I'm fixin to buy a new scanner for the shop, I used to have a autel maxysis and loved it, I bought it used for real cheap and was able to program VINs (almost exclusively mopar products I would use the VIN programming on), keys and tire sensors along with vehicle specific codes and data streams but I left it with my business I sold 2 years ago and am now thinking about getting another but it is very confusing looking at them...looking at their site it says a certain scanner will do what I want but then I ask one of the retailers and they all try to tell me no I need one that costs twice as much??? Also what is this about having to update them or loose the ability to use it? I never updated mine and it worked great for several years.

I would consider another scanner that does these things and is comparable in price but I am not buying a new snap on or mac at their prices.

just went thru this with my snap on scanner,18 and newer chrysler products have a secured gateway.you must suscribe $50.00 a year&you must have current update or it won"t work.ford is also goning this way 19&newer,,i think all auto manf. will do this within time.

Does this mean that the basic scanners like this one

El-cheapo Scanner

won't work on anything later than 2018? I can't find any details about this in the literature.

I use G-Scan3 and Autel

I'm pleased with both, but have to give the nod to the Autel for speed and a bit better diag.

To the poster above, I seriously doubt the El-Cheapo tool will be able to connect through the FCA gateway

What Autel model do you have? Does it program ECU VINs? Do you HAVE to update to keep using it?

My old MAC scanner I am using now is only updated thru 2006 and is just now becoming a real problem at 16 years old, if a new one keeps me functioning 1/2 that long it will be fine without updates as I would probably be looking to buy a nudder new one by then anyhow.

Chepo scanners will just be able to read codes,no diagniastois,or bi directional controls,no tests,just obd codes.

Which Snap-on scanner? We have a bunch of Verus at work...they do have the latest updates but we don't pay a $50 fee for anything. I can scan everything thing we have which includes a 19 Cad CT6. 19 Camaro SS, 20 and 21 Silverado,etc. Those all have gateway modules. Zero issues with communication, bi-directional controls,etc. That CT6 is LOADED and I can talk to every module on it.

Autel Maxsis MS909, I have yet to need to write a VIN with it. So I cant answer that. Not sure how dire it is to update it, we just do it regardless.

Have you looked at the www.alfaobd.com for the Mopar stuff? And there are gateway bypass cables readily available. Lots and lots of info on this on the Ram truck forums.

Looks like it only works on a few vehicles and unfortunately even though I do specialize in dodge stuff I need to work on fords, chevies, hondas toyotas... to pay the bills.

Wow glad this topic came up since only today I’m having an issue with my Snap-On (Solus Ultra) something to do with the little chip, keeps saying retry chip. This scanner is good to 2017
Now it says mount uSD card failed

What did you end up getting? I've been looking to upgrade from a reader to something better but I don't have a "shop" just maintain family vehicles. I was looking at this:

https://www.amazon.com/LAUNCH-CRP123X-Enhanced-Four-System-One-Click/dp/B07RLF8FBC/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=8NWRT83WW8X2&keywords=launch+cpr+123&qid=1675770497&sprefix=launch+cp%2Caps%2C870&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFJS0c0TFVOUVhSTVomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyOTc0NjEzR1pZNzdENDc5RlJVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MjU3MzgyTEdLSFkxWFA2SU5DJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I just about upgraded to the INNOVA 5610 as it does ABS Auto Bleed and can also do OBD1 and the fact that Auto Zone currently has it on sale for the same price as their lesser feature models. Also does steering wheel re-alignment and fuel enrichment etc., I wouldn't get one without the ABS Auto Bleed feature but that's just me. I have an older INNOVA 3160 that's worked well enough to do most everything for a while but still looking to get the 5610.

I know it's not a solution for people working on multiple brands but since my newest car is my Charger I've been using alfa obd for everything I've needed a scan tool for. The plus is the ability to add options to the car, which is the main reason I got it.

https://www.amazon.com/LAUNCH-CRP123X-Enhanced-Four-System-One-Click/dp/B07RLF8FBC/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?




this work better ?
that scanner looks pretty decent. a bunch better than the autel maxlink scanner i wasted my money on.

Much better. I've done a ton of reading and watched some videos and it seems some scan tools work better on certian makes than others. Others complain some of the scanners sold on Amazon are fakes. Another issue is support for the tool if it's not bought from a dealer. Not really sold on anything yet in the 2-300 dollar range.

it seems that most scanners work good on gm and foreign stuff, while the ones i have bought in the past don't do so hot on mopar vehicles.
even the used drb's that pop up now and then aren't cheap, and are often missing parts or cables.

I bought a Autel Maxysis and love it, very easy to program VINs into modules and ECUs, easy data stream with seemingly all the PIDs all sorts of functions to activate stuff like injectors, coils, sensors... I used to have a Launch X431 or something like that and it was the worst scanner I've ever used and I have used a lot. Lots of PIDs missing and just about totally unuseable on european stuff even though it was supposed to support it, it was very slow in general.