Hi Scotty, I noticed on your recent Lexus SUV video that you were using what I believed to be an Xtool D8 scanner. I'm looking to buy a scan tool and would rather spend a little more up front rather than getting stuck needing something like bi-directional control of CAN-FD protocol capability. I'm a serious diyer and have done pretty much everything bumper to bumper when I need to. I currently have the Autel Maxicheck pro and the Autel TS-508 for TMPS. I'm sort of leaning towards the Xtool D8 but I'm a bit hesitant as there are several Chinese sellers and who knows which are authentic, Amazon, Aliexpress, Alibaba? I've seen you use both the Xtool and what I believe is the Thinktool pro and would very much value your opinion of both. I'm hoping to be in the $600-$700 USD range. Thank you in advance.
My fleet
1997 Camry I4, 2001 Civic I4, 2007 Buick Lucerne V6, 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 gas
The ThinkCar ThinkTool Pro is only $100 more than the Xtool D8. Did you make a decision yet? I am in the process of doing the same. Thanks
@FZRPaul be sure to put your answers in the ‘Your Answer’ section down below? Thank you.
I am not familiar with either tool other than seeing Scotty use them (who gets them sent to him to evaluate so costs him nothing). But for the rest of us who have to pay, my best advice is to buy whichever tool from an authorized dealer of the company - that way you won’t get scammed, and will be covered with a warranty, software updates, service if needed, etc. This becomes even more important when you spend many hundred of dollars (and even thousands) on a scan tool. The other advice is - is there an office in your region? So say you live in the US, is there an office somewhere in the US that will answer your questions (should you have any) as well as process and take warranty claims including service on the unit itself (worst case) - that way you are not dealing with the company in China directly which can be a nightmare. The last piece is how long has the company been around - are they established or are they a new company? If new, will they be around in the future?
One thing, too, is years ago Scotty made a video on a Thinkcar dongle - about how it would be a game changer because it could do many of the things that a higher end scan tool would. So I bought it from the company direct and it was a big disappointment - full of bugs. So, I would be weary to jump onto a tool (especially expensive one) that Scotty recommends. Go with a tool/company that has been around and they even other mechanics use.
In my mind, I am settled on Autel for fancier scan tools - lots of mechanics I know use them (including Scotty, Car Wizard, and our own @Mod_Man and @BruceRee ) and they are far more established and have reputable products. I have the MX808 and even recently plunked down good money on the MS906BT (which does bi-directional). Innova is an honorable mention. I know Scotty used the MS906BT before in his videos and he also used the Innova as well.
If you care, see my write up below on scan tools (specific Autel and Innova models are mentioned in them, and how to get them):
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/postid/113598/
I actually like the x tools for their price range they do quite a bit. It seems to be an up and coming company. And yeah I was fooled by that sink tool dongle they promised more than it actually could do but I did say it was a beta
Thank you to everyone. I have lots of reading to do.
Scotty - Just watched your most recent video with the Ford truck and the Xtool D8. When you can get a ThinkTool Pro for $769 and the Xtool D8 for $688, would you still go with the Xtool?
@FZRPaul Scotty does not answer follow-up questions within a thread.
Okay. Thanks for the tip.
Scotty - Just watched your most recent video with the Ford truck and the Xtool D8. When you can get a ThinkTool Pro for $769 and the Xtool D8 for $688, would you still go with the Xtool?
*I apologize if I put my comments in the wrong place, this is my first time posting to the forum.
In that price range, I'd get a Launch Diagun V from amazon. they can be around $700 when on sale - it's a very good scan tool, the screen is a bit small, but it's one of the least expensive ones and it continues to work even if you choose to not get extorted yearly for updates.
I personally do not like ThinkTool, I had a negative experience with them - but even I must admit the ThinkTool PROs is an amazing scan tool. I've seen pine hollow auto diagnostics use it on YouTube and it seems to be super capable for a thing that costs only $1k. ALTHOUGH I'd definitely check that it still can be used even if you choose to not pay for updates.
I'm not familiar with xtool but the product seems to be decent, maybe even more capable than launch or think tool.
Before you buy, double check that they actually have the capability you need with the manufacturer, crappy sellers online can make false claims.
Good point about yearly updates. Thanks for the input!