Snap On scanner questions.

[dsimatt]

Well I have a dilemma on my hands right now and kind of need some advice from guys that use these a lot as I just want one for home to work on my vehicles.

A couple weeks ago a got a Ethos deluxe off the truck and its a really nice scanner and fast, the problem is that it doesn't do anything other than read/clear codes and monitor stuff. Also I have had issues on a couple other peoples cars that I will not connect to them.

Today I got a Solas to try out for a week or so and playing around with it I can do a lot more stuff with it but its slower....a lot slower and just a big clumsy brick compared to the Ethos but also 4 years newer software in it.

So my question is for those that have used both which one would you keep and left the other one go.

 

[JJThrasher]

Solus over Ethos all day, but I don't want either. Modis or better.

 

[joel63]

Solus over Ethos all day, but I don't want either. Modis or better.

^^^^^ But you need a component checker (like a Vantage) to compliment the scan tool.

Yes, Modis or better is the way to go if you want to stay with the Snap on

plaforms. Then you are in the land of big $$$$$$$$$.

It's not an easy choice.

 

[shockwave]

I would keep the solus I have a ultra that has been great and make sure to get euro but keep in mind updates will be killer on all snap ones

Autel and launch are good alternative

 

[Fedwrench]

A better question might be what vehicles do you regularly work on and what do you want to be able to do? Always remember that the initial cost of the scan tool is only a foot in the door. Updates can be expensive. Aftermarket scan tools are always a compromise but, factory tooling gets expensive fast.

 

[Bobioz1]

Which Solus are you using? The original wasn't a very good tool. It was slow, locked up constantly and ate batteries. The Pro was better but still had personality keys. The Ultra and Edge are both solid tools. The scanner software is the same in the Solus, Modis, and Verus. The software in the Ethos was crippled on purpose.

 

[oldtools]

I don't have either, but given the choice of slow with lots of capability versus fast with limited capability, I would take the slow with lots of capability.

 

[dsimatt]

Thanks guys, the vehicles I would be checking on are all domestic except for my fiancee's Mazda and most are at least 5 years old and mostly will be just checking and clearing faults.

The Solus is the pro version and updated last year and will stay that way because I don't need or justify going newer.

The ethos I really like it's size and speed but like someone said they really limited what it can do. I bought it for $300 and the deal is trade it back plus $100 for the Solus so that's why I figured I'd ask you guys.

 

[Super4]

Hey there, I use a Snap-on Solus Ultra purchased a year ago and running software 16.4. It's got a very quick boot up time at circa 5-7 seconds and will do all you would need and more. I use it on everything from older BMW E36's and some E30's right upto current date modes like F10 and newer 5 series etc.

Go with a Solus Ultra if budget can extend.

 

[blown94conv]

I'd keep the Solus Pro.

And if you are just using it for home, and it does what you need don't worry about update cost. I don't think you can update the Pro anymore, so it's a non issue.

 

[oldtools]

I'd keep the Solus Pro.

And if you are just using it for home, and it does what you need don't worry about update cost. I don't think you can update the Pro anymore, so it's a non issue.

Seem like SO no longer make Solus Pro but you can still upgrade the software but very expensive.

https://www1.snapon.com/diagnostics/us/soluspro

 

[dsimatt]

I talked to my dealer and I'm keeping the solus because all the extras I can do with it, he'll I wont even use 90% of what it's capable of.

 

[oldtools]

The Solus Pro has bi-directionaly which is extremely useful. Etho does not have that capability. If you learn all the Solus capability, it will help you diagnose faster and more accurate.

 

[Pipe]

Not bad for 300. Buy the solus too screw it. Especially if you don't plan to update

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

 

[dsimatt]

The Solus Pro has bi-directionaly which is extremely useful. Etho does not have that capability. If you learn all the Solus capability, it will help you diagnose faster and more accurate.

I thought the ethos would do that when I bought it but then after reading about it realized it wasn't a option and then my dealer offered me this Solus to try and just makes sense to get it since its so cheap.

The main thing that started this was a couple months ago I was getting ABS faults on my car and my Launch code reader only does engine so I was looking into getting a abs reader and what it would have cost me I got the ethos and now traded to the solus that will mostly sit and collect dust in my garage.

 

[Rmracing]

The new ethos pro does the same things the solus does but has a smaller screen. I have the ethos pro and it works great.

 

[Bobioz1]

Solus pro with a year old software for $400 = good deal.

 

[dsimatt]

Solus pro with a year old software for $400 = good deal.

That's why I figured I better get it while I can.

 

[dsimatt]

The new ethos pro does the same things the solus does but has a smaller screen. I have the ethos pro and it works great.

A co worker has one and that is what I'd like to have but can't justify the cost for something that is going to mostly sit around.

 

[Deej]

I love my ethos pro. I've been surprised at how much I can do with it. I'd be all over that solus deal though