Snap On scan tool question

[OneEyedMan]

I'm in the market for a used scanner. I'm looking at SO because that's about all that's available used in our market and I have past relationships with the Snappy guys and they are the only serious game within 50 miles. No Matco, Cornwell, not even used OTC scanners have shows up on CL or in the pawnshops in the last several years.

I want to spend about $500 for something that will do Euro through at least 08. I buy Volvos and German cars from '99 that need engine and ****** work and fix them to drive and sell. No customer work, just a full time hobby. I briefly used a Modis and it was over the top for what I do and seemed needlessly complicated for me. I would like speed as much as anything.

Right now there is an Ethos for $400 which I passed on, a non Euro Solus for 250, and the dealer has a selection of older Solus scanners that he can make complete packages out of for $750. Are there any other scanners SO offers worth a look? I want a used higher end machine. What are the pros and cons?

I know Launch, Autel, etc and I have played with reverse engineered stuff and don't really like it.

 

[kd3pc]

we have verus pro at school, and it is (CONS) Win XP based, requires the "europe" module and fairly expensive when new.

Pros - works well, and is available ($$$ not $$$$) used in our area somewhat frequently. Verus may do the stuff you need.

Our Autel does a good job and is quicker to get to scanning than the Verus Pro, don't recall the model number though.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I have a Ethos as my catch all scanner. It has OBD II generic on it, works better than a code reader. If you can get one with Euro through say '09 on it for $400 I would get it. Check make sure the batteries in the back didn't leak. Also the software in the older ethos is pretty fast, older Solus and Modis are frustratingly slow.

 

[shockwave]

Look for used souls ultra with euro great scanner but beware of snap on updates

 

[cleason]

bought a launch cp129,amazon 300.00 new. works better than my buddies bluepoint he pd 400 new 5 yrs ago. mac and matco sell the same scan tool for 500.

 

[jerseykat1]

I hear autel is best for euro stuff. We use modis at work and its painfully slow. But it has a built in scope.

I'm also shopping for a good scanner. Right now the autel maxisys is on the top of my list.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[cleason]

check amazon.

 

[chadster1]

Stay away from the original Solus. By now, most of those units are just a problem waiting to happen. They were a good unit in their time but they are getting old and I dont think they are supporting them with parts or updates anymore. You could probably find a Solus pro in that price range but it might not have euro. Most of the solus ultras will probably have euro but good luck finding one at the price you mentioned.

I was never a fan of the Ethos. The lack of bi directional controls and troubleshooting severly limit it in my opinion. They may have added those features in the newest Ethos but you probably won't find one in your price range.

 

[Skin]

Your budget is too small to be considering Snap-On. You wont get anything decent for under 750 and that's used on ebay. Anything cheap your dealer has is going to be slow as molasses, lack bi-directional controls, or just plain wont have enough support. Cheap on ebay usually gets you a wrecked unit. You're scoffing at Launch/Autel but their older higher end units are what you should be looking into given your budget.

Don't even bother with Ethos of any vintage or update. Its a glorified code reader and lacks bi-directional controls. If you do get a Snap-On keep in mind one of the bigger benefits of their scan tools (comparative to other brands) is the onboard troubleshooter so the later the update the better. If you're only sticking to the one brand this wont matter to you as much but if you branch out it can be a real time saver.