It is the Launch X431 Pro Elite fully functional bidirectional diagnostic scan tool. Here is an honest review of this scanner. So you guys can decide for yourself.
What’s included?
You can get the tablet itslef and the OBD2 cable. The tablet came nicely packaged in his box. It comes with a hard shell box and inside that box you get this letter which is super important as this has your activation pin. Do not lose that. You have to create your user name first, then activate the device.
This is a wire connection which some people actually prefer and as a pro tip when you are storing it put it down face forwards. We also get the USB C charging brick different Power tips for different regions of the world owner’s manual and a port cover if you want to protect the pins.
Now let’s talk about the unit itself. It has a nice size screen and it has 3G of RAM 64G of storage. With all the updates installed I still have 43G available.
There’s a nice grip on the side up top we have a power button a USB C charging port so I can use my Android charger on here.
On the back we have a kickstand that has a lot of nice resistance. So it’s not going to just cave in and we have a camera and we can take pictures.
We can go ahead and record and it does have a small a flashlight built into the camera which is decent and this is running Android 10.
Let’s talk about the update. This unit comes with two years of updates included. After 2 years your unit will still continue to work however you will not get new updates so for most people this
is okay. If you decide to renew it will cost you $199 to renew.
Let’s jump into the Launch icon. This is the main layout right here. There’s a lot of different buttons the most important being these two right here and when we click on this we’re able to go ahead and read information from the vehicle. One thing that we do like about this is in case you didn’t make a mistake you can just go ahead and hit back. It will take you to the previous screen service functions and this is going to be the 31 special functions that are available. As a pro tip just because an item is listed doesn’t mean that it applies to your vehicle so always email the vendor your vend number and ask for a list of supported functions. This was advertised with 37 but it actually has 31 so maybe the special services are actually spread out as this has a little bit of a confusing menu.
We have a TPMS function here software update function and this is how easy it is to go and update select and hit update.
I’m about 25 feet away from my wireless router so this is pretty fast so we just got an update for the TPMS.
We have a diagnostic history feedback.
Launch Pro Elite does support ADAS. For ADAS you are going to need special equipment so always do your own research on your vehicle.
There’s a mall where you can buy additional software but 90% of the vehicles that we drive like the Toyotas and Hondas Chevys Fords are already installed on the device.
There’s a vehicle coverage info center user information and modules and the pro elite does support CAN FD indeed for some of the newer Jaguars BMWs.
Let’s go ahead and talk about the tool itself. It’s definitely got this nice rugged feel to it definitely feels good feels solid and this does support 8 in1 graphing which we’ll take a look at later on and connecting this to the vehicle super easy it just slides into place have the ignition or the engine on depending on the vehicle and hit intelligent diagnosis the x431 pro elite will go ahead and connect to the vehicle, read the VIN and decode all the information.
One thing that I like about this particular unit is the fact that the vehicle’s voltage is displayed right up here and you want to ensure that your voltage is above 12 so you don’t ruin any new components as you’re trying to program them and you’re not going to get bad data when you are troubleshooting.
We have the Health Report system scan system selection special functions Adas.
I’m going to go and select the PCM here and these are the different modules. I can access for this dodge and now we have the actuation test, special functions and to the right we have data streams.
Let’s take a look at the data streams first as I can actually graph up to eight at once and here we go let’s start the car so that’s pretty cool 8 in 1 graph that works and there’s 218
Fields available and up top they have a quick search too which makes things really easy actuation tests. There are different actuation test that we can perform.
Recently I did clean the throttle body on this vehicle, I just cleaned the throttle body on my vehicle here and the Pro Elite scanner can actually do the throttle body relearn.
These bi-directional functions one is clean.
We also have a scan history and also a quick access. We have local Diagnostics and under local Diagnostics we can choose the region the vehicle is from and basic obd2.
We also tested a 2019 Jeep and this does have FCA authorization and when you get to the screen on one of these newer Vehicles you are going to go and have to sign up for this this is $50
a year. One thing that’s really nice about the x431 is that you can buy some bypass cables and actually bypasses Gateway so you could potentially save the money.
Pros
– Larger display and quicker boot time. Tiles and text were easy to read. Interface was generally easy to use
– Interface is a hardwired cable now instead of a small wireless dongle (which I’ve lost before!)
– Service menu goes overboard with features: brake, steering angle, throttle relearn, adaptive lightning, power balance, and high voltage battery are a few that stick out. Since I have a Prius (and want to buy another used one), the ability to read the battery is a big deal
– There are updates to the different apps within, like Toyota service menu, along with clear updates on the changes and coverage by vehicle. Can enter all areas without having to subscribe or buy an add on
– Vehicle coverage is wide. It supports Toyota and Maserati, both of which I own. I don’t have to subscribe to different makes and models on top of buying the scanner. Comparing prices, the included makes/models help a lot
– There’s a new “remote diagnose” area—I need to test this further, but looks like I could have a friend with a similar setup connect and see what’s going on
– There’s an immobilized program built-in with a decent long coverage list of vehicles
Cons:
– Requires an internet connection and login setup at first boot. Also when using “repair info and DTC help.” Realized this when my house lost internet for a day.
– Upon opening package I noticed the code and password for sign up were in a black paper, just wished it was more clearly labeled that it’s important for first setup
– If I press the back button enough times, I enter I normal android tablet menu. Not sure if that’s by design, but I am able to tap the app on screen and re enter the menu
– the OBD2 cable were a little short but you get the extended cable
In sum:
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