Thinkscan Max

Over the past several years, I have used a variety of diagnostic tools. I currently own approximately a dozen: from phone based to full brand factory diagnostic capabilities (the same that a brand dealership maintains.) After a week of using the Thinkscan Max, I believe I have found the perfect portable diagnostic tool. It is amazing that so much capability and design is packaged at this price. While there are professional level features such as graphing, additional capabilities such as coding and bidirectional controls can be had with an annual license fee. But for most DIY people, such advanced features are a rare necessity. What is great about the Thinkscan Max? First off the packaging - bluetooth module integrates into the case. Throw this in a car and away you go. It’s easily held in one hand, and the touchscreen works flawlessly. Next it places all the basic functions in an easy to navigate display. Intuitively designed, it took me minutes to become familiar with the full set of capabilities. The third feature is convenience of creating and sharing reports - the Thinkscan Max can upload a health report to the cloud, provides a QR code for sharing and access to the report, and further provides the ability to receive an email with a link to the report. Very convenient when having to share the report with someone else for diagnosis! Don’t let the small package fool you. It comes with lifetime software updates, and supports a dizzying array of cars. The Thinkscan Max can automatically read the VIN, determine which brand and model car it is scanning, and its speed is impressive. On a BMW X5, 32 modules were scanned for a health report in a mere 18 seconds! Aside from full diagnostic capabilities for all modules attached to one’s car, the Thinkscan Max can read and display sensor data in real time. You can choose to render the data as number values, or select sensors and graph them in real time, so that you can comparatively observe values. The product description provides the full array of capabilities, but a few stand out as particularly useful for the DIYer: register new batteries, code new injectors, perform brake bleeding procedure, various system resets (such as Oil, SAS, etc). Simply one diagnostic session, a couple of resets, and you’ve paid for this tool compared to taking it to a dealer or mechanic. Is there anything I’d want different? Well compared to a Foxwell tool I owned at the same price point, this is far more versatile and user friendly, it is difficult to ask for more. Includes USB C recharging (thank you - a modern connector!), 5Ghz Wifi support, and at least 36 hours of use before recharge is required. It would be nice to be able to look up code explanations directly on the Thinkscan Max, but now I’m being picky. Overall I’m very pleased - it is well designed, smartly packaged, and well priced!

This is a nice scanner for the price. Took a little getting use to navigating it to get to were I wanted, but after I figured it out it made sense. I would have liked to have seen more bidirectional controls, but for the money, I'm probably expecting to much. It does have some nice features and the screen is easy to see. The live data seems relatively quick and easy to read. If I was looking for anther scanner I would definitely consider this one again. Oh, the case is really nice and compact and looks like it will Protect it nicely. I have used it on several vehicles now and it has worked flawlessly on the ones I have tried it on so far.

It says alot of features but unfortunately some of the features are for small amount of cars not for the majority. It is good with scanning codes only which you can do with much cheaper devices. Otherwise many features you have pay for them not as describes are free. Free features are for some cars. I wanted to calibrate tire size and it just worked for around 9 companies. Disappointing device.

I'd like to preface that I'm a car enthusiast that likes to work on his own cars--I'm not a professional mechanic. Last year, I bought a different thinkscan reader (601) to diagnose an airbag light and wanted to upgrade to the max. Out of the box, this thinkscan has a much bigger screen and does appear much more advanced. At surface level, it does read codes, clear codes, readiness, perform configurations (i.e. keys, tires), and diagnose engine, ECU, ABS, SRS, traction, and far more systems than my 601. It's a dedicated touchscreen tablet with no physical buttons other than power, and the OBD module is wireless now. On boot up, the features go much deeper than my 601. I see there is support for more cars (i.e. Bugatti, Lamborghini, even Chinese makes), and even directions built in on how to use it. From a usability perspective, I'm glad that it comes with a manual--definitely read that first before proceeding. Updates are available over the internet, and more advanced configuration scans are available for download (with a fee). My first use with this was diagnosing the triangle/srs/abs/vsc light on my Prius, where this read out codes showing I needed a new battery. Post-fix, codes went away and this helped me confirm it. For those with multiple vehicles that would like something to read basically everything, this would be a value-add.

I researched and researched to find a less expensive choice (but that would still do the job as advertised), but in the end, it does not do what is says it can. It also advertises that it offers updates, and says there is customer support, but to date, I have not had anyone return the emails, as they do not offer phone support either. NOT NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS ITEM. NOT WORTH THE PRICE.

This product so far has been working great for me in the most part. Tech support is terrible!! Had a horrible time getting mine registered asked for tech support and 2 days later got very vague to nothing what I would consider help and registering my device. Had a fumble through YouTube videos to figure out help on registering my device much for useful then tech-support. So far after the two weeks of owning this device the only thing I have run into with problems is I own a 2008 Ford Explorer sport track and it will not clear my TPMS even though it says it is clear it is still on. Really confusing. Sent the problem question to technical assistance 3 days ago and have heard nothing back. After having this product for 6 weeks. I am getting rid of this thing. It’s junk and has no help. You email support and get nothing helpful back. Big waste of money. Would Not Recommend

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