Scantool recommendations

[silentdub]

I'm looking to upgrade my scan tool to something powerful with all the bells and whistles.

Considering the Matco Maximus, Snap-On etc. I heard many things about Autel as well.

I am looking for something powerful that does the most makes and models along with the most functionality.

Any recommendations or what to avoid?

I need it for a full production shop.

 

[Snapped-off]

The Bosch ADS series seems pretty popular, although I've never used one. I know a couple people with Autels, and they say they are a little slow, so while they would be fine for a home setup, they may not be the best for a full shop.

 

[mautotech]

I have many OEM and aftermarket scan tools, and if I could only have one, it would be my Autel Maxisys Elite. Its by far the most all around functional scan tool I have.
Autel is coming out with a slightly better scan tool but I havent used it. I think the software coverage is the same as the Elite.

 

[mautotech]

The Bosch ADS series seems pretty popular, although I've never used one. I know a couple people with Autels, and they say they are a little slow, so while they would be fine for a home setup, they may not be the best for a full shop.

I have a Bosch Ads625 and its a great scan tool. It just doesnt have as complete coverage as my Autel Maxisys Elite.

As for being slow, maybe some of Autels lower end tools are slow, but ive never used them so I dont know. I can tell you that my Autel Elite is fast and Ive never had a hardware problem.

 

[Snapped-off]

I have a Bosch Ads625 and its a great scan tool. It just doesnt have as complete coverage as my Autel Maxisys Elite.

As for being slow, maybe some of Autels lower end tools are slow, but ive never used them so I dont know. I can tell you that my Autel Elite is fast and Ive never had a hardware problem.

I believe they're both 908 pros. I'm not 100% positive though. They both think they're slow. How new is your elite?

 

[mautotech]

I believe they're both 908 pros. I'm not 100% positive though. They both think they're slow. How new is your elite?

Snapped-off,

My Elite is about a year old.
And as a comparison, I booted up my ADS625 and my Autel Elite at the same time. The Autel booted up about 10 seconds faster than the Bosch and they both are about the same as far as speed of screen changes and data acquisition.

Like I said above, both the Bosch ADS625 and the Autel Maxisys Elite are great scan tools. The Bosch has better fit and finish. However, the Autel has better functional coverage.

 

[richfinn]

I'm looking to upgrade my scan tool to something powerful with all the bells and whistles.

Considering the Matco Maximus, Snap-On etc. I heard many things about Autel as well.

I am looking for something powerful that does the most makes and models along with the most functionality.

Any recommendations or what to avoid?

I need it for a full production shop.

What kind of budget do you have?

Are you planning on doing any programming?

Do you need a technical info system?

Is it for you or are you equipping somebody elses shop at your expense because they wont invest (sorry got to ask)

 

[torqueman2002]

Autel MaxiSYS Ultra

 

[jgromada]

Interesting thread. I am kind of looking as well. Just a hobbyist mechanic so setting a limit of $1000 as a soft limit.

I find the Autel number system confusing so i don't really understand the difference between 808 series or 906/908.

i seem to run into a lot of driveability problems so i am especially interested in posting multiple selectable PIDS on a page along with ability to graph those. Why can't some of these vendors structure it so if there is another function you want, like reprogramming key fobs you could add it later on as an option?

Right now i have mostly older cars i deal with , latest is 2016 Jetta, but planning on replacing older BMW so things like TPMS or Battery coding is a want.

 

[silentdub]

Matco just dropped off the Maximus 3.0, so far it is very fast and works well, going to spend some time with it tomorrow and see what it can do. The unit is a bit pricey but the payment plan works for me. I love the wireless function already though and having the wiring diagrams, tsbs, updates right at your finger tips is very nice as well.

I am looking at the Autel Maxisys as well but would need to come up with the cash at once but comparing the Match, Snap-On the price is very reasonable.

Thoughts on the Matco Maximus 3.0?

 

[Skin]

Maximus is just a customized Launch unit for what thats worth. If you're a shop and work on everything you need multiple scan tools. You'll be far better off spending 6k on 3 scan tools than you would spending the same money on 1 because I promise you every week you're going to have vehicles that will have missing PIDs and faulty bi-directional controls that are going to stop you and make you find a different diagnostic approach. You can get 99% of the functionality out of the $1k-$1500 Launch and Autel units as their high end stuff. The newer Bosch ADSs are nice for the integrated J2534 module programming but you can also do a lot of that with a laptop and something like a CarDaq.

In the aftermarket and working on every vehicle on the road there is no 1 best scan tool. It simply doesnt exist.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Budget? Do you need programing, diagrams/info, or lab scope capacity?

As skin said, there is no single best tool. I have autel and snap on, and they usually have what I need.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Interesting thread. I am kind of looking as well. Just a hobbyist mechanic so setting a limit of $1000 as a soft limit.

I find the Autel number system confusing so i don't really understand the difference between 808 series or 906/908.

i seem to run into a lot of driveability problems so i am especially interested in posting multiple selectable PIDS on a page along with ability to graph those. Why can't some of these vendors structure it so if there is another function you want, like reprogramming key fobs you could add it later on as an option?

Right now i have mostly older cars i deal with , latest is 2016 Jetta, but planning on replacing older BMW so things like TPMS or Battery coding is a want.

For that budget an autel 906 is probably the best bet. Mine gas been very good. No experience with the high end launch tools to compare. Snap on, used, would just barely be in the budget range.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Autel MS906TS includes TPMS functionality.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

It can program autel branded sensors, and comes with a triggering tool.

The standard 906 can do relearns (if you have a triggering tool), or can read and write sensor ids, and read data/codes where applicable.

 

[anndel]

I have a Snap-on Zeus and Autel Maxisys 905TS. The touchscreen on the Autel don't work so using it with a cordless USB mouse. It still works great and it has TPMS monitoring and programming. The Zeus is awesome, quick but don't have tpms which is what I use the 906 for. Though the Zeus has a 4 channel lab scope.

 

[Azzkker]

I have a Snap-on Zeus and Autel Maxisys 905TS. The touchscreen on the Autel don't work so using it with a cordless USB mouse. It still works great and it has TPMS monitoring and programming. The Zeus is awesome, quick but don't have tpms which is what I use the 906 for. Though the Zeus has a 4 channel lab scope.

Buy the tpms4 for $800 normal (deals can be had much cheaper) and it works with the verus and Zeus to do all Tpms functions. I have the tpms3 (the older standalone) and it's very nice