Is Snap On Scan Tool Still Worth Buying?

I would say yes, they have improved a lot from what they were before. Zeus is more than just scantool, it has oscilloscope, and they also sell you the intelligent Service ( Mitchell) so that right there makes it more expensive. I have the basic with two Chanel scope. I like it a lot specially when I need to graft a sensor for signal, voltage etc. Still expensive to keep it updated

Hey Oscar. But if you compare the price wouldn't it be better to just purchase a regular scan tool without a scope and separately purchase a PICO? Because paying a for a zeus usually ends up a little bit more expansive after there interest charge.

Yes you are right, but I don’t own a pico scope. Plus I got a good deal/sale from the Snapon truck that honestly wasn’t to expensive compared to when they sale it at the regular price. And like I said, I don’t have there expensive line of scanners, I own the Modis with the two Chanel scope. It does what I need it to do so far.

That's what I did in 2006. Was looking at a MODIS, nearly 10K. Updated my mastertech and bought a PICO, $6000 ahead.

Hey Tom I think IMO you made the best choice.

Snappy ABSOLUTELY has their place in your arsenal. Snappy is NOT my go to but it is a must have when my go to's come up short. Snappy has a LONG memory and are still very strong on older stuff that some of my newer scan tools will not identify. The Zeus would not be my choice. A much more affordable lower end Snappy for sure. With the price of the Zeus I could get the cheaper Snappy and 2 other…

my answer is NO. Not worth that, I bought snap on scan tool half year ago, now is a junk sitting in my box. so limited function to do European, almost the same as Autel and Launch function at domestic car and Asian car but some time less, and the tool price is rocket high. I have autologic, autel 908p , launch pad v, and some oem software. i am still looking for some one buying my brand new snap…

Hey Guan, I personally lost fate on snap on scan tool a little while back once I started using Autel because the type of work I do most of the times Autel was a big help for me especially when comes to programming keys on most makes and models. Snap on is very behind now. I currently have Verus Edge but it have been sitting in the tool box for over a year and collecting a dust.

snapon is my go to for drivability and data logging I prefer the non-windows based variants with the integrated 2 channel scope currently for me thats the triton d10 (I buy a snapon tool and use it for 2 years and trade it in on the newer version paying slightly more than the cost of updating it) the scope allows me to do quick testing without hauling out my 4 or 8 channel pico and its…

No SnapOn tool is worth even half of what it costs. I mean everything on the truck. This is not the 1980's. Just the fact that they are owned by the same manufacturer as most of the OEM hardware yet can't be bothered to integrate even a fraction of the most-needed OEM functionality should be reason enough not to give them your hard-earned money. I go to shop after shop where their newest…

I was going to pipe in but you said it best.

For the price of a Zeus you could get an Autel that includes a better scope, a J2534 device with standard and remote programming capabilities and have money left over for some OE tooling Or subscriptions. I won’t argue that Snap on graphing capabilities can’t be beat, but that is where the comparison ends. snap on is not worth the money anymore, they got behind companies like Autel and Launch…

Hi Rich Lots of interesting comments, but nobody did any real comparisons that I could see. I would like to know what you mean by SO getting behind companies like Autel. What exactly do you mean by that? While it is true that for an AM tool Snap On is the best for graphing, it is also true that there are data acquisition rate differences. There are also ways to optimize the data flow. The…

Hey Jim, I didn't mean to imply the Snap on scan tools are bad, and I agree 100% with you about most guys not caring about graphing or data acquisition rates. I still see guys using top of the line scan tools of every brand as a code reader only and it drives me insane! I guess my point of view was based on Arsalan's question of value and I feel based on what most typical techs are looking…

Hi Richard, It is often entertaining to talk to supposed “technicians” with high dollar Snap On, Matco, Autel, Fluke or whatever $$$ test equipment and then realize through casual conversation they don't even know half the functions or capabilities of the tool. (I call it ownership bragging rights). These are the same ones that think a trouble code means to replace a part (not test anything)…

Worthless in my opinion. if you are tire and oil change shop with simple read and clear faults, then yes. if you planning go into deeper diagnostics, then it might be good on older cars but if you see newer vehicles at the door or even European, then don’t even bother. there are better alternatives on the market at cheaper price.

The answer to your question is…. It depends! (Credit JR) What level of diagnostics are you doing? Do you want to pull codes and replace parts, or do you want to go deep into structured diagnostics? Do you want to be able to tell a customer “We can do it” or do you want to spin the wheel of chance and get stuck with a tool that limits your capability? I personally gave up on Snap On over a…

If money is any concern then don't buy an all-in-one with Hand Guided Subscription® technology. The cost is extreme to buy and then keep updated, and the additional stuff it has onboard can be done better with separate tools, like an information system instead of hand guiding and a scope/DVOM for measurements. I like the Snap On scan tool design enough to have one, but not new or all-in-one…

In todays world, in a shop full of undertrained techs, Snap on diagnostics is a godsend. If you are a real professional in diagnostics and do more than just basic stuff, you won't get the value. I have an older verus pro, it is my the most user friendly diag tool I have. My 12 year old can run it efficiently. The learning curve is shortened for the snap on tools. But, for someone who already has…

After 30 years of S.O. electronics, I will be unlikely to ever get another. Autel has what I find to be superior in almost every way. Cost is much more affordable. All of the BS about them with certain infringements, must be mostly bogus. Autel has gotten even bigger and better over the years. Not S.O. There are others that are excellent for their purchase price. S.O, gives nothing you do…

Hi Arsalan, well here is my two cents, I own a verus edge which has a 4 channel lab scope I stop updating in 2017 because tech support in California told me that if u update u will lose code tips, symptom tips, and other stuff that was built into my snap on scan tool, they will now be accessed thru web service, kind of like sure trac and TSB's, if u want to see it you have to have a current…

My last update was 21.2 and “Trouble shooter” was included on the tool. I don’t like the idea of having to rely on an internet connection to use that feature.

I thoroughly enjoy my Zeus and I'm glad I have it. It is my first grab, the scope is attached, you can split screen. I love the altusdrive​.​com account and how it stores everything for easy access. I love the storage of the vehicles and how it easily keeps all the data organized. The scope is great for most things. It is not as great as a Pico but it's an all in one unit. I am a…

Excellent response and I forgot allll about the altusdrive feature!!!!

I agree about the altusdrive feature. I wish more scan tool makers would make it that easy to save scans and snapshots. I can do a health report scan out in the parking lot, go to my computer in the shop and all the vehicle info is there ready for viewing or printing.

Hi Arsalan, I have used Snap On for years all the way from the beginning of their scanners, but I had to finally switch to Autel a couple of years ago because of price, capability and coverage. Snap On is still the way to go for anything pre-96' though. I have an older MODIS EEMS300 that is advertised up to 2016, but the screen is weak, which is common on those due to a bad mother board VR, and…

“Hopefully, the right to repair laws being enacted will correct most of this in the near future.” They are enacting R2R laws? So far, the only state that has “succeeded” with that is Massachusetts and you only need to look at what Hyundai/Kia did in response to that. There is no appetite in the legislatures to fight the OEMs. They have bottomless pockets and infinite time. R2R is, effectively…

Not worth it, I do so much diagnostics. I use 2 Autel 909s and a Micsig ATO all day every day and still struggle having only 2 909's. I buy a new one every year and sell the 3rd, Keeps the cost down. Wouldn't make what I do now without all 3 separate tools.

I still think they make a great tool, but with all the new scan tools on the market, they are over priced. I still use my snap on scanner every day. But I wouldn't pay 10k for it. I think whatever version of the tool I have now was 4k (?) Still pretty overpriced in my opinion, but maybe not, I did pay it (lol). I find myself going for the autel or the iscan more and more. However I still would…

I would get a used legit snap on scanner of choice. Then have a look at the Android based tools such as autel, launch, topdon. They will fill the holes that snap on has. I still use my Solus ultra, but fire up the topdon as well. When I was working on a 2013 Mazda, and my updated SO couldn't give me abs speed readings, I knew I would not give them a dime for a new scanner. For what they…

I recently bough a Thinkcar s20. still learning it while phasing out my second Modis. Have used snap on since the days of the brick. I thought about Autel, based on what's been said/wrote here. I do a bit of heavy duty also… which made the thinkcar, a no brainer…as it does both. Could't beat the price The one I got has lifetime automotive updates

“Have used snap on since the days of the brick.” The Brick was the last great SnapOn tool. I wont be relinquishing mine any time soon, though I haven't had occasion to use it in many years since I refuse to work on anything that old. diag​.​net/file/f2tiyflru…

Hi Jeff, I finally parted with my “red brick” 2 years ago. I still miss it from time to time. On occasion, I still refer to the volumes Troubleshooter manuals that came with it. Hard drives crash years before any books become unusable.

Hi Mitchell, Beware of the word “lifetime”. The processor will be antiquated has the updates become more advanced. Lifetime basically means as long as they support the unit.

of course. but @ 61 times around the sun. hoping this will be my last scanner. hoping Android based systems, have a longer liespan

Hi Mitchell, Android is very stable from what I have gathered. Like you, I have been a dedicated Windows person since they came out and have learned to accept its quirks. There is a bit of a learning curve with Android, but old dogs can learn new tricks. I think Android is more fluent with gradual changes and does not require a new “faster” computer every time like Windows does. Besides…

I peruse a Topdon users group and there are many posts regarding the (intentionally) small built-in memory, such that nearly new tools can't fit the latest updates. Even when users delete every non-local make there are still memory issues. I don't pay too much attention but is seems like Thinkcar and Topdon are essentially the same animal. Autel looks amazing compared to these units.

This is correct, specifically seems to be an issue with the 800 series. Its a trade off..free updates for the life of the tool until it's no longer supported, vs pay for updates to extend the warranty on the Autel.

I still think Snap On makes a great diagnostic tool. You could buy a Pico and a laptop and an autel and a subscription to a service that includes some of the intelligent diagnostics functions but even if you save a few bucks now you have multiple tools a laptop to keep updated and batteries to charge. If you're not lookin for something all in one then you might as well go for OEM tooling. If…

Mike, just my observations. I think a lot of folks go with Snappy just because of the name. Most of them have likely never, ever, tried any of the others. Licensing is not so much of an issue for we the users. I think some of that story is highly exaggerated anyhow. Do you think Snappy may be a bit heavy with management and that may be a cause of the higher pricing? I do. Snappy dealers are…

Our company runs all OEM and we have a handful of aftermarket. Snap On makes it on every truck for the reasons I mentioned earlier. The only aftermarket tool I will say I'm not very familiar with is Launch. Hands down the bang for the buck in an all around tool the Snap On has been the winner for us. And when talking licensing, I think there is a bigger picture to look at. A few aftermarket…

Well, apparently, most techs care more about the price point, than the ethics of buying a ‘hacked’ tool. More about supplying Chinese engineers with jobs than native born engineers, although SO also uses off-shore engineers. What they don't do, is rip-off others software, which appears to be the norm with some of the other Chinese tooling. They generally pay licensing fees, whereas most of the…

Probably you are correct in your thought regarding price point. I am not too clear on the hacked tool stuff though. I wonder how much actual engineering of automotive electronics is actually done by engineers. As silly as that sounds, I have a sense it is more likely electronic tech types messing with already developed materials and innovations. Nor am I confident a whole lot of it has been…

When a set of wrenches, or an impact gun, is a weeks pay for a “c” or be tech'. I'm not going into the “ what techs get paid ” bit it's more about : best bang for your buck I do light and heavy duty… so the Thinkcar S20 platinum, that I bought second hand from here, with “lifetime” { the machine or my lifetime } light duty updates and almost a year of included heavy duty,,, was a no…

I would agree with the underpaid part for sure. I don't see any other excuse to not stand up and charge a fair price for doing it right. Aside from cost the only other excuse I can see, at least in the case of some of the hacked security programming, is that it is easier. On one hand we have the NASTF registry which makes it incredibly hard for technicians as well as locksmiths to legitimately…

I agree, that the NASTF site, and procedure are ridiculously cumbersome and expensive to use. The insurance alone can cost thousands/annum. The VSP fee is not unreasonable, but does not help when it comes to addressing the awkwardness of the system. Every OEM sort of does it differently, so it's a guessing game for much of the learning curve. Which module does what, and how are the keys done?…

I agree in my opinion NASTF treats the people trying to do the right thing like criminals. In one instance I've seen emails where NASTF researched a user's Google reviews and tried to use them against him for not having one of his employees (that was named in a google business review) on a sub NAST account. Why on earth would anyone subject themselves to that? But none of the OEMs are ever…

Yeah, like the rollout for older vehicles on SPS2, where Opus magically didn't have an issue at all, flashing old GMs, and the rest of us were drowning in GM's stupidity…many of us still are, yet not a peep from NASTF! Or the fact that I still haven't gotten a response from NIssan, nor Tweddle, just so they can ‘release’ my laptop, after an OS change, and NASTF doesn't respond, EVER, to emails…

Well that really interesting because OPUS members serve on the board of NASTF. It's almost like NASTF is using the organization as a tool to steer service to private companies that serve on the board under the guise of helping the aftermarket… Nah they wouldn't do that! I have worked with Tweddle in the past and brought up Nissan FAST files and EPC access with the Nissan team. Turns out…

I own a newer Triton. I use it but I almost always find something that I wish it did that I was told it would do…. every time I use it. If this purchase is going to be your main scanner than really dig in and do your research and buy whatever is going to be best for what you work on the most. I am looking for a second scan tool to fill in the gaps for my light duty cars and trucks. I use factory…

Hi Jon, For a second scan tool, I suggest an Autel MS906BT, but do your research and find out if it fits your needs. You Tube has lots of video on this unit. I don't do much programming except with OE equipment. This unit also has many built in hot functions for performing relearns. If you do tire service, then the MS906TS is good because it has tire pressure sensor calibration capabilities. I…

Hi Glen, just to add to ur post, I bought my first Autel Pro from Matco, 2nd was Autel Elite from Wal-Mart​.​com and 3rd Autel Ultra from JBtools​.​com and I verified that all three had serial numbers that came with Autel American support from the team in New York which is a very important benefit, good point glen

Thank you

I agree with all those that responded that SnapOn scan tools still have a place in every diagnostician's arsenal. Few scan tools graph as well as they do and it is rare (although not unheard of) that data is misreported or there's a function in the tool that it won't technically perform. I don't know that I would suggest the Zeus, unless you are going to multitask with it, such as loading it…

Arsalan, I guess if you want a 1000 replies, you just have to ask this question! I buy my Snap On scanners used on Ebay, and I have purchased 5 Modis models for under $2,500 with current updates. Doesn't do any good on the price of updating, but it beats buying from the SO dealer at full pop. I like the graphing and the interface with ScanShare​.​io that works very well with Snap…