Diagnostic Computer VALUE comparison

Here I will give you my take on the tools available today that I have used. There are many tools I have not since every day there are hundreds of rebranded products dumped on the internet. There are some big ones I have not played with but this is a blog about my passions and experience involving a limited budget. I do research enough that the tools I mention here I can:

A) Afford

B) Don't need to be sold for lack of function

C) pay for themselves over the course of my life (not theirs :) )

D) are so cheap they count as capital expenses

Original name: Diagnostic tools that don't break the bank or enslave you

Since I started in this field in 2006, Diagnostic tools have evolved faster and further then I could have ever imagined. They have needed to given the complexity of the technologies manufacturers continue to add into their vehicles above and beyond the level of necessary. There's a reason for this but the reality is we need to focus on the solution instead of the problem. To that end everything starts with the modern Diagnostic Computer which is what we are talking about here.

Snap On has long since made one of the best products in the industry outside of manufacturer specific tools (which still have a place in the world we live in... but that's a topic for another time). Their top end tools starting with the MODIS have a laboratory grade oscilloscope built right into the device. In those days the need of an oscilloscope was crucial to cutting edge diagnostics as the tools themselves, at the time, had no where near the speeds required to properly show real time data needed to find potentiometer drop outs when diagnosing throttle position sensors and accurate enough oxygen sensor readings to tell what was really going on with them. Furthermore Snap On had keys and additional software that could be used to update the scanner for additional manufacturer and car support depending upon whatever vehicles you chose to service (European cars, Higher end cars, …). They have continued to update their tools with new features and products over the years making them still one of the best tools you can buy (if you can afford the price tag).

That being said the only people who actually knew what they were looking at on the oscilloscopes in regards to the specific waveform a sensor was suppose to have where those with OEM training that included such information or a wealth of experience looking at known good signals. Over the last decade wave forms have become increasingly available in books, in references inside of the scan tools (Snap On), and on the internet making diagnostics just that much easier since there was data to help you understand what you were seeing freely available. Now a days technology has increased to the point that oscilloscopes are still of value when it comes to some specific end point diagnostics but for the majority of check engine lights, abs, traction control, air bag or other issues do not necessarily require them due to the speed of data we get with modern tools.

There are a million names out there but we will focus on the big ones that have found their way into 99 percent of the shops out there. It is worth saying that any shop doing diagnostics needs to have multiple professional level scan tools due to limitations and short comings that are only obvious when go to plug into certain vehicles in the field. This is true especially when it comes to putting vehicles with electric parking brakes into service mode so that you can perform the mechanical repairs required. Insane to think that now you are forced to have professional level diagnostic machines just to do mechanical repairs on some vehicles. The other day I had a Volvo in the shop that the Snap On tool would not put into service mode but my Autel tool would. Again, a job I could not do without a second diagnostic computer. It is possible through calling Snap On support that there might be some work around or known fix for that specific issue but that costs time we can't bill for.

Autel has come a long way with their scanners over the years. I am very happy with the current top of the line Autel I have access to at work especially since it comes with a J2534 pass thru built in. I regularly use the pass thru on its own to program a variety of different manufacturer's control modules adding to the value of the unit. Of course their price tag has come along way too albeit still a bit more reasonably priced then the current Snap On diagnostic computer. I keep referring back to Snap On as that is the standard all other tools are compared to and has been for a very long time: They were one of the firsts to put a great tool out. Rising costs of diagnostic tools is the very reason I am sitting here writing now so lets get to some things you will find more interesting. Furthermore the transition to the use of subscriptions from the big names for all these tools and how it effects the end user is something no one is talking about.

Another huge feature almost all of the top tools have is Network Topology. Its something I would have loved to have had 20 years ago. It shows you the status of all the modules and if they have codes stored all on one screen. With the increased CAN network problems we face in automotive diagnostics on a daily basis this functionality is almost required of a tool to even be considered worth investing in. It can show you which modules are not communicating at a glance where traditionally we were stuck unplugged one module at a time until we found the one drawing communication down: this gives you a place to start of the go. Of course networks aren't as simple now a days and this functionality doesn't replace proper diagnostics but handy nonetheless. With the addition of OEM wiring diagrams you can get from Identifix, Mitchell, or any number of other places now a days you can determine how the modules are networked to see where to start the diagnostics. It can easily be that a module upstream of another one is causing the issue with the rest of the units networked in series showing up as not communicating.

Internet diagnostic resources have progressed so far in recent years its unthinkable not to have subscriptions to one or two paid services. The best ones that I have found so far are Identifix and Diagnostic Network. Identifix has millions of posted fixes from other shops with notes they have left, oem wiring diagrams for most manufacturers, more accurate labor guides (this is big), connector views, and a ton more information I cannot even thing to add. It does not break the bank either and blows away what comes with Mitchell repair as well as having access to a lot more of everything. Diagnostic Network doesnt actually cost money to sign up but you have to verify that you are actually employed in the field in order to have basic access. It has a ton of information but more importantly if you run into a programming related issue almost all the answers to the problems I have found were had here.

A feature that Snap On has on their latest subscription based platform that is really unique to them is, well, hard to describe. If you got the latest and greatest scanner with an up to date subscription when you do a code scan you have access to a button next to each code that will help you diagnose each code. When the sales man got this function on the brand new tool we were in the process of setting up my mind immediately jumped to some sort of A.I. Adaption that could make diagnostics so much more interesting. While I was eventually shot down in my flights of fantasy the resulting series of tools and information demonstrated was staggering. In here is connector views, pin outs, diagnostic information, location information, and wave form patterns (a lot having to do with setting up the ever present oscilloscope the unit still has) that literally makes diagnostics a breeze. No more having to take codes to the desktop and search through diagnostic resources for the information: its right there in front of you at the car. Apparently Snap On has been pouring resources into this functionality for the better part of a decade, or so it was explained to me. It more then makes up for the fact that you have to deal with subscription fees and maybe, over the long term, the high dollar amount of the unit itself.

Point of sale tool as well

A manufacturer you may or may not be familiar with is TopDon. They have had some notoriety over the years from their T-Ninja Box functionality allowing you to start cars with out even having a Key. Nevertheless they have become exceptional diagnostic units that rival the biggest players with a price point a fraction of the rest. Sure you can buy a 5000+ dollar version of the TopDon Phoenix line with all the Bluetooth accessories like oscilloscope, t-ninja box, thermal camera, … but its hard to tell if the basic scanner really adds that much more features then the lesser priced versions in the same line. TopDon has a ton of European support, which are the most complicated vehicles to diagnose and repair, as well as all the features you'd find on a 10,000+ Snap On product (with some exceptions).

No one has really done a comparison of TopDon's professional products as they are still a relatively new comer in this industry. One of my coworkers bought the Phoenix Elite for $1,800 dollars and has not touched the Autel or Snap On scanners at the shop since. That being said the Elite does not have the functionality of a J2534 pass through which starts with the Phoenix Smart ($2,300.00). It also does not support additional CAN network protocols used by Heavy Duty vehicles such as Trucks, Buses and even machinery. If you want a tool that has the most future functionality for professional diagnostics then your only real choices from TopDon are the Phoenix Smart, Remote or Max. A look through the FAQs on TopDon's website will give you additional information about the features given to Max that the others do not have but it seems to revolve around remote programming more then features you could actually take advantage of on a daily basis.

If I had to choose a tool for myself that didn't break the bank. I would and I did buy a TopDon Phoenix Smart. These units come with 2 years updates for free with further years available for the cheapest fee out of all these units. When the subscription ends you still have a functional too just without updates and the model year additions which is more like it use to be in the old days.

If I owned a repair shop myself and had multiple vehicles to diagnose every day I would buy the best Snap On has to offer. The subscription fees are more then worth the intellectual property they have invested in for diagnostic purposes. That being said: someone who knows what they are doing and has access to Identifix 99 percent of the time wont need more then a TopDon professional level scanner (Smart, Remote or Max). Ask your snap on dealer about the cost savings in the weekly subscription level versus the 1 year subscription cost as a lot of them may not know themselves there is a significant cost break (like half). This may only apply after the free updates that come with a new unit now that I think about it.

Autel makes a great tool and its very reasonably priced compared to Snap On but it does not have the features Snap On does. Furthermore when your subscription expires your unit will be about as useful in diagnosing cars as a brick is. It HAS to have a subscription to function sadly. If you are fortunate enough to have purchased your Autel unit through one of your usual parts suppliers a lot of times your sales man can get you a discounted 1 year update/subscription card based off of your parts business. We purchased our Autel through Factory Motor Parts and were able to save 500 dollars on the subscription because of the volume of business we do with them every month.

The TopDon Pheonix Max has Team viewer built in for remote diagnostics and programming. I also got a chance to interact with one in person recently and it is a great tool. There is a sub 4200 dollar bundle right now on it that is a great deal with like 6k worth of total tool value. I also see that it has online programming for a majority of vehicles and a majority of the modules in those specific vehicles. It is insane if a little off topic lol.