Flagship Diagnostic Platform Showdown: Topdon Phoenix MAX Vs. Snap-on ZEUS. Best Bang For Your Buck? 

I'm 90% retired after 40+ years in the trade. Unless you specialize in just one make and use a factory scan tool with current updates and a subscription to down load updates, it's impossible to own just one scan tool. I own three different scan tools; SO Solus Ultra (now considered "vintage", a no name "pro consumer" level tool and, yes, a Vintage OTC Genisys with updates to 2013. Each scan tool has its good/bad points; believe it or not, the Genisys can connect with older vehicle (prior to 2000) which other units have trouble with. The costs of equipment today is going up faster than the government CPI, which is another reason I chose to retire (more or less). The costs of continuous updates runs from 350 to 1200 USD yearly for each scan tool not to mention that in many cases a scan tool becomes obsolete between 5 - 8 years. SO is imho, a great tool for US makes + Toyota & Honda, weak everywhere else. So, you need another scan tool for the Asian makes and/or European stuff. My question to you is, why not purchase a Pico 4 channel scope rather than use the SO unit?

I own a repair shop I have a snapon tritan d10 it was around 5500 bucks its not a bad scanner and the guided tests is nice because you can scope a sensor super fast and it tells you specs and where to backprobe the sensors so you dont need tojump on ur service manual. However what is SUPER frusterating is when I have a car with a misfire like this infinity recently and the snap on scanner has no misfire data but I grab my AUTEL TPMS Tablet I paid like 500 bucks for and it has misfire data. I have had a few cars that the snapon didnt have bi-directional control of something or didnt have a test but my autel tpms tablet did. Were talking about aftermarket scanners ur never gonna get everything I get that I just dont like how expensive snap on is and having to pull out a 500 buck tablet to check a misfire on a car like an infinity that it should do

Your scan tool cost more than my Subaru 😮😮

Ahh yes I’m watching gadgets that I can never afford

That is amazing after spending $10,000 they insult you by charging another $450 for the dock. Brilliant.

Well damn,topdon wants to make their next scanner on a 42 inch flat screen.

There is no way I could work on modern cars. I just changed the spark plugs in my 2018 Outback and while the hardest part was a stuck bolt on the battery tray, I made the decision that as soon as I don’t need a reliable car to get me tj work and back I’m buying a 67 Chevy pickup and I’m never going to have to shove my hands down in an engine and cut them all up ever again. All the electronic components I simply don’t need. No scan tool needed for a 67 Chevy. 😂

Topdon and matco and other scanners have or are provided their software is from launch 🚀

My old Solus Edge is pretty fast, but it doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the Zeus. It really depends on the car, some cars my snappy seems to talk better with than my topdon and vice versa

Great review! Snapy has been pushing an upgrade of my "obsolete" Modis Ultra. The Snap-On Zeus Plus, with trade-in of my Modis Ultra ($2000) and $1600 instant rebate, is $9k. Unfortunately, this is still a bit rich for my blood -especially with Snap-On's interest rate. It does start way faster than the older Zeus. Matco has let me test drive their Maximus 4.0 (Launch) for a few weeks. It has some quirks, is rather big and bulky, but is easy to use. "If" I went with something the size of the Launch or TopDon, I'd just get a laptop carry case.

A lot of people hate on snap-on, especially the scanner. I own all 3 brands, same top don the ultra from autel and the snap on verus edge. The verus edge is my go to. It's easier to navigate understand pids the scope is my second favorite other then the pico. On top of that built in to the tool you have trouble shooter and component test. Yes I can look it up but it takes more time.

And here I thought I was doing ok with my $12 Bluetooth OBDII code reader and the Torque Pro app on my phone.😂

Thank you so much for doing this. I was almost about to buy a used Zeus for 6500 when someone told me about the Topdon. Never heard of it before. Amazing to get everything you do for 3800 with a scope!

Holy crap for those prices those things should fix the car for ya I guess it sort of does actually..

i purchased a Topdon Phoenix Plus (the $800 model) and am extremely happy with it. I probably does 85% to 90% of the functions of the Phoenix Elite, enough for this home mechanic. I am pretty impressed with it. A Topdon Max is pretty nice but overkill in my situation...

thank you being a beginner Subaru specialist I was wondering what a good scan tool for Subaru would be

Whats your opinion on the Autel Maxisys series. The only scanner i have experience with is the nissan Consult system which is slower than dirt.

It’s funny when you said that you’re pushing 40 that you enjoy the bigger screen, because I think the same thing to myself lol 😅

Man I was gonna get a launch x431 but all the positive topdon reviews got me thinking twice

my SO Verus has the same size dongle as the topdon

Jeesh. I bought a 2005 legacy gt, ej255, timing kit, turbo, and intercooler for less than those scanners. Lol. Granted if your a tech for living I understand owning it.

Can either unit be used to clone my intermittent 2013 WRX sti ECM to my replacement ECM including VIN number to make the vehicle operable?

Never knew scan tools were this expensive

I have been looking and for the price you can't beat topdon. Thanks man 👍

sell me the Elite ? Im in Savannah

The Phoenix Max is like the Smart but bigger. These Chinese tools can do a lot of things for the money, best bang for your buck compare to snapon. Problem is the Chinese do not test their tools long enough before they release them. They rely on the consumers to use them and then report problems so that they can work on a fix. Basically, make your paying customer your beta tester. These tools are extremely buggy compared to snapon, but I would never pay the inflated prices of snapon. The cumbersome brick that connects to the car is also advertised as a j2534 interface for programming but it doesn't work. Some functions make no sense or are non existent. Try history function and find out that it doesn't let you get access to a vehicle like any other scanner on the market. The history shows you data history but no real access to the vehicle. So if you have to work on the same vehicle multiple times, you have to scan for the vin every single time. That's not efficient. All these types of review flatter the tool and push viewers into spending their money for a tool that's not ready. This tool came out a year or 2 too early. With time it will become a great tool as the hardware seems strong. I remember Autel were like this in the beginning but now are one of the top scan tools on the market. I'd like to see you make another video in a couple of months and tells us how the tool is doing.

I just replaced two of my shop scanners with topdon scanners. So majority of the scanners in my shop are now topdon besides my dedicated scanner I use for indepth programming for coding, deleting dpf, egr and addblue etc. Bang for the buck the topdon is probably the best scanner on the market. For majority of what most shops are going to use the scanner for, the topdon is going to take care of all your needs.

do you get any english speaking support with the topdon when you have problems or are you on your own once they get your money??? Maybe you can call China 😂😂😂

So i would like to see a video on comparing the Phoenix max vs the elite. I dont see much of a reason getting the max and not just save the money and get the elite

good point on the information of how the snapon tool can walk you thru most diangnosis of your sensors on vehicles.

Great video.. the Topdon does programming and coding I don’t think you made a fair assessment of that tool I owned the Phoenix plus and I have to tell you it has done many things that my triton has not been able to be even close like security and bidirectional features… specially on Subarus… you can also clone GM modules with their optional ninja box if I were Snapon I’d watch out with their overpriced products and always falling short with their products… I can’t wait to get me a phoenix Max and cancel my subscription with Snapon is just too damn expensive.

Hey bud I am a mechanic I am SERIOUSLY going to buy one of these for the shop quick question is it " bidirectional"? Please 🙏 someone let me know ....love ur videos !

I have NEVER heard of topDon only Launch and Inv and Autel..I'ma have to do some research

It's really disheartening how all of this stuff is unobtanium for myself.

These are both amazing tools but damn... Why not just go with a more budget one like xtool they make great tools for a fraction of the cost

As for the dongle, the Snappy is Bluetooth and the Topdon WiFi/BT. The Topdon J3425 had more capabilities being a J3425 device and transmits data to the scan tool via WiFi much faster. Bluetooth is a big negative regardless of size having a slower transmission rate. Same as the Throttle 3, communicates with the scan tool via WiFi.

I really enjoyed your breakdown of both tools. One thing I would like to see is the data graphing of the topdon compared to snap on. I feel like this is another area that snap on shines at particularly when you combine it with shop stream connect. Could you do a follow up video comparing these features of both tools?

Hello,once i trye to scan Mercedes s500 2020-2023 ,and Ople vivaro dont remember witch year its was,but In Opel it show first dpf oxygen sensor but in real life it was second one,than i work with Mercedes and i show same falt code for another falt,after this i will never spend so mutch money for snap on,never use topdon(loks like lauch pad 7)and price more interesting for it,sorry for mistakes my english not super well

I buy the next model down snap on at discount used once they stop supporting ie my og verus gets me to 2017. usually not working on any thing newer have all the keys from previous and ill by the top don in case i run into something newer the trouble shooter and component test is awesome a lot of people dont want to admit it though cant wait for verus edge no keys !

Even if the cpu,memory and storage were identical the difference in operating systems android vs windows hopefully windows ce configured to be efficient still android is optimized and designed for mobile devices so windows is going take longer. Also I may have missed but release date is important to fairly judge each scan tool but the processing power required for windows is higher so newer hardware with more efficient OS equals faster

The Topdon is a real disappointment I’m returning mine for a Zeus or an autel. This took over advertises its capabilities

Hi,would you try topdon phoenix smart or phoenix max vs im608 pro 2 Autel . Services and diagnostics

How when this video is pre recorded will you see us in the next one. Hmmmm ....?

What is the name of this device and the name of the large-sized device model?

TopDon just told me I can use the phoenix scope with any phoenix series scanners even the $600ish lite 2. I emailed asking because of the scope. I was gonna get autel for scope but I’m getting a top Don. I am leaning towards the phoenix smart or the remote, but after watching this idk I definitely like topdon!

How does the snap on compare to the autel elite 2 pro

Snap on is made with unitanium

Anyone want to buy a snap on Apollo D9? Brand new only been hooked up to a handful of vehicles.

might want to take a peak at the topdon vs matco maximus line. you might fing some OS similarities ;)

You should upgrade your snap on Zeus then compared to different

$4,500... budget scan tool 😢

SNAP-on for its price repair your car by itself....

That TOPDON looks just like the launch throttle 3. Even down to the scope

I like xtool. Best bang for buck. I have there A30M, most powerful entry level scanner with bidirectional controls. I just love it. When i have the money I'll get there D9 pro. Topdon max is great. I would love to have that in some other lifetime 😂. But trust me folks xtool is where it's at.

The Zeus also is 5 years out of date. Though I agree it is way overpriced and only has biannual renewal at a substantial cost

It’s like the rivals in the uk of Tesco and Asda vs Aldi and Lidl make way for the new brands

Snap-on work good only us automative.

exselentes escaner topdon mui bueno master

Commentando en el vídeo para el algoritmo

what do you think of topdon phoenix max is it better than snap on?

Does the topdon work with obd1 cars?

Does anyone know if the Topdon Phoenix Elite does the electronic parking brake on 2015+ Subaru’s? And how much bi-directional testing does the elite do vs the max? Asking because I’m tired of paying for someone else to do the work when I’m capable, but don’t have the “scan tool” that has that functionality.

Topdon is the best.

Can you do a 2016 fa20 timing chain in vehicle?

What are you all using for Hyundai vehicles?

Basically a good tech wants both these days

Does it have FCA Gateway accesses?

Your software is out of date

Does the Top Don max do Key Programming

Does It have play Store?

Sure that's not Linux based?

You can use the topdon scope on your phoenix plus scan tool

Wish you did a scope comparison

Wow ! Super helpful !! Extraordinary detail !!!

Thankz man ....

Does the max really scan all the modules that fast? That WAs crazy fast.

The TopDon seems to be running the same software as the ThonkTool ProS. Any advantage of one .vs. the other?

would the topdon work with Chrysler and their security gate way system?

But can it permanently turn off the “auto start/stop” feature?

Xtool A30M....bidirectional scanner for under $200 that does basically everything these two do......free updates for life. I am a Snap On addict but after the last S.O. scanner I had stopped working I tried the XTool A30M and it does more than the 10 times more expensive Snap On scanner. I got a Samsung tablet for the A30M and I'm not looking back. So happy I didn't waste 10k.

That's an expensive scope 😳

It’s obvious TOPDON paid you ,,,, how much can you say it’s faster ? Once would do it Not a great comparison, want to know which one is better for solving problems ! Snap-on trouble shooter is HUGE but you barely mention that ,,,, Would love a good comparison by some one