Scan tool needed for suspension

Also [email protected]

They all have negative reviews. Very concerning.

the blur said:

They all have negative reviews. Very concerning.

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All, Who, has negative reviews?

OR VietVet said:

I just looked. Yea, my Autel is the MaxiCOM MK808S and about 2 months ago, IIRC, I was using it and had to purchase updates, after the first two years I owned it. @Fless, you must have bought yours about the same time I did. I was not having to purchase updates for what I was currently working on but it asked me about 3 times as I was navigating thru what I actually wanted to do. So, I purchased them and sat there while it went thru the process. I do not know what Android it is running.

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I'm not aware that updates are mandatory after a certain amount of time. I let mine lapse more than a year and elected to update; I wasn't forced. Yes, it pesters one to update, like an old nag, but I just ignore those notices.

Fless said:

I'm not aware that updates are mandatory after a certain amount of time. I let mine lapse more than a year and elected to update; I wasn't forced. Yes, it pesters one to update, like an old nag, but I just ignore those notices.

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Not mandatory, just pestered me.

I've gone through several scan tools. I have owned, and currently own, TopDon, Launch, Autel, and Innova scan tools. I've settled on TopDon. The rest are collecting dust. TopDon has proven to be a solid product at a good price with great live U.S. based tech phone support.

Specifically for our GMT900 platform, I use a TopDon Phoenix Plus bi-directional scan tool. I've paired it with TopDon's Phoenix Scope (oscilloscope), their TC001 thermal camera, and their BTMobil ProS battery tester. I also have TopDon's Tornado 30000 for maintaining voltage for long diagnostics, programming, and coding. Speaking of coding an programming, I also have TopDon's RLink J2534 passthrough for using GM's SPS2, GDS2, etc. (replaces the old Tech2 functionality).

The Phoenix Plus 2 is more than capable of reading all of GMs B (body), C (chassis), and U (network) DTC's, as well as the usual P (powertrain) codes. Naturally, it's bi-directional so you can manipulate modules, actuators, etc. It has topology and can display up to 12 live data graphs at one time. All in all, it's a great diagnostic tool.

There hasn't been anything I haven't been able to diagnose or test with this toolset on the GMT900.

fredcook said:

I've gone through several scan tools. I have owned, and currently own, TopDon, Launch, Autel, and Innova scan tools. I've settled on TopDon. The rest are collecting dust. TopDon has proven to be a solid product at a good price with great live U.S. based tech phone support.

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Good info and thanks for posting it.

I’ve got Launch but am not super happy with it. I’ll have to check out TopDon.

Sorry for hijacking the thread...

I need diagnostic scanner for my 2004 Monte Carlo and 2007 GMC Youkon.

Which one would be better for me, Foxwell NT710 Bi-directional Scan Tool or Tech2 (clone from here: https://www.autonumen.com/goods-156...G1pBEwree6xg44ISeD2_LpnaOr6cy7oQaAsV0EALw_wcB )

I could get both for almost same price. Foxwell might come from their Europe site and could save customs and paper work.

Thanks for all advises.
Ivo

My vote is foxwell, despite not knowing anything about them.
The tech2 is old and crude, and will be useless for most any other vehicle..

The Foxwell NT710 is a manufacturer specific scanner. I ordered mine for my GM vehicles. I believe you can pay for and add other manufacturers too.

Thanks for the answers guys,

Yes, you are correct. You can add additional license/software for other car brands.

For the time being, I am GM fan and not planning to switch to other brand

OK, I will go with Foxwell and see what it will be

Thanks,
Ivo

chutkin said:

Thanks for the answers guys,

Yes, you are correct. You can add additional license/software for other car brands.

For the time being, I am GM fan and not planning to switch to other brand

OK, I will go with Foxwell and see what it will be

Thanks,
Ivo

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I bought this Foxwell NT710 when I thought I would only need a live data bi-directional scanner for my 2 GM vehicles. Then I got deeper in the driveway work and was working on numerous manufacturers vehicles and bought an Autel MK808S and I am happy with it. I am curious about the Top Don scanner but as of today, I have my entire tool collection up for sale on CL and FB. If you look there, you can see why I am doing it.

solli5pack said:

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Man this guy likes to talk.

I got Foxwell NT710 with GM software.
It shows a lot of data from my 2004 Monte Carlo. I have to dive deep learning it
I hope I will be able to test it on my 2007 GMC Yukon soon, when I got it back assembled

For reference, I got it from official Foxwell Euro site for EUR 280,00 ($320) shipped, including free Foxwell ES100 Automotive Endoscope 3-in-1.

Best regards,
Ivo

Jetskier77 said:

Man this guy likes to talk.

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and he is talking more or less about expensive tools that a shop would use, not something run of the mill that most people will buy,
so yes it is wise to stay with a "name brand" and if you are dropping more than a $100 on it then yes buy from a legit source. or be certain it is a genuine product.
you can find knock-offs out there for cheap, they will work in most cases but don't expect the original manufacture to have your back for a copycat product that's just dumb. you're going to get what you pay for.
that being said there are a lot idiots out there, far more than I rank.
I paid a $100 for the vcx nano, knowing very well it is a "hacked" product, but it has immense value because it can do both tech2 functions and gds2 diagnostics.
the kicker is you just have to be computer savvy.
a year subscription to GDS2 is like what $800 or something, mine is licensed to like 2035 or something crazy, and that cost was $0.00
it was a pita to setup and took hours but it works. still takes a little fiddling to update it every once in a while but still no money out of pocket.

another thing to "beware" of is if you buy a MDI clone, you can get blocked and loose your techline access because the clone's started getting made with firmware that tries to backdoor into the gm servers, gm got wise and "checks" the devices, if it does not pass the security check you get flagged and locked out.
the MDI's can be extremely hard to determine if they are genuine or not and generally need to be disassembled to verify
I have 2 MDI clones, one is much older and passes and works fine the other does not, probably 98% of the ones out there on the market are clones unless you buy it from a well know authorized dealer, nearly every single MDI II is a MDI 1 clone unless it is purchased for $1200.00 from bosch or kent moore.

Jetskier77 said:

Man this guy likes to talk.

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I watch some of his videos and I would say the info is decent but he needs to follow some kind of script. He's kind of all over the place and going back and forth.

Less so with Dave's Auto Center on YouTube. I'd say better info and he explains things better, but he does go back and forth, too.

Heres a couple links to use old laptop and more.

just search ebay for china car diag.

Fless said:

I watch some of his videos and I would say the info is decent but he needs to follow some kind of script. He's kind of all over the place and going back and forth.

Less so with Dave's Auto Center on YouTube. I'd say better info and he explains things better, but he does go back and forth, too.

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I typically watch 2 or 3 videos, over the weekend, of Dave's Auto Center. They can usually range about 30 minutes to 60 minutes and is pretty though about the 4 "C's" steps Dave like to stress for proper repair steps.

1. Condition
2. Cause
3. Correction
4. Confirm

Although, I have messaged, thru the message boards on the videos, that I think #1 should be CONCERN. Have not heard back.

He has his 3 go to guys for most of the diesel work: Dillon, Tyson and Jason. He has some younger techs that are good too and are being trained to step up. It is a very large shop, with at least 2 buildings.