Your favorite diagnostic scan tool?

[2cool2hear]

What's your favorite and why? What can it and cannot do?

I'm looking for a reliable diagnostic scanner that will last me a while, trying to avoid buying a junk. I've thought about getting AutoEnginuity because the kit is $250.00 and all I need is a PC laptop. I've been told they're one of the best. Suggestions are welcome!

Most vehicles I've been working on are GM.

Many thanks

 

[mr.speaker]

$250 is just for the basic generic .

If you want to actually have a scan tool worth a damn you need to get the enhanced version of what ever vehicle you're working on. I personally use autoenginuity with the "Enhanced Ford" package because I mostly work on Ford Powerstroke diesels. The software is sometimes glitchy but it's hard to beat for the money..

If you plan on working on everything under then sun it can get very expensive and you may want something different like an Autel maxidas.

Look here for the different packages and costs associated . These guys have some of the best prices

http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/p-5133-autoenginuity-scan-tool-sp01sp03sp05sp06sp07.aspx

 

[WhiffySpark]

We have the maxidas at the shop now. I would never wish that on someone. I can't wait until my verus gets there

 

[mr.speaker]

We have the maxidas at the shop now. I would never wish that on someone. I can't wait until my verus gets there

You're not joking. It's good for me when I do my side work but I couldn't imagine using it in a shop as it's kind of slow.

Cost is the limiting factor. Factory scan tools are so expensive

 

[2cool2hear]

Thats over twice as much as I thought. Thanks for clearing up the prices. Jeez, those bundles are expensive. Do you think I'll I get away with an aftermarket scan tool, like OTC pegasus, Genisys, Task Master, etc.? I only need to be able to pinpoint the electronic faulty within a few minutes, instead of wasting time testing several modules with a multimeter.

 

[WhiffySpark]

this for home use?

 

[Gotcha640]

If you just need to get the OBD 2 code and clear, the Scan Gauge is nice. Helps with other troubleshooting and gas mileage as well (through driver awareness).

 

[2cool2hear]

this for home use?

Yeah, pretty much. Family and friends come to me when they need something fixed so I'm looking for ways to do the job in less time. Maybe it'll lead to something better, like starting a small business on side.

 

[MixManSC]

Another semi-basic option that I have been using is a cheapo bluetooth OD BII plug off of eBay and the Torque app on my Android phone. Also have Torque loaded on my Android tablet which is great if I want a big screen. The paid version of the app is only 5 bucks and the bluetooth ODB II things on eBay are 10 bucks.

This solution is only for Android. For Apple stuff you would need to find something compatible with your devices which I'm sure there is.

The Torque (even the free version) does quite a lot and can be setup for multiple vehicles. It can display all sorts of gauges with live data, logging, check and reset check engine lights, etc.

http://torque-bhp.com/

 

[shockwave]

Look for a used snap on solus ultra that is up to date with updates it works well with gm cars except reprogramming

But your best bet would be get a passthru box made by drew technology and get gm subscription because a lot of module will need to be re flashed

Like mentioned before the autel ds708 is a great bidirectional scan tool but very slow at times

 

[WhiffySpark]

I have a pass through pro 2 and have yet to re flash a module on anything this year

 

[joel63]

We have the maxidas at the shop now. I would never wish that on someone. I can't wait until my verus gets there

That Verus is awesome.

Hope you will like yours as much as I like mine.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I recently bought AutoEnginuity with enhanced GM module - total cost just under $500. I've only used it a few times. It works good, but there's a learning curve. The AutoEnginuity folks (very helpful and pleasant) told me they are working on some training videos, but in the meantime they said they are available to answer any questions. It's REALLY nice to talk to a live person, rather than get lost in some automated answering system.

-

 

[zmotorsports]

Snap-On Verus and Solus are nice tools. I have been looking to upgrade my setup but to be honest what I have works great. I have an OTC Genysis that I have also added a 5-gas analyzer. The gas analyzer I don't use much but it works great on carbureted vehicles that have to pass emmissions.

I also have a two channel OTC DSO that I use quite a lot.

Mike.

 

[WhiffySpark]

That Verus is awesome.

Hope you will like yours as much as I like mine.

He just brought another one for a main shop with a smart smoke machine and tpms tool. The package retailed for 16k lol. I get our "old" one that is a year old. Regular smoke machine cart passthrough and tpms tool. That was still 13k lol

 

[bcradio]

And it can do anything you put your mind to.

 

[zmotorsports]

And it can do anything you put your mind to.

I agree. That has to be put to use with any scanner/diagnostic equipment. I don't know any that point directly to the problem in every instance. Funny how the general public believes that simply because you plug into their car you can pinpoint the problem immediately. I try to tell them that the scanner is merely seeing what the ECM is seeing and it is up to the mechanic to sort through that data and interpret the problem. People simply don't understand that though.

Mike.