Sorry for the newbie question. What, if any, advantage has MultiECUscan got over other ODB ii readers, for instance the iCarsoft V3.0 series (which I am contemplating) or borrowing my mates Snap-on Solus?
Panda 2012+ MultiECUscan vs other ODB ii readers
- Thread starter NiallSL
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Panda 2012+ MultiECUscan vs other ODB ii readers
I didn't buy MES as I am not a fan of Windows OS it requires, also it doesn't work on the 2.litre Fiat Scudo I own as Peugeot based engine.
Gendan suggested MaxiEcu which although Windows based does include Scudo so I bought it although doesn't appear to do "proxi alignment", though it has the advantage that you can buy extra manufacturers as add ons . So far I have been happy with it.
I have used my friends Snap On Zeus to do "proxi alignment " to configure a new BCM and seat sensor on my daughters Punto Evo.
The advantage of MES is so many on Fiat Forum are familiar with it that advice is readily available.
MES (fes) and AlfaOBD can supposedly code keys, 
I'm not sure if "code readers" can do that
As an example my panda Twinair is having issues when HOT
Had a MIL followed by a misfire.. Followed by another warning
My plug. In OBD found ZERO errors
Took it to my MES = got 3 x errors stored.. See pic
I believe these May be manufacturer specific..
So kit designed for Italian engines may be the ideal
I'm not sure if "code readers" can do that
As an example my panda Twinair is having issues when HOT
Had a MIL followed by a misfire.. Followed by another warning
My plug. In OBD found ZERO errors
Took it to my MES = got 3 x errors stored.. See pic
I believe these May be manufacturer specific..
So kit designed for Italian engines may be the ideal
Is MES Italian?MES (fes) and AlfaOBD can supposedly code keys,
I'm not sure if "code readers" can do that
As an example my panda Twinair is having issues when HOT
Had a MIL followed by a misfire.. Followed by another warning
My plug. In OBD found ZERO errors
Took it to my MES = got 3 x errors stored.. See pic
I believe these May be manufacturer specific..
So kit designed for Italian engines may be the ideal
My MaxiEcu cost around £129 for the dongle/Eobd plug and gives you one choice of car manufacturer, then you can add makes to that for a fee, this gives me the choice to load the registered program on several computers but only works with the one registered dongle and the IP address used to register it.
Sorry as out of focus, just a quick click on my Scudo in drive from house on MaxiEcu. Whilst it is loaded for Fiat it will also do some OBD functions, including parameters and code deletes, the last pic was on a Skoda Scout 4x4
Old camera and older still shaky hands.
Old camera and older still shaky hands.
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I'll chip in and just say, do your research and ask suppliers (like Gendan) questions.
The ODBII diagnostic kit is getting cheaper and at the same time covering more vehicle systems.
I periodically look a alternatives to what I currently have. I started with FiatECUScan many years ago because then it was by far the cheapest solution for Fiat vehicles out there. Then came MultiECUScan which back then was again the cheapest and best coverage system out there. So I now have MES and a Foxwell NT301. Personally at the moment I don't see a need to change.
HOWEVER I have an investment and am not starting from scratch as you are, hence my "do your research and ask suppliers (like Gendan) questions."
Things you may want to consider:
1) Vehicle system/ECUs coverage
2) With one functions supported on each system
3) Are you bothered by having to use adapters
4) What software upgrades are freely available and for how long before incurring new costs
5) Do you think you will need Proxy functions and Key programming
Addressing 5) then be careful. Proxy and Key programming can go wrong. Treat these as your vehicles DNA and worst case scenario is that you brick you car or all keys and then have to resort to going to a Fiat franchised dealer OR other subscribed independent garage with the necessary kit and on later Fiats the ability to "Pass Through" to Fiat servers.
New Fiat/Alfa models post 2015/2016 have an SGW (security gateway). This can be bypassed which is great. Later models (I'm not up to date on this) could have the SGW effectively integrated into the body computer and easy bypass is not available. On these later models, even if no SGW, the security PIN for key programming and other security related functions (like country alarm settings) is ONLY available with a direct connection to car AND Fiat servers. They exchange credentials to allow vehicle programming of these protected items.
So that is the basic lay of the land today.
It is actaully going to get worse in the future as the EU and other countries are moving to fully encrypted CAN systems where only "server connected" diagnostics can change things and do actuator tests etc. Read kit that will do "pass through" and subscriptions/accounts. Also to get a subscription/account you will have to be a VAT registered official vehicle garage/specialist.
Note! please do not read this as a doom and gloom post. Much is still possible with today's diagnostic kit. Many are capable and pricess competitive.
The ODBII diagnostic kit is getting cheaper and at the same time covering more vehicle systems.
I periodically look a alternatives to what I currently have. I started with FiatECUScan many years ago because then it was by far the cheapest solution for Fiat vehicles out there. Then came MultiECUScan which back then was again the cheapest and best coverage system out there. So I now have MES and a Foxwell NT301. Personally at the moment I don't see a need to change.
HOWEVER I have an investment and am not starting from scratch as you are, hence my "do your research and ask suppliers (like Gendan) questions."
Things you may want to consider:
1) Vehicle system/ECUs coverage
2) With one functions supported on each system
3) Are you bothered by having to use adapters
4) What software upgrades are freely available and for how long before incurring new costs
5) Do you think you will need Proxy functions and Key programming
Addressing 5) then be careful. Proxy and Key programming can go wrong. Treat these as your vehicles DNA and worst case scenario is that you brick you car or all keys and then have to resort to going to a Fiat franchised dealer OR other subscribed independent garage with the necessary kit and on later Fiats the ability to "Pass Through" to Fiat servers.
New Fiat/Alfa models post 2015/2016 have an SGW (security gateway). This can be bypassed which is great. Later models (I'm not up to date on this) could have the SGW effectively integrated into the body computer and easy bypass is not available. On these later models, even if no SGW, the security PIN for key programming and other security related functions (like country alarm settings) is ONLY available with a direct connection to car AND Fiat servers. They exchange credentials to allow vehicle programming of these protected items.
So that is the basic lay of the land today.
It is actaully going to get worse in the future as the EU and other countries are moving to fully encrypted CAN systems where only "server connected" diagnostics can change things and do actuator tests etc. Read kit that will do "pass through" and subscriptions/accounts. Also to get a subscription/account you will have to be a VAT registered official vehicle garage/specialist.
Note! please do not read this as a doom and gloom post. Much is still possible with today's diagnostic kit. Many are capable and pricess competitive.
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Update!
So as many of you know I'm a long term MES user and moderator of the MES Forum for Yani.
This can / does make me biassed and have often looked at all makes of diagnostic tools in my price range and to be honest a bias towards MES and Gendan offerings for other diagnostic kit.
I have MES and a Foxwell NT301 which have both served me very well for a very long time.
Today Foxwell have improved standalone kit capable of handling Fiats (Note! all makes/kits/models of any make have differing support so required coverage/function varies and the buyer has to be not only aware but do their research).
Anyway I've been round "the loop" again looking to extend my kit and decided to choose MAXIECU, single Brand. At £129 it is highly competitive and fully featured with what appears to be more info/functions on some stuff than MES but lacking other MES stuff. I've no in depth specifics but it appears the MAXIECU can do basic Proxi functions but appears not to be able to do "Custom" Proxi. Custom is where you can read the raw Proxi data bytes, change them and store them back to the car".
o The one big plus for MAXIECU is that their Bluetooth interface does internal switching so adapter cables are not required.
o Another is that MAXIECU is fully supported on Android for no additional cost.
o The interface is effectively the license key so can be used on any PC/Android device
o License is perpetual, with updates, for as long as the company supports the software and interface
The one possible negative (in the latest 4th generation interface - but not the expensive Expert interface) is that there is no cable USB connection.
Another is that the software is rather more Tablet/Android phone orientated in presentation and user interface. That said most professional kit is this way orientated but the big difference in that other commercial kit/tablets have their screens custom build/adjusted to the device the software is supplied with. On my laptop I found that for full view and operational control I had to maximise the software screen otherwise the bottom edge got cut off. This did not happen on my desktop PC which has higher screen resolution.
So why am I posting this, especially as I'm an MES supporter and moderator?
Well quite simply we all know that choosing any vehicle diagnostic package comes down to cost, vehicle support & functions, make, price, etc.
MES is great, no ifs or buts
MAXIECU is also great (as far as I can tell in my limited exploration to date)
With regard to MAXIECU vehicle support then look here: https://maxiecu.com/en/products/functionality-search/
What is true with all these diagnostic kits "THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET" and certainly not in the sub £200 options.
As always, apart from Small Car Services, I don't give recommendations but may/do detail facts/experiences etc.
Summary. MAXIECU may be a good and fair priced alternative that people may want to look at.
So as many of you know I'm a long term MES user and moderator of the MES Forum for Yani.
This can / does make me biassed and have often looked at all makes of diagnostic tools in my price range and to be honest a bias towards MES and Gendan offerings for other diagnostic kit.
I have MES and a Foxwell NT301 which have both served me very well for a very long time.
Today Foxwell have improved standalone kit capable of handling Fiats (Note! all makes/kits/models of any make have differing support so required coverage/function varies and the buyer has to be not only aware but do their research).
Anyway I've been round "the loop" again looking to extend my kit and decided to choose MAXIECU, single Brand. At £129 it is highly competitive and fully featured with what appears to be more info/functions on some stuff than MES but lacking other MES stuff. I've no in depth specifics but it appears the MAXIECU can do basic Proxi functions but appears not to be able to do "Custom" Proxi. Custom is where you can read the raw Proxi data bytes, change them and store them back to the car".
o The one big plus for MAXIECU is that their Bluetooth interface does internal switching so adapter cables are not required.
o Another is that MAXIECU is fully supported on Android for no additional cost.
o The interface is effectively the license key so can be used on any PC/Android device
o License is perpetual, with updates, for as long as the company supports the software and interface
The one possible negative (in the latest 4th generation interface - but not the expensive Expert interface) is that there is no cable USB connection.
Another is that the software is rather more Tablet/Android phone orientated in presentation and user interface. That said most professional kit is this way orientated but the big difference in that other commercial kit/tablets have their screens custom build/adjusted to the device the software is supplied with. On my laptop I found that for full view and operational control I had to maximise the software screen otherwise the bottom edge got cut off. This did not happen on my desktop PC which has higher screen resolution.
So why am I posting this, especially as I'm an MES supporter and moderator?
Well quite simply we all know that choosing any vehicle diagnostic package comes down to cost, vehicle support & functions, make, price, etc.
MES is great, no ifs or buts
MAXIECU is also great (as far as I can tell in my limited exploration to date)
With regard to MAXIECU vehicle support then look here: https://maxiecu.com/en/products/functionality-search/
What is true with all these diagnostic kits "THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET" and certainly not in the sub £200 options.
As always, apart from Small Car Services, I don't give recommendations but may/do detail facts/experiences etc.
Summary. MAXIECU may be a good and fair priced alternative that people may want to look at.
Yes and the fee is modest at £35.Two other points in favour of MAXIECU is that it will recognise the SCUDO 2.0 litre with the Peugeot engine which MES doesn't.
Secondly you can add other manufactures for a fee.
I mentioned in another post that this market is now getting very competitive. When MES came out, originally FiatECUScan, it was free and for Fiat/Alfa owners back in 2009, (Yes 1st release Oct.2009) it was really our only choice. It remained free till V1.6 (Jan 2010). From 2010 a modest 50 Euros for a lifetime license covering all models and updates for 1 year. After the 1 year then one only had to pay for a new license if you got another car not already supported. Hardware was cheap in the required EML & KKL interfaces. There was really nothing to touch FiatECUScan and MultiECUScan going back in time.
Today things are quite different and there is a lot of competition out there, not only for MES, but all the various contenders have many makes and models in the sub £200 range. Also the real Pro kit that garages use complete with dedicated tablets etc. have dropped substantially in price and vastly improved in functions and vehicle support.
I goes without saying that in another years time there will be other better? cheaper? options for those looking to get kit.
I would certainly not want to be in any of theses developers / makers shoes as it really looks cut throat out there.
MES will remain (and I'll support Yani) as my main kit and certainly for Custom Proxi (which thus far I've never had to do but you never know if or when say the car's head unit packs up) but as with all tools often having a selection available is most desirable if one can afford it
