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Posted

In my shop we have an older Snap-On Modis eems300 and an Autel MAxidas DS708.....The Autel is new used but new to us.. It needs to be updated. however so does the Modis. and on top of that My drive tech and I and my owner want to step up to something that can program and flash by the end of the year.

 

So all that being said...in the interim...Should I spend the money on updating the Autel or the Snap On. I know what the Modis does..I also think the Modis is slower than the Ds708....who out there can answer this for me.

Thanks in advance

Mike at northern

Posted

Cars and car makers are becoming more and more complicated. The industry is trending towards having to have separate scanners/computers for every car make. Sooner or later 1 scanner fits all type of tools will be obsolete or very very limited. If you want something for general repair I hear the newest Autel is pretty good especially for the money. If you are looking for something that flash, go OEM tool.

Posted

Snap On Solus Ultra - Then have started to buy OEM tooling. I would start looking at what you work on most and devise a plan to start buying OEM tooling as it will become the norm.

 

If you are looking at flashing - Drew Tech - either Cardaq-Plus or the Cardaq-M

Posted

I use a snapon solus. I have a vantage as well that I have to dust off every once in a while. 95% off vehicles I work on a solus and a DVOM is enough but I understand electrical circuits, functions, and can read a wiring diagram. My technician unfortunately is another story.

  • Like 3
Posted

We've got the following:

 

Ford IDS

GM Tech2

Honda/Acura HDS

Toyota/Lexus/Scion Techstream

Hyundai/Kia GScan

VW/Audi Vag-Com

 

Our two master techs have a couple Snap Ons and Autels.

 

If I were to start a shop from scratch, I'd probably buy Ford, GM, VW, and an Autel for the rest. $8k tops for all of that, including a ToughBook.

 

Right now, we're debating getting a Pico Scope. It's an oscilloscope on steroids, laptop based. Trying to decide if it will just be a fun tool to have or actually make a profit.

Posted

You can make money with a picoscope for sure. It's not handheld but a lot more ability then the snapon scopes.

 

Some techs love scopes, most techs can't use them. They are not in most OEM diag. trees and most schools don't get in depth on their functions and uses. Most techs that know how to use them learn on their own time.

 

I use my vantage a couple times a month, but normally not required to diag and repair what I see, but your needs may vary.

Posted

You can make money with a picoscope for sure. It's not handheld but a lot more ability then the snapon scopes.

 

Some techs love scopes, most techs can't use them. They are not in most OEM diag. trees and most schools don't get in depth on their functions and uses. Most techs that know how to use them learn on their own time.

 

I use my vantage a couple times a month, but normally not required to diag and repair what I see, but your needs may vary.

I love my vantage. I work on everything from lawn mowers and ATVs to automotive and heavy trucks. Have a solus ultra that does most of what I need. I also have a blue point HD truck scan tool. Unless you are a dealer, its pretty much impossible to get OEM diagnostic tools for ATVs, so I manually test components with the vantage. Its used more than the solus in my shop. I end up doing all the diagnostic work in my shop because I haven't yet found a tech to hire that has the abilities. I will probably end up picking up a tech 2 in the future. Only OEM needs I've had so far have all been gm products.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Posted

Interesting. I had no idea ATVs had diag tools / software made for them. Although, it makes sense. My buddy just bought the CAT tool for the big equipment.

  • Like 1
Posted

ATV's are costing more then cars these days!!

I've noticed that people seem more willing to spend money on atv repairs than car repairs. Have a 98 polaris that I just did an estimate for thinking no way he'd have me do all the work. Estimate was over $1,500 and he gave the go ahead and said if we find anything else, fix it.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Posted

I've noticed that people seem more willing to spend money on atv repairs than car repairs. Have a 98 polaris that I just did an estimate for thinking no way he'd have me do all the work. Estimate was over $1,500 and he gave the go ahead and said if we find anything else, fix it.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

 

Stranded out on the road is okay we have road side assistance, stranded out in the Alaska bush is not an option. Fix that damn thing.

  • Like 1
Posted

Northern mike, don't have one here but have used one. There is a new line of autel scanners but the DS708 is still popular. It can be had for around $800 from harbor freight with a 20-25% coupon online. It's an authentic version supported by Autel (lots of online knock offs that aren't supported).

 

It has lots of holes as a scanner, but is cheap and a good additions considering the price of snapons and OE scanners.

  • 7 months later...

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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