Hey everyone, considering jumping into the world of high-end diagnostic tools and the Autel Ultra, MS919, or MS909 platform has caught your eye? Or maybe you’re already an owner and have strong feelings – good or bad? Let’s hash it out here, just like we would on a dedicated Autel Scan Tool Forum. After living with the Ultra for close to two years now, I wanted to share my real-world experiences and open the floor for others to chime in. Overall, I’m still quite happy with my purchase. It delivered on the features I needed and even surprised me with some unexpected bonuses. But let’s be clear, it’s not a perfect tool, and anyone telling you otherwise probably hasn’t used it extensively. So, let’s break it down into the good, the so-so, and the areas that could definitely use improvement, just like a honest discussion you’d find on an Autel scan tool forum.
What I Love About the Autel Ultra Platform
Let’s start with the positives, because there are plenty. For me, these are the features that make the Autel Ultra platform a valuable part of my daily workflow.
Lightning-Fast Code Scanning
The code scan speed is genuinely impressive. Autel’s Autoscan 2.0 feature is a game-changer for quickly getting a snapshot of a vehicle’s health. For a growing list of manufacturers, this feature is incredibly smooth and rapid. From a clean scan to a complete module check in mere seconds – it’s a huge time saver. Imagine the time you save not waiting around, especially when you’re busy in the shop. It’s features like this that are often discussed and praised in any Autel scan tool forum.
Seamless Report Sharing
The ability to share code reports directly from the scanner via email or text is incredibly useful. Whether you’re collaborating with other technicians, keeping shop management in the loop, or explaining findings to customers, this feature streamlines communication. No more fumbling with transferring files – it’s all integrated, making information sharing a breeze, a point often highlighted in positive reviews within an Autel scan tool forum.
The Freedom of the Wireless Scope
The wireless scope has become an indispensable tool for me. Setting it up in the engine bay and then being able to operate the vehicle from inside – cranking the engine or manipulating the throttle as needed – is incredibly convenient. No more tangled cables to trip over, and no need to pull another tech away from their work just to assist. The ease of use directly translates to more frequent use, and that’s where the real value lies. This wireless capability is a major selling point and a frequent topic of discussion in Autel scan tool forum threads.
A Capable and User-Friendly Scope
Even without the wireless aspect, the scope itself is a fantastic addition. It’s quick to set up and get waveforms on the screen. For those who need more advanced features, it has enough power-user functionality to satisfy. While it might not be on par with a Pico scope in terms of ultimate depth, it handles at least 95% of what most automotive technicians need a scope for. For everyday diagnostics, it’s more than sufficient and a solid performer, as many users in an Autel scan tool forum will attest.
Valuable and Frequent Updates
While the updates aren’t cheap, they are consistently valuable and frequent. It’s not just about adding new model years; the real benefit is in the new features that are rolled out, like Autoscan 2.0 and cloud-based reports. Using an up-to-date Ultra today is a significantly different and improved experience compared to using one from a couple of years ago. This ongoing improvement and feature additions justify the update cost for many professionals, a point often debated in Autel scan tool forum discussions about long-term tool investment.
Reliable J2534 Functionality
The J2534 pass-thru function has been consistently reliable in my experience. I haven’t encountered any issues when using various OEM software like FJDS, FDRS, Techline Connect, NERS, and HDS. The VCMI firmware also receives regular updates, mirroring the scan tool itself, ensuring compatibility and smooth operation when reprogramming or performing module replacements, a crucial feature for workshops and often discussed in technical sections of an Autel scan tool forum.
Areas Where the Autel Ultra is Just “Meh”
Now, let’s talk about the features that are okay, but haven’t quite lived up to the initial hype or my expectations. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are areas where Autel could improve.
Underutilized Bus Inspection Tool
The bus inspection tool, while interesting in concept, hasn’t been as revolutionary as I anticipated. Perhaps it’s the type of work I encounter, or the vehicles I’m seeing, but I haven’t found many situations where it has provided a significant advantage. At best, it might have saved a couple of trips to the toolbox for a breakout box. If it had the ability to measure network resistance, it would be far more valuable. As it stands, it’s a feature that rarely gets used, and I suspect many users on an Autel scan tool forum might share similar experiences.
Waveform Generator and Actuator Drive: Niche Applications
Similarly, the waveform generator and actuator drive features are cool in theory, but I’ve had to actively seek out situations to use them in my daily auto repair work. I’ve used the signal generator to test ABS wiring a few times, and the actuator drive to remotely run a fuel pump relay once. They aren’t useless, but they feel more like niche features rather than everyday tools. I’d be interested to hear from others in an Autel scan tool forum who use these features more regularly and what applications they find them most useful for.
Clunky Scope Waveform Management
Storing and retrieving scope waveforms is an area that needs significant improvement. While there’s a system for tagging captures with vehicle information and waveform specifics, the vehicle list is incomplete, missing years, models, and even major manufacturers. This makes searching for saved waveforms later a frustrating process. While you can tag a trace as a solenoid or fuel pump, there’s no option for pressure transducers or similar components. Furthermore, exporting captures is severely limited. There’s an option to upload to an online library, but the benefits are unclear. This lack of organization and export options is a common complaint among users discussing scope features in an Autel scan tool forum.
Surprisingly Inconsistent Bi-directional Controls and Resets
One of the main reasons I invested in the Ultra was to expand coverage beyond my Snap-On and Launch tools, especially in bi-directional controls and resets. While it has largely achieved that goal, I still find myself needing to reach for another scan tool more often than I initially expected. For a company known for its “magic button pressing abilities,” this occasional lack of coverage is a bit disappointing. Coverage gaps and limitations in bi-directional controls are frequently discussed topics in Autel scan tool forum discussions comparing different scan tool brands.
The “Ugh” – Areas of Frustration
Finally, let’s address the areas that are genuinely frustrating and detract from the overall experience. These are the points that could make you consider alternatives or hope for significant updates from Autel.
Graphing Scan Data: Simply Not Good
Graphing live scan data is, frankly, not good, especially if you’re used to Snap-On tools. Yes/No, On/Off, True/False PIDs cannot be graphed. The scaling options are often inadequate. The absence of cursors makes taking measurements from data a tedious task. When graphing data is necessary, the Ultra is definitely not my first choice of scan tool. For users who rely heavily on data graphing for diagnostics, this is a major drawback and a recurring point of criticism in Autel scan tool forum discussions.
Poor Saved Data Review
Reviewing saved data is also underwhelming. The lack of export options persists here as well, limiting how you can analyze and share captured data. This further hinders effective data analysis and collaboration.
Size and Bulk
It’s big. No joke intended. It takes up a lot of space, both on the toolbox and in the car. It can be cumbersome to maneuver and store. This VCMI holder (www.jarheaddiag.com/shop/p/autel-ultra-vci-holder) has helped manage it a bit, but it’s still a large tool. The physical size can be a practical concern for technicians working in tight spaces, a minor but valid point raised in some Autel scan tool forum comments regarding tool ergonomics.
Cheap Scope Leads
The included scope leads are disappointingly cheap. Three out of the four included leads had solder joints fail at the ground banana jack. I ended up replacing them with more robust leads from DigiKey (www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-t…ics/CT2631-0/5765510). I even had another lead short internally, causing a fuel injector to open wide unintentionally – a potentially damaging and definitely frustrating experience. The poor quality of the included accessories is a surprising letdown for a tool in this price range and something potential buyers should be aware of, perhaps mentioned in accessory discussions within an Autel scan tool forum.
Final Thoughts from an Autel Scan Tool Forum Perspective
So, there you have it – my honest take on the Autel Ultra platform after two years of use. It’s a powerful tool with many strengths, particularly in scan speed, wireless capabilities, and overall scope functionality. However, it’s not without its weaknesses, especially in data graphing, waveform management, and certain aspects of bi-directional controls. If you’re considering an Autel Ultra, MS919, or MS909, I hope this detailed breakdown, presented as if we were discussing it on an Autel scan tool forum, gives you a balanced perspective to make an informed decision. What are your experiences? Let’s hear your thoughts and create a valuable resource for anyone researching these tools!
