Shopping Techniques for selecting a multi-brand compatible OBD2 scan tools

  I suggest our users learn some shopping tips for choosing a multi-brand compatible OBD2 scan tools. We all know a scan tool which works with a number of car models is comparatively much more expensive, plus there are a growing number of scan tools with prices ranging from 250USD to 2500USD. So anyone looking for a scan tool needs to do a little homework to find a tool that best fits our needs.

 

Will it work with your car?

First and foremost, the scan tool you purchase must support the vehicles you anticipate working on. Although it's true that OBDII is a standard, there are three different types of hardware communications used by OBDII vehicles. Some tools support all three and some are manufacturer specific. If you're a diehard Chevy customer, you may be able to save a few dollars by choosing a manufacturer specific tool. Check what car models the scan tools work with, if you can, try to get the supported car list of one scan tool.

 

Does it support upgrade?

Each year vehicle manufacturers release new models and revise existing models. For a scan tool to fully support the new vehicles, it must typically be upgraded, especially the universal scan tool which works with a number of car models. We usually pay lot money to buy one professional universal scan tool, hoping it is upgraded, although often at a price of some dollars per upgrade. Most lower end handheld scan tools supplied from china are not upgradeable, but for some big tools such as Autel Maxidas DS708, Launch X431 master and more they are upgradeable, especially Maxidas DS708 is original and support upgrading one year for free.

 

                      

 

 

 

No tool can function with all of

No tool can perform all, the scan tools which is designed to work with many different brand vehicle models, these power tools include: Launch X431, Autel Maxidas DS708, multi diag J2534 and much more. When the customers used multi-brand scan tools to identify the vehicle models which DS708 can function with, the customers will agree DS708 is excellent, when the customers use DS708 to check the vehicle brand autel DS708 isn't compatible, the customers will complain DS708 is rubbish which can't do anything.  For instance, the next part is a good comment in one DS708 user.

"I have Maxidas DS708. It's working perfectly with euro and jap cars. Maxidas can perform US cars however i haven't had an opportunity to test that yet.

At the start there is issues with early e46 BMW, but latest software update has solved that. In my experience its better then AutoBoss. Plus it does support Holden (Opel Australia).

I've examined maxidas on following cars: Toyota Vitz 99-2003, Honda Fit 2001-2004, Mazda Demio 2002-2004, Honda Social - 2000-2003, BMW E92 2008, Peugeot 2000-2004 206 and 307, Megabytes, Volkswagen Polo and Golf 2002-2004, Renault Clio 2003"

Whilst in the following part, the consumer gripes Autel DS708 do nothing at all.

"I experienced my maxidas 2 days ago coupled with been testing it.

to date, these are the results I discovered with this particular tool:

1. TOYOTA hilux 1KD- incorrect live data blood pressure measurements, no injector coding

2. ISUZU Jackaroo - incomplete and incorrect live data, no

Injector and pump coding.

3. SAANGYONG - not covered

I'll test more cars now.

When I have seen, my old x431 master continues to be more reliable in comparison to maxidas. I really hope maxidas may have more upgrades to pay for each one of these soon."