Autel MD802 vs Durametric (side by side comparison)
 

A very generous member of our community (user alynch) has loaned my his Autel MD802 so that I can compare it to my Durametric.
This thread will list the capabilities of both and any pros/cons I can find.

I hope to have it done by the end of the weekend and will go back and edit this first post to add the information.

I plan to compare module access, actual values, activations, data logging and ease of use. If anyone has any suggestions regarding other functions that I should look at, please say so. :)

• Refresh rate of real time values for logging, like during a full throttle pull in 3rd for example.
• Activation of the TC/PSM pump for bleeding

Also very cool project, looking forward to reading it!

Darn! Too late, I already purchased the Autel. For me it made sense as I also can use it on other vehicles and didn't want to have more than one scanner.

Mr.Particle is the perfect reviewer for this.Durametric needs some competition !
If anyone has a Launch X431 ,please join in. I mention this because at work the Launch X431 is a favorite and is priced similarly

I look forward to your review
 

You always have a good logical no BS approach to things...

Somehow be more interesting to read reviews between the Autel and the typical $19.99 odb scanner you find in the entrance stand at Autozone and Canadian Tire :D

Those little BT dongles are pretty hard to beat also (elm327 ic). For the price anyway. Does what it does and does it well; reporting meaningless codes and resetting car's world loll

For Autel, my guess is if hardware comm interface and software both matches proprietary P protocol, you could get it to both interact & interrogate any Porsche computers and co-processors. But without the hard coded P specific HEX/calcs and correct CRC libraries behind, that is going to be hard to compare with another soft that was coded from scratch and hardened over time.

If my understanding of Durametric is correct mind you. Could be wrong... never used or even seen it :/

Looking forward.

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Was this comparison ever written up?
 

I am interested in buying a scanner. This comparison would be great.

I had a Durametric Pro I found it was overpriced for what it can do so I sold it, have a Autel 519 that does the job and works on my other cars.

I dropped the ball on this one. Got busy with life and completely forgot. I'll try to get a list of functions up soon, but the short story is that the Autel is lacking in "actual values" live data. It has a screen with the metrics, but nothing is displayed.
If you are a serious DIYer, you'll want the Durametric.

Interesting. the Durametric lets me see the Monitors, so I can see in advance if it will pass CA smog.

Also like being able to operate things like the SAI pump and a lot more to see if they are working.

I like the Durametric and certainly have gotten my $$ worth out of it. I feel the basic unit is a real bargain for all it can do.

I too am interested in the Autel just out of curiosity.

Autel as a company
 

Probably not fair to judge them by their website, but it’s pretty bad. Pages do not load, functions do not work. And a Ridiculous registration process just to ask a question. Difficult to differentiate models. Basically, just hard to buy something from them. So I wonder how easy it is to get any support from them after a purchase?

We have never had a problem.

I sent an email to support once and they couldn't answer my question or give me any help whatsoever, I finally sold it and bought a PST2 and I think that this is what I should have done in the first place.

What is a PST2?

I just bought one directly from Durametric. Before I purchased I contacted support with a question about the unit and received a prompt and concise answer. I was able to pick up a refurbished unit (I can't tell it's not new) for just over $200US. It was an easy choice. So far I've been pretty impressed.

Porsche System Tester 2

Wait until you get a code and try to get some help in finding out what it is and how to go about to do the repair then you will see.

Durametric provides a diagnostic tool/software and support for the aforementioned.
They are not there to decipher diagnostic codes for you and provide repair advice. :rolleyes:

OBD II code deciphering is not a function of the software, the software just tells you what codes you are dealing with. Unfortunately Porsche (as do many other OEM's) has always treated this information as some sort of state secret. At one time, the actually published an excellent OBD II diagnostic's manual, which contained complete "decision tree" steps for diagnosing and correcting each code, but this manual sold for around $2K and is no longer in print as it is now built into their PIWIS III.

Where did you see “refurbished” units?

Yes I know what you mean that it's not a function of the software but you would expect somebody that makes software for a product to be able to help you a bit not just plainly say, your on your own. These engineers that make that software must know a little bit what they are doing and should be able to help us.

sjkjeld: if you go to the Durametric web site you will find reference to the fact that they occasionally have refurbished units available. I emailed and they had one.

They cannot do this for a very simple reason: The OBD II diagnostics are the copyrighted intellectual property of PCNA, and they do not release the rights to anyone and go after anyone that uses them without their permission. And if you don't think they are serious, I received a warning from PCNA lawyers for posting a page from the OBD II Diagnostics manual on another website and was ordered to remove it.

Wow they sure are p%@&ks. Did you get the OBD II manual legally though?

Yes, ours are legitimate, they used to sell them to anybody with the price of admission, which was admittedly steep for a large three ring binder. When you purchased them, you were registered for updates. We actually have them for a couple of Porsche models, and over the years have received literally dozens of updated or amended pages as part of the process, which was nice for a shop. if memory serves, we received around 90 or so updates for the 986 manual alone over the years.

Thank you. I emailed them and none available. They said they will not keep a wait list. I am in no rush tho as my Boxster will be garaged until May. So I guess I need to ping them weekly. I wonder how often one comes up?

I'm getting ready to take the plunge for a durametric.
I'm sorry to say that their website sucks, and leaves much to my imagination.

Can y'all help me determine which version I should buy? There's a couple versions of "pro", and two versions of the "enthusiast", one which says "up to 3 vin", but no other description of the difference between the multiple models.

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The pro has unlimited VIN's, the enthusiast is capped at 3 VIN's, not sure why there would be two enthusiast versions, perhaps one has a longer cable? The guys that run Durametric are nice and I have heard they will reset the cable for you if you hit the cap, but I wouldn't expect it. You can also do an exchange for the pro if you hit the 3 VIN cap. Give them a call before you buy one and ask if they have any refurbished cables available, you might be able to save a few bucks.

My Durametric has actually never logged a VIN, when I asked them about it they told me I must be lucky ;). Their support for troubleshooting the software is really good, but they provide no information on what the data you get from the car means, and there isn't much info available online to help you decipher it. But even at $300 it's cheaper than paying a dealer to reset an airbag light.

Hope that helps!

There are cheaper readers that will do the same thing, and work on other cars.

Has anyone kept a list of the Durametric listed parameters and the expected ranges? I'm thinking about the "actual values" listings.

There are cheaper readers, but I would really like to see one that matches ALL of the functions of the Durametric system; including system activations. We get visited by just about everyone selling scan tools; ranging in price from less than $100 to over $5,000, and we are yet to see one that can match the Durametric either in capabilities or in price..................

Listed in the OEM service manual set and to some degree in the Bentley manual.

Thanks. Thought maybe someone had put together a handy spreadsheet or listing of normal value ranges.

Only problem is the total number of values due to model changes runs multiple pages. All depends upon what you are looking for.

I see a commercial opportunity here. : )

Just be careful, Porsche NA is absolutely draconian about anyone republishing, particularly for commercial purposes, what they have claimed as their protected intellectual property; which is just about everything from their owner's manuals to their service bulletins. They have attempted to close down websites like this one over just such issues...............

I know what you mean but how many do it yourselfer's that need a $1000.00 reader that will not do anymore than what a $100.00 reader will do for them. You can clear air bag codes engine codes with an Autel and it won't cost you that much. I know where your coming from because you repair Porches' so you need something more precise than any of us, I'm surprised you don't have a PIWIS or a PST2.

Another choice?
 

Anybody seen this? Schwaben Pro Scan

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_STGEN1_pg3.htm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_ medium=social&utm_campaign=scan_models&utm_source= Pelican+Pit+Stop+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4d9a027be 4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_16&utm_medium=email&utm_ter m=0_e247719183-4d9a027be4-68631377

The list of features and the price look really good. Can anybody chime in and identify things that a Durametric does that this doesn't?