Decent "professional" home mechanic scan tool
Discussion
I've got an Autel bluetooth thingamajig that connects to my phone. Can do loads of stuff with it across loads of cars, not just engines but parking sensors, steering control, ABS stuff etc etc.
So far so good but using the phone for it can be a little bit annoying and each car brand you want to have proper access too costs an annual sum. So, I am thinking about forking out for something a bit more dedicated.
I don't want or need to spend thousands on a true pro piece of kit but something that can do most things would be decent, can be updated, doesn't have loads of hidden costs etc. Happy to buy second hand if trustworthy. So, does anyone have any tips? Looking online and on ebay it's an utter minefield and loads of what you find look to potentially be, shall we say, not official products.
So far so good but using the phone for it can be a little bit annoying and each car brand you want to have proper access too costs an annual sum. So, I am thinking about forking out for something a bit more dedicated.
I don't want or need to spend thousands on a true pro piece of kit but something that can do most things would be decent, can be updated, doesn't have loads of hidden costs etc. Happy to buy second hand if trustworthy. So, does anyone have any tips? Looking online and on ebay it's an utter minefield and loads of what you find look to potentially be, shall we say, not official products.
It really is a minefield, most of the stuff on Amazon is a clone.
Maybe have a look here, they are a good reputable company.
https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_153.html
I like the look of Topdon tools too which seem good value, reasonably priced too. Finding a trusted supplier is the problem.
I bought an icarsoft from ebay a few years ago and it seems a very good tool for the money. (£200) I also have a foxwell handheld tool that was handed down to me and also seems to be a good for what ive used it for.
Maybe have a look here, they are a good reputable company.
https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_153.html
I like the look of Topdon tools too which seem good value, reasonably priced too. Finding a trusted supplier is the problem.
I bought an icarsoft from ebay a few years ago and it seems a very good tool for the money. (£200) I also have a foxwell handheld tool that was handed down to me and also seems to be a good for what ive used it for.
Car manufacturer specific codes and procedures for diagnostic tools are incredibly varied and heavily restricted/controlled.
Diagnostic Tool makers have to pay huge fees for access to the individual databases, so cross vehicle/manufacturer capable diagnostic tools are very expensive.
The Autel/Foxwell is pretty good but no machine ASFAIK can do everything for every make/car.
You need to narrow it down if possible.
I use a Honda HDS clone for my own stuff as I only work on Hondas.
The clone can do everything the dealer can, but even they are expensive and that is just for one manufacturer.
When I first bought one over a decade ago even the hacked clone was £1000, today they are around £250.
Diagnostic Tool makers have to pay huge fees for access to the individual databases, so cross vehicle/manufacturer capable diagnostic tools are very expensive.
The Autel/Foxwell is pretty good but no machine ASFAIK can do everything for every make/car.
You need to narrow it down if possible.
I use a Honda HDS clone for my own stuff as I only work on Hondas.
The clone can do everything the dealer can, but even they are expensive and that is just for one manufacturer.
When I first bought one over a decade ago even the hacked clone was £1000, today they are around £250.
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