Snapon Scan Tools

[FuzzyTiger]

An opportunity popped up for me to get ahold of a Snap On Verus for a few hundred dollars (~$400CAD). Its not running the latest update and is missing everything but the power cables and is a little rough around the edges but it appears to be in full working condition.

I unfortunately know very little about these devices asides from their reputation as being one of the best tools on the market so I was wondering if someone could answer a few questions for me.

1) I'm a hobbyist, I can justify a few hundred dollars on a decent scan tool but I want to understand the total ownership costs of one of these devices. Is there a subscription service that I need to sign up/pay for? How much do the updates generally cost (ball park figures are fine. 2 digits, 3 digits, 4 digits, more?). Is there 'activations', 'licenses' that I need to be worried about with buying a used device? Will Snap On actually provide any support or tell me to get lost because I bought used?

2) How do the updates work? If it has the update from 2015 lets say (I don't know the exact update version it has just yet so it could be newer or older), does that mean it effectively covers all ODB2 vehicles prior to 2015? If the range covers the vehicles that matter to me, do I HAVE to update or can I just continue to use it indefinitely on the older version? What happens if I hook it up to a newer vehicle than what the update covers? Will it still work, but just be missing some of the more advanced bidirectional features? Would I still be able to read/clear codes, and pull data? Is there a certain point where Snap-On says that this hardware is no longer eligible for further upgrades or could I reasonably expect my hardware to be supported well into the future?

3) I primarily work with European cars (Porsche primarily but sometimes a BMW), and occasionally Asian cars. How is the coverage for them? I noticed on the Snap-On website, european cars are listed as an "optional" feature? How do I check if a Verus has that feature, and if it doesn't, is it something that can be purchased separately or will it be one of those situations where when I try to get that, they'll expect me to update to the latest version as well and suddenly I'm looking at a lot of $$$. Or is that feature alone big $$$?

4) Are the missing cables a big deal? I saw on ebay that there seem to be lots of cables listed at pretty reasonable prices. Anything special I need to be concerned about? I don't mind spending $50 for a cable, but if its going to cost me a few hundred for a cable and each cable is only good for a small range of models so I'll need to be buying a box full of cables.. That very much changes the equation for me.

5) I also saw that there are ODB1 adapters available for these... How is ODB1 support on the Verus? Is it worth looking into or should I just treat the cars as not having any diagnostic port because the lack of standardization makes it a mess to use?

6) What is the user experience like with one of these devices? I currently use a Launch scanner that connects to my cellphone. Its okay but the UI is kind of a mess, half the things barely make any sense and I'm always a bit nervous trying any of the actuation tests or special functions because its about a 50/50 chance that they'll work. It kind of makes it frustrating to use the more advanced features because I never know if there is an actual issue with the car or if its just my tool.

7) Anything else I should know about one of these devices?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

1/2) You'll need the exact model of Verus to see if it is still supported. If it is NOT eligible to take the current software, it's considered dead and can never be updated. No, they won't just sell you the last available update for the unit, because they're weird. Updates are $600 twice a year, or $1200-ish if you don't have the latest software to "catch up". Talk to a dealer or corporate to confirm the cost for your specific unit and market. Other than updates, there is no subscription for functionality of the tool. Depending in the age of the tool, you may need a current updates to utilize their cloud-based information service if you would so choose. I don't use that even on my brand new solus, so I have no idea. However the tool itself will always work, and retain its functions. It will always pull codes and have the functions it did when it was last updated. The updates come out twice per year, so if you have 20.2, you likely have all the 2019s, but not anything for the 20s. 20.4 would theoretically cover that. My old Modis has 10.something on it, I typically consider the coverage of the tool as 1 year behind the update number. So the modis with 10.X has all the 2009 cars covered.

3) Euro was an extra package that needed purchased. If your unit uses "personality keys" in the cord, it also needs the keys to function. The wireless units don't need the keys. Guided component test includes Euro regardless I believe. My old modis has Euro component tests but no scan ability. Again, if the unit is no longer supported with the current update, it can never be updated. Simply turn on the tool, and select "scanner". If Europeans are listed in the manual-ID option, it has euro.

4/5) Missing certain cables, like main cord/VCI, are a big deal. It means you can't test the unit connected to a car. Look online for costs of used parts. OBDI and some of the early OBDII stuff needs the special adapters, which only work per manufacturer. All the scope leads can easily be replaced. IMO that's the ultimate reason to buy such a unit. $100 amp clamp, $120 set of 10' leads, and your $400 4 channel lab scope. Guided component test is VERY nice when you're learning or working on an unfamiliar system.

6) I don't have a Verus, but own other snap on tools. They are all laid out in a similar manor between makes, which can make navigation easier. As a general rule, if it has a feature, it will work. I have heard negatives about the windows based OS. My EEMS300 generation 1 modis also runs windows (Millennium?), had no issues. Not sure if the Verus is more of a PITA.

7) Snap on is not the king of euro. As a hobbyist, it may suffice. IMO they are the king of graphing though. What cars do you want to work on and what issues do you fix? As I said, they greatest value to me is the portable 4 channel scope for cheap. Then you get a scanner updated to whenever for "free".

 

[isb cornbinder]

copy and paste: little rough around the edges but it appears to be in full working condition.
You must have super skills to be able to know this.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ If it boots up, and can connect to a car, it's probably going to be totally functional. As I said though, if it doesn't have a cord/VCI, it's a MASSIVE gamble if it works. Could still buy it for the scope though.

I'd suggest bringing some meter leads to check the scope channels. Just sticking them on the battery and confirming voltage is enough to say the scope module isn't dead.

 

[Wrench97]

The money side of the Verus is the 4 channel scope and the guided tests, to use as just a scan tool on say 2015 or older vehicles is about 1/4 of its value.
That said if it boots up and connects to a obd2 car the scan tool function works and it's worth a few hundred 400cad is what about 550usd?
I'd want to see if the scope works.