We have a little cheapie code scanner — actually a couple of them — around the Toolmonger shop, but we aspire to one day pick up a serious unit, like Snap-on’s Ethos. It’s the real deal, not only handling the standard OBDII codes, but reading pretty much anything a post 1980 car can send.
It features a 4.7″ black and white display — high vis for the shop, as opposed to fancy color that’s hard to read in bright light — the ability to display up to four parameters graphically, and a vehicle power adapter so you don’t have to sweat batteries or find an outlet.
Besides the basic 1996+ OBD communication (including all nine modes of OBDII), Snap-on also offers vehicle-specific communication software that lets you read systems beyond the engine, like transmission, transfer case, ABS, airbag, body, occupant classification modules, and so on. Currently they offer a version for 1983-2005 Chryslers, 1981-2005 Fords, 1980-2005 GMs, and 1983-2005 Asian imports.
The deluxe kit goes for $1,695. That may seem like a lot, but when you consider that it pretty much does the job of that $10,000 big-ass unit you see at the dealer, it’s a deal — and a small price to pay for a shop that intends to work on modern cars.
The ETHOS Scanner System, Deluxe Kit [Snap-on]
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12 Responses to Snap-on’s Killer New Code Scanner
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That’s a lot of money for something you will only use occasionally and that most auto parts stores will do for free.
I agree, rent one.
By the time this paid for itself, it will be obsolete & you will need to buy another – it only claims compatibility with models to 2005 & no mention of Europeans.
For $1000 bucks it better wind your watch & scratch your back! If you’ve gotta have one, Actron makes a decent code scanner that doesn’t require a 2nd mortgage.
I’d rather get a CarChip (http://www.davisnet.com/drive/products/carchip_products.asp) for much less and get logging of information while I drive as well.
I like to buy 1, is it still available?
Her in Holland we like to work with Snap-On tools so can i get one still?
Save your money, you can buy a better scan tool from MAC tools, the Taskmaster, for $1200.00 and it does all the same plus more. It’s made by OTC and completly upgradable.
Agree with Jeff..the Taskmaster is far superior and priced much better. Your only problem is finding a Mac dealer that will stay in business long enough to provide you any service.
Ethos Scanner with whole kit and adapters for 12,000 OBO seriously
Where do people get this stuff??? 12,000 are you friggin serious, how about 1000. It does domestic and asian vin specific all control modules from 1980-2009. Euro generic but vin specific optional. Auto zone only does generic obdII engine codes, no abs, air bag, body, tpms, transfer case, transmission, no specific engine, just generic.
I got the CAR MD FOR WAY LESS AND ITS SIMPLER AND EASIER TO USE. NO HASSLE AT ALL. IT GIVRS ME EVERYTHING I NEDD AS THE BIG BOYS….CONSIDER CAR MD…. ITS THE BEST AND SIMPLEST OUT THERE.-…..:-) I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT!
I can get 5 car mds for that price…….you guys are trippin’
for a guy who is in many of different cars daily the ethos is far superior to the car MD junk when you’re on Auto Tech mechanic you need something that works with every vehicle and give you many of diagnostic parameters unlike a cheap car MD and as far as Mac goes I wouldn’t by any tools from Mac Tools because it is hard to find a dealer the next unit to look into would be the Solis pro