[NCPanzerWagon]

Been curious about buying a diagnostic scanner. Main choices are Autel, Foxwell and iCarSoft.

Tried texting Foxwell first but it took days to get a response and it was obvious English wasn’t their first language. No way to call them on phone to ask questions.

Called Autel and got people who spoke English. Got lots of questions answered but the scanner I want to work with my Benz, Ford and Chrysler was about $200-300 more than I wanted to spend - and requires annual $$ to update software.

Tried emailing and calling iCarSoft. No email response yet. VA Area Code Phone # listed but no answer all day. Finally got outgoing messages, but was half in Chinese.

Not really sure I want to spend $250-500 in a diagnostic scanner from a company that might not be in business now. Or for much longer.

Has anyone downloaded updates from any of the lately?

 

[Kajtek1]

When I was on the market for iCarsoft MBII, i emailed the manufacturer if it will work on my W212.
The whole answer was "it will work", so I bought the scanner and it did not.
At present $50 Autel HT200 is the best deal and if you want more brands, that will add $20 per.

 

[khomer2]

Been curious about buying a diagnostic scanner. Main choices are Autel, Foxwell and iCarSoft.

Tried texting Foxwell first but it took days to get a response and it was obvious English wasn’t their first language. No way to call them on phone to ask questions.

Called Autel and got people who spoke English. Got lots of questions answered but the scanner I want to work with my Benz, Ford and Chrysler was about $200-300 more than I wanted to spend - and requires annual $$ to update software.

Tried emailing and calling iCarSoft. No email response yet. VA Area Code Phone # listed but no answer all day. Finally got outgoing messages, but was half in Chinese.

Not really sure I want to spend $250-500 in a diagnostic scanner from a company that might not be in business now. Or for much longer.

Has anyone downloaded updates from any of the lately?

===>>> Update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

Not all scanners are created equal. Can't recommend any scanner as we have no idea what make model YEAR of MB you are driving.

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

I get squirley answers from the Autel guts. They really want to sell me the $500 to $1000 scanners. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from them if the bare bones scanner I want to buy will do what I want it to do - like communicate directly with the 38-pin adapter that I can’t find anywhere. And all the scanners I can find on Amazon can be found anywhere else - different models, etc.

===>>> Update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

Not all scanners are created equal. Can't recommend any scanner as we have no idea what make model YEAR of MB you are driving.

2002 E320 RWD wagon

 

[khomer2]

I get squirley answers from the Autel guts. They really want to sell me the $500 to $1000 scanners. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from them if the bare bones scanner I want to buy will do what I want it to do - like communicate directly with the 38-pin adapter that I can’t find anywhere. And all the scanners I can find on Amazon can be found anywhere else - different models, etc.

2002 E320 RWD wagon

Dont waste your hard earned $$ on those $$$$ scanners
Read here, post #20 -

What DIY Scanner, for all w163 systems do you have and...

Ok, I've read a few threads and lots of scanner reviews. What do you have in your garage - am I missing a better option ? Here are the top 3 choices that I found: 1 - ICARSoft Mercedes MBII...

www.benzworld.org

Contact David. He can also give you the low down on his experience with the Foxwell NT530 with 38pin.

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

Dont waste your hard earned $$ on those $$$$ scanners
Read here, post #20 -

What DIY Scanner, for all w163 systems do you have and...

Ok, I've read a few threads and lots of scanner reviews. What do you have in your garage - am I missing a better option ? Here are the top 3 choices that I found: 1 - ICARSoft Mercedes MBII...

www.benzworld.org

Contact David. He can also give you the low down on his experience with the Foxwell NT530 with 38pin.

Here’s the deal. I’ve been working on cars for decades without scanners. I finally got a Wifi OBDII dongle a while ago to work on two older Fords I no longer own.

I’ve got a 06 Town and Country and a 07Fusion. Now that I have the Benz, I’d like to get a scanner I can use with all the cars I have plus any others I might get. So not sure the NT530 will work for me. I can’t get the folks from Foxwell to answer my questions.

 

[Kajtek1]

I think you are expecting too much. The way I see technology evolved in last years - Chinese rule the World, but since one of the Presidents in the past made them infamous - several US managers find the way to repack the items on US soil and sell as US-assembled.
Those middlemen will answer the phone and they will send you replacement part when you need it, but they have no clue how to troubleshoot the parts.
I had the situation not only with scanners, but with patio awnings, evaporative coolers and automatic coffeemakers.
That is why I tend to buy everything on amazon as they deliver in 2 days and give you hassle-free returns good for several weeks.
Contacting CS with questions is waste of time 99% of times.

 

[ounis]

1. COVID-19 has struck at the core of global value chain hub regions, including China, Europe and the US.
2. Industrial production in China has fallen by 13.5% in January and February combined, compared with the previous year.
3. The pandemic has severe implications for international production networks and may leave its legacy for years to come.

 

[khomer2]

1. COVID-19 has struck at the core of global value chain hub regions, including China, Europe and the US.
2. Industrial production in China has fallen by 13.5% in January and February combined, compared with the previous year.
3. The pandemic has severe implications for international production networks and may leave its legacy for years to come.

I dont see how this has to do with NCPanzer looking for an "all-in-one package" scanner.
Enlighten us.

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

I’ve been told on here that if I want to reset my TCM codes I’ve gotta get a scanner that has a 38-pin adapter.

Most folks are using Autel, Foxwell or iCarSoft. I narrowed it down to a few models for each manufacturer, and then did more digging.

Foxwell seems to be the lowest price to do what I want to do, but their CS/TS is iffy/sketchy. And I’ve been told by several vendors that their 38-pin adapter doesn’t work well.

Autel has the best response to my inquiries. And FCP Euro sells them. But the scanner I prefer is the MD-808 and I’ve been told directly by Autel they do not make a 38-pin adapter that works with that scanner. So that sort of kills that option.

I get the highest opinion from vendors that sell iCarSoft. The CR Pro has a 38-pin adapter, and I’m told it works quite well. But sadly I’ve tried to contact their US office by phone (bo answer) and email (no response nor error messages).

I’ve got a little more time to wait. I’m not in a hurry.

 

[khomer2]

I’ve been told on here that if I want to reset my TCM codes I’ve gotta get a scanner that has a 38-pin adapter.

Most folks are using Autel, Foxwell or iCarSoft. I narrowed it down to a few models for each manufacturer, and then did more digging.

Foxwell seems to be the lowest price to do what I want to do, but their CS/TS is iffy/sketchy. And I’ve been told by several vendors that their 38-pin adapter doesn’t work well.

Autel has the best response to my inquiries. And FCP Euro sells them. But the scanner I prefer is the MD-808 and I’ve been told directly by Autel they do not make a 38-pin adapter that works with that scanner. So that sort of kills that option.

I get the highest opinion from vendors that sell iCarSoft. The CR Pro has a 38-pin adapter, and I’m told it works quite well. But sadly I’ve tried to contact their US office by phone (bo answer) and email (no response nor error messages).

I’ve got a little more time to wait. I’m not in a hurry.

There's plenty of threads to read thru (too many sometimes) on the topic of scanners - everyone has there opinion/comments....both ways.
As the other makes of cars in your possé, hummm.

Pro Scanner - Autel 802 or iCarsoft MB II which one to buy?

I'm looking to buy a scanner, which can read & clear all modules including ABS/ESP, etc. for ML320. Many members here suggested Autel MD802 Maxidiag Elite, also quite a few bought iCarsoft MB II[, would like to hear from real users' input which one is better value for the $$$. Also, will the...

www.benzworld.org

Pro Scanner - Autel 802 or iCarsoft MB II which one to buy?

Guys, I just scored a great deal on the Autel MD802 on E-bay. Looks to be in excellent shape and previous owner says it works just fine. He upgraded to a more advanced scanner. My question: Do you need the particular SD card that comes with the unit, or just a generic SD card? Also, the...

www.benzworld.org

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

There's plenty of threads to read thru (too many sometimes) on the topic of scanners - everyone has there opinion/comments....both ways.
As the other makes of cars in your possé, hummm.

Pro Scanner - Autel 802 or iCarsoft MB II which one to buy?

I'm looking to buy a scanner, which can read & clear all modules including ABS/ESP, etc. for ML320. Many members here suggested Autel MD802 Maxidiag Elite, also quite a few bought iCarsoft MB II[, would like to hear from real users' input which one is better value for the $$$. Also, will the...

www.benzworld.org

Pro Scanner - Autel 802 or iCarsoft MB II which one to buy?

Guys, I just scored a great deal on the Autel MD802 on E-bay. Looks to be in excellent shape and previous owner says it works just fine. He upgraded to a more advanced scanner. My question: Do you need the particular SD card that comes with the unit, or just a generic SD card? Also, the...

www.benzworld.org

A big part of the problem is the quality of the websites that the manufacturers, dealers and others use to sell these scanners.

I have talked with Autel and asked them why I can't search their website for a 38-pin adapter that even they admit they sell, but can't also figure out which of their scanners use which adapter, and which can't use any.

Manufacturers are constantly changing their product lines and maybe it's just too much trouble to keep their websites current. Then imagine that snowball rolling downhill with dealers and then with e-bay and Amazon.

I have found that just because someone could do a thing or buy a product six weeks ago, doesn't mean I can do it now. A few weeks ago, parts suppliers carried the parking brake pedal for my minivan. Now there are no more of those pedals to be found anywhere. It can change just that fast.

But I guess I am wondering why iCarSoft isn't answering their phones or e-mails. That doesn't look that good to me.

 

[khomer2]

A big part of the problem is the quality of the websites that the manufacturers, dealers and others use to sell these scanners.

I have talked with Autel and asked them why I can't search their website for a 38-pin adapter that even they admit they sell, but can't also figure out which of their scanners use which adapter, and which can't use any.

Manufacturers are constantly changing their product lines and maybe it's just too much trouble to keep their websites current. Then imagine that snowball rolling downhill with dealers and then with e-bay and Amazon.

I have found that just because someone could do a thing or buy a product six weeks ago, doesn't mean I can do it now. A few weeks ago, parts suppliers carried the parking brake pedal for my minivan. Now there are no more of those pedals to be found anywhere. It can change just that fast.

But I guess I am wondering why iCarSoft isn't answering their phones or e-mails. That doesn't look that good to me.

Dont forget, alot of what you buy online may most likely come from a central distribution hub (not their own inventory) and orders are shipped out directly form that hub. One of my neighbors use to sell on ebay, knock-off heaters. None of his own stock (he carried nothing) - all orders were processed thru his ebay store front but distributed thru his supplier - in China - they have the inventory. Many car-parts suppliers do the same thing. One well known online auto supplier I ordered from, have many if not all of their supplies ship directly from manufacturer or distributor. The manufacturer to distributor, wholesaler, middle man, retailer hierarchy these days is not so definitive anymore. It's quite blurred.

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

Dont forget, alot of what you buy online may most likely come from a central distribution hub (not their own inventory) and orders are shipped out directly form that hub. One of my neighbors use to sell on ebay, knock-off heaters. None of his own stock (he carried nothing) - all orders were processed thru his ebay store front but distributed thru his supplier - in China - they have the inventory. Many car-parts suppliers do the same thing. One well known online auto supplier I ordered from, have many if not all of their supplies ship directly from manufacturer or distributor. The manufacturer to distributor, wholesaler, middle man, retailer hierarchy these days is not so definitive anymore. It's quite blurred.

if you go to the manufacturers websites, many are very particular about who you buy from. They may not honor any warranty claims for products purchases on E-bay or Amazon but only from certain established vendors.

I’m not spending several hundred dollars on a scanner purchased out of the back of someone’s truck. I want a warranty I can get honored without a lot of hassle. If I can’t reach the tech support via phone or email, that’s does not bode well for trying to get a warranty claim honored, or deal with problems updating software.

I for damned sure ain’t gonna buy a product with no software that I have to log in just to load software.

 

[ounis]

I dont see how this has to do with NCPanzer looking for an "all-in-one package" scanner.
Enlighten us.

 

[NCPanzerWagon]

I thought I had.

I’m looking for a scanner to solve a problem. Various people on here tell me I need a scanner with a 38-pin adapter.

Not all scanners have such an adapter made for it by the vendor nor will work with a 3rd party adapter.

Many of the earlier posts on the topic are so old as to not be applicable any more. The scanners mentioned are not in production, or the adapter is not available.

Vendors who sell the scanners don’t always have the right adapter available. Or at least it’s not featured on their website.

Figured I’d go to the sources - the actual manufacturer. Autel has best response, followed by sparsely worse answers once in a blue moon from Foxwell (who still hasn’t answered my questions about whether their 38-pin adapter will work with more than one scanner).

iCarSoft finally responded to my email. But asked me for my VIN, not whether they have a 38-pin adapter that works with their iCarSoft CR Pro.

I’m really not unsure if these scanners I’m asking about will work on my other two cars. I’m wondering if they have the adapter I need for the Benz.

And the title is asking if the pandemic is affecting anything other than shipping.

 

[Noodles]

Yes it is. One of the lines I regionally manage is Wix filters. There are gaping holes in the warehouses and it is now effecting end retailers for filters. Talking to other reps Standard Intermotor, Federal Mogul, and AGS are all in the same boat.
Part of it is manfacturing and part of it is lack of staff in the warehouses and shipping logistics.