Bi-directional Scan Tool

Keith1138

Keith1138

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2015
Location
Harrisburg NC
I'm looking to get a bi-directional scan tool on a budget. There is a ton of them on out there but what's the best bang for the buck?

The first use of this scan tool will be to read and adjust if necessary the cam and crank signal on my 2000 cherokee.
 
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Im currently tied between these three:

www.topdon.us

ArtiDiag900BT

The ArtiDiag900BT empowers technicians to break free from the limits of wires, providing unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Supporting 28 maintenance services and full system diagnostics for 130+ brands, the ArtiDiag900BT unlocks maximum productivity and efficiency in your vehicle...
www.topdon.us www.topdon.us

www.topdon.us

ArtiDiag900 Lite

The ArtiDiag900 Lite empowers technicians to overcome the limitations of wired systems, providing unmatched flexibility and convenience. With support for 8 maintenance services and full system diagnostics across 60+ brands, the ArtiDiag900 Lite maximizes productivity and efficiency in vehicle...
www.topdon.us www.topdon.us

store.autel.com

Autel MaxiCheck MX808S All System Diagnostic Scanner - Shop Now

When it comes to ultra-portability, MaxiCheck MX808S is your perfect companion. Installed with a fast quad-core processor, MX808S offers maximum convenience and swift diagnosis. The intuitive user screen makes using the device effortless through a 7-inch LCD touchscreen that displays at 1024 x...
store.autel.com store.autel.com

Does anyone have any insight into any of these?
 
Bluetooth makes life so much easier. I currently daily use a autel. Like it but it’s slow, and many functions are hidden under things in the main screen. Should be in both. I hear lots of good things about topdon
 
Noel said:
Bluetooth makes life so much easier. I currently daily use a autel. Like it but it’s slow, and many functions are hidden under things in the main screen. Should be in both. I hear lots of good things about topdon
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This video has swayed my opinion towards the topdon. Its Bluetooth and seems to be fairly fast. I think it should be able to do what ever I need to.

 
Keith1138 said:
This video has swayed my opinion towards the topdon. Its Bluetooth and seems to be fairly fast. I think it should be able to do what ever I need to.

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Make sure you watch them on Amazon all of them always have some huge coupons going. They are all very similar. Probably made from the same source. Seems one does this with this upgrade and the other does that with that upgrade. Each level you go up you gain something but loose updates. Make sure the updates aren’t crazy expensive for whichever you pick. Some are so costly it makes them a throwaway
 
The Topdon Artidiag 900bt comes with 2 years of free updates. Right now an update alone for it is 250. Right now topdon is running a 15% off for father's day on their artidiag 900 series.
 
Realistically not very many people need the updates. If it’s up to date when you purchase it or a year after you’re good for a while. What’s the chance of you working on a 27 model in a couple years. But it sucks in general. Snap on wants crazy money to update theirs. I will just buy the newest model every couple years and sell my old ones to others who don’t need the latest and greatest to recoup some
 
I checked out the GearWrench scanner and watched a few different videos on all of them. My consenence is all of the top brands in this price range are just about evenly matched. I decided to go with the Topdon Artidiag 900BT because of the dongle storage, speed and the amount of maintenance services it can do. It also comes with two years of free updates. I dont plan on updating it after that since I dont expect to be working on anything newer than a 2027.
 
Keith1138 said:
I checked out the GearWrench scanner and watched a few different videos on all of them. My consenence is all of the top brands in this price range are just about evenly matched. I decided to go with the Topdon Artidiag 900BT because of the dongle storage, speed and the amount of maintenance services it can do. It also comes with two years of free updates. I dont plan on updating it after that since I dont expect to be working on anything newer than a 2027.
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I read that a lot of them use the same basic underlying software also

Most of them are probably made in the same factory even id bet. Let us know how you like it! I’m going to need a better one soon
 
I have a 2024 Autel MX906BT. I know it doesn't help you in this case, but I've been very happy with it.
My only regret is not splurging the extra money for the ECU and Key coding unit.
 
DSM Turbos said:
I read that a lot of them use the same basic underlying software also

Most of them are probably made in the same factory even id bet. Let us know how you like it! I’m going to need a better one soon
Click to expand...
I saw alot of people saying many of the units are just rebrands including the GearWrench one. I'm excitied to see how it performs. I know on my cherokee it is going to be limited by the Jeep. On my Ram it should be amazing. It would be nice if we could get a sticky on what scan tools and for what everyone is using.
 
Keith1138 said:
I saw alot of people saying many of the units are just rebrands including the GearWrench one. I'm excitied to see how it performs. I know on my cherokee it is going to be limited by the Jeep. On my Ram it should be amazing. It would be nice if we could get a sticky on what scan tools and for what everyone is using.
Click to expand...
@shawn
 
On another note, I have on of the generic obd dongles that I've been using for check engine lights. What app for IOS is the best? My wife's 08 Suburban has been throwing a traction control light and the app I use says no faults found. I would love to find the sensor bad so I'm not firing the parts shotgun at the damn thing.
 
A few weeks ago, I bought an Autel MK808S and the corresponding borescope (MV108S) on Amazon. 460 bucks all said and done, with tax and everything. I don't regret it. I had been wanting a solid scan tool and also needed something that would write LML Duramax injector flow rate numbers and get bi-directional with GM ABS/BCM stuff.

It worked flawlessly on the LML injectors and paid for itself on that very first job. No ragrets :D
 
Croatan_Kid said:
A few weeks ago, I bought an Autel MK808S and the corresponding borescope (MV108S) on Amazon. 460 bucks all said and done, with tax and everything. I don't regret it. I had been wanting a solid scan tool and also needed something that would write LML Duramax injector flow rate numbers and get bi-directional with GM ABS/BCM stuff.

It worked flawlessly on the LML injectors and paid for itself on that very first job. No ragrets :D
Click to expand...
I have a 808bt no complaints other than it’s slow as hell. My snap on scanner is hard to beat because of the speed. I have several different scanners of the “off brand” all do well just slow processing. The autel 900 series I have is slow as well. Best was the Matco Maxme? one you paid subscriptions for but magically they quit supporting it. I’m waiting for a class action for that. It’s wild how they did thousands of people. Just like magically now they are slowly switching to only selling Milwaukee electric tools after years of the dealers being brainwashed to trash them. Kinda funny to see the dealer eat his words
 
 
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