If you are going to spend that much on scan tools at Harbor Freight, then you can definitely do better.
What are you trying to do with the scan tool? You need to figure that out first. Otherwise, for most people, a basic scan tool is all they need, and for that the Bluedriver is excellent (and works with your smart phone). It is about $100. I would buy direct from Bluedriver to make sure you are getting the latest firmware and not getting scammed (e.g. clones, etc).
https://www.bluedriver.com/products/bluedriver-scan-tool
Also, see here for vehicle coverage: scroll down to “Will Bluedriver work with my vehicle?”
https://www.bluedriver.com/support
If you find yourself needing a more advanced scan tool (that can scan every computer module on the vehicle and want bidirectional control) I’d go with Autel or Innova. In general the more you pay for a scan tool the more functionality/vehicle coverage you get. Beyond $100, the next scan tool to consider is the $249 Autel MaxiDiag MD808 Pro - a handheld scan tool which scans all computer modules and does everything my $400 Tablet Autel MX808 can do except it offers fewer service functions (see link below to see difference between the MD808 and MX808) - if you need some of those service functions then you step up to the MX808 (plus it’s a tablet, easier to see/read). However, the MD808 Pro comes with free lifetime updates unlike the MX808 (where it is free for one year only). See link: https://www.aeswave.com/MaxiDiag-MD808-Pro-p9591.html
For vehicle coverage, enter that tool here to see if your car(s) is covered:
https://www.autel.com/vehicle-coverage/coverage2
The MD808 is the best bang for the buck for a $200-$300 scan tool. None of these tools above are bi-directional, however. So if you need that, read on.
Also, when you get to those price points I only recommend buying from an authorized dealer if you care about support, service, software updates, and warranty, and to make sure you don’t get scammed. Some of those from Amazon are not North American models and if you need to have it serviced you have to send to China! And Amazon is NOT an authorized dealer for Autel. (That link I put up going to aeswave.com - they are an authorized Autel dealer whom I’ve bought stuff from in the past.)
If you go with the MX808, see below and where to buy from here:
link to tool: https://www.autel.com/mk2/3223.jhtml
https://www.aeswave.com/MaxiCheck-mx808-Scan-Tool-p9590.html
Vehicle coverage:
https://www.autel.com/vehicle-coverage/coverage2
If you need some bi-directional ability, then consider the $330 Innova 5610 (non RS is fine) - these is the same one that Scotty has used in some videos (except his said RS but it’s the same thing). That also scan every module on the car.
See below:
https://www.innova.com/collections/all/products/carscan-pro-5610#fullFeatureContent
To be safe, check to see all the features it can perform for your vehicle: scroll down to ‘Coverage Checker’ down below on that page and select the tool and your vehicle.
https://www.innova.com/collections/all/products/carscan-pro-5610#fullFeatureContent
It also tells you which bi-directional services it can perform.
In case you wonder the difference between the non-RS and RS, see email response below from Innova when I asked them:
“The 5160RS and 5610 are the exact same tools in features and coverage, but just have different colors. You can purchase the 5160RS off Amazon. I do not know why the prices are different, even though these tools are the same except for colors. The 5610 is less expensive.“
Also, if you buy the Innova tool I recommend you buy from them direct on their store to get the latest firmware, or one of their authorized dealers, and to not get scammed - but ordering from them direct might be wise. Some of these scan tool companies (like Autel) don’t sell direct and rely on dealers, but it seems Innova sells direct - which is a plus.
Finally, if you need even more capability than any of the tools above as well as a comprehensive set of bi-directional ability (remember, the more you pay the more you can do), then you will have to step up to the Big Boy $1,250 Maxisys MS906BT. It generally costs $1200-$1600 and are tools Scotty Kilmer and Car Wizard have used (you can see it frequently in Scotty’s videos). For its price point and what it can do, nothing else matches it.
link to tool:
https://www.autel.com/c/www/mk3/3219.jhtml
Where to buy:
https://www.aeswave.com/Autel-MaxiSYS-MS906BT-Scan-Tablet-with-1-yr-Updates-and-Warranty-p9633.html
Vehicle Coverage:
https://www.auteltech.com/vehicle-coverage/coverage2
One final warning about Autel. I got this e-mail from Autel North America on supported North American versions (Scotty’s Tool page lists some that are NOT North American versions, buyer beware):
“The list of authorized diagnostic tablets [in North America] is short.
MX808
MX808TS
TS608
MS906BT
MS906TS
MS908 (includes the P, S, and S Pro)
Elite
MS909
MS919
Ultra
IM508
IM608
Anything that is MP or MK is not a US tool. Also the above tools can be sold by unAuthorized US dealers but will NOT receive warranty or support from Autel US. They will also not be able to bypass the security gateway in 2018+ Chrylser vehicles.“
To avoid yourself potential headache if you buy Autel, just stick to the official recognized North American models and buy from their authorized dealer list, to avoid getting a counterfeit unit or even a unit that works initially buy months later fails - and now you are stuck sending back to China and dealing with their customer service (on your dime potentially).
Thank you very much. I knew I would get somewhere here!
Thank you for this write up, it will help me greatly in choosing my next scan tool.
Look under Tools in the upper right corner of this screen to see the ones Scotty recommends - ranging in price from $30 to $800
https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottykilmer?listId=2XW7WGTYW92WE
Harbor Freight electronic items have a very bad reputation. They only have a 90-day warranty and no support or service available. Stick with the leading brands.
Never buy anything from Harbor Freight that has moving parts.
Autel is my recommendation. Good options at all different price points. You just need to know what your end goal is for the tool and what budget you want to stick to.
Update to my original post above:
- Adding another scan tool to my personal recommendation list for consideration: The Innova 7111 which is a tablet scan tool for those that like bigger screens and being able to scroll/read better (like myself). Allows for both tethered (cable) and Bluetooth connection (kind of convenient if you are road testing and don’t want a cable dangling over your leg). Retail $600
https://www.innova.com/collections/all/products/smart-diagnostic-system-obd2-tablet-7111
- Services/Features for your vehicle (coverage) see below:
Also, the software updates for ALL Innova products (includes bug fixes, updates to include more functionality and services for your vehicle, also newer model year vehicles) are FREE (lifetime free). That’s a big deal, because with Autel depending on the scan tool after one year of ownership you have to pay for updates (assuming you want updates). You can still use the tool without paying, but of course you don’t get more recent updates (that’s what I have been doing essentially since 2018). Also, you can spend anywhere from $125 to $2,000 for one year of updates (!)
For example, the Autel MX808 listed in my original post would be $125 for a year of updates, while the the super fancy Autel MS906BT would be $429. Now the handheld Autel MD808 has free lifetime updates.
With any scan tool one buys, it’s ideal to get free, lifetime software updates but they don’t all offer that. Buyer beware.
BTW, those prices above for the Autel that I mentioned also include a warranty itself on the unit so if screen or battery malfunctions (for instance or any hardware within), that’s also covered in the price. You can pay for the update/warranty after the fact, too. With Innova, however, the warranty is only good for one year since date of purchase and then you are on your own (except for the free software updates). So both companies have their pros and cons.
I'm looking around for my first scan tool myself today @DayWalker and was looking at Innova products, thanks for sharing! I saw that Innova 7111 and thought it looked interesting, though maybe a little expensive. I've been thinking of getting something that will let me get into my Ranger's automatic tranny so I could possibly figure out what gear change the clunk I sometimes feel is on. That would probably require a higher end tool like the 7111. Also wanting to check out how well my truck is running as far as fuel trims and such, the CEL has never come on in the time I've owned it and am curious how well she's actually running after 270k.
@justin-shepherd both the hand held scan tools I mentioned in my original post above - the Autel MD808 and the Innova 5160 - can do what you want since they scan every computer module on board. The Autel MD808 is more attractive in price than the Innova 5610 unless of course you need bidirectional capability (but even then bidirectional not supported on all vehicle makes and models - you have to check the coverage links I provided above).
10/12/21 Update: Innova has an Amazon store and sells directly there. Here is a link an Innova representative sent me:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Innova/page/D502C5AA-22A7-4ACF-ACDE-06AE731C1CD9?ref_=ast_bln
Autel, however, does not sell directly on Amazon nor is Amazon even an authorized distributor/dealer for Autel. Buyer Beware.