch scanner due to the fact they can be expanded to big rigs, i may in the near future be doing service calls on them and they is a bonus rather than carrying around a laptop we currently use for it.

another reason matco and launch is appealing is due to the cost of the updates and how they "work". my snap on and matco dealers will be at the shop today and i will talk to them as well to find out the nitty gritty as to how those work.

the last reason i am leaning on the matco and launch is due to the fact there is no point in having two of the same scanners in the shop. from my research, some scanners have something while others do not, so its nice to have a mix so that everything is covered.

i hope to hear back with some good points and things to think about!

thank you,
Zack

 

[cvairwerks]

I run AutoEnginuity for my Ford, and VCDS for the VW/Audi stuff. I've got probably probably 1/10th the $ ******* in both systems combined, excluding the laptop. The only things I can't do, are update clusters, eliminate the security system and recode certain modules. Some of the Audi stuff has to be done by the dealer, as it requires connection to the factory computers to be done.

 

[VinceG]

I have the Matco Maxme for home use since you can buy subscription what you need. Not sure if its good on small diesel also. I do work on big Diesels but we use all factory programs on a Laptop and have the Jpro software. No scan tool come close to Factory truck software and I wish the car ones did half as much a Detroits DL8. So I guess I can say since Matco is launched based either will work for you advantage is you could make payments on the Matco if your truck will let you carry it on the truck account no interest thats what I did

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Autel 906 here, zero complaints. Only issue I found is late 90s mazda millenia will not auto id. I run it as a probe, kl series 2.5 engine is the same between them.

Check out aeswave.

 

[anndel]

I have both the Snap-on Zeus and Autel 906 and both are excellent scanners. Out of the two, the Autel is the best bang for your buck as it has TPMS - monitor, programmer, reset, etc., that the SO doesn't have at 1/8 the cost. I believe the launch would be similar to the Autel.

 

[Scherf]

I run AutoEnginuity for my Ford, and VCDS for the VW/Audi stuff. I've got probably probably 1/10th the $ ******* in both systems combined, excluding the laptop. The only things I can't do, are update clusters, eliminate the security system and recode certain modules. Some of the Audi stuff has to be done by the dealer, as it requires connection to the factory computers to be done.

i know autoenginuity, being a 6.0 owner and needing a scanner of sorts is a must. but i no longer have it due to the fact i can now diagnose them with some stupid simple tests... but my issue with a laptop based tool is the fact that i would need to invest in a laptop, i am a heavy apple supporter unfortunately..... and the only laptop i would trust myself with is a tough book like what i had in the military lol

I have the Matco Maxme for home use since you can buy subscription what you need. Not sure if its good on small diesel also. I do work on big Diesels but we use all factory programs on a Laptop and have the Jpro software. No scan tool come close to Factory truck software and I wish the car ones did half as much a Detroits DL8. So I guess I can say since Matco is launched based either will work for you advantage is you could make payments on the Matco if your truck will let you carry it on the truck account no interest thats what I did

i would love to put it on the truck account, but being the new guy, he is hesitant. but i will keep prodding lol. and yes factory programs are legit, we are not too heavy in the big boys currently, but we keep getting prodded with phone calls about working on them so we have been getting our feet wet currently.... but i do have a feeling we will take the plunge here soon.

shutting down injectors and ramping CP pumps is what makes a true scan tool key for my work.

 

[D-Vice]

I run a launch and I love it. At the price point, its a good little scanner. I picked it up for half the cost that my matco guy was trying to sell me online, with free updates for life.
If I need the SO scanner, I borrow it.
Also, for $20.00 on amazon, you can pick up a bluetooth BAFX scanner. Pair it to an android device and install torque lite.
I use the BAFX on my phone while driving a car to monitor fuel trims, O2 voltages, MAF sensors, ECT, things like that. Or I will use it so I can have the phone with me at the engine bay showing me my readings easily while I make adjustments.

 

[Scherf]

I run a launch and I love it. At the price point, its a good little scanner. I picked it up for half the cost that my matco guy was trying to sell me online, with free updates for life.
If I need the SO scanner, I borrow it.
Also, for $20.00 on amazon, you can pick up a bluetooth BAFX scanner. Pair it to an android device and install torque lite.
I use the BAFX on my phone while driving a car to monitor fuel trims, O2 voltages, MAF sensors, ECT, things like that. Or I will use it so I can have the phone with me at the engine bay showing me my readings easily while I make adjustments.

what model of the launch did you go with? and i have been using the torque pro app for years, but it requires an android operating system to get the full value out of it. then my galaxy tab got busted some how sooo now i would much rather have a full out scanner for buzz tests, injector on/off, and cp ramping.

 

[cvairwerks]

I just bought an inexpensive laptop for the car work. I think I’ve got about $250 in it. Yeah, you can dome some diagnostics without the software on the 6.0, but there are things that you do need it for.

 

[toolenthusiast]

I demo’ed an Ethos Tech for a week. My Matco Maxme beats the brakes off of Snap-on. Snap-on couldn’t even auto-ID a newish BMW, it wanted to ask me 20 questions before I could pull codes. Maxme will do relative compression tests, fuel injector disables, command throttle positions, command EGR positions, even open/close grille shutters and calibrate seat weight sensors. All for a fraction of the price.

 

[torqueman2002]

I retired from GM Powertrain several years ago, and need/want a scan tool with as close to OEM capabilities as possible. With the exception of module and key programming.

I followed a tread on GJ: "Affordable Bi-directional scan tool?" https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...ight=scan+tool

After looking at some of the scan tools in the Bi-directional thread, I watched some YouTube videos. This one was helpful. "Whats the best scan tool? Snap-On vs Autel vs Launch vs Farsight!"

I bought the Autel MS908 from Amazon. I had some Amazon $$ to use; otherwise, the OTC Encore 3893 was looking good.

I don't see a need for non-GM vehicles, but I need coverage for Powertrain, BCM, SIR, ABS, ESC, ... Plus, bi-directional control is very helpful to verify the problem, without disturbing harnesses, connectors, etc ...