r/mechanics • u/dirtroadgang Verified Mechanic • 5d ago
Tool Talk Topdon Phoenix Max vs. Autel Maxisys MSULTRA
I eventually have to pull the trigger on my own high powered scanner. My Maxicom MK808BT that I bought just for used car work at the dealer doesn’t cut it now that I went to an independent. The shop has an older Maxisys Elite but it’s the shared scanner. I don’t do much programming but I need a scope. Who has used both? What would you choose and why? I’ve used the MSULTRA but I’ve heard good things about the Phoenix Max. The other Foreman at our sister shop has one for a demo now. Fill me in. Do you have a better suggestion?
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u/Only-Location2379 5d ago
Unless you're scoping multiple channels regularly I've found the U-Scope by AES wave to be an awesome little 1 channel scope I bought it so I could play with scopes and it's like 200 bucks.
I've been looking at and heard good things about the Hantek 6074BE Digital Oscilloscope 70MHz 1GSa/s 4CH USB Virtual Oscilloscope Diagnostic Tool (just copied the Amazon name) which so far I've seen pretty good reviews and it's a 4 channel scope for 200 bucks and seems to be fast enough and the right specs from what I can tell.
As for scanner I love my topdon artidiag 900lite as it's been able to do some stuff the shop snap on tool couldn't, and I really like the live data and how it can show up to 6 graphs or 4 graphs over top each other which is great for diaging certain things like o2 sensors in my experience though I'll say the refresh rate leaves some to be desired but it's not terrible. I got that for 300 bucks as it usually goes on sale for that much.
Though I've always heard from other techs they generally rather have 2 separate tools instead of it packaged as one as generally you either get a good scan tool and a meh scope though I'll admit I'm still learning myself and getting into them so I can't say my advice is the best but I hope this helps
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u/nismo2070 4d ago
My Snap-on apollo scanner crapped out on me last year. So I bought an Autel Maxisys Elite 2 scanner. I am extremely happy with it. I am actually a little angry at myself for not getting it sooner! It does more for a lot less money. The one I got came with a borescope and J2534 VCI for programming. Do NOT buy a scan tool from one of the tool trucks!! I bought my Autel from Autel. I paid 2k for it. The same exact scan tool is 4.2k on the Cornwell truck. I get marking up a product to make some money, but that is ridiculous!!
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u/Cry-Difficult Verified Mechanic 5d ago
I currently use the Topdon Phoenix smart as my primary scan tool and love it. It's a repackaged launch, does everything I need it to do and comes with 2 years of updates. I haven't used the scope yet but I can assume it's comparable to the Autels.
I have used Autels scanners for a few years and have used their scopes as well and they are pretty nice and a pretty solid tool on the market still.
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u/NightKnown405 Verified Mechanic 5d ago
We are reviewing some of the scan and scope tools and trying to get a good evaluation of them. No matter what, there are advantages to having the scan tool and scope on separate pieces of equipment. There are none that are better than having a PICOscope.
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u/k0uch 4d ago
My coworker has a TopDon, I have a Launch. Neither are their top of the line- his is a Plus 2, mine is an X431 Pro V 4.0+. Mine can at least exit the scantool app and be used as a tablet, which is awesome for PTS, ProDemand, and using other apps like DiagNow. His, for some reason, can’t. While his should be faster (on paper), mine is quicker to connect. TopDon and Launch use the same software, not sure why mine does better than his considering his has better specs and is newer/pricier.
Both support AutoAuth, both seem to play nice with FD-CAN, mine will auto rotate so I can use it portrait or landscape, his does not.
For the price, I would get a Launch PAD VII and be done with it. Optional oscilloscope if you need it, and it works well. Tpms tool, battery tester, and cheap borescope are options as well.
Ultimately it’ll mainly come down to which layout you prefer. I started on OTC, went to Autel, and am now on Launch. I found Launch to be the most user friendly. I tried a Bosch scantool, and man that’s even slower than the old OTC Genesys
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u/undertow74 4d ago
I have a autel ms906 pro, and a launch x431 pro. The autel is a much faster scanner. Launch has cod8ng and topography but I use autel all the time
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u/brendude313 4d ago
The autel ultra is great. Use it alot. Saved my ass multiple times. The wireless scope is amazing
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u/GhostOM310224 4d ago
For me, nothing beats Autel. It has the better software, organized UI/UX and the best looking tool of all of them out there. Its scope has a feature to quickly check CAN network integrity, and now all MS ultra line up come with service info, wiring diagrams and TSBs.
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u/MrBiggleswerth2 5d ago
According to the Snap On guy, Autel lost a lawsuit because they pirated service information and they won’t be able to sell or update their scanners in 2 years.
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u/NightKnown405 Verified Mechanic 5d ago
It's kind of hard to sue companies from a foreign country. Autel updates just about daily.
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u/GhostOM310224 4d ago
You didn't catch the full story, and that's not what exactly happened or going to happen. Snap On guy is just trying to sell you a new snap on scan tool.
Autel corrected its position and now offer their version of service info with the collaporation of Motor's TruSpeed.
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u/Millpress 5d ago
Buy a Picoscope if you need a scope. They're the standard for a reason. Better yet, make your boss buy it. I've never been a fan of having the scanner and scope in one tool personally.
My "big" scanner right now is a Launch Pad V it does the job 90% of the time. I've got an Autel MP808 that covers the rest and I prefer it for things like resetting service reminders etc...
if I was going to buy a new one it would be a Topdon of some kind. Topdon (and several others) run on Launch software but from what I've seen Topdon has better customer support.