Vehicle Scanner

[danho]

Morning all, I am looking at getting a new scanner as the Ancel AD310 I have is about useless. It tells me I have codes but that is about it. Anyway, it looks like the Autel MaxiCheck Pro keeps coming up, but I am wondering if there are others that you all have and like in that price range or up to say 500$ if needed. I am a home mechanic who currently works on cars that will use this scanner from 2001-2015 (gas and diesel) and really don't want to pay for an annual subscription.

Thanks.

 

[Flared Base]

I went through this a little while ago. It was really confusing because of all the different features that all the scanners claim to have are not necessarily available on all cars. Also, different models from the same manufacturers have slight differences in features, and comparing scanners between manufacturers is even more difficult. I eventually just decided to throw money at it and buy something that seemed to be able to do/upgraded to do almost anything I would be tackling. Maybe not the best decision but I got frustrated trying to research because of the aforementioned grievances. The best thing I did was wait until Amazon Prime Day. For whatever reason, they love knocking like 50% off most scanners. I ended up getting the LAUNCH X431 PRO3S+ for $715 plus tax. The regular price was $1290 when I bought it (now it says $1190). I noticed that pattern for years so when I was looking into scanners last year, I was going to wait until after Prime Day to make any purchases and it worked out OK for me.

 

[Showkey]

Where you purchase say an Autel scanner from is important…….at least important as far as updates. Some vendors might have a life time of free updates, some may include one year.

 

[ZRX61]

I have an Autel that is useless for the '20 Explorer, but is fine for the SB Honda & the Camaro. Looking to buy a laptop & install ForScan on it.

 

[Xcursion88]

Here's the thing...
You will spend a lot the more comprehensive the scanner.

Just no way around that

 

[WWheeler]

A $100 Bluedriver that works with iOS or android will read and reset codes and let you view live data pids like short & long term fuel trims and whatnot but if you want something bidirectional it's probably going to cost you more than $500. I've been looking at TopDon's Phoenix for $900.

 

[Wrench97]

I have an Autel that is useless for the '20 Explorer, but is fine for the SB Honda & the Camaro. Looking to buy a laptop & install ForScan on it.

What model Autel and what won't do on the Exploder?

 

[ZRX61]

What model Autel and what won't do on the Exploder?

MaxLink ML629. The only thing it will do when attached to the Explorer is power up. It can't read any codes or run any diagnostics at all. It's basically an expensive lightbulb when plugged in to the ST.

 

[Wrench97]

MaxLink ML629. The only thing it will do when attached to the Explorer is power up. It can't read any codes or run any diagnostics at all. It's basically an expensive lightbulb when plugged in to the ST.

I'm not familiar with the 629 but it should still read generic codes, have you contacted Autel support?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have an Autel that is useless for the '20 Explorer, but is fine for the SB Honda & the Camaro. Looking to buy a laptop & install ForScan on it.

You likely need the CANFD adapter. About 120 bucks, canfd is a new protocol the older gen autel qerent designed for.

EDIT: I believe the canfd adapater is only for 906 and higher tools.

 

[ZRX61]

You likely need the CANFD adapter. About 120 bucks, canfd is a new protocol the older gen autel qerent designed for.

EDIT: I believe the canfd adapater is only for 906 and higher tools.

The ForScan will take care of the scanner deal & also allow me to delete/enable some features on the ST
Delete:
Fake engine noise

Enable:
Bambi mode (also puts the fogs on when you select highbeams)

There's also a deal where it will turn on one fog when you turn left or right at night. Standard on Aviators, disabled on Explorers.

 

[kbeefy]

FYI most of the updates and subscriptions are for features on cars built after the scanners current version/update.
They are not required to use the scanner. I haven't updated my verus in 2 years and don't plan to. Of course the likelyhood of me even seeing a 2020 in my garage in the next 10 years is pretty much zero.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

FYI most of the updates and subscriptions are for features on cars built after the scanners current version/update.
They are not required to use the scanner. I haven't updated my verus in 2 years and don't plan to. Of course the likelyhood of me even seeing a 2020 in my garage in the next 10 years is pretty much zero.

I like to update one scanner every other year. In the case of snap-on, sometimes it's worth just trading into a new unit.

While updates do include features for older models occasionally, I don't find it pressing to be up to date on the 2022s. They're all under warranty. Can't reset an oil light? Aww shucks, guess we can't do the oil change. Call me when it has 50k on it. LOL

 

[AA/FC]

The XTOOL A30M is a Bluetooth OBDII dongle that works with you cell phone. It has a bunch of bidirectional control with free lifetime updates. Once you buy the device, there is never another fee to use it ever again. A lot of these dongle type devices used with your smart phone require a fee to use certain functions. Like some of the Autel devices require a$29 fee to use the ABS bleed feature, for example.

The XTOOL A30M has a ton of features for the price. It is lacking some of the features of the high-end pro scanners like some re-learn procedures for example..... but then again, it doesn't cost $1200 bucks, either.

For the price, this look like the way for your average guy.

 

[jrsavoie]

Where you purchase say an Autel scanner from is important…….at least important as far as updates. Some vendors might have a life time of free updates, some may include one year.

Would you have any links as to which is which?

 

[jrsavoie]

I have an Autel that is useless for the '20 Explorer, but is fine for the SB Honda & the Camaro. Looking to buy a laptop & install ForScan on it.

I'm technologically challenged.

We have no internet service, wifi or hotspot here.

We do have a laptop.

Is there anything that would work for us?

We have several vehicles.
1994 Chevy K3500 6.5 diesel,
2000 Honda CR-V, 2014 Honda CR-V,. 2016 F250 6.7, 2007 Toyota Yaris, 2007 Hyundai Azera and a couple more unknown vehicles in the near future.

 

[jrsavoie]

Looked at XTool.

Difference between the new - soon to be released - XTool IP819TP and the XTool D8BT?

They dropped SAS and ECU configuration and added the tpms?

Do you know what SAS and ECU configuration are?

Should I be concerned about buying a scanner that doesn't have them?

 

[Wrench97]

SAS is Steering Angle Sensor, ECU Config I'd guess is the ability to change the VIN or possibly update the ECU software which you would need a tie in to the OEM subscription service.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

Looked at XTool.

Difference between the new - soon to be released - XTool IP819TP and the XTool D8BT?

They dropped SAS and ECU configuration and added the tpms?

Do you know what SAS and ECU configuration are?

Should I be concerned about buying a scanner that doesn't have them?

SAS is Steering Angle Sensor, not sure why they would drop that as its pretty basic scan tool functionality. ECU configuration is coding, this isn't typically very useful as typically if you are coding a module you will need OEM software to program the module anyway. I would not let a lack of ECU coding deter me from a scan tool.