Product Comparison: Autel MS300 vs Autel MS309

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Autel MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII

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Autel MS309 CAN OBDII Diagnostic tool

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General Specifications

Brand

Autel

Model

MS300

MS309

Origin

China

About the Product

The MaxiScan MS300 code reader supports all OBDII protocols, including the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. Though small in size, the MS300 it is able to retrieve the same information as large expensive scanners! The MS300 works with all 1996 and newer vehicles that are OBDII compliant (including CAN).

Quickly scan and define vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) with this easy-to-use, compact code reader with the ability to view Freeze Frame Data, check I/M Readiness (Emissions) and monitor status. The MS309 is a go-to tool for quick vehicle health status.

Key Specs

Type

Handheld

OBD2 Protocol(s)

CAN, ISO 9141, Keyword 2000, J1850 PWM, J1850 VPW

CAN, Keyword 2000, ISO 9141, J1850 PWM, J1850 VPW

Code Reader

High end

Type
Code Reader

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Autel MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII

This Maxiscan tool was easy to connect beneath the dashboard. It immediately turned off the engine light during the first scan and the cruise control returned to use.
My truck's check engine light came on so I called my mechanic son. He sent me the link to purchase the scan tool so I would know what the problem was before I went in to have it fixed.
Nice, simple scan tool. It pulls your "check engine" light (OBDII) codes (both pending and fault), lets you see if your I/M monitors are all ready, resets your check engine light and pulls your vehicle's VIN number (at least it does on my 2005 Honda Accord).
This product worked well. I was able to get the codes behind the Check Engine light on my 2005 Chevrolet Suburban and then clear them.
Look, let's be clear, this is a VERY limited function scan tool. But for what it does it's great. I work on my car a lot and would have use for a real scan tool (which I actually don't have) but I still think there is an advantage of having this.

Autel MS309 CAN OBDII Diagnostic tool

This scanner WILL show I/M Readiness status, however, so you KNOW that he vehicle has re-run all of the required monitor tests AND PASSED them before you waste time trying to get your vehicle inspected only to fail the inspection.
The scanner is easy to use. Ordered this item yesterday and received it today...one day shipping. My 2001 Jeep Cherokee check engine light came on three days ago. I connected this scanner, followed the instructions and it found one error code.
swear these scanners are going to be the end of me. I re-ordered the MS309 to use with my Volvo. On a whim I hooked it up to my BMW. Sure enough it connected just fine.
Plug it up, and let it scan. That’s it. I’m a DIY guy, so I’m not too detailed on what SHOULD be on a scanner, but this trades the codes for the CEL and tells me what’s wrong.
The item comes with a USB cable so that you can hook the scanner to your computer. It would be possible to download and install upgrades for the scanner and with that it might be possible to enable the reader to do more things in the future. I'm not sure.

Size & Weight

Height

4.4 in.

4.34 in.

Width

2.9 in.

2.74 in.

Depth

0.83 in.

0.8 in.

Weight

0.55 oz.

0.46 oz.

Diagnostic

Check Engine

Yes

Retrieve the VIN

Yes

Freeze Frame

Yes

EVAP Codes

Yes

Oil Light Reset

Emissions Readiness

Yes

Battery/Alternator Test

ABS or Airbag

What customers say about "Diagnostic"

Autel MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII

Once the diagnostics have completed, it shows you the error codes your car has produced, and you use their handy booklet to decode and identify the problems you are experiencing.
This tool doesn't have any diagnostics, such as running through test cycles or instructing the vehicle to open the valve. But for the price, it's great.
Okay, they did claim that they were going to give me full diagnostics and whatever, whatever, I'm pretty sure they were just going to plug it into their system, which would take five minutes.
This is a really cool Diagnostic Scanning tool. It is very simple to hook up and use. We have several older cars, (98 Volvo S-70 Base Model, 98 Volvo S70 GLT, 96 Jeep Cherokee Country, plus some newer cars) that tend to throw a lot of check engine lights.
Moral of the story is you get what you pay for. Expect little diagnostic help from this low priced scanner.

Autel MS309 CAN OBDII Diagnostic tool

The scanner can read On-Board Diagnostics II or OBD II for short.
I bought this in lieu of my mechanic trying to charge me $120 for a simple diagnostic which took me less than a few minutes to do myself. There is no reason any average joe shouldn't have one of these OBD-II code readers in their garage.
I know places like Autozone carry them and offer free diagnostic checks but it is nice to have it ready to use without having to drive somewhere else just to check.
This tool is helpful for reading some codes quickly and clearing codes to turn off check engine lights,etc. Still very basic and does not perform any magical diagnostics and you must be experienced to do diagnostics with any tester.
I took it into a service center that did emissions testing through the onboard diagnostic port, and it passed. After 3 days of commuting to work, the light is still off; hopefully for a long time. Need to keep this car another 2 or 3 years.

Features

Display

Backlit LCD, 2 lines, 8 characters each

Backlit, 128x64 pixel display

Connectivity

Via cable

Memory

Read Only Memory

Battery Low Indicator

Printing Ability

Detachable Cable

Updatable

Yes

Extras

Compatible with domestic, Asian and European vehicles, 1996 and newer, Powered by vehicle; No batteries required, Standard 16-pin OBD II connector; No additional cables needed

Compatible with domestic, Asian and European vehicles, 1996 and newer, Retrieves generic (P0, P2, P3 and U0), manufacturer-specific (P1, P3 and U1), and pending codes, Multilingual (including English, Spanish, French and German) menus and DTC definitions

What customers say about "Features"

Autel MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII

This is an inexpensive code reader that gives you what you need to know. More features from higher-end tools may be desirable, but for the shade tree mechanic this is just the ticket.
There are other variations from this brand's model, but I didn't see the need nor was it exactly clear what the few extra dollars in features would afford you.
OK, Lets be clear, this isn't the most feature rich OBDII reader. But it does read codes and for the price it is excellent.
Never would have thought about this feature unless I had needed it, so, make a note when shopping around that this unit and this company took the time to include this feature in one of their basic models, and I, now, personlaly recomend having a backlit unit.
Its very cheap and not low quality at all. It does lack some of the features in a high tech scanner, but this is really all most people ever need.

Autel MS309 CAN OBDII Diagnostic tool

Item was very easy to use and can't believe the features you get for the price. Really did help knowing when all smog monitors were completed for inspection at smog station.
At this price point, it obviously does not have all the features that the more expensive models have, but it was nice to be able to pull the code myself.
I saw this one on Amazon and decided to try it based on the price, popularity, ratings and features. I like the fact that it not only gives the code but tells what it is on the screen.
And it's actually quite nice that it just does the thing you need it to do without so many features that it becomes complicated to use.
Easy to use and simple OBDII scanner, the backlight for the screen is a nice feature, would reccomend

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications

CE, FCC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download