Shop Scan Tool Upgrade

[TeamRyan]

New member and first post here. After reading a lot of the threads as a guest I figured it would be good to join, seems like a lot of good info and experience here.

My situation, tech for 18 years shop owner for less than 2 years. Considering scan tool trade vs update.

Currently have/use the following:

Snap On Modis Ultra (with lab scop)
Goods: fast start up, good for grab and go diagnostics, decent coverage
Bads: really expensive updates, lab scope is lacking, needs to be connected to PC to utilize ShopStream for good graphing aka time consuming and ties up both scan tool and computer

Ross-Tech VCDS (just purchased)
Goods: free updates, near factory level on VW/Audi
Bads: too early to mention any, lap top based (if you view this as a negative)

EASE Diagnostics Software (fairly recent purchase)
Goods: VERY customizable, reasonably priced updates
Bads: lap top based (if you view this as a negative)

DrewTech CarDAQ_M J-2534 device
Goods: all the known benefits of J-2534, great customer service/tech support
Bads: none to mention other than lap top based (if you view this as a negative)

Future Purchases:

Ford VCM 2 due to non J-2534 compliance for the time being
4 channel Pico scope, because they are awesome

Question: Looking to replace my Modis Ultra with a tool that has good graphing capabilities without being tethered to a PC. Also do not want to pay for an integrated lab scope due to purchasing a Pico separately. Not interested in any reverse engineered knock off tools, we are professionals .
The Verus Edge has the graphing and many other positives, however is ridiculously expensive with a sub par scope built in. The Verus Edge minus the scope would be pretty good but does not currently exist. Suggestions?

 

[dnschmidt]

For the cash you can't beat the Autel Maxisys. Less than $2,500 and does damn near everything and you get free TPS stuff included.

 

[Rioredsn8k]

Autel Maxisys is a great tool for the money.

 

[TeamRyan]

Has Autel sorted all their legal issues out yet? I have not been able to find any info on a resolution.

So far I have been able to spend time with Matco's new Android based wireless scanner MaxGo and it is S L O W ! I also was just able to check out the OTC Android based Encore and it is also slow. What I mean by slow is when going from engine to airbags or anything else there is a significant buffer time like the old dial up internet. I know the Maxisys is Android based; what kind of speed does it have?

 

[Dirty Diesels]

You can also get Delphi diagnostics from ebay reasonably priced around 70-80 pounds but it is laptop/pc based software with the obd2 connector, so far, I've done abs, airbags, diesel injector reprogramming and diagnosed a blown turbo with it, it does tpms and live data monitoring aswell as engine management, transmission diagnostics, remote key reprogramming and body control modules. So far it has been worth it's weight in gold to me.

 

[blown94conv]

The Autel has a lab scope? Didn't think it did. I could be wrong, I don't follow them.

 

[wedangpanas]

Autel Maxisys is a great tool for the money.

where I can order it?

 

[dnschmidt]

You can get the Autel just about anywhere. I'd go with JB tools or Tooltopia but these are widely available. With respect to their little problem with Ford, Ford's going to need to win a patent infringement case in China. Doesn't see very likely to me. That will happen about the same time as a cop shooting a black guy goes to prison. A.K.A. NEVER.

 

[GTA Matt]

Graphing on the autel and matco/launch scanners is terrible in comparison to snap on scanners. I've never used the shopstream, just graph live and save a screenshot if I want to go back and review data. The updates are what they are, if the tools are being utilized to their full capabilities, they pay for themselves.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Don't compare list prices on a snapon scanner. You can get the verus for $6k and under.

 

[Bobioz1]

Like to know where to buy a Verus Edge for $6k and under.

 

[Bobioz1]

Nobody graphs better than Snap On. Get a Solus Edge and your updates will be cheaper. Pico and cardaq are money well spent. Don't understand your "Ford VCM 2 due to non j-2534 compliance for the time being" statement. It's a great tool.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Like to know where to buy a Verus Edge for $6k and under.

Any decent dealer. I can get a modis edge with euro and amp probe for $5k no trade in

 

[Bobioz1]

What's a Modis Edge? I have two decent dealers and they both tell me a Verus Edge is close to 10k.

 

[WhiffySpark]

What's a Modis Edge? I have two decent dealers and they both tell me a Verus Edge is close to 10k.

Sorry ultra. could have sworn edge was out lol. You have a lousy dealer

My last job paid 11k for a verus full work center with monitor and smart smoke machine. I

 

[Bobioz1]

No, I have two great dealers. Modis Ultra only lists for $5999 so $6k and under with no trade in is no great deal. I could buy one much cheaper but like the OP I have no use for it. Now the Verus Edge I could be talked into but not for $10k. If you can buy a Verus Edge for $6k and under no trade in then you have a lousy dealer and he'll soon be out of business.

 

[TeamRyan]

Bobioz1, my Ford comment was referring to needing the VCM 2 hardware because Ford will not release their software to the generic J-2534 platform world as of yet. I do agree it is a great tool and borderline necessary if you see a lot of Ford drivability concerns.

I am one update behind on my Modis Ultra and could trade it in plus $5,000 for the latest and greatest Verus Edge.

WhiffySpark, I know it was not your money but is the Verus as awesome as Snap On makes it out to be and worth the cost? I can only tell so much about the tool with a 30 minute demo.

 

[blown94conv]

Bobioz1, my Ford comment was referring to needing the VCM 2 hardware because Ford will not release their software to the generic J-2534 platform world as of yet. I do agree it is a great tool and borderline necessary if you see a lot of Ford drivability concerns.

I am one update behind on my Modis Ultra and could trade it in plus $5,000 for the latest and greatest Verus Edge.

WhiffySpark, I know it was not your money but is the Verus as awesome as Snap On makes it out to be and worth the cost? I can only tell so much about the tool with a 30 minute demo.

Having owned a Verus (First model, haven't upgraged yet), the most important thing with these platforms is doing the online training. Most of the time, people aren't using 1/10 of what the tool can do, and taking the time to fully understand how to make it work will make all the difference.

 

[TeamRyan]

Continuing research, has anyone put their hands on the OTC Genisys Touch? It is their version of a Windows based scan tool. Obviously completely new platform compared to the old Genisys that was not a very good tool.

This is the only other complete free standing unit that is Windows based I am aware of other than the Verus.

Having owned a Verus (First model, haven't upgraged yet), the most important thing with these platforms is doing the online training. Most of the time, people aren't using 1/10 of what the tool can do, and taking the time to fully understand how to make it work will make all the difference.

I agree regardless of which tool is purchased getting trained on it's capabilities is necessary.

 

[shockwave]

I highly recommend the launch pad 2/Matco Maximus 2.0 for money
The graphing is nice and merge between up to 6 is nice just set up can be irratting since it does so much

I also have solus ultra but graphing is faster on launch

Not really tried higher up snap ons there updates can be very expensive

 

[Amphicar770]

I have a brand new OTC Encore 3893, never used and still in the box. PM me if interested.

 

[nyhuntr]

OK so it's kinda preferable to what scanner everyone.likes ? I'm looking at the modis or a maxgo. I like the idea of getting the euro with the maxgi but know the modis would be the best bet. Modis was a repo I can get for 3k. Might be looking at the maximus2.0. I've worked with the solus and the Genesis. Thoughts?

 

[WhiffySpark]

Modis is 4k brand new with euro

I've been waiting for a verus to get traded in

 

[nyhuntr]

Where tagetting modis with euro for 4 k?

 

[WhiffySpark]

Dealer

 

[echerbst]

I have new snap on verus with a scope, great tool
autel maxisys and otc genisys, and a tech 2, a rosstech, vagcom, and a Porsche cable with labtop, forget who makes that one.

I would say the autel is the best value for the money and will do pretty much everything. However if you have an issue they don't really answer the phones there or respond. Took me 4 months to get them to put new batteries in my tool. If money is no object the verus is the way to go. Best all around coverage most complete. The autel is a little better on European stuff though.

 

[Dtech494]

I have noticed information that Autel has settled their lawsuits.
Yes I came across it somewhere I believe on the Autel sites.
They settled the Ford suit and beat the GM suit in China.

 

[Dtech494]

As per Autel on their Website they have in Chinese court defeated the GM suit and settled the Ford suit.