What are the differences between Autel’s Diagnostic Scan Tools?

Autel has a massive lineup of over 30 variations of diagnostic scan tools designed for high-level intelligent diagnostics all the way down to basic code reading. The sheer number of tools can make it very confusing to figure out which tool fits your particular needs. We are often asked what the differences are between Autel’s tools and here’s how we answer it:

First, we need to differentiate between different classes of tools. Putting aside key programming, TPMS service, and code readers, Autel scan tools fit into 3 main classes:

• Advanced Diagnostic & Service Tools – Autel’s top of the line bi-directional tools for the most complex diagnostics, repairs, and calibrations, designed for US, Asian, and European passenger, light duty, and some medium duty vehicles.
• Commercial Vehicle Diagnostic & Service Tools – Autel’s dedicated commercial vehicle tools are designed for US, Asian, and European Class 1 through 9 vehicles.
• Service Tools – Autel’s diagnostic service tools are designed for basic services and diagnostics for smaller operations as well as DIY’ers.

Now that we have grouped Autel’s tools into classes, it’s time to start looking at the differences between tools within each class. Although there are some notable hardware differences between different tools such as display size, battery capacity, memory, processor speed, cameras, etc., our focus today is to point out the software and services differences so you’ll have a better idea of what each tool is designed to do.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

Let’s start with Autel’s flagship diagnostic tool, the MaxiSys Ultra, as our base, and then we’ll point out which features change for other tools within the advanced diagnostic tool lineup:

Here are the basic specs for the MaxiSys Ultra (Retail Price ~ $4,000):

• AUTOMATIC DETECTION: AUTO-VIN / AUTO-SCAN / SCAN VIN / PLATE SCAN
• SECURE GATEWAY ACCESS: AUTHORIZED FCA ACCESS WITH AUTOAUTH ACCOUNT
• LICENSE PLATE READER: AVAILABLE ON SELECT VEHICLES
• VEHICLE COVERAGE: US, ASIAN & EUROPEAN 1996 AND NEWER PASSENGER / LIGHT DUTY
• OBDII TEST MODES: ALL 10 TEST MODES, LIVE & FREEZE FRAME / ENHANCED MODE 6
• SERVICE RESETS: 26 SERVICE FEATURES
• DIESEL PM: RESET DIESEL EMISSIONS - LIGHT & MEDIUM DUTY VEHICLES
• SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS: ACCESS ALL MODULES IN ALL SYSTEMS
• ENHANCED FUNCTIONS: CODING ADAPTATIONS
• CLOUD SERVICES: REMOTE PROGRAMMING, REPAIR DATABASE & REPORT STORAGE
• INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS: REPAIR ASSIST, TOPOLOGY MODULE MAPPING, DTC TROUBLESHOOTING, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
• OSCILLOSCOPE: VCMI 5-IN-ONE DEVICE:ALSO INCLUDES VCI, J2534 MULTIMETER, WAVEFORM GENERATOR, CAN BUS TESTER
• SPLIT SCREEN DISPLAY: VIEW MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS AT ONCE

The MaxiSys MS919 (Retail Price ~ 3,900) and the MaxiSys MS909 (Retail Price ~ $3,250) share most of these specs with the MaxiSys Ultra with the following exceptions:

• The MS919 has a downgraded oscilloscope and doesn’t provide split screen display
• The MS909 has no oscilloscope and doesn’t provide split screen display

Still within the advanced class, the MS906PRO and MS906PRO-TS lose the following features:

• The MS906PRO (Retail Price ~ $1,500), in addition to the lack of split screen and oscilloscope, loses the Intelligent Diagnostics feature of its counterparts.
• The MS906PRO-TS (Retail Price ~ $1,700) is essentially the same as the MS906PRO, with the addition of TPMS functionality.

Commercial Vehicle Scan Tools

Within the Commercial Vehicle class, we will use the high-end MS909CV as our base, and then we’ll point out which features change for the MS908CV (Retail Price ~ $2,600) and MS906CV (Retail Price ~ $1,600):

Here are the basic specs for the MaxiSys MS909CV (Retail Price ~ $4,000):

• Coverage: Enhanced system diagnostics on more than 80 models of light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial vehicles
• Communications: Wireless Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI)/J2534 passthrough programming device
• Basic Functions: ECU information, code reading & clearing, data flow analysis, freeze frame
• Maintenance Functions: Over 30 functions including Oil Reset, Brake bleed, DPF, Injector, SAS, Throttle
• Calibration: Class 3-5 ADAS Calibration Software is included (Class 6-8 coming soon)
• Intelligent Diagnostics: Topology Module Mapping, DTC analysis, Guided Repair, Detailed repair information including TSB and OE Campaigns
• Battery/Electrical: Performs Starting and Charging Systems Analysis with included MaxiBAS B200 tester with alligator clamps.
• Calibrations: ADAS Calibration Software for Class 3-5 vehicles and Class 6 to 8 Vehicles with Dynamically Calibrated Systems
• VIN Scan: Rapid Vehicle Identification via VINscan and AutoVin 

The MS908CV shares most of the features of the MS909CV with the following exceptions:

• It loses the battery tester and battery testing feature of the MS909CV.
• It loses the ADAS calibration software of the MS909CV.
• It loses the Topology Module Mapping and DTC Analysis of the MS909CV.

The MS906CV is a significant step down from both the MS908CV and MS909CV and is designed more as a service tool than a high-level diagnostic tool. While it supports all of the basic & maintenance functions such as ECU information, code reading & clearing, data flow, freeze frame, oil reset, brake bleed, DPF, Injector, SAS, Throttle, etc., it loses the special functions, Live Test, and coding control of the other tools.

 Service Tools

Until recently, Autel’s flagship service tool has been the MaxiCheck MX808. Within the Commercial Vehicle tool class, we will use the MX808 as our base, and then we’ll point out which features change for the MX900 and the MD808PRO. 

The MaxiCheck MX808 (Retail Price ~ $400), while not a true bi-directional tool, is a feature rich tool for basic services, capable of all 10 OBDII test modes including Freeze Frame, Live Data, Enhanced Mode 6, I/M readiness/emissions testing, etc.

 The MX808 features 17 standard service resets, including Electronic Parking Brake, ABS brake bleed, Steering Angle Reset, Battery, Maintenance, and Oil Light Reset.

 Here are the summarized specs for the MX808: 

• AutoVIN 2006+ /AutoSCAN: All Modules in All Systems
• 17 Service Functions / Generates Printable Diagnostic Reports
• Covers Domestic, Asian and European Vehicle Manufacturers (1996+)
• I/M Readiness / Emissions Testing
• Reset Diesel Emissions on Select Light & Med. Duty Vehicles/DPF Regeneration
• Set Inspection 1 & 2 Service Intervals
• Support OBDII Protocols & All 10 Test Modes
• Enhanced Mode 6 Diagnostics
• View Live and Freeze Frame Data
• Relearn TPMS Sensor ID (activation tool required)
• Graph, Record & Playback Live Data

The MD808PRO (Retail Price ~ $250) is a popular but basic service tool which, aside from the form factor difference (small handheld device versus a tablet), loses some of the notable service functions present in the MX808, such as throttle calibration, injector programming, ABS brake bleed, key programming, anti-theft system, live data storage & replay, special vehicle component testing system, as well as TPMS communicate & reset.

The MD808PRO does feature Oil and Battery Reset Registration, Parking Brake Pad Relearn, SAS, SRS, ABS, EPB, DPF, BMS

The MaxiCheck MX900 (Retail Price ~ $500) was recently released as an updated version of the MX808. Here are some of the key differences between the MX808 and the MX900:

• Display Size: The MX900's Display is 8" versus 7" for the MX808
• Battery Life: The MX900's 7700mAh battery has 54% more capacity than the MX808's 5000mAh battery
• Operating Memory: The MX900 features 4GB RAM & 64GB ROM
• Processor Speed: The MX900's Quad core 1.8GHz processor is an upgrade over the MX808's 1.6 GHz processor
• Operating System: The MX900 runs on Android 11 while the MX808 runs on Android 4.4.4. (KitKat)
• Service Menu: With more than 40 services offered, the MX900 brings double the number of services offered by the MX808.

For a detailed search of each tool's features, functions, and services, take a look at Autel's search tool.