Can A $600 Launch Compete With A $4,000 Snap On?

The Launch X431 full function scan tool is less than $600, but does it actually work, and how does it stack up against what is arguably the industry standard Snap On?
This video compares the X431 to the Apollo D9 from Snap On.
The launch X431 can be purchased here:
amzn.to/4bxB6jN
(affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you from purchases made through these links)

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

The Snap On scan tools have gotten so incredibly expensive and now they want a monthly subscription as well. This is why Launch, Autel, TopDon and others are selling so many scan tools now.

[@RogueWrenching]

You are not wrong, but the subscription for the snap on is optional, so you own the tool but to keep the software current yea the sub sucks.

[@Jpilgrim30]

If you are a professional I would recommend a better launch for ~$1000 over a snap on. It has the FCW secure gateway capability, it can code modules, it has far more special functions and bi-directional controls, and will cover far more bases than any scan tool snap on makes including the Zeus. Get a launch, and Autel, and a pico scope for less than a Zeus.

[@RogueWrenching]

I don't disagree, but also take a look at TopDon scan tools. There are lots of options out there, gone are the days of snap on being the only name in town.

[@bigblockcutlass123]

@@RogueWrenching They advertise this Launch as FCA approved.

[@RogueWrenching]

@@bigblockcutlass123 Yes, I found that after I posted the video.

[@user-mx1lo7xp2f]

Fun fact my brother has been a mechanic most of his life and he has a snap on that he paid 8,000 for and he uses it on occasion and i bought him a launch because he wanted a one with free lifetime updates and most lauch products have free updates and launch has so many more car makes and what not then what his snap on does such a rolls royce and many others but the one i bought him is kinda just for basic stuff but its still a versatile tool for him he was blown away when i ordered it and he was at the house one day and i went and got it and gave it to him for an early Christmas gift he was so happy

[@RogueWrenching]

There's something to be said for that for sure, but for me I look at what I'm actually working on, I don't work on Rolls Royce, Saab, Alfa Romeo, or other exotic cars. I agree that the Snap On is overpriced, but I'm happy with it.

[@rihovaher]

Hello ! Do not update this $600 diagnostic device if you have downloaded all the new things. If you update this device now, it will happen that you can no longer look and check certain things when doing diagnostics on the car! This has happened to many people. I, for example, do not see ABS and ABG systems on my Hyndai Getz car after the update!

[@scottloutner5253]

The Launch cord. Is a Bluetooth signal. Unplug and be untether6

[@ckm-mkc]

iDK if I'd call a Snap On scan tool industry standard. Maybe for American cars but it sucks on a lot of Euro & Asian cars, so it largely depends on what you work on. Your SnapOn also seems to be missing networking mapping, which I would expect at that price point, esp. for a "professional" tool. A $1000 Thinktools Pro has that.... If you have to work on a lot of different brands, I would go for an Autel MaxiSys Elite (or similar) as it has J5234 built in and you can get a scope & ADAS programming as well, plus it's really good across a wide range of brands. That said, I have a SnapOn Versus for US domestic cars as it works better for those even if the UI is terrible. I also have a Mac Tools Mentor & an Autel MP808BT - the Autel is by far the most useful - it was the same price as the Launch you are testing, actually a little cheaper.

[@RogueWrenching]

I am heavy into domestics, particularly diesels, so the snap on works very well for me. But yes, there are other industry standards depending on what segment of the industry you work in.

[@bigblockcutlass123]

The Launch is suppose to do FCA, My Snap on Verus edge with 21.4 software will not with out paying snap for a subscription. I paid for Auto auth and then found out I have to pay for a subscription to keep Verus up to date. Thinking about buying the Launch for this reason.

[@RogueWrenching]

Yes, I've been corrected, it can connect to FCA secure gateways.

[@matthewfili7037]

Let the games begin.

[@ElectroAtletico]

Nice deal on that Apollo D9. Their Catalog lists it for $5,280.

[@RogueWrenching]

I paid $3,700 plus tax, it came to $3,920ish so yes, I feel like I got a decent deal, still a bit overpriced but better than full retail.

[@brassmule]

Launch has weird model numbers but it looks like you have one of the older and/or smaller versions of the X431 labeled scanners. I think that's a big detractor for them. It's hard to figure out what exactly you are getting even if it says X431 on it. They do make models with larger screens like the Snap-On here, and also that can hook up to a 4 channel oscope, TPMS reader, multimeter, etc, plus uses a bluetooth ODBII connector to eliminate the cable, and have a system topology overview when doing code scans. The price points on those models goes up to 600 when on sale or $800-2k, giving it potentially a bit more functionality. I think the diagnostic info that Snap-On gives you is certainly an advantage as it can make figuring stuff out easier, and it's clearly a lot faster to get stuff done. I have a TopDon ArtiDiag Pro (~350 bucks) and it does basically everything that Launch does - it's just a touch slower. The software looks the same though, so I'm assuming all these Chinese scan tool producers are using similar sources for their software. 2 years of updates and I pull updates a couple times a week. No FCA option for mine but most of the Launch ones do that.

[@RogueWrenching]

I have been informed I misspoke, this tool can connect to FCA secure gateways, there are better options as far as value than snap on, I chose the snap on because I am familiar with the interface, and I know my way around the product. I'm well aware it's not the end all be all, but for what I need it for it does everything I need and fast. I'm flat rate so speed matters above all.

[@Jpilgrim30]

@@RogueWrenchingthe snap on capabilities suck compared to the better launch and autel scan tools. You can do FAR more than any snap on scanner. My suggestion is if you do a lot of driveability stuff then learn the launch or autel and vastly improve your capabilities. We don’t farm out anything at our shop so we have multiple scan tools, scopes, J boxes, etc. my launch can have 16 separate graphs on one screen or you can combine some as well.

[@Jpilgrim30]

The topdon and thinktool scan tools use launch software that is slightly reskinned.

[@RogueWrenching]

@Jpilgrim30 I really don't care for launch software, it's somewhat cumbersome and I'm used to the snappy.

[@romex66]

you dont need the usb c cable plugged in to the launch dongle.. its just for charging - you just charge it the first time when you update the diagnostic tool. after that the dongle charges itself from the obd port from the car.

[@RogueWrenching]

Thanks for the info! I figured that out after I finished this video haha.

[@carlosgaray9212]

Yeah it’s wireless. The weird one has buttons like the snap on

[@aranhaydar9195]

03:16 the "intelegent diagnose" option is basically "auto ID" & Also it would've been a better comparison if you compared the 4000$ snap on with at least a 1700$ launch pro3 v5. With the smart link C dongle 🙃. Not a budget option for DIY ers. Edit: it'll also show the readiness monitors, but you'd have to go into OBD2 mode

[@RogueWrenching]

True, but this was a sponsored event, where I was sent the X431 to review, I did so in a way that made sense to me, a direct comparison to the snap on.

[@aranhaydar9195]

​Still, if you still got it with you test those functions again, having what i wrote up there in mind The auto id & the readiness monitors @@RogueWrenching

[@LapinAutodiagnostiikkaOy]

Launch is bluetooth, so cant understand why you use cable... And i am sure that, launch has more special functions, resets, basic settings and adaptations than snap on...That tool looks crp919ebt, so it can handle new chryslers, it have fd-can, and doip support too. So why make video, if not know tool what use 🤭

[@RogueWrenching]

You are correct. It can get into FCA secure gateways, and I talked about the special functions.

[@GeneG-wk2mz]

I take too don

[@RogueWrenching]

I haven't had a chance to play with any TopDon tools yet.

[@brassmule]

@@RogueWrenchingThe experience will be essentially the same as this level of scanner from Launch. Mine looks the same, it's just blue instead of red. As I believe you correctly said in this video, any home gamer or frequent DIY'er will definitely benefit from a Launch-based scan tool in the 400-600 range. They go on sale a lot, too. If you're not depending on speed, then a few extra minutes getting through menus and completing scans isn't the end of the world. Mine has worked great for me and it's more than paid for itself in repairs I've been able to successfully complete thanks to it - TPMS control module vin encoding on a Hyundai, steering angle sensor calibration on a Hyundai, transmission relearn on a Ford, verifying PAM operation on a Ford, plus diagnosing and clearing all those DTCs which a cheap CEL scanner doesn't pull up on a variety of car models, doing rear brakes with electronic parking brakes, etc. It makes diagnosing rich/lean codes a breeze, too, but I am limited in the number of PIDS I can graph simultaneously to only 4. It was totally worth the money, however. I think your review is great in that you actually showed some of the things the tool can do while actually doing it - like getting live data from a parking aid module. Most reviews don't do that. Show people how it actually works! Thanks for doing that. Definitely hope you get the chance to review higher end hardware from Autel or Launch, that more directly competes on speed and software layout to your Snap-On, without the monthly sub or high up front costs, either. Mr O over at South Main Auto uses a high(er) end Autel scanner for almost all his videos now, frequently hooked up to the oscope, too. With the quality, speed, and capabilities of those tools in the 1-2k range, I don't see Snap-On at 4 to 8k being worth it any longer. The speed and layout of their scanner is excellent, however, no doubt about that. I would front-load your video with the information that Launch or whomever provided the scanner for your review, since KZbin does have strict rules on that.

[@coolcat23]

Lots of premature judging and superficial assessment, plus learning while demonstrating. On top of that misinformation because as you write yourself "...this tool can connect to FCA secure gateways", i.e., you "misspoke". Nobody needs reviews like these. Yeah, and "losing the VCI in the car" is definitely a big risk and not worth being able to freely move around with the screen without having to mess with a cable. Makes complete sense. Not. I've never had a Bluetooth connection fail or be compromised due to "interference" but, I guess it's a "Trust me, bro" from you again.

[@RogueWrenching]

Glad you're putting yourself out there and showing us real products and honest feedback. Also you clearly have no professional experience. I'm sorry you live under a shade tree. I'm also sorry I was wrong in saying it can't connect to FCA secure gateways. Please go back to sipping your white claw and being a keyboard warrior.

[@coolcat23]

@@RogueWrenching I've written reviews that were published and put a ton of time into them. I loved getting to know the product as well as possible and even being able to provide the manufacturer with feedback which prompted changes to the product. I did not mind the effort, because it was fun, but it still took a lot of time to present all details of the product, compare it to comparable products (which meant I had to get to know these as well) . I would not dream to fumble through a presentation, learning as I go and having to correct myself along the way, let alone let misinformation stand. But that's just me. Kudos for not deleting my comment, but it would behove you to not bark back, but rather accept that this review had some flaws. I realise I was quite snarky and I apologise if that came across as being hostile. FYI, the device has a setting that allows it to start scanning as soon as you plug it in (something you said it is not capable of). I hope that helps.

[@RogueWrenching]

@@coolcat23 I appreciate the feedback, but a correction, the device will not start scanning without it already being powered on and booted up. This is another drawback of the wireless system.

[@mandytuning]

I pay $399 for that crp919xbt,and yes it work on Chrysler gateway subscription,the alarm is so you don't forget the dongle in the car Can't beat the price

[@RogueWrenching]

Yes, I've been corrected, it can link to the FCA secure gateways.