Recommended Alternative Scan Tool/Code Reader to Durametric
 

I'm back!!!!! It's been awhile since I last owned a Porsche Boxster but now I'm back into it with a 2001 base with plenty (~137,000) of miles and all the requisite needs a car of that vintage requires, especially one with multiple owners. Especially excited to have a Boxster again now that I live in an area (Smoky Mountain region) where there are some incredible roads to drive!

I understand that the Durametric scan tool is the best option but are there other recommendations that come close but for far less money? At this point I'm not sure what my needs will be beyond just simple code reading but it sure would be great to have some features and capability that can dive deeper into the mysteries of Boxster electronics. Some of the iCarsoft scanners seem to be a reasonably priced choice but it would be great to hear from anyone whose had good or bad experiences with that series.

It's great to be back into this Boxster community and I hope to cross paths with some fellow enthusiasts in the Knoxville, TN area.

Ken

I'm currently using a TOPDON AD600S and recommend it if you are looking for one that you can use on a wide variety of vehicles. It can read all of the basic diagnostic codes for DME, ABS, Transmission, and SRS. Live data works well for the engine and it does include Camshaft Deviation. Also good on my VW TDI, Hondas, Toyotas, and daughter's F150.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1722353319.jpg

I also have an old PST2 running on a decades old Toshiba laptop. With the TOPDON available, there isn't much that I use the PST2 for.

Thanks for that recommendation! It also has pretty good ratings with buyers on Amazon. I was hoping to get something that would also support my VW. I know that almost all basic OBDII scan tools can work on almost every car. I have a cheap one that can at least read basic codes on my Boxster and VW but this looks like it could provide more info that that basic one I have. This is likely what I'll get.

Thanks again,
Ken

Thanks for that, it's super hard to find good information on what ones will work with the Boxster. I almost bought one of those on Prime day, but I was scared off because of the lack of compatibility info. Now I know.

Good thing about Amazon ordering is that usually most things are returnable if you're not happy with them. I'm probably going to order this one or the AD500 which is a little bit less expensive but not as many functions. There is also an "upgraded" AD600 which looks like it is a slightly newer model and is a little more expensive although there are currently some coupon deals on these items that put their prices a bit lower. The Topdon TopScan device that depends on software on your mobile phone or tablet looks interesting too and possibly even more capability but after one year you have to pay a subscription (~$50/year I think) to keep all the functions working. But that level of upgradeability might be worth the subscription cost.

Here's a screenshot of the Amazon listings for the AD500 and the TopScan devices.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1722538485.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1722538531.jpg

I got this Autel over a year ago and it has been able to do everything I needed including resetting codes on the boxster as well as other cars (Hyundai, BMW, Alfa Romeo). It handles the occasional airbag/seatbelt code as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0925G7QY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had a similar AUTEL unit for quite a while (MD802). https://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/63422-autel-vs-durametric.html
It does a good job at reading codes and resetting faults that have been repaired.

What I like more about the TOPDON AD600S: Better screen and much better interface. BT and WiFi direct internet connectivity. Simple (free) updates to firmware and car data. More capable live data reading. Screenshot/Recording/Playback of data.

I was about to say that I ordered the TOPDON AD500 - the version (not AD500S) that is supposed to be the newest 2024 model from Amazon for $166 but then just now when I went to see the listing again the price has dropped to $133 for a "lightning deal" - which may be over by now. So I tried to cancel the original order (was wasn't possible anymore) and I ordered another one at the lower price. When the first one arrives I'll have to send it back but that's worth the $33 savings.

Anyway, I'll post info about this one whenever I have the chance to try it out. To me the difference between it and the AD600 (also newer 2024 model) wasn't significant since I'm generally working on somewhat older cars anyway (2001 Boxster, 2013 VW Tiguan, and 2014 Toyota Tundra) and for those the AD500 may work just as well on those systems.

If you can still get the Amazon lightning deal it was for this listing:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XK3DJ42/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Foxconn tool with the Porsche specific software has been working great fo me.

Can the AD600S do the fuel trim reading's and activate the boxster system's as in turning on and off the cooling fan's,..cam solenoid, Etc...I have the Durmetric's,..but I live in a strange area of Tucon,az and my computor signal is very hit and miss and it's really frustrating trying to ck the system's on my car, So I like the idea of a hand held unit I could drive around with..?? Thank's
Gentlemen ..Frank

Frank, I think that the AD600S only reads and displays data and you will need one that has "bidirectional" function to send commands to the DME. I might find time in the next couple days to confirm that with mine.

Oh..Sweet Thank's..if it cant I will probably get a new laptop , Thank's for the effort ! Frank

I tested the AD600S to see if it had any ability to send commands to the DME to activate fans or the cam solenoid. It displayed a message saying that it was not available on this vehicle.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1723147819.jpg

Time for a new laptop Frank or check out one of the higher function units. :cheers:

Thank You,..Sir...I appreciate the info..! Frank

Does the TOPDON AD600D report camshaft deviation in percent deviation? The TOPDON AD500 (2024 new version) reports it but not in percent.

seems we still don't have consensus on a bidirectional unit ..

i have VCDS for my VW/Audi and it is an outstanding tool.. with great support.. too bad we don't have something like this for Porsche.

Still waiting to see where you guys finally land on this ..

for me i need
1. Code decoding and explanations
2. Monitoring real time data
3. Logging capability of real time data
4. Bidirectional capability to do output tests.

can durametric even do the above ?

Adding my own personal opinion. Ive been on the hunt for alternatives too for a while, although after all I have read, watched, and experienced from high end scanners to low end. I think a Durametric might just be the best option to move forward with. I get its a bit more expensive than a $100 scanner although the differences in what a Durametric can do are night and day. Ive used a Zeus and Apollo Snapon Scanner down to a $20 bluetooth OBD reader and I think I will be buying a Durametric this week.

Because porsche is so proprietary with their product, it does make it harder to use certain functions when it comes to diag or monitoring and from researching all about the Durametric ($300). it provides everything you need for the 986 while regular scanners tend to be limited to basic scanning and light live data without graphs or in depth options such as a Durametric.

Best advise I can give to anyone looking is to do your research and more specifically on YOUTUBE. You will see the best results there with the limitations of other products and benefits over others. I was and even am still a bit hesitant on buying a Durametric over a scanner as i work on other vehicles too but Im going to buy one this week as its worth the investment and I do not plan on selling my 99 Boxster in the near future. What you buy 100% depends on what you want to use it for. If you dont plan on going DEEP into your Boxster just get a basic scanner. If you really plan on investing time into understanding your cars behaviors and potential issues that are porsche direct, invest in a Durametric.

bumping this thread again for some second opinions. As i last mentioned, I will be buying a Durametric this week. Now my conflict is whether I should get the Pro or Enthusiast version. I do only have 1 boxster myself however connections with others are always great, I have a buddy that has a 996 that could some day need it leaving me only 1 vin left, Truthfully it seems like kind of a waste to spend $300 just to be limited to 3 vehicles

Didnt realize until recently that there are quite a active users here in Arizona, and i wouldnt be opposed to going the pro version just in the event said people might need to use it someday

My AD600S reports the deviation in degrees, not percent.

Used Duramterics come up for sale pretty often. I bought mine used on this site for $100. Still has two VINs and did not log mine after using it. There is a 986/996 for sale facebook group that tends to have them too.

I vote used durametric and if you need the unlimited version, worry about it later. The real challenge is finding an old windows laptop that can run it....at least it was for me.

the compatibility specs on their website says basically any windows laptop can run it. are there strict limitations that i should know about ? buying a laptop isnt an issue

Yes, there is a section saying that it needs to have an older version of .NET protocol enabled. I could not enable it on a relative’s newer windows laptop (there are many posts about people having similar issues on Reddit, YouTube etc. trying to enable it for other reasons). But I was able to enable it on my mom’s old laptop.

I am a Mac user and didn’t want to buy a used laptop and hope it is compatible….so I had to beg and borrow what was available.

Correct me if im wrong, I do work with computers quite a bit. My first thought would be to install an older version of windows and then install the proper .net for it ? I read a bit online and saw win 10 can cause some issues though a 32 bit windows 7 has worked. With that said, a fresh media creation tool install of windows should allow that protocol to install properly and therefore work ?

Durametric works fine on win10 home edition with a freebie HP that I sourced from freecycle. That PC won’t run win11 (at least not without some trickery), so can’t personally comment on the .NET situation there.

That is my understanding as well. But the computers I was using weren’t mine and I didn’t want to try some of the work arounds I came across. Fortunately one of them worked.

Well i just borrowed the Icarsoft por 2.0 from my buddy

When i tell it i have a boxster and go to live data it only has deviation for one cam . Also the number it displays is non sensicle 1017 or something .

https://i.imgur.com/7a8tatI.jpg

A bit disappointing , i find for a 2001 with no can bus icarsoft does very little.

Hopefully it is just something i am doing wrong and someone can correct me .

( 2001 S )

You can always rent one from eBay.

They rent Durametric Pro and actually from time to time PIWIS as well.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/midwest.vw?ul_noapp=true

I used them and they are very good.

Or buy an Enthusiast version with remaining VINs (as they lock it to 3). That is how I got mine at a reasonable price.

Yes, you could, but depending what you need to do, Enthusiast version has limitations.
For example, I had to use Prof version to activate cruise control.

European (and canadian??) cars only display one bank, i had to learn that and was just as pi.... off as you, but this is a feature and not a bug. I used a durametric.

Thanks for the info

i did notice the encode wheel on each cam, but never even thought to check if there was a cam sensor there.

That might make sense as the second cam sensor was added for ' quick start" , this boxster cranks a couple of times before firing up .. now i have to double check .. i do have a good buddy with a durametric but he lives on the other side of the city, will have to connect with him.

Thanks

quick update

Although the icarsoft ver 2.0 did not work . I just pulled the trigger on the Topdon 500 on a prime day special ( 183.00 CAD) . . I will report back on what I find. whether this car has 2 cam Sensors and what it reports.

Well i dont know who said TOPDON 500 gave cam deviation, but it didnt,, so that was a bust. \id be happy if someone told me i was wrong but so far no luck.

it does kick out data for both vcam sensors, but in deg.kw...
bank one 1016.83 Deg.kw
Bank two 1023.27 Deg.kw

we want Deg.crk ( degrees of crank. )

if someone knows how to get the data we are looking for from this id be happy to learn. But so far TOPDON is a total bust.

oh well

i think he means in degrees of crank , now i have it i see it, the data presented is not useful

@dkh

can you show us what you are seeing ?

I don't know about the AD500. This is how my AD600S showed cam deviation on one of my 2001s:
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/p...48_mmthumb.jpg

Thanks for this pic.

yup this is exactly what i would have expected .... below is what the 500 shows.

https://i.imgur.com/sXMAuCN.jpg

so looks like the 500 is an epic fail.

So as luck would have it .....

i decided to return my TOPDON ad500 as it seemed pointless paying 206 dollars CAD for something that didn't do what i wanted it to do. Although i did like the unit .

i checked for the AD600s it it showed as not available on AMAZON.CA only the 500. But i do have an Amazon.com account also as i live close to the border and we often get ripped off on amazon.ca and i have a US address i get stuff shipped to.

They showed the 600 and also it was under a lightning deal so i grabbed it. ( i hope it was the right one) . I just have to nip over the border to pick it up so no big deal.

It turned out to be just 50 bucks more expensive than the 500 I had so well worth it .

I will report back when i have it in hand.

https://i.imgur.com/7ZqQwAW.jpg

Well i just picked up my TOPDON AD600S .. jury is still out whether it can read cam deviation as my car is stored for the winter. But i do have a buddy with a 996 still on the road so im going to go see him and se if it will read. ihis is a 99 so if it reads his i think im fine..
stay tuned.

edit ..Well I have an update and its not good ....

Got the TOPDON600S and wanted to see if it could show the data I am looking for . Problem is the Boxster is in Storage as it is winter here and snow is here. But i do have a buddy with a 996 ( 1999) that still has his on the road. He said i could use his car to test. based on screen shots from the TOPDON600S above I was fully expecting to see the results from cam sensors on his 996

Well im not sure how different the DME software is on his 1999 996 vs my 2001 986 , but there was no TAGS for Cam at all, The software has been updated since the above screenshots and it is prettier .. but going down the list there was nothing that referred at all . I was able to take a couple of screen caps of what data was being shown on his car and nothing about the cam which is surprising given it is the same engine.

Im going to go ask on the 996 forum to see if there is any info over there.

https://i.imgur.com/hf4qryG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I7lnW1V.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Svkl8Va.jpg

I can only hope that the DME software is more advanced onmy 2001 and i can report results in the spring.

Just bumping this to the top in case anyone has any opinions on this .. I edited the above post on what i recently found.