Looking to buy good Scan tool

4JAKE

Hi everyone.
I am currently thinking of buying myself a Diagnostic scan tool.
I want something that can do all cars, Engine, ABS, Airbag, possibly reset service intervals and Electronic park brake...

I have been searching around online and I have found AUTEL MD802 this seems to do a lot for the money but I have read that all these Autels that you see for this price range are Counterfeit??? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autel-MaxiDiag-Diagnose-Including-Function/dp/B00VK4J4CU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449699609&sr=8-3&keywords=autel+maxidiag+elite+md802

Another option that was highlighted to me today, all be it by the guy that was selling it was to just use laptop and buy software...he said that this is by far a better option and better value for money than buying a scan tool, as it can do lots more, like DPF regen, test modules/components, code injectors etc etc, not that I would probably ever use it to its full potential.. the price is €350 with the Tough book, or you can put it on a laptop, but I was advised not to have it on a personal laptop that is used for internet use??? which I found a bit strange?? https://www.donedeal.ie/caraccessories-for-sale/toughbook-diagnostic-system-car-and-truck/10718499

Just wondering what your thoughts are on the above or better options around this price range?? TIA

The Sidewards Man

I know a fella that has the dungdeal one, its good for its money. Keep it off the interweb as advised.

Special Circumstances

Legit good stuff costs serious money. The cheap option is chinese clones of the hardware and cracked software.

The unit shown with the tough book is a Chinese clone of delphi ds150e. I've heard they are good.

4JAKE

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Legit good stuff costs serious money. The cheap option is chinese clones of the hardware and cracked software.

The unit shown with the tough book is a Chinese clone of delphi ds150e. I've heard they are good.

And what is the story with the tough books, I believe they are ment to be 2nd hand

rex-x

For the money the Autel is a fantastic unit. I use mine more than the laptop as its so handy. Its powered by the car and has great functionality on all systems and great compatibility in my experience. It will even rewind electric handbrakes for you and allow you to write service data to most cars ecus

darragh o meara

4JAKE wrote: »

And what is the story with the tough books, I believe they are ment to be 2nd hand

Yes they're absolutely 2nd hand. New tough books ain't cheap..

Melodeon

Anything that specifies that you shouldn't let it see the Internet is cracked/hacked software, and the hardware will be counterfeit.
Customer support is likely to be patchy at best, and any included documentation will be poorly translated from Chinese.

It's up to the purchaser to decide if they can live with these limitations.

4JAKE

Appreciate all the info here guys, as I'm essentially trying to find my feet with all the different options and which are pure forms and which are copies.. Nothing wrong with copies or cloned software I guess as long as you know what you are buying and are not buying under false pretences

DWG

Hi 4Jake, I asked the same question in another form a few months ago. I went with the Chinese delphi ds150. Any chance your ever in the midlands area. I can give you a look at it. I'm very happy with it.

megafan

4JKE... Depending how involved you want to get with car maintenance using your laptop would be ok for clean (easy?) jobs but in the rough & tumble of kerbside motors with oily hands etc laptop easily destroyed.... might be better off with purpose built tough unit & the more you spend the more the unit can do but then it finding how to read different manufacturers codes .... 300-500 euro(ish) might get something for OBDll, EPB & air bags? & Autel & Foxwell units not bad and most come with regular (free) updates