Scan Tool Recommendations

[Finallyflying]

I want a good capable scan tool for my 2001 LeSabre. Used Tech 2s are going for $800-$1200 on eBay which is fine, but most have screen/display issues even at that price. Are the screens repairable when/if they fail?

There’s a new clone Tech 2 on eBay for $400 but not from a reputable seller - probably cheap Chinese junk with limited capabilities I’m guessing. Has anyone tried it?

And then there’s all the generic ones from Autel, Innova, Foxwell, Launch etc but each with too many various model numbers for me to make sense of.

I don’t necessarily need to be able to operate the windows etc (at least not yet), but I do need misfire counts per cylinder, O2 sensor data, EVAP testing, good data logging, freeze frame and preferably a way to download data for record keeping but a cable is fine, it doesn’t have to be Bluetooth.

All recommendations and advice appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DrivenDaily]

YouTube channel South Main Auto Repair likes his very expensive Autel, but it can't do some of the things he needs it to and uses his Harbor Freight Icon scanner.

 

[ulycyc]

Autel makes a great tools. You can get something in the $200 range for basic needs. There 508 and 808 series does about anything a tech 2 can do for more money

 

[jotzgr]

I’ve had an Autel Max808 for about 1-1/2 years now and have used it on multiple vehicles (some not mine). It does everything you mentioned and then some. I have been able to stop paying locksmith fees as it will program the remotes for these years Lesabres also. Overall very pleased. Only criticism is that it comes with no useable manual or instructions and their support is nonexistent other than giving you a generalized answer that doesn’t even address the question.

 

[Buick City Bert]

I have an OTC encore, they are no longer available, got the final software update last year so I am good for a while, like the others there is no manual and it is up to you and the shop manual for your car to navigate the vast amount of functions that are available while using it. It actuates all the servos, and tests all the sensors, will do trouble shooting tests of many systems, but when you have a bad wire or buss you are on your own.

 

[Finallyflying]

I have an OTC encore, they are no longer available, got the final software update last year so I am good for a while, like the others there is no manual and it is up to you and the shop manual for your car to navigate the vast amount of functions that are available while using it. It actuates all the servos, and tests all the sensors, will do trouble shooting tests of many systems, but when you have a bad wire or buss you are on your own.

Thanks for the info! If an otc was updated in 2024 will it continue to work indefinitely on the cars that were in that last update or will it stop working completely at some point. In other words did the software updates just add newer cars each year?

There are several nice looking otc on ebay from sellers with good ratings for just a little more money that the mx808 but do you know if there is much difference in capability between the mx808 and the otc?

 

[Buick City Bert]

The enhanced functions are available up to the "25 or '26 model years. These will continue for the life of the tool.
The basic OBD functions will continue to be available after that in a function called "Global OBD".

 

[Finallyflying]

So I finally decided on the Autel and I just yesterday received it. I bought the MX900 which is the updated version of the venerable MX808 with a larger screen, better battery, and pre-/post- scanning. It took a while to download the data for my 3 cars but so far, the tool does everything I needed it. It shows live data, freeze frame recording, and you can save both screenshots and PDF summary files from right in the app. I ordered it directly from the Autel website and they offered a 10% discount for a first purchase. NAPA also has the MX900, but they would not accept their 20% discount on the scan tool saying that item is "excluded", so it ended up being $50 cheaper directly from Autel and free shipping too. I ordered it on Saturday and it arrived on Wednesday so fast shipping too.

I think the OTC Encore is an excellent scanner too, maybe even a bit more capable but I learned that if the previous owner did not connect to the OTC/Bosch server between January and October 2024 then the scanner won't work. Apparently Bosch changed the server and if the new server address wasn't loaded in 2024 then it won't connect to the website. If it did connect in 2024, then you should have the capability mentioned above by BCB.

Only 1 seller would send me a screenshot of the system update page and his hasn't connected since 2020 so I decided to go with the new Autel model where at least I knew that I could register it and download the software needed.

Hope this is helpful to others looking at scan tools.