[cajunzl1]

Looking for a scan tool to use on my Zl1 as well as other vehicles, looking for a bi-directional, graphing capabilities etc....

Any suggestions?

[Megahurtz]

HPTuners

[cajunzl1]

Looking to do more diagnostics, not some much on my Zl1 but on other cars in general. Clearing codes, actuating valves, fans , door locks etc.....

[easttxss]

Autel is legit. I have an MX808.

[cajunzl1]

Yep , I was considering that one for sure.

thanks

[arpad_m]

Check out this thread also: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618766

I have an Xtool D8 and it works very, very well.

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Check out this thread also: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618766

I have an Xtool D8 and it works very, very well.

Yeah everyone was super helpful in this thread. I still haven't bought one yet, although I will by spring. I'm most likely to also go with the Xtool

[arpad_m]

One thing I will say is that the array of available scan tools is bewildering, and finding out which one has the best overall functionality is like navigating out of a giant maze.

Why in the world these companies have to release 1158178 scan tools, each potentially missing something crucial for one specific car so if you buy it, you're SOL, is beyond me. Xtool is no exception (nor is Autel or any others), check out this screenshot below. My excellent D8 (this thing) is somehow listed under "online diagnosis" (why not under car "diagnosis"?) as "new" (??) when the D9 has already been on the market for over a year...

If I "designed" their "product portfolio", I'd just have a basic, an enthusiast and a professional level OBD-II tool instead of all this mess, period. Maybe an additional DIY level sandwiched between basic and enthusiast, but that's it. The professional tool would always automatically have everything we are capable of supporting, and the enthusiast level would only miss a few tricky or risky ones like key programming.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

One thing I will say is that the array of available scan tools is bewildering, and finding out which one has the best overall functionality is like navigating out of a giant maze.

Why in the world these companies have to release 1158178 scan tools, each potentially missing something crucial for one specific car so if you buy it, you're SOL, is beyond me. Xtool is no exception (nor is Autel or any others), check out this screenshot below. My excellent D8 (this thing) is somehow listed under "online diagnosis" (why not under car "diagnosis"?) as "new" (??) when the D9 has already been on the market for over a year...

If I "designed" their "product portfolio", I'd just have a basic, an enthusiast and a professional level OBD-II tool instead of all this mess, period. Maybe an additional DIY level sandwiched between basic and enthusiast, but that's it. The professional tool would always automatically have everything we are capable of supporting, and the enthusiast level would only miss a few tricky or risky ones like key programming.

That’s pretty funny.. I thought it was just me that was like why the heck are there so many freakin models? Why can’t I just get one that will simply do everything at a reasonable price? I know now that’s how they increase sales..

Had an Autel a number of years back and it was ok, but like you said, it was missing what I needed (after the fact).

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Chutzpah

That’s pretty funny.. I thought it was just me that was like why the heck are there so many freakin models? Why can’t I just get one that will simply do everything at a reasonable price? I know now that’s how they increase sales..

Had an Autel a number of years back and it was ok, but like you said, it was missing what I needed (after the fact).

You see, now that I thought about it a bit more, I have a theory here: they must be attentive students in the camels and rubber duckies school of maximizing (or rather, TRYING to maximize) revenue by near infinite product segmentation. Most probably because some "senior consultants" sold them on the economic idea.

Since I'm a software developer, what I have for you is an amazing article written from that perspective, but it's sufficiently general to be enjoyable: https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2004/...rubber-duckies

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

You see, now that I thought about it a bit more, I have a theory here: they must be attentive students in the camels and rubber duckies school of maximizing (or rather, TRYING to maximize) revenue by near infinite product segmentation. Most probably because some "senior consultants" sold them on the economic idea.

Since I'm a software developer, what I have for you is an amazing article written from that perspective, but it's sufficiently general to be enjoyable: https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2004/...rubber-duckies

I love the phrase “consumer surplus”. It’s amazing how much time is spent trying to squeeze every dime they can out of the consumer.

[cajunzl1]

I was ready to pull the trigger on the Autel, now you have me looking at the X8

its difficult to understand the full cost of updates as well!

[dfwcowboy]

I don’t know beans about the subject as I’ve never used anything beyond a very basic tool, but I found this video which was interesting and explains the difference between the D8 and D9. At the 6 minute mark is a list of functions so you can get a quick comparison there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=q5-GtmNxTuU

[dfwcowboy]

What I’d like to know is whether the D9 is worth getting if I don’t intend to dive into any ECU programming. I noticed it includes options for speed limit settings and a few other things. I don’t mind spending the extra money, but not sure if I’d find any use for the additional functionality.