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Auto-Trend Repairs and Service Information Forums -> The Tool Crib -> Snap On Zeus Diagnostic Scanner
Post Info TOPIC: Snap On Zeus Diagnostic Scanner
SELLC


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Snap On Zeus Diagnostic Scanner
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Well it happend... Today we had a car roll in that exceeds our current access to 2015... this 2019 needs a newer scanner to access the ABS and view onboard values to find out which wheel bearing reluctor ring has gone bad... Given the fact it's a Honda, and they press their bearings in, I just want to nail the one that is bad. 

Currently, between my Snap On MT2500 Red Brick for older pre-OBD and even newer OBD to 2008 and beyond (In OBD Global mode). Also have access to a Solus with up to 2015, which I have been using for newer vehicles... 

But now it's on me... and it kind of sucks too... This new Zeus has mixed reviews, however I have seen one live in the flesh a few times... Many are saying it's not quite ready, but clearly this is the next generation that SnapOn is going with.

Does anyone know if a newer scan tool is being offered by SnapOn that will be the next model to the Zeus? Sure, a newer model is a certianty, but does everyone see this platform hanging on for awhile? It runs on a tablet with Windows 10 OS... it's got a wireless OBD port... it's a pretty slick peice of hardware! But like anything Snap-On, it's EXPENSIVE... Used they seem to start at $5,000+ with older software... The newest software, version 22.2 at the time of this writing is currently fetching about $6500 on an older updated used unit... A new one is on backorder from Snap On deep into July and runs $10k for the basics, no extras thrown in. Seems there are still some keys involved, along with specific testing add-ons and even a docking station. I am SERIOUSLY tempted! I have to do something since I got another 30 years left, and it seems you have to buy a new model every 10 or so years, used to be every 15-20 but technology is getting crazy. 

Looking for some advice from anyone that knows... I see there are black, yellow and red wireless OBDII plugs on the market... some are saying the black is the newest (as of this writing), but Snap On shows a red one on their website! So it's hard to tell heads from tales on what is true... Is this something I should buy used? Or should I just find an older Solus or Verus unit with updates and save a bunch of money? It's a hard call for me right now, but I could swing the cost for a used one pretty easy... with protection plans and card bennifits I could get a warranty for two years... but who knows how good they are... I suppose buying new from SnapOn is really the most safe option, but even then they are backordered to mid July right now and sometimes their backorders draw out longer than expected now days after the COVID disruptions...

Here is another thing, I'm also looking for an R134a and R1234YF machine... cost of these things are insane... I wonder what kind of freon they use in a Tesla and these newer EV vehicles? You would think it's R1234yf but you never know... I better do some research on this a bit more and make a new thread, as I have seen machines that do both R134a and R1234yf... One of them by Snap-On, but you don't want to know how much they are!

In 2009 I made this thread,

https://autotrend.activeboard.com/t31315921/snap-on-verus-platform-king-of-the-scan-tools/

At that time, the Verus platform was king of the jungle and listed for $9,000 on SnapOn.com... currently you can buy the verus used for peanuts - read that as anywhere between $1000-$3000 fully loaded. But SnapOn no longer sells it new, and thus it is obsolete.

Right now the Zeus is the next best thing to sliced bread, but for how long? The Verus actually looks a lot like the Zeus, but I am sure the hardware is much different.  

I'm up for any suggestions or advice.

 



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Rastus


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At a guess SELLC, you'll have to find big-bux to get any new soft-ware & hard-ware scanner tools, ( & they'll be dodgy too ), until after the vehicle is about 4-years-old, & out of factory warranty...

I'd get the owner to to have a dealership scan the fault, & then if not under warranty, you get to repair the bearing, because your rates are much better...

And you don't have to fork-out-$$$ for software that will likely be dodgy until factory warranty time expires.

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PowerStroker


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I'm not sure about the aftermarket scan tools. But avoid at all costs any AC machine from Flo Dynamics... It will ALWAYS be broken. Stick with Robinair stuff.

All new Fords for the past few years have been R1234YF, it's probably the industry standard now.

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SELLC


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Rastus wrote:

At a guess SELLC, you'll have to find big-bux to get any new soft-ware & hard-ware scanner tools, ( & they'll be dodgy too ), until after the vehicle is about 4-years-old, & out of factory warranty...

I'd get the owner to to have a dealership scan the fault, & then if not under warranty, you get to repair the bearing, because your rates are much better...

And you don't have to fork-out-$$$ for software that will likely be dodgy until factory warranty time expires.

 

I tend to agree with you Rastus... turns out the lights were related to camera and collision sensors, rather than traction control and ABS as I had figured. That being the case, it's not an overlapping job that factors into the metal on metal brakes that he's here for, so we can move on with the brakes and he can visit the dealer for the sensors. I'll check to make sure none of the sensors are bashed or covered up with bug guts as sometimes this will trigger such warning indicators... usually when a customer says that several lights relating to the ABS, Traction Control and such is a sure sign that one of the wheel speed sensors is not matching the rest. That was not the case here, but the irony is the kid was able to scan it with a Zuse scanner at his old job. I know that a good upgrade is FOR SURE needed soon, and I like the Zuse, HOWEVER - I don't want to buy one if the next model is within a year or two of releasing... that is something I am going to have to research, or if anyone reading knows it would be greatly appreciated if you could share.

Usually I try to keep access up to 5 years, as often times most cars will not even start showing up until they are five years old, but that has changed a lot during COVID! We had a 2020 Mitsubishi come in with a bad caliper they said was on back-order for three months! The customer was not very happy with the dealer... come to find out that caliper was the same one used on the Mitsubishi 3000 and Eclipse going all the way back to the 1990's! And sure enough, we turned that brake job pretty quick as there were more than enough on hand... I'm sure the dealer was required to use new parts, and thus there may be a back order on them... but it's one of them things where COVID has made for some really strange situations for EVERYONE!

For now I have saved a nice chunk of change, but I am going to be looking into this more... as an upgrade is in order!



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SELLC


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PowerStroker wrote:

I'm not sure about the aftermarket scan tools. But avoid at all costs any AC machine from Flo Dynamics... It will ALWAYS be broken. Stick with Robinair stuff.

All new Fords for the past few years have been R1234YF, it's probably the industry standard now.

 

Yeah most dealer guys got it good in terms of not having to invest in scanner equipment... you can't get away with that as a full service independent though... Hell I am looking at $150 for a tool just to program all these different TPMS sensors they are putting on cars now days.

Thanks for the tip on the Robinair! My Dad was a big Robinair fan, even handed me down an almost 30 year old Robinair unit that was originally R12 and converted to R134a... I may just have to look into fixing that unit as it's getting a little dodgy now after 30 years... Cheaper to buy just an R1234YF unit rather than a dual unit... If I can make the Robinair last another decade or more, why replace it? I'm not the greaest with repairing equipment, but I am learning it's much less expensive! I think the 'ole man has fixed this Robinair quite a few times as I see lots of his handywork abound... although the unit still works, it needs some new parts to make it decent again and worth putting 30lbs of R134a into.



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