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I really liked this tool and think it’s good value for money. I just wish it had a faster processor. I could be wrong, perhaps it was my internet connection, but there were a few other issues like it timing out occasionally during use. I liked the tool but I wanted to do an honest review of it’s capabilities. What do you think?
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We have a Snapon Verus and Autel MaxiDAS at work and they are both pretty slow. Aggravates the heck out of me. If these tools need an internet connection to communicate with a vehicle that is just stupid. I will ask the SnapOn dealer about this when he comes on Friday.
🙂 Hello Eric, I did enjoy the video. To me the tool seems to be more of an informational instrument than an diagnostic tool. It did provide the information, but the reply seemed to be more like a google response from a query than a deductive observation of a problem. It is not cheap to find tools for mechanic or home mechanic that provide information and deductive capabilities. I have found that the AUTOENGUINITY tool to be a good compromise for a DIY or small time mechanic.
Your OTC tool was nice, but I would check your WiFi as it may be using an older WiFi radio than your OTC tool needs for optimum performance. The processor is also going to be behind most of the faster models on the market, just due to the length of time from development to production. You mentioned that you updated the OTC system before you made the video, sometimes an update may make things slower rather than faster. It is a nice tool and I hope it does all you would like it to do. Good Luck.[quote=”slotcar” post=94549]:) Hello Eric, I did enjoy the video. To me the tool seems to be more of an informational instrument than an diagnostic tool. It did provide the information, but the reply seemed to be more like a google response from a query than a deductive observation of a problem. It is not cheap to find tools for mechanic or home mechanic that provide information and deductive capabilities. I have found that the AUTOENGUINITY tool to be a good compromise for a DIY or small time mechanic.
Your OTC tool was nice, but I would check your WiFi as it may be using an older WiFi radio than your OTC tool needs for optimum performance. The processor is also going to be behind most of the faster models on the market, just due to the length of time from development to production. You mentioned that you updated the OTC system before you made the video, sometimes an update may make things slower rather than faster. It is a nice tool and I hope it does all you would like it to do. Good Luck.[/quote]I don’t believe the slowness was my internet. I was using Verizon 4GLTE. I watch movies with it all the time without issue. If I were to guess, I’d say it’s the processor that’s slow. A better processor would cost more however. The slowness was occurring when pulling codes from the vehicle, that does not require an internet connection. It’s just communication between the vehicle and the tool which is the OBDII standard protocol. That said, I did state in the video that this would be ideal for a small shop, a tech doing side work, or a used car lot looking to get an edge at the auction. I think that’s where it would get the best use. I think it’s a bit much for the DIY and I think the price point reflects that.
Thanks for the input.
[quote=”lar1969″ post=94563]Is this the 3893 model?[/quote]
Yes.
All The otc scanner I used in the past was slow as hell.. when starting in the trade. I wasn’t aware of that. As long as it doesn’t crash right.
I own a Solus as that is kickass when it come to only get your engine code (30 seconds from startup)
Our shop as 2 launch scanner and they are slow as well. They cover a bit more PID than Snap-on tho.
A independant shop using a launch and snap-on would have the best of both world if you are having north american, asiatic, and european vehicle.
I find it really amazing that that most people have been crucifying the Encore on you-tube . I would almost bet money that that some haters have never used a scan tool with all the features that it has. Their brains are stuck in smart phone mode and know nothing about processors, memory or buss speed or the price of diagnostic tools in general.
The Wi-Fi part has nothing to do with reading fault codes and will work without being linked to the internet. It’s only there to access Identifix etc. and that part appears to work quickly.
I have used many different brands scan tools over my 45+ years in the trade, including factory tools and I admit that for general servicing the Encore is heading in the right direction. I have never used an Android device but I like some of the features and not excited about others.
As you and everyone else states that the speed of the tool is an issue I have to agree but just like many other new devices it was likely introduced into the market before it was fully tested and evaluated.
That said, we have an older OTC Genisys Evo in the shop that’s also slow. If this tool is new
OTC could likely improve some of the shortfalls in future builds.In my not so humble opinion, for the money it’s one of the better generic scan tools I have seen.
Your new video helper made the vid easier to watch but as I’m sure you know the lights reflecting in the scanner screen almost drove my crazy.
Just like OTC, I’m sure the shortfalls will be addressed in the future.
[quote=”slotcar” post=94549]:) Hello Eric, I did enjoy the video. To me the tool seems to be more of an informational instrument than an diagnostic tool. It did provide the information, but the reply seemed to be more like a google response from a query than a deductive observation of a problem. It is not cheap to find tools for mechanic or home mechanic that provide information and deductive capabilities. I have found that the AUTOENGUINITY tool to be a good compromise for a DIY or small time mechanic.
Your OTC tool was nice, but I would check your WiFi as it may be using an older WiFi radio than your OTC tool needs for optimum performance. The processor is also going to be behind most of the faster models on the market, just due to the length of time from development to production. You mentioned that you updated the OTC system before you made the video, sometimes an update may make things slower rather than faster. It is a nice tool and I hope it does all you would like it to do. Good Luck.[/quote]The wifi was not an issue. I have 4GLTE and I watch movies with it all the time without issue. In addition, it does not need to be connected to the internet to pull codes, I did that very thing yesterday and it was still slow. I believe it’s slow because of the hardware, mainly the processor. But I’m not a computer expert.
The update was for some functionality. I don’t know if it effected the performance or not since I didn’t check it before I did the update.
That said, it’s not a bad tool, just slow. At this price point I still think it’s a good value but you also need to consider how you will use the tool. If you’re running a shop, I would go for a faster tool. If you’re doing side work, or perhaps have a small used car lot, I think this is a very affordable solution. It has a lot of great features. No scan tool is going to give you all the answers and other tools use a database similar to this one that show reported fixes. Just because it worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it will work for you. You still have to do due diligence and verify a problem before committing to a diagnosis no matter what tool you use.
Thanks for your input.
[quote=”wysetech” post=94841]I find it really amazing that that most people have been crucifying the Encore on you-tube . I would almost bet money that that some haters have never used a scan tool with all the features that it has. Their brains are stuck in smart phone mode and know nothing about processors, memory or buss speed or the price of diagnostic tools in general.
The Wi-Fi part has nothing to do with reading fault codes and will work without being linked to the internet. It’s only there to access Identifix etc. and that part appears to work quickly.
I have used many different brands scan tools over my 45+ years in the trade, including factory tools and I admit that for general servicing the Encore is heading in the right direction. I have never used an Android device but I like some of the features and not excited about others.
As you and everyone else states that the speed of the tool is an issue I have to agree but just like many other new devices it was likely introduced into the market before it was fully tested and evaluated.
That said, we have an older OTC Genisys Evo in the shop that’s also slow. If this tool is new
OTC could likely improve some of the shortfalls in future builds.In my not so humble opinion, for the money it’s one of the better generic scan tools I have seen.
Your new video helper made the vid easier to watch but as I’m sure you know the lights reflecting in the scanner screen almost drove my crazy.
Just like OTC, I’m sure the shortfalls will be addressed in the future.[/quote]
I’m in agreement that the tool is good value for money. You just have to be sure to know your application before committing to it. I think it defiantly has it’s place in the market and is priced very competitively compared to other tools with similar capabilities.
My camera man and I are still working things out. In fact, we talked about this very video and the things you mentioned and hope to improve in the future.
Thanks for your input.
This tool is not the only yourself tool on the market matco has their own cheap to buy scope for do it yourself mechanics called the maxMe by matco for only $800 and a monthly package fee that starts at $25 and goes up to $100 you too can get a scope like he find in a dealership One model at their starting package up to all makes and models at their hind end when I called and spoke to them they said this was the way feature that doesn’t really work or is it like the OTC that you download in etcg1 leaves a lot of questions on what the future holds for these Scan tools
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