Autel maxisys pro MS908P reviews
The Review from xcar360 user
Neil Rowland, owner of AZ Mobile Reflash and Troubleshooting in Mesa, Ariz., and Don Smith, owner of Elite Electronics** based out of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, reviewed the Autel MaxiSYS MS908. Both reviewers liked the quick processor speed and boot-up time that this scan tool offers. “It doesn't seem to make a difference what model of car I hook it up to,” Rowland adds, “It’s the fastest (scan) tool I’ve ever used.”
Smith says, “The MaxiSYS (MS908) saves us time on every job we use it on with its quick boot-up time, ability to look at live data and ability to use bi-directional controls while not being bound by a cord.”
The MaxiSYS MS908 included the manual, which was loaded onto a CD. Both reviewers say that because the product is easy to use, there is little need for the manual. This scan tool also included 12V and 120V chargers, a USB cable, non-OBD adapters, a strap/handle and a screen cleaning cloth.
According to both reviewers, the MS908 is easy to use. Even right out of the box, minimal setup was involved. Once the scan tool arrived in the shop, Smith says he only needed to register the device on Autel’s website in order to perform updates. “If you choose to not update it, you can use it out of the box within five minutes.”
Rowland says, “Autel is really good about updating their tools. It’s a tool that you need to check for updates like once a week, because as soon as Autel comes up with solutions, they put them on the internet for you.” Rowland also likes that the updates can be made through the tool, without having to hook it up to a computer, as the tool is fully Wi-Fi capable. He adds, “I’ve updated mine on the road. It saves me a ton of time.”
Rowland has used the MS908 for many advanced functions, which include performing diagnostics and resets on many vehicle makes and models and even programming keys. He says, “I’ve used a lot of OE scan tools. Autel lays out data the same way OE scan tools are laid out.” Because Rowland is familiar with this setup logic, he also said that if technicians are not familiar with a factory menu layout, this may be difficult for some users.
Smith used the MS908 to program keys on several vehicle makes including Ford, Dodge, Nissan and VW. He has also used this tool to diagnose a faulty PCM in a 2010 Dodge Ram and faulty headlight modules on 11 5 Series BMWs. After replacing the new module, it had to be coded and he also had to run reference for the adaptive headlights. He says, “The MaxiSYS performed flawlessly.”
When asked to compare this scan tool to previous versions, both reviewers said that they have used the MS708. According to the reviewers, the MS908 offers improved processor and printing speed and boot time, and the MS908 has offered the reviewers up to eight hours of run-time without the need for a charge. Rowland said that the new
Amazon buyer reviewer
Seeing this on Amazon with zero reviews made me very nervous, but I took the chance and ordered. Everywhere I looked was much more expensive than here. When I told some retailers that I was buying the Pro with J2534, they said it must be a chinese knockoff, because they cant get them to sell yet.
Once the tool arrived, the very first thing I did was go to pro.auteltech.com and try to register it. It registered perfectly, with proper tool number and password. So this is the REAL LEGIT Maxisys Pro, and Auteltech recognizes is.
I've only had the tool for a few days so I cant vouch for all of the diagnostic capabilities, but the few times I've used it I was very pleased. I'm coming from a Maxidas 708, so the software feels very familiar. Little things like boot-up times, and autovin (before selecting a manufacturer - brilliant) make it MUCH faster to get into the car and start testing/scanning/etc. Live data is lightning fast, and its so nice to be able to take the scanner back to your computer, while still watching a live stream from the vehicle.
I've also never had programming capabilities with J2534, so this is very new territory for me. The tool seems to be in Beta stage for J2534, but I've got the passthru, and Autel is awesome with upgrades and firmware.
EDIT TO REVIEW: 1/23/2014 - Soon after I posted my review, the price jumped by $900. That makes the Amazon sold item not quite the deal it was when i first reviewed it. The tool is still fantastic, and gets 5 stars, but I did edit my review down because the current selling price is pretty much 25% more expensive than I paid.
Once the tool arrived, the very first thing I did was go to pro.auteltech.com and try to register it. It registered perfectly, with proper tool number and password. So this is the REAL LEGIT Maxisys Pro, and Auteltech recognizes is.
I've only had the tool for a few days so I cant vouch for all of the diagnostic capabilities, but the few times I've used it I was very pleased. I'm coming from a Maxidas 708, so the software feels very familiar. Little things like boot-up times, and autovin (before selecting a manufacturer - brilliant) make it MUCH faster to get into the car and start testing/scanning/etc. Live data is lightning fast, and its so nice to be able to take the scanner back to your computer, while still watching a live stream from the vehicle.
I've also never had programming capabilities with J2534, so this is very new territory for me. The tool seems to be in Beta stage for J2534, but I've got the passthru, and Autel is awesome with upgrades and firmware.
EDIT TO REVIEW: 1/23/2014 - Soon after I posted my review, the price jumped by $900. That makes the Amazon sold item not quite the deal it was when i first reviewed it. The tool is still fantastic, and gets 5 stars, but I did edit my review down because the current selling price is pretty much 25% more expensive than I paid.
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had the scanner for about a month so far and i love it,
it does everything the genesys and the high end snap-on scanner do for less then a quarter of the price.
they always have new updates, which i consider a very good thing.
the only downside to the unit is that it will take some getting used to and the menu is not unified, for example, if you want to check the ECU, under some manufactures it will be listed as ECU unit, others PCM units, others something different. also for certain cars, like an 01 f350 diesel (they just recently released the update to support ford diesel)you will not find the diesel option under the F350, instead you have to look for the engine model in the menu where you select the car model, those are minor things for and for me and they dont bother me much
i have used it on 2001 mercedes S500 (W220 body) and it scanned a total of 41 different systems, i didn't even know the car had that many systems, it scanned everything from AC to Radio, Navigation, Insturment cluster, ABS, Airmatic, Airbags......etc
overall im very happy with it, and highly recommend it, especially considering the price
it does everything the genesys and the high end snap-on scanner do for less then a quarter of the price.
they always have new updates, which i consider a very good thing.
the only downside to the unit is that it will take some getting used to and the menu is not unified, for example, if you want to check the ECU, under some manufactures it will be listed as ECU unit, others PCM units, others something different. also for certain cars, like an 01 f350 diesel (they just recently released the update to support ford diesel)you will not find the diesel option under the F350, instead you have to look for the engine model in the menu where you select the car model, those are minor things for and for me and they dont bother me much
i have used it on 2001 mercedes S500 (W220 body) and it scanned a total of 41 different systems, i didn't even know the car had that many systems, it scanned everything from AC to Radio, Navigation, Insturment cluster, ABS, Airmatic, Airbags......etc
overall im very happy with it, and highly recommend it, especially considering the price
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I work on mostly Honda/Acura/Toyota/Lexus and the occasional Euros. Let me just go over the Honda side of things it does almost everything including programming keys without an immobilizer code! I even programmed a Toyota key before. Not sure which other ones it would work with. 3 star because...... I bought the pro to flash Honda/Acura pcm's it would not work. I called tech support And they tell me they are working on it Ok. cool story. Time goes by.... "It's something on Honda's end of things" Ok...... so recently I finally came to find out that Honda is not approving this a proper flashing device..... and Autel is actually at war with most OEM manufactures.... ok great..... so I paid extra for NOTHING.. another thing is the battery life is horrible, we could charge it to full, put it away 3 days later when we need it, it's low on battery... ... I think it's a great scanner, a whole lot cheaper than a SNAP ON scanner, which nowadays just collects dust in my shop (and was $11K) BUT it has it flaws. Would I buy one again? YES but only the basic model. I
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As of right now, this system w/ the jbox ONLY is able to take care of BMW vehicles together with the Tablet, otherwise you would have to use a laptop for other makes and models. This is only for now, who knows but hope in the future they will resolve that. )i called autel direct and spoke to a tech who told me this)........I am currently testing one out here at my shop and if it works as good as the DS708 did, then i am sold.
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This is only scanner I ever used , so I can't really compare to others .
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I bought mine from an authorized tool vendor. It worked okay at first. I use professional level scan tools so I have a comparison ability that single users may not understand. First off the DS908 hardware seems very capable. It's more than enough to run this software suite. The J2534 VCI is adequate and functions normally as compared to other programming units. The software is reverse engineered. That makes it cheap in price and in quality. Some bi-directional functions that are offered are not actually carried out. If you request to turn on, say a fan, you cannot trust the test if it doesn't turn on, in fact bi-directional commands only partially worked the times I tried doing such tests. It's very hit or miss. At times I was pleasantly surprised and at other times angry enough to commit a crime. Updates were easy enough until Summer 2015. Autel updated the entire unit ( this is done via wifi or ethernet ) and the unit is pretty much useless unless I update to the new software, just $1295. So I cannot use the old software for diagnostics, i.e. no scan tool function. The other parts of the software suite still work although no one in this galaxy uses those. Of course I may be wrong and a simple "tweak" may get it back to working. If Autel technical service would actually return a call, or pick up a hold call, 4 hold calls to be exact or make a detailed statement about why the update was not compatible, I may know an answer. It appears that they retain the right to suspend the scan tool function if you don't pay for a yearly update. I have no other explanation and cannot speak to any company representative by normal means that would verify anything different.
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I have been trying to get my scanner fixed for 5 months. Screen goes blank. Tech support is a joke. Go on the autel forums and read. You won't think twice about this scanner. I liked it at first. But functions were removed. It does not do programming and anyone that says it does is a autel employee. I can't this fixed and its a big paper weight.
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I have had a lot of different scanners over the years and this is the best and fastest so far. As for the reprogramming with the pass through device it does the job. Pretty much what the drew tech does but you need a laptop or computer running windows 8 with a usb connection just like if you were using the drewtech jbox for programming. It comes with instructions and drivers on a disc.Your not going to program using the Autel tablet at least that's what I'm finding. The pass through jbox will do factory diagnostics and programming using prescribed software on your computer from participating manufactures. If you really think you need the authentic factory software to use for a big problem it will cost you 55 on average for a three day subscription . If you have a lot of experience with pass through programming in the aftermarket and can figure things out without tech support this is the tool for you. The price is right, if you wanted the drewtech pass through device I would buy this first and see how it works for you. For $700.00 more than the drewtech jbox you also have an excellent scanner with amazing coverage. Works for me I like money in my pocket not in a bunch high dollar scanners that don't work as prescribed.
