What Scan Tool to Buy ?

1,223 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by P.H. Dexippus
locogringo
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7:22a, 11/6/25
AG
Did a quick search and didn't see any recent threads on this. But I know it's been discussed.

Is there a scan tool worth getting that's not $1,000 ?

Learned last night you have to have a scan tool to bleed brakes on a 2012 Sierra due to ABS. I've bled a ton on older vehicles even some with ABS. My 12 has been easy to work on to date in terms of not needing a scan tool. But this situation and the fact my wife will always have a relatively new vehicle makes me think I need one.

If I get one, I'd like to be able to control as much as possible (turn on or off systems if possible)

One that is geared towards GM would be best.
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Whitetail
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7:26a, 11/6/25
AG
(Do message boards like this go away when we start using AI more?)

Copied and pasted your post into Grok - then said "be more concise":

Best GM scan tools under $400 that do ABS auto-bleed on your 2012 Sierra + full bidirectional:
1. Autel MaxiCheck Pro $179ABS bleed + 25 resets, lifetime free updatesAmazon: search "Autel MaxiCheck Pro"
2. VXDIAG VCX Nano GM $119Runs real GM Tech2Win/GDS2, exact dealer functionsAmazon: "VXDIAG VCX Nano GM" (includes software)
3. CGSULIT SC530 $169GM-only, 30+ resets, lifetime free updatesAmazon: "CGSULIT SC530"
4. Foxwell NT809BT $369Bluetooth, 35+ resets, works on wife's new GM tooWalmart or Amazon: "Foxwell NT809BT"
Grab #1 or #2 and you're done for under $200.
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Teslag
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In reply to locogringo • 8:11a, 11/6/25
AG
I got one at Harbor Freight to clear codes on a 2024 Colorado and it worked fine.
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BenTheGoodAg
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In reply to Teslag • 8:12a, 11/6/25
AG
Teslag said:
I got one at Harbor Freight to clear codes on a 2024 Colorado and it worked fine.

OK Redstone...
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Teslag
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In reply to BenTheGoodAg • 8:15a, 11/6/25
AG
I don't remember the model. I think it was the one just above the cheapest one.
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BenTheGoodAg
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In reply to Teslag • 8:23a, 11/6/25
AG
Basic code readers are not the same as the bi-directional scanners that OP is asking about that have ability to send commands for things like a bleed function to the ABS module.
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Teslag
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In reply to BenTheGoodAg • 8:30a, 11/6/25
AG
Ah okay, makes sense

https://www.harborfreight.com/zr13s-obd2-code-reader-with-abssrsfixassist-57666.html

That was the one I got
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dubi
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8:32a, 11/6/25
AG
We had an old cheapie scan tool for many years but it does not work with our 2024 cars. We then bought this BlueDriver Pro OBD2 Scanner.
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GrimesCoAg95
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8:44a, 11/6/25
AG
Autel scan tools have worked great for me.
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locogringo
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In reply to Whitetail • 9:17a, 11/6/25
AG
I did the same Whietail, but AI hasn't used any of the scanners before. Looking for feedback from folks who have used them.


I'll look into BlueDriver and Autel. Last time I looked at Blue it didn't have the ability to command tasks of the computer, just a reader basically.
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txyaloo
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In reply to Whitetail • 11:15a, 11/6/25
AG
Whitetail said:
(Do message boards like this go away when we start using AI more?)

Copied and pasted your post into Grok - then said "be more concise":

Best GM scan tools under $400 that do ABS auto-bleed on your 2012 Sierra + full bidirectional:
1. Autel MaxiCheck Pro $179ABS bleed + 25 resets, lifetime free updatesAmazon: search "Autel MaxiCheck Pro"
2. VXDIAG VCX Nano GM $119Runs real GM Tech2Win/GDS2, exact dealer functionsAmazon: "VXDIAG VCX Nano GM" (includes software)
3. CGSULIT SC530 $169GM-only, 30+ resets, lifetime free updatesAmazon: "CGSULIT SC530"
4. Foxwell NT809BT $369Bluetooth, 35+ resets, works on wife's new GM tooWalmart or Amazon: "Foxwell NT809BT"
Grab #1 or #2 and you're done for under $200.

OP wants actual recommendations from people that own and use scan tools not AI slop. Most reviews for these tools are sponsored advertisements and not from people who actually use them.

The foxwell tools absolutely suck. They're slow. The button interface is terrible. Updates are difficult. The screen is tiny. The vxdiag also sucks if you aren't super technical since it's using pirated software and cloned licenses that may only work with certain cracked versions of the diag software. I stupidly own multiples of each of these before I spent the money on a "nice" scanner.

OP - I have a mix of OE and "nice" Chinese scan tools. They all have their quirks and some work better with different brands. The majority of the Chinese tools are using hacked/cloned software. For example, I haven't found any tool other than an OE Tech2 that will talk to the BCM on my GTO. I worked with ThinkTool support for 2 years and they never fixed it.

If you're willing to spend <$1k, want something "nice", and want to pick it up today, the newer Harbor Freight Icon scanners aren't terrible for the money. I bet will be a 15-20% off coupon for black friday where you could get the T8, which is based on Launch software, for $700ish. I'd personally buy a bluetooth version. Wired scanners are kludgy when doing work on the rear of the car like brakes.

If you don't want to wait, I'd buy this one

https://www.amazon.com/LAUNCH-X431-PROS-5-0-Elite/dp/B0CLS8B1BK

I've had the ThinkTool version of this scanner for 4ish years and rarely have to pull out an OE scan tool.
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crockerdan04
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1:16p, 11/6/25
AG
I bought an XTool D7 a few years ago that I have been happy with. It can do more things than I am capable of. Can read live data and graph. Can scan and clear codes.

Brake sensor went out and I was needing to calibrate it. My truck ('23 Ram, but XTool told me it was all 2018+ FCA vehicles) has a security gateway module that was preventing me from 2-way diagnostics. You have to have an OEM tool or an "authorized" tool in order for 2-way communication. I had to buy a bypass cable (XTool sells one for $25) and bypass that module. Once I did that, I was able to recalibrate it and clear the codes.
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P.H. Dexippus
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11:33p, 11/7/25
AG
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