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List the best scan tool and why.

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ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

Posted
Posted

I really think dealer tools are the way to go. If not going dealer I'd probably look at a pico scope and a solus edge. Possibly a verus with a backup scope like a pico. I've looked at the maxisys pro and like it but it seems limited in domestic. Snap on clearly has the best coverage, but the price is a little steep. At a recent training the instructor mentioned that with a basic obdII interface eventually it would be possible to rent the dealer tool software (basically) on a daily or weekly basis.

 

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  • Like 1
Outwestauto Rookie

Outwestauto

Posted
Posted

I have a Snap-on Solus and love it, I like having a scope seperate, less things to go wrong in the same unit. I really like the unit and all the functional test work very well compared to the otc that we had previously.

John Pearson Collaborator

John Pearson

Posted
Posted

We have an :

 

Ethos

Modis Ultra

Verus Edge ( on loan from snap-on right now)

Tech 2 emulator with the MDI

Ford VCM II

 

for must stuff we are able to use the Modis its fast and easy, and can do most everything. I am thinking about adding the Verus and at 5800 bucks it kind of hard not to. We only really use our dealer tools when we have to, but I would like to add Chrysler by the end of the year.

alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted (edited)

I use a tiny autel al319 for quick scans and obd readiness. Its fast and costs $50. 4 steps to success: Scan, identifix, diag with scope or multimeter, done.

 

I also have an autel maxisys ms908 pro when bi directional controls are needed, it works great on euro cars and mostly everything actually.

 

That's it for me, I agree the factory tools are the best but for $3500 (or less on amazon) the ms908 does 85% of $150,000 worth of factory tools.

 

Keep in mind I'm not an hourly employee and I'm not new to the drivability game. I don't get paid to study a whole list of pids to fix a clogged egr port or rusted evap solenoid. Like I said get the code and physically check the part. Any scanner can give you fuel trim, maf, CTS, ect it's not that complicated.

Edited by alfredauto
  • Like 4
CMillet86 Enthusiast

CMillet86

Posted
Posted

The Autel 908 is bang for the buck the best scanner out there in my opinion. I never see myself owning another Snap On Tool after the debacle that was the first wireless verus I had, that thing was insanely expensive, slow, and crashed repeatedly. And Snap On couldn't fix it, best thing that ever happened was my shop was broken into and it was stolen.

  • 2 weeks later...
tirengolf Collaborator

tirengolf

Posted
Posted

Talking about scanners, I got a good one .I purchased new Verus Feb 2015, I get a message on it that says Suretrack has expired. I say no it has not I have it on Pro-Demand , I also run Mitchell SE . I tell my Snap On guy he says I see what you are saying. He calls tech support for Snap On, they say update. Update is not due until Feb. So I have a piece of equipment that was sold to me as the latest greatest thing now only half f t works. I like the tool. Snap On, ProDemand and SE need to get there heads together. This is causing serious issues throughout this industry. It is against everything and principle we talk about. Proprietism!!

ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

Posted
Posted

Talking about scanners, I got a good one .I purchased new Verus Feb 2015, I get a message on it that says Suretrack has expired. I say no it has not I have it on Pro-Demand , I also run Mitchell SE . I tell my Snap On guy he says I see what you are saying. He calls tech support for Snap On, they say update. Update is not due until Feb. So I have a piece of equipment that was sold to me as the latest greatest thing now only half f t works. I like the tool. Snap On, ProDemand and SE need to get there heads together. This is causing serious issues throughout this industry. It is against everything and principle we talk about. Proprietism!!

that's such a small portion of the tool I can't see that it would cause a big issue. Honestly I'd rather them remove it, it leads to guessing. But I can understand being upset about not getting what you paid for!

 

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  • Like 1
tirengolf Collaborator

tirengolf

Posted
Posted

I agree about guessing even though 1 off my green techs uses it some. As you understand I paid for it , sorta double dipping me . I am really looking at Autel. I can subscribe to Identifix for this upgrade price and get all kinds of info. As the old guy says, "it just ain't right".

ScottyP Enthusiast

ScottyP

Posted
Posted

I'm sure it's not the best but I use an Autel AL619. For $300 it reads obdII, manufacturer specific codes, ABS and SRS codes, and can read, record and playback live data. Only thing I don't like is it doesn't have it's own power source. I can't unplug it and bring it out to show the customer.

tirengolf Collaborator

tirengolf

Posted
Posted

My personnel opinion is the market and business is changing , I would say warp speed at this point , I hate to say it the Chinese have figured it out. Snap-On better get with the program or there issues will be more than a few unhappy customers. The hard thing for me is My Snap On tool salesman is the greatest guy in the world. He is in a pickle. Anyone want to buy a nice 6 month old Verus, or maybe Snap On will trade me out for a Autel 908. It isn't like we are launching the dang space shuttle. As I said they are trying to actually thought at first it was a collision course they did not see coming now I am starting to feel like they want to double dip me. Heck they own all these companies. I think they ,Snap-On, are treading on shaky ground. This is just my experience with Snap On Corp. Not Mitchell or my Snap On rep. Am I wrong , is it just me. Maybe I should have done my homework more before the Verus purchase. Replies appreciated.

  • Like 1
John Pearson Collaborator

John Pearson

Posted
Posted

My personnel opinion is the market and business is changing , I would say warp speed at this point , I hate to say it the Chinese have figured it out. Snap-On better get with the program or there issues will be more than a few unhappy customers. The hard thing for me is My Snap On tool salesman is the greatest guy in the world. He is in a pickle. Anyone want to buy a nice 6 month old Verus, or maybe Snap On will trade me out for a Autel 908. It isn't like we are launching the dang space shuttle. As I said they are trying to actually thought at first it was a collision course they did not see coming now I am starting to feel like they want to double dip me. Heck they own all these companies. I think they ,Snap-On, are treading on shaky ground. This is just my experience with Snap On Corp. Not Mitchell or my Snap On rep. Am I wrong , is it just me. Maybe I should have done my homework more before the Verus purchase. Replies appreciated.

 

Maybe I have missed something in the last 3 years when I traded in my Autel. it was slow and didnt do half of what I wanted it to do and what it did do was slow. I ended up purchasing our Verus that we were testing out. (I also would not have bought it and just stuck with the modis if we didnt get the deal that we did)

 

I like the wireless function, you will not know how much you like it until you try it. I was skeptical at first but now its awesome.

 

The Scope functions, they allow my guys to not be scared of how to run one, you select the car, the part you are testing and it tells you how to do it and what the wave form should look like. its gravy.

 

it give you code tips.

 

TSB's

 

and more

  • 3 years later...
willydmax Apprentice

willydmax

Posted
Posted

I started my shop in 2014 and bought a Autel MaxiDas. It worked great but then upgraded to the Maxisys Mini and it was awesome. Since Vision 2019 I upgraded to the Autel MaxiSys Elite. Really like it. For the price and capability I don’t think you can beat Autel. I buy my scan tools through AE Tools in Kansas City so if I have any issues I get awesome support. Just my $.02

  • 1 month later...
Network Auto Body Newbie

Network Auto Body

Posted
Posted
Quote

Autel MaxiDiag MD808 Pro

The Autel MaxiDiag MD808 is a good choice for a Professional OBD2 Scan tool because of the smart design and advanced features. It can help with oil and maintenance service light resets. But have some cons like slow speed for scanning & sometimes Inst. manual is indeterminate or vague.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

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