Hey everyone, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences with the Autel Ultra/MS919/MS909 platform. Initially, Ben and I planned to compare notes, but I thought it would be more valuable to open this up to the wider community. Maybe you’re thinking about investing in one of these diagnostic scan tools? Perhaps you already own one and have strong feelings about it, good or bad? Or maybe you’re a true believer in its capabilities. Let’s discuss!
After using the Autel Ultra for almost two years in my auto repair shop, I can honestly say I’m still very satisfied overall. It delivered on all the features I initially needed and even surprised me with some functionalities I didn’t realize I’d find so useful. However, it’s important to be upfront – it’s not a perfect tool. Let’s break down the pros and cons based on my real-world experience.
What I Love About the Autel Ultra
Lightning-Fast Code Scanning
The code scan speed on the Autel Ultra is genuinely impressive. They’ve significantly expanded the list of manufacturers that support their Autoscan 2.0 feature, which makes the initial diagnostic code retrieval process incredibly efficient. I need to grab a screen recording of this in action to truly demonstrate it. It’s unbelievably FAST. Going from zero codes to a complete scan of all modules takes just seconds. This speed saves valuable time, especially in a busy shop environment.
Seamless Report Sharing
Autel has also integrated a fantastic feature for sharing diagnostic reports. You can now send code reports via email or text message directly from the scan tool. This is incredibly convenient for sharing information with other technicians in the shop, service managers, or even directly with customers for transparency and communication. It streamlines the workflow and improves communication across the board.
The Indispensable Wireless Scope
The wireless oscilloscope has become an absolutely invaluable part of my diagnostic toolkit. Setting up the scope in the engine bay is incredibly easy, and then being able to jump behind the wheel to crank the engine or manipulate the throttle as needed, without being tethered by cables, is a game-changer. It significantly reduces the chances of tripping over wires and is far more convenient than having to ask another technician for assistance. This ease of use translates directly into more frequent use, making it a powerful diagnostic asset.
A Powerful and User-Friendly Scope
Even if you disregard the wireless capability, the scope itself is a fantastic addition. It’s easy to set up and quickly displays waveforms on the screen. While it may not reach the absolute pinnacle of oscilloscope technology like Pico, it offers more than enough power-user features to satisfy even tech enthusiasts like myself. For 95% of what most automotive technicians need a scope for, the Autel Ultra’s scope is more than capable. It strikes a great balance between advanced features and user-friendliness.
Valuable and Frequent Updates
While the updates for Autel scan tools aren’t cheap, they are frequent and genuinely valuable. Of course, you get the latest model year coverage, but the real value lies in the new features and functionalities that are constantly being added. Features like Autoscan 2.0 and Cloud Reports significantly enhance the tool’s capabilities over time. Using an updated Autel Ultra today is a vastly different and more powerful experience compared to when I first started using it two years ago. This ongoing development justifies the update costs and ensures the tool remains cutting-edge.
Reliable J2534 Functionality
The J2534 pass-thru functionality has consistently worked flawlessly for me. I’ve had no issues using it with various OEM software like FJDS (Ford J Diagnostic Software), FDRS (Ford Diagnostic & Repair System), Techline Connect (GM), NERS (Nissan Electronic Service Request), and HDS (Honda Diagnostic System). Any issues I’ve encountered have been related to the OEM software itself, not the Autel interface. The VCMI (Vehicle Communication Measurement Interface) firmware also receives regular updates, mirroring the scan tool’s software updates, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
Areas for Improvement (Meh)
Bus Inspection Tool – Not a Game Changer (Yet)
The bus inspection tool, while conceptually interesting, hasn’t been as revolutionary as I initially anticipated. Perhaps it’s the types of vehicles I typically work on, or the specific diagnostic scenarios I encounter, but I haven’t found myself relying on bus inspection as much as I thought I would. At best, it might have saved me a couple of trips to the toolbox for a breakout box in certain situations. If this tool could also measure network resistance, it would definitely move up into the “Love it” category for me.
Waveform Generator and Actuator Drive – Underutilized Features
Similarly, the waveform generator and actuator drive features are cool additions, but I’ve had to actively seek out opportunities to incorporate them into my daily auto repair tasks. I’ve used the signal generator to test ABS wiring a few times and the actuator drive to remotely activate a fuel pump relay once. I’m not saying these features are pointless; they definitely have potential. If you are a technician who uses these features regularly, I’d be very interested to hear about your applications and experiences in the comments.
Scope Waveform Management Needs Refinement
Storing and retrieving saved scope waveforms is an area that needs improvement. While there’s a user-friendly system for tagging captures with the vehicle’s Year, Make, and Model (YMME) and waveform specifics, the vehicle list is often missing years, models, and even entire manufacturers. This makes searching for and retrieving previously saved waveforms a cumbersome process. You can tag a waveform as related to a solenoid or a fuel pump, but there’s no option for pressure transducers or other sensor types. Furthermore, the export options for captures are extremely limited. There’s an option to upload captures to an online library, but the benefits of doing so are unclear and not readily apparent.
Bidirectional Controls and Resets – Coverage Gaps Still Exist
One of my primary reasons for investing in the Autel Ultra was to bridge the coverage gaps I experienced with my Snap-On and Launch scan tools, particularly in bidirectional controls and resets. For the most part, it has succeeded in this regard. However, I still occasionally find myself needing to reach for another scan tool for certain makes or models. This happens more often than I initially anticipated for a tool company renowned for its “magic button pressing” capabilities. While Autel’s coverage is extensive, it’s not yet universally comprehensive.
Frustrations (Ugh)
Graphing Scan Data – Significantly Lacking
Graphing live scan data on the Autel Ultra is, frankly, not good, especially if you’re accustomed to the graphing capabilities of Snap-On tools. Basic PID types like Yes/No, On/Off, and True/False cannot be graphed at all. The scaling options are often inadequate, and the lack of cursors makes taking precise measurements from the graphs a tedious task. When graphing data is a priority for a diagnostic job, the Autel Ultra is definitely not my first choice of scan tool.
Reviewing Saved Data – Limited Functionality
Reviewing saved data is also underwhelming. Similar to scope waveforms, there are virtually no options for exporting saved data logs for further analysis or sharing. This lack of data export severely limits the tool’s utility for in-depth data analysis and collaboration.
Size and Form Factor – It’s Bulky
It’s a large tool – no getting around it. It takes up a significant amount of space on my toolbox and can feel cumbersome to maneuver in the car during diagnostics. This VCMI holder from Jarhead Diagnostics (www.jarheaddiag.com/shop/p/autel-ultra-vci-holder) has helped somewhat in organizing the VCMI, but the overall footprint of the Ultra is still considerable.
Cheap Scope Leads – A Point of Failure
The included oscilloscope leads are disappointingly cheap. Three out of the four original leads had solder joints fail at the ground banana jack. Ultimately, I replaced all of them with higher-quality leads from DigiKey (www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-t…ics/CT2631-0/5765510). I even experienced one lead shorting internally, causing a signal and ground circuit connection within the insulation, which led to an unintended fuel injector activation. Investing in better quality scope leads right away would be a wise move if you rely heavily on the oscilloscope function.
Overall, the Autel Ultra OBDII diagnostic scan tool is a powerful and feature-rich tool that I am still happy with after two years of use. It offers significant advantages in code scanning speed, wireless capabilities, and update frequency. However, there are areas that could be improved, particularly in graphing, data management, and the quality of accessories. Despite these drawbacks, it remains a valuable asset in my auto repair shop and a strong contender in the professional diagnostic scan tool market.
