Which home scan/code reader that works

[RT/M]

Hi guys, I have been looking at scan tools, its an absolute mine field out there, so can anyone recommend a good scan tool what will do the majority of car makes. Also is it worth getting a bidirectional one. Max price £400
TIA

[Belle427]

I cant recommend a specific tool sorry but the Topdon offerings look good value to me and that`s where I would be looking personally.

[paul_c123]

RT/M said:

Hi guys, I have been looking at scan tools, its an absolute mine field out there, so can anyone recommend a good scan tool what will do the majority of car makes. Also is it worth getting a bidirectional one. Max price £400
TIA

What make/model/age cars will you be working on, and what kind of work? I'd say bidirectional (actuator tests etc) is a nice thing to have. Personally I have an iCarSoft CR MAX and its available for £359.

[JimM169]

Haven't got one myself but have been looking at the Otofix D1 Lite which looks quite versatile. It's based on the Autel platform, comes with 2yrs free updates and currently £299 on the AutelStore website

[Belle427]

Just to add its worth checking how much the updates are, the ones that offer free updates are a big bonus.

[Megaflow]

I have just bought a Topdon Artidiga 800 BT2. Very impressive. My only jiggle so far is it could scan a bit quicker, but the number of modules it finds and reads in incredible, so I’ll cut it some slack

[indigochim]

I have a Launch scan tool and while it does pretty much everything I need after the 2 years of updates further updates are almost the cost of the unit again. While I don't have the need to add any makes/models that I didnt download during the free update period it also stops the emailing of diag reports.

A couple of the guys I work with have top don units with lifetime updates and they seem pretty happy. I'd go with one of those if I had my time again.