Snap on Automotive Scan Tool

These are really nice scanners and great for the home mechanic or light-independent shop. The price on the 'used' market they've come down dramatically.If you have an older MT2500 brick, you'll find this to be like a brick on steroids. It's a little smaller, thinner, similar usage, better graphing than the MTG2500. It comes with software to work on OBD-1 vehicles. If you have a 'brick' kit, then you can use your same OBD-1 connectors, but you'll need a new data cable as the Ultra has more output pins than the brick had. But just add the cable and you can read all that old iron back to 1980. If you scrutinize Snap-On's software update 'new features list' you'll see they were continually adding capabilities for older cars as well as new model cars. So in that way it has capabilities on many vehicles that the 'Bricks' software can't do. A good example is early 00 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The 'brick' with yer typical programmable cartridges can read Engine, Trans, ABS, and airbag modules. But the Ulta can do individual gauge sweeps, Radio, HVAC module, TPM and more bi-directional capabilities, especially with transmission troubleshooting. And no keys are needed with the Ultra. On some vehicles you can set up certain new modules and program key fobs (I'm not sure about keys themselves I don't think so). Some vehicles I don't see Fob programming, some vehicles I've done it.When you get to OBD-1 vehicles, it seems to me to be about the same software as you'd find in the typical 1980-1999 MT2500 cartridges. A lot of those older OBD-1 systems didn't have as many capabilities as OBDII vehicles do. But I've use an Ultra on several OBD-1 vehicles and it works great. The Ultra allows the user to graph live data points and save to an SD card. There are more Fast Track tips. Some guys poo-poo this feature, but if you scroll through them there are a lot there. You could scour the internet and find most of them, but that would take hours. I've learned quite a bit of things I didn't know through the Fast Track tips. Plus there, more troublshooting ability with them too, that the 'brick' didn't have.The unit feels nice and solid in the hands. The touchscreen is nice, but it's just about as fast to use the 4-way toggle button and the Y/N buttons so you're not constantly moving your hands tapping all over the place. It's nicely rechargable too. It looks like as of now, Snap On is planning to support it up to software v20.2, but we'll see. That means it'll work on vehicles up to 2019. But a lot of things are changing. Some 2018 vehicles are starting to use a secure gateway system (meaning you can't scan them like you used to), and most will by 2020. Therefore you should consider this a product to work on older vehicles b/c this product has a sunset. It's a nice step up from a Solus Pro and a quantum leap over the legendary MT2500 (which is still a useful tool). It was a wonderful technicians tool when it was current, and will be a great scan tool for the home hobbiest or light shop mechanic for years to come.

This is so far out of date! This product is no longer supported by Snapon. No updates available. Rip off!

This scan tool is the ultimate first scanner for entry-level technicians due to user-friendliness and thousands of troubleshooting tips and tests. It is also advanced enough to be the go-to scanner for many grizzled veteran. If an independent repair shop can afford only one scan tool, this is it.FYI: To the question and answer of latest software, Snap On's updates are always one model-year back, so 2014 software will cover 2013 and back.Note only 4 stars because kit will not come with all factory connectors for OBD-I cars '95 and older. Tool can work on them, but connectors cost extra.

FYI there are no tech troubleshooting tips on the unit. If you pay for a subscription to snapon tech tips, you can then logon to their website.

I am a mechanic and while at work all the technicians ask to use this tool. Very useful and handy.

At least the price of this one, used, wont break you. I am furious that when you pay so much for a tool only to find that it doesn't cover some vehicles. What if you bought a 10mm wrench that only fit 80% of 10mm bolts? Is there any wonder that this one is for sale?

WASTE OF MONEY!!! IT DOES NOT HELP YOU ON BMW OR MERCEDES CAR. WHEN ACCESS FOR CODE FOR ENGINE OR TRANSFER CASE,, IT INDICATE UNKNOWN CODE. SOME CODE DO NOT GUIDE YOU HOW TO TROUBLE SHOOT. THIS WILL NOT HELP ANY MECHANICS AT ALL BUT TO TAKE THE VEHICLES BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SCREEN IS TOO SMALL TO READ THEM ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH POOR VISION . IT GET WORST WHEN TEST DRIVING THE CAR. IT ANY JUNK FROM SNAP OFF TOOL. I CONTACT THE SNAP OFF TECH SUPPORT FOR SUPPORT AND THE SAME ANSWER AS USUAL ===COMING SOON. I HEARD THIS 20 YEARS AGO AND STILL WAITING