Versus do you like it? is it worth the price?

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  • jcm1107
    Junior Member
    • Feb 2012
    • 4

    Versus do you like it? is it worth the price?

    I have not got one yet but I need a scan tool and I am leaning toward the newest wireless versus. Before I ask snappy for a demo I thought I would see what other techs thought of it. Here is my situation, I am a dealer tech that does a lot of side work (my brother owns a shop ) so I have had to bring the factory scan tool home too many times and it is time to buy one. I want the versus so I can work on the used cars at work and take it home and work on the side and I am going to get a shop key subscription also how is that function? it advertises that it has some kind of quick link to shopkey if that doesn't work great I will go with another info source. Also I would like to hook up an mdi and be able to program and check codes on 2012 cadillacs is this possible? Or better yet can I check codes on 2012 cadillacs without the mdi? Would the versus be worth it for me? I am counting on it saving me enough time to pay for itself.
  • Chevytruckman1234
    Senior Member
    • Mar 2008
    • 108

    #2
    We have ondemand works great on the verus. MDI won't work on it as the laptop portion is not powerful enough to handle it. Great tool though

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    • jcm1107
      Junior Member
      • Feb 2012
      • 4

      #3
      Originally posted by Chevytruckman1234
      We have ondemand works great on the verus. MDI won't work on it as the laptop portion is not powerful enough to handle it. Great tool though
      What do you mean the laptop portion is not powerful enough? please elaborate and do you have the older version or the newer one with the faster processor and more memory? that is still not a deal breaker for me as I can get the laptop and use the mdi, I wanted to get this instead of buying a laptop and scan tool. They advertise you can program vehicles with a j2534 device through the versus. I would like to know how fast this scan tool is? is it slow or like a tech 2 or drb in comparison?
      Last edited by jcm1107; 02-21-2012, 08:15 PM.

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      • eddiesverus
        Senior Member
        • Dec 2008
        • 414

        #4
        Originally posted by jcm1107
        What do you mean the laptop portion is not powerful enough? please elaborate and do you have the older version or the newer one with the faster processor and more memory? that is still not a deal breaker for me as I can get the laptop and use the mdi, I wanted to get this instead of buying a laptop and scan tool. They advertise you can program vehicles with a j2534 device through the versus. I would like to know how fast this scan tool is? is it slow or like a tech 2 or drb in comparison?
        Hi JCM, The Verus will run the WinTech2 and GM GDS2 just fine. But only if you have the New Wireless Unit. The Older Gen1 Verus was too slow to handle it. As for using it as a J2534. it works fine as well. I have the MDI and use it to program GM's everyday on my Verus. in addition to the Atlas software and GM's the Verus is a Great Tool. Please read my Other Post for more info.. Good luck..
        Hard Work, commitment, Honesty and not giving up is what Makes us better Tech's

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        • jcm1107
          Junior Member
          • Feb 2012
          • 4

          #5
          Originally posted by eddiesverus
          Hi JCM, The Verus will run the WinTech2 and GM GDS2 just fine. But only if you have the New Wireless Unit. The Older Gen1 Verus was too slow to handle it. As for using it as a J2534. it works fine as well. I have the MDI and use it to program GM's everyday on my Verus. in addition to the Atlas software and GM's the Verus is a Great Tool. Please read my Other Post for more info.. Good luck..
          thanx this is good news to hear kind of a selling point what about the speed comparison to a tech 2? I figure versus is probably slower but just want someone that has one to let me know how fast or slow they are? I wouldn't mind if it is a little slower with all it will do just as long as it is not windows 98 kinda slow!!!

          Comment

          • gentz
            Senior Member
            • Jan 2010
            • 191

            #6
            The verus IS windows 98 slow, sorry to say. You will have to have it on all day this way its ready to use or else you will be looking at some wait time for start up. It is a great tool, just that SO failed on the ver 1 ver 2 and whatever versions they are at. The hardware is still an antique compared to the technology we have now. It will work, just expect to use the factory tool. Per flashing, I have not done it with the verus.
            Diagnostic Specialist, diagnostic tool specialist. You name It I have it or have used it! MasterTech since 1998.

            Comment

            • MadMatt1372
              Member
              • Jan 2008
              • 30

              #7
              windows 98?

              Comment

              • gentz
                Senior Member
                • Jan 2010
                • 191

                #8
                Originally posted by MadMatt1372
                windows 98?
                As slow as windows 98...It is a valuable tool but The cost is a bit high....
                Diagnostic Specialist, diagnostic tool specialist. You name It I have it or have used it! MasterTech since 1998.

                Comment

                • Clayman
                  Junior Member
                  • Feb 2009
                  • 12

                  #9
                  I do like my tool but was way slow and to expensive for what it is, and now has been completely devalued by the newer versions. Will be the last diagnostic tool I buy from SO as I was completely let down.

                  Comment

                  • sbreland73
                    Senior Member
                    • Jan 2009
                    • 1076

                    #10
                    I like my Verus, but for what it does (and more important, what it does not do), it is VERY expensive. Considering the Chinese made tools now, and the free yearly updates, and more and more PC based diag, it will only get more affordable. I think S.O. is heading in the wrong direction, with the idea that they are the diagnostic leader, and the name will sell it all. This may have been true 15 years ago, but not in today's time. I will also not buy another S.O. diagnostic tool, as there is more to choose from every year, that does more and cost less. If I could go back, I think a Panasonic Tough-book and some PC based software, and a scope hardware (Pico for example) would have been a much wiser investment. Just my opinion. The Cornwell dealer came by last week and insisted on leaving a demo of the Autel and x431 for us to "try". I have no desire to mess with all that, but the other techs here said they have asked Snappy for a demo and were told "No, I don't even have a Verus or Verdict on the truck, I order them as they are sold. Even if I did, they are too expensive to just leave at a shop." What does that tell you?
                    Last edited by sbreland73; 03-02-2012, 10:06 AM.
                    S. Breland

                    Comment

                    • Kaeco
                      Junior Member
                      • Jun 2010
                      • 14

                      #11
                      sbreland73, I agree about going the lap top route. I just bought an Ease program (www.obd2.com) over the weekend and I buy CF29 Panasonic Toughbooks on Ebay for $200.00-$400.00 use. I currently have 3 Panasonics with other various scan software on them. I still use my Modis but find myself using my laptop software and my Pico 4000 more each day...Mike.

                      Comment

                      • eddiesverus
                        Senior Member
                        • Dec 2008
                        • 414

                        #12
                        It's Getting interesting so far, I also agree on The Verus being over priced for such a Slow peace of machine. PC based Diagnosis is getting more popular, I use the GM GDS2 and WinTech2 everyday now, I have a Tech2 that I just don't use anymore just because its more practical to use my Laptop or my Verus. PC based let me print and save DTC lists and Data screen shots to show the customer. PC scanning lets me Scan and reprogram modules as needed without having to pull extra hardware or scanners and lets me pull Service information right on the Vehicle. Handheld units just don't give that flexibility without having to hassle with connections except for the Verus. I like my Verus just for that reason but the cost is high. Buying a Laptop with more speed and memory is more economical and using a communication's Interface with it's software. GM's MDI, Honda's VCM, Ford's IDS, OTC's PC Pegisys, Bosch's KTS740 and MasterTech VCI, ATS's E-Scan, E-Scope, Pico Scope, Ease, Autoingenuity, plus many other PC based scanner or scopes are all the Future in diagnosis. Snap-On needs to jump onto this bandwagon and release the Atlas and S3 Scanner to an Open PC platform and cut back on the Expensive Verus/Verdict Hardware. This would be more economical and the User can Select the Type of hardware or PC they want to use. Any PC is going to have problems so there's no perfect machine out there, no matter how expensive the Computer is.
                        I know it was discussed here somewhere but I would stay away from those Chines Clones and Tools. I have the LaunchX431 and it's got good Asian and European coverage but it's very slow, complicated to use, Domestic Coverage Sucks, and I hardly use it and the updates are not free, you get a Year of updates as long as you pay for the yearly subscription. E-Scan and Autoingenuity on the other hand do give you free updates and they are Domestic Companies. As I said before, I rather support or local Companies than other Overseas companies.. Just my 2 cents here
                        Hard Work, commitment, Honesty and not giving up is what Makes us better Tech's

                        Comment

                        • jcm1107
                          Junior Member
                          • Feb 2012
                          • 4

                          #13
                          here is another thought what if I bought an ethos or solus pro , and a vantage pro and a laptop and snap on shop key? that is still about the same price or cheaper than a versus could I do the same things? or not? Keep in mind I work for a dealer and have acess to tech 2 and mdi just not any other info or tools which is costing me money on used cars and side jobs. I mostly need a scan tool to save me hunting down a factory tool or for used cars and side jobs and my shop has NO aftermarket info like mitchel or shop key so I am going to get it on my own and make it pay for itself. Like it is a pain to do headgaskets on a ford or dodge with no info!!!!!!

                          Comment

                          • Orevin
                            Senior Member
                            • Aug 2010
                            • 1110

                            #14
                            Originally posted by jcm1107
                            here is another thought what if I bought an ethos or solus pro , and a vantage pro and a laptop and snap on shop key? that is still about the same price or cheaper than a versus could I do the same things? or not? Keep in mind I work for a dealer and have acess to tech 2 and mdi just not any other info or tools which is costing me money on used cars and side jobs. I mostly need a scan tool to save me hunting down a factory tool or for used cars and side jobs and my shop has NO aftermarket info like mitchel or shop key so I am going to get it on my own and make it pay for itself. Like it is a pain to do headgaskets on a ford or dodge with no info!!!!!!
                            No bidirectional controls on the Ethos. A Solus Pro/Ultra, paired with a Vantage Pro should make for a capable setup. On the other hand, four channels on a scope can be quite useful...
                            -Kai-
                            Chicago, IL

                            Comment

                            • SnapOnKid
                              Senior Member
                              • Jan 2011
                              • 870

                              #15
                              I got an intresting call today from another tech. We were discusing scan tools and he told me that even though he looked at the Snap On equipment he said that it was more cost effective to buy Else were. He ended up with a new Autel MaxiDAS, a new Ford IDS. Here is what he told me about his recent purchase

                              "There is no perfect scan tool, But I feel I got pretty good coverage for the money compared to whats out there"

                              Now aside from that I purchased 2 verus's units last year, one of each version. In general I like the tool!!! But I feel it's over priced for what it is. Lately I have been less impressed with these units. Bugs and software go hand in hand. It doesn't mater who's devlopeing it, it just happens. But also take some time and look into some of the things we have asked to be changed or added to this tool and the software.

                              It would be nice to see Snap On do The same as lesser companies like Free Updates for the first Year... after all don't you want the customer to get used to the updates and seeing the new coverage or features so they will want to spend the money???

                              My recomendation is to take your time and compare scan tools. Maybe look at the Ultra instead. See if you can find other people in your area that have different scan tools and talk with them about how they use them and what they like about them. Also ask what they don't like.

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