Re: Scan tool recommendations - Input please!

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jun 2026, 17:43

I have this thread running over in the general issue section, but I've linked it as I don't think it is getting much traffic there:

viewtopic.php?t=108259

If you have any suggestions after you read my original question, I'd really appreciate your inputs as I am close to pulling the trigger on an iCarsoft VOL 4.0 from Europe (It is cheaper and less than half the shipping from the US!).

Many thanks,

Neil.

Post by **Krons** » 22 Jun 2026, 20:13

I’ve had great success in using my iCarSoft 2.0 on my P2s and P1s.

Post by **jonesg** » 22 Jun 2026, 21:17

icarsoft is cheap on amazon, around $250, free shipping if you have prime.
Not the best reviews for 4.0

Post by **scot850** » 23 Jun 2026, 08:55

The Vol 2.0 is not bi-directional testing, only the VOL 3.0 and 4.0 are. That was why I was looking at those. I have to say that the touch screen operation of the 4.0 is a bit of a turn off for me when working on cars due to having to remove gloves to use it and the screen getting greasy fingers on it! The 3.0 as good old buttons.

Those who have the 2.0 seem to be happy with it. In Canada the 2.0 is around $250 CDN from Amazon but it is not supplied directly by Amazon. I have had issues with Amazon 'partners' in the past.

By comparison, I can get the 3.0 and the 4.0 from European suppliers who are distributors for iCarsoft and other brands, I can get the 4.0 for around $400 CDN. The suppliers have been generally quick to reply which has been a complaint for those purchasing direct from iCarsoft the US.

Still not over the line yet. I have read reviews both for and against their products. Many complaint are for poor support and people buying the machine and either don't know how to use the machine or have had DOA units. Those reviews were not on iCarsoft seller sites but on Trustpilot, so I have no idea if they bought real or cloned units. There are loads on Ali Express for example.

Thanks for inputs guys!

Neil.

Post by **vtl** » 23 Jun 2026, 11:19

VIDA 2014D + supported adapter beats everything hands down. It is cheap enough to have it for Volvo part of your fleet.

For the rest I have no idea. I was going to get something comparable for my Toyotas, but... They don't break =)

Post by **scot850** » 23 Jun 2026, 16:58

If you check the link to my original question in another thread I mention I have a Dice unit (older copy unit had for many years) as well as 3 versions of Vida (2012A, 2014A and 2014D).

It works when it works, but it is neither consistent in operation for me and hard to find information for problem solving as I don't use it a lot. I do use it a lot for parts identifying and repair processes (although for P1/2 and newer a lot of this is generic and poorly described).

It is likely down more to lack of experience and being dyslexic, but I find the information not to be clear or consistent for things like live data. I can't get it to work properly on P1 cars for some reason and maybe 50% on P2. It did work on my P80 99- pretty well.

I really want something that does not require lugging a laptop around as I am asked for help often when the car is not at my home. I like the newer systems as some are more intuitive and use pictures for what something does over lots of written and confusing instructions.

Appreciate the input though as for those of you that like it and are confident using it I'm sure it is good.

Neil.

Post by **vtl** » 23 Jun 2026, 19:00

scot850 wrote: 23 Jun 2026, 16:58 If you check the link to my original question in another thread I mention I have a Dice unit (older copy unit had for many years) as well as 3 versions of Vida (2012A, 2014A and 2014D).

It works when it works, but it is neither consistent in operation for me and hard to find information for problem solving as I don't use it a lot. I do use it a lot for parts identifying and repair processes (although for P1/2 and newer a lot of this is generic and poorly described).

It is likely down more to lack of experience and being dyslexic, but I find the information not to be clear or consistent for things like live data. I can't get it to work properly on P1 cars for some reason and maybe 50% on P2. It did work on my P80 99- pretty well.

I really want something that does not require lugging a laptop around as I am asked for help often when the car is not at my home. I like the newer systems as some are more intuitive and use pictures for what something does over lots of written and confusing instructions.

Appreciate the input though as for those of you that like it and are confident using it I'm sure it is good.

Repair instructions in VIDA (Online) is even worse for P3. I wonder how good they are for P80 if you say P2 is bad, and P2 instructions are hands down better than for P3.

I rarely run VIDA these days. No need to reread the instructions for thousands time. Nothing electric was bothering me for a few good years, not until a month ago

Most of the live sensors data I have on my tiny LCD, this is sufficient to diagnose the most common problems, like battery charging.

If I had to set VIDA hw again, I would get an x86 Windows or Linux tablet and run VIDA in virtual machine.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Jun 2026, 08:42

Thanks for that, and if my computer skills were good I would do that too. The older versions of Vida had great instructions for the older cars like the P80's with actual pictures of what you are working on. Now-a-days they have gotten lazy and too many of the instructions or generic 'and may be for several applications'. A good example of how bad they are is for a V50 AWD. The parking brake cable replacement gives what looks like an easy set of instructions. The reality for AWD not FWD required dropping the prop-shaft, removing multiple covers and fighting to remove a heatshield above the prop-shaft and muffler to be able to see the front end. Oh, and they changed the cables and Volvo did not tell you you have to change the parking brake lever assembly rod as well............

I can only imagine what P3 instructions are like...........

Neil.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 28 Jun 2026, 20:40

I ended up buying TopDon ONE scanner tool. With 3 Toyotas in a family and friends with other makes, I decided to go with more expensive toy. One of the big appeal was 10.1 inch screen and heavy duty built shell. Yes, it comes with yearly subscription after 2 free years, but with 1 successful scan/coding it pays for 1 year renewal. It has J2534 capability which i suspect will be more and more used in a future.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jun 2026, 03:42

I’m usually resistant to subscription plans but, even after Alldata raised their prices , I find that reference pays for itself over and over in time. The ability to research and trouble shoot ftom anywhere I am works well for me as I travel.

I print the pages and bring them to job site. When I see a job is 4-6 hours I know I’ve got to book a weekend day. When it’s 10-25 hours, I book my Indy and a holiday!