What scanner should I buy?

[johnitahoe]

I've never used a code scanner before but would like to hook one up and get familiar with it prior to and issues with my Ranger.

I'm not the sort of person that plans on modifying the OEM parameters.

Curious, what scan tool allows all (of most) of the diagnostics and resets a dealer can perform.

Looking for proven tool not something that requires too much technical knowledge.

Thanks,
John

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[RangerBill]

I use the program Forscan https://forscan.org/home.html and this adapter https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/?ref=forscan
The program requires a Windows operating system.

The OBDLink adapter is on sale now for $47.96 and you can get an additional 10% off if you sign up for their emails. The program is free.

 

[airline tech]

For basic code reading and resets - Forscan is a good choice, but it is for Ford (Only)
Forscan can display - SOME but not all Live Data PIDs for troubleshooting but the user must be somewhat familiar with what they are and what you are looking for when you set up the viewing table.

You have basically 3 levels of scan tools.
1. Code Reader / Resets / Live Data, some will only have code resets while others will allow module resets (self-tests)
2. Code Reader /Full Resets- Codes & Module / Live Data / Special & Active Tests / Bi-Directional Control / Limited (Basic) module programming and the ability to add some special functions with add on software, such as ADAS / TPMS / IMMO -Key Programming
3. All of Level 2 (Plus) Full Module Programming with a J2534 adapter, this is Dealer Level or equivalent to dealer level

The best scan tools for DIY would be Level 2 as they can perform the majority of all functions that the level 3 can do.

So, Scan Tools have evolved tremendously over the last 10 years or so, Android based tablets, and it depends on how much money you want to spend (budget) to get close to what the dealer level tools can do.

I have a Autel MS906TS - paid $1500 for it and currently looking to upgrade as with anything these days there are always better/ faster scanners on the market.

The TOP brands are Autel / Topdon / Launch / X-Tools / Foxwell- that provide close to dealer level functionality, and all have different price points on functionality.
You also want to pay attention to, what is the cost of the updates (yearly, 2-3 years) etc due to the fact that to keep in (warranty status) beyond a year and software fully current (changes / updates etc) you must pay the extra fees - for mine its 400-500 year - depending on where I purchase the update from.

 

[airline tech]

As I mentioned above - I am looking to upgrade my scanner and currently researching.
I am waiting on my current scanner to be (Repaired / Returned) as the screen was bubbling up in the center (suspect battery swelling) as the cause - Warranty Repair

So that brings me to a crossroad, keep what I have or upgrade it, my main issue is that I have been out of the Automotive field for 30 years and not around (shop talk) from fellow mechanics who use them regularly (for their in the side work) this is very common and even did it when I was in the field before Scan Tools became a necessary part of the job and before OBD2 became the norm.

So, for me being a mechanic by trade and doing ALL of my own work except Tires & Alignments etc. and only because I do not have the equipment. I like to have a scan tool with the most functionality I can get for a decent price point.

So even I am having a hard time narrowing down what I want, I have narrowed my want list down to 4 scanners.

Now i have had my current scanner since 2017, it has the TPMS added function and honestly, I have only used that added function (1 time) as I can still see TPMS data pids etc without it, this is only for the activation & learning.

So, my options are (Hot-List)

Stay with Autel:
MS906 Pro $1,000 (same as the TS except no TPMS function)
MS906 Pro TS - $1300
These 2 have almost the same functionality as I have now, with an upgraded platform (faster/better) - Updates can be found for 400-500 a year

Or step upgrade to the Autel MS909 $2500
The MS909 give more functionality & J2534 passthrough capability - module coding
Bigger screen and adds Topology to the screen view.
However, at this price point it still lacks the ability to add a (4 ch Labscope) that will integrate with the scan tool.
Updates for the MS909 will run $750 a year.

A Labscope is a great tool for troubleshooting electrical issues and would be a nice feature to have. It offers a greater detail of the graphing than the scanner (internal pid data) plus it is at a faster refresh rate.

So, with that in mind I am looking at switching to:
Topdon Phoenix Smart $2,000 (current price)
It comes with the J2534 Passthrough and has the ability for me to add the 4-Channel Scope for $650 and has the Topology feature as well.
Updates can be found for $1075 for 2 years.
I have not had experience with Topdon as far as their scanners, so this would be a gamble and would love to find someone who has one so I could test it out and compare to what I am familiar with (Autel)

So, as you can see, looking for a scan tool and picking one comes down to what to you want to do with it and most automotive shops will have various scanners in their shop and they normally will have (1) scanner that is their (GO-TO) for anything. I am talking about independent shops here most (ALL) will have the overpriced Snap-On scanners that are nice but sometimes the cheaper scanners outperform the $10,000 dollar Snap-On.

 

[harringtondav]

As I mentioned above - I am looking to upgrade my scanner and currently researching.
I am waiting on my current scanner to be (Repaired / Returned) as the screen was bubbling up in the center (suspect battery swelling) as the cause - Warranty Repair

So that brings me to a crossroad, keep what I have or upgrade it, my main issue is that I have been out of the Automotive field for 30 years and not around (shop talk) from fellow mechanics who use them regularly (for their in the side work) this is very common and even did it when I was in the field before Scan Tools became a necessary part of the job and before OBD2 became the norm.

So, for me being a mechanic by trade and doing ALL of my own work except Tires & Alignments etc. and only because I do not have the equipment. I like to have a scan tool with the most functionality I can get for a decent price point.

So even I am having a hard time narrowing down what I want, I have narrowed my want list down to 4 scanners.

Now i have had my current scanner since 2017, it has the TPMS added function and honestly, I have only used that added function (1 time) as I can still see TPMS data pids etc without it, this is only for the activation & learning.

So, my options are (Hot-List)

Stay with Autel:
MS906 Pro $1,000 (same as the TS except no TPMS function)
MS906 Pro TS - $1300
These 2 have almost the same functionality as I have now, with an upgraded platform (faster/better) - Updates can be found for 400-500 a year

Or step upgrade to the Autel MS909 $2500
The MS909 give more functionality & J2534 passthrough capability - module coding
Bigger screen and adds Topology to the screen view.
However, at this price point it still lacks the ability to add a (4 ch Labscope) that will integrate with the scan tool.
Updates for the MS909 will run $750 a year.

A Labscope is a great tool for troubleshooting electrical issues and would be a nice feature to have. It offers a greater detail of the graphing than the scanner (internal pid data) plus it is at a faster refresh rate.

So, with that in mind I am looking at switching to:
Topdon Phoenix Smart $2,000 (current price)
It comes with the J2534 Passthrough and has the ability for me to add the 4-Channel Scope for $650 and has the Topology feature as well.
Updates can be found for $1075 for 2 years.
I have not had experience with Topdon as far as their scanners, so this would be a gamble and would love to find someone who has one so I could test it out and compare to what I am familiar with (Autel)

So, as you can see, looking for a scan tool and picking one comes down to what to you want to do with it and most automotive shops will have various scanners in their shop and they normally will have (1) scanner that is their (GO-TO) for anything. I am talking about independent shops here most (ALL) will have the overpriced Snap-On scanners that are nice but sometimes the cheaper scanners outperform the $10,000 dollar Snap-On.

Wow! I took a brief look at top end OTC for my past Chrysler vehicles and figured it would never pay off vs shop labor rates. I never had an issue that a simple MIL code reader wouldn't pinpoint.
My old Actron took a dump, so I bought a HF Zurich code reader for MIL codes and Its ABS capability. Unfortunately many of the Ford system test are unavailable. ...so research better than I did if you by a level 1 or 2 tool.
My boat is a different story. Industrial GM 4.3 marinized with water cooled exhausts, etc. High pressure direct fuel injection like our Rangers. No simple OBD like automotive. So I'll probably purchase the Rinda/Diacom Marine PC software and adapter before I need it. (??). $800 delivered.
With one dealer shop available @$150/hr and a "we'll get to it when we can" attitude, the payoff should be easy.

 

[Grandaccess]

I bought forscan last year because all the hype here about it LOL and have yet to use it...
I have run an android app on both my phone and tablet called Torque for a few years now and love it, it monitors in real time read and rest codes, you can set your own screens for what ever pid you want to monitor

 

[airline tech]

I pulled the trigger on the Topdon Phoenix Smart

Cyber Monday $1995.00

Adds SOME more functionality over my current Autel MS906TS.
This tool is great for the brief playtime I did with it today.

 

[seasprite]

I pulled the trigger on the Topdon Phoenix Smart

Cyber Monday $1995.00

Adds SOME more functionality over my current Autel MS906TS.
This tool is great for the brief playtime I did with it today.

Now throw in a Pico and I,ll be your best friend when I need some trouble shooting ? Since were practically neighbors.

Really love watching techs like Ivan on Pine Hollow diag. dig in to the complicated problems of today's electronics. After the parts cannon has already been fired by another shop or the owner. Seems the green crusty's get a lot of the north eastern parts of the country. But I think its interesting the way modern cars need to be diag. vs. when I started driving. The main problem I see is when these cars get so old and you lose one of those little black boxes, if there is none available its off to the scrap yard for a perfectly good vehicle.

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