Looking for Code Scanner Recommendations

[motivology]

I’m looking for recommendations on which code scanner to get. Autel seems to the popular brand but I’d like to know which one to get. I am open to other brands as well.

I like to work on cars/trucks and I’m basically the car guy in my family so I handle my family’s fleet as well. I am looking for a professional model that has a lot of features for all vehicles, reliable & accurate, and last a life time.

Curious to hear what you guys recommend.


I know we love pics so here’s one with my truck next to a matte green wrapped Ferrari.

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[t5brick]

I bought an OBDLinkMX+ a few years back for my 2018 F150 so I could make some changes in FORScan. I’ve also used it to scan and reset codes using the OBDLink app on my phone. It works great on my 2023 F150, my wife’s 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and my sons 2002 Taurus.

 

[FI300]

Really Forscan with the recommended odblink EX is hard to beat for Ford if you have a laptop. It will display codes from modules most generic readers wont and you don't need the license just to use the this functionality, you only need the license to modify the configuration. Its functionality however is Ford specific so it may not fit your purpose if working on multiple brands.

https://forscan.org/home.html
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/?ref=forscan

 

[Henfield]

I have cheap ones and while they do fine for basic stuff....its easy to like the more expensive ones that Like Topdon etc. especially if they are bidirectional

 

[motivology]

Hey all.

I’m not getting it for Forscan reasons... I am looking for a scanner that will work on most vehicles (Ford, GMC, Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) for diagnostic tests (pull/erase codes, change settings, etc.).

Like I said in my original post, I handle my family’s fleet so it is not only Ford I work on so I am looking for a reliable and accurate scanner that will work with most brands.

Something like these. I would appreciate recommendations.

 

[t5brick]

I’m not getting it for Forscan reasons... I am looking for a scanner that will work on most vehicles (Ford, GMC, Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) for diagnostic tests (pull/erase codes, change settings, etc.).

Yeah, I understand you’re not getting it for FORScan. I’ve had bad experiences with stand alone OBD2 scanners and haven’t played around with them much recently.

I have used my BT OBDLink to scan and reset codes on multiple vehicles and it works great. It even allows me to download profiles to the app on my phone and read from the different vehicle modules on the Ford, Mazda and Subaru vehicles I’ve owned.

 

[motivology]

Yeah, I understand you’re not getting it for FORScan. I’ve had bad experiences with stand alone OBD2 scanners and haven’t played around with them much recently.

I have used my BT OBDLink to scan and reset codes on multiple vehicles and it works great. It even allows me to download profiles to the app on my phone and read from the different vehicle modules on the Ford, Mazda and Subaru vehicles I’ve owned.

For sure. I don’t want a cheap scanner, looking for quality one with the screen so I can get accurate diagnostic on most vehicles. More than just reading codes.

I appreciate you chiming in.

-DK

 

[pjc123]

For several thousand dollars you can always get a real scanner like the Snap-on we use at work.

 

[bluemts]

I’m looking for recommendations on which code scanner to get. Autel seems to the popular brand but I’d like to know which one to get. I am open to other brands as well.

I like to work on cars/trucks and I’m basically the car guy in my family so I handle my family’s fleet as well. I am looking for a professional model that has a lot of features for all vehicles, reliable & accurate, and last a life time.

Curious to hear what you guys recommend.


I know we love pics so here’s one with my truck next to a matte green wrapped Ferrari.

Is that Oxford White or Star White? Thanks

 

[Hog_Johnson]

I have a Snap-on Triton. It does everything you're wanting to do

 

[Fordphanatic]

For sure. I don’t want a cheap scanner, looking for quality one with the screen so I can get accurate diagnostic on most vehicles. More than just reading codes.

I appreciate you chiming in.

-DK

I have the Autel mk808. Mines not Bluetooth. The initial investment of about $500 and then $140 to renew the software every year to the latest. It works on all vehicles I use it on and has many features that snap on scanners have. We'll worth the investment for any DIY mechanic.

 

[motivology]

For several thousand dollars you can always get a real scanner like the Snap-on we use at work.

If I was running a shop, I would have gotten that.

Is that Oxford White or Star White? Thanks

Star White Metallic.

I have a Snap-on Triton. It does everything you're wanting to do

Too expensive for DIY. Would have gotten that if I was running a shop.

I have the Autel mk808. Mines not Bluetooth. The initial investment of about $500 and then $140 to renew the software every year to the latest. It works on all vehicles I use it on and has many features that snap on scanners have. We'll worth the investment for any DIY mechanic.

That is one of the scanners I’m looking at. Is renewing the software every year required, and is that to update the new year models?

-DK

 

[Fordphanatic]

If I was running a shop, I would have gotten that.




Star White Metallic.




Too expensive for DIY. Would have gotten that if I was running a shop.




That is one of the scanners I’m looking at. Is renewing the software every year required, and is that to update the new year models?

-DK

Yes you need to update it every year to include the newest model years capabilities. Not necessary if your not working on the latest model year vehicles. The scanner is well worth the money. You wont be dissapointed.

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