Are you looking for a professional automobile diagnostics scanner for commercial use? Ideally, you’ll want an OBD2 scanner packed with special advanced functions, programming capabilities, and a comprehensive automobile library, among many other features.
Today we’ll review and compare three Autel scanners: The MS908S Pro, the MS908CV, and the MaxiSys Elite. By the end of this article, you’ll have an idea of the best scanner for professionals.
Table of Contents
Autel MS908S Pro vs. MS908CV vs. MaxiSys Elite: The Complete Comparison Chart
 Autel MS908S Pro |  Autel MS908CV |  Autel MaxiSys Elite |
|
| Customer Rating |  |  |  |
| Price |  | | |
| OBD2 Functions | 10/10* | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| System Diagnostics | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Advanced Service Functions | 25 | 25 | 38+ |
| Bi-directional Controls | ✔ | -- | ✔ |
| Coding/Programming | ECU J-2534 Programming and Coding | -- | ECU J-2534 Programming and Coding |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| Battery Capacity | 11,000mAh | 11,000mAh | 15,400mAh |
| Specialties | Only for use in North and South America | A heavy-duty scanner available worldwide | Only available for use in North and South America |
| Supported Protocols | ISO 9142-2. ISO 14230-2. ISO 15765-4. K/L-Line. Flashing Code. SAE-J1850 VPW. SAE-J1850 PWM. CAN ISO 11898. Highspeed, Middlespeed, Low-speed and Singlewire CAN. GM UART. UART Echo Byte Protocol. Honda Diag-H Protocol. TP 2.0. TP 1.6. SAE J1939. SAE J1708. Fault-Tolerant CAN. | SAE J1939. SAE J1708. Manufacturer customized J1939. Manufacturer customized J1708. KWP. VPW. UDS-CAN. CDL. | ISO 9142-2. ISO 14230-2. ISO 15765-4. K/L line. Flashing Code. SAE-J1850 VPW. SAE-J1850 PWM. CAN ISO 11898. Highspeed, Middlespeed, Low-speed, and Singlewire CAN. GM UART. UART Echo Byte Protocol. Honda Diag-H Protocol. TP 2.0. TP 1.6. SAE J1939. SAE J1708V. |
| Vehicle Coverage | Supports more than 80 American, Asian, and European vehicle makes and models including MAClaren and Tesla. | Supports virtually all commercial vehicles and machines from North America, Europe, and Asia. A few examples include Toyota, Freightliner, Volvo, Dodge, Kenworth, Hyundai USA, Isuzu, Nissan, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Peugeot, and DAF, among many others. | Supports almost all American, Asian, and European makes including commercial, person, and luxury vehicles. A few examples include Rolls Royce, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mayback, Ferrari, Roadster, MAClaren, Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Bugatti. |
*Notes: Excellent: 9-10; Good: 7-8; Fair: 5-6; Poor: 3-4; Very poor: 1-2
Autel MS908S Pro vs. MS908CV vs. MaxiSys Elite: The Similarities
OBD2 Functions
They are all professional scanners that support On-board Diagnosis for cars, heavy-duty trucks, and machinery with OBD2 engines. They do that for all 10 test models:
- Live Data Stream.
- O2 Monitor Test.
- On-board Monitor.
- Reading Codes.
- Erasing Codes.
- Freeze Frame Data.
- VIN Information.
- DTC Lookup.
- EVAP System.
- I/M Readiness.
System Diagnosis
The MS908S Pro, MS908CV, and MaxiSys Elite support all OE-Level system diagnosis electronic modules. Therefore, they conduct all system checks and provide thorough information on all DTCs. For additional data, check the health status reports and waveform data streams. However, bear in mind that menus vary with vehicle specifics. The system modules include:
- Engine.
- ABS.
- SRS.
- IMMO.
- RADIO.
- Air Conditioning System.
- Steering Angle System.
- Air Suspension.
- Transmission.
- Inverter.
- Brakes, etc.
Hardware Expansion Compatibility
They all support convenient extension-hardware modules like oscilloscopes, endoscopes, and multimeters that make work easier. Specifically, we’re talking about the MV400, MV108, and MV105.
Bi-directional Control
All three Autel scanners allow for bi-directional control for specific care systems. It’s a critical feature that enables you to switch, test, and relay between two operating states. It makes diagnosis easier and saves a lot of time.
Autel MS908S Pro vs. MS908CV vs. MaxiSys Elite: The Differences
Advanced Service Functions
The Autel MS908S Pro is more or less on par with MS908CV (they both offer the same 25 special functions). However, as you might have guessed, it’s less capable than the MaxiSys Elite.
The MS908CV Heavy-Duty Diagnostics Scanner offers 25 advanced services and 23 adaption functions (for smaller vehicles). For passenger vehicles, it offers Gear Box Calibration, Injector Coding, Throttle Matching, DPF Regeneration, ABS Bleeding, BMS, Oil Reset, Brake Reset, SAS Calibration, and TPMS.
For commercial vehicles, it offers Fuel Pressure, Adaptation Reset, DOC/DPF Replacement Reset, Injector CEOM Calibration, Boost Calibration, Timing, Calibration, O2 Sensor Calibration, Injection Quality Adjustment, DSI System De-Aeration, After-treatment Maintenance, Boost Calibration, and After-treatment SCR Catalyst Cold Soak Override.
Finally, the Autel MaxiSys Elite Diagnostic Scanner leads this category. It has all the special advanced functions. Specifically, in this regard, the MaxiSys Elite is on par with platinum-level Autel scanners like the MS909, MS919, and Ultra (Autel’s flagship automobile scanner). A few examples include Oil, SAS, Injector Coding, Throttle, and Anti-theft, among many others. Over the years, it gets even better since many more functions come via software updates.
NOTE: For Autel Diagnostics Scanners, not all special functions are universally compatible. Therefore, before purchasing, we advise you to first send your VIN directly to their response team for verification (auteldirect@outlook.com).
Coding and Programming
Only the Autel MS908S Pro and MaxiSys Elite diagnostics scanners allow ECU programming and coding for all vehicles with J-2534 protocols. This powerful feature enables you to match components with modules, flash hidden functions, and customize OE settings. All this allows you to get a more personalized and better car performance.
Unfortunately, the Autel MS908CV lacks this feature.
Regional Use
The Autel MS908S Pro and MaxiSys Elite diagnostics scanners are only available in North and South America. On top of that, they only support English.
On the other hand, MS908CV scanners are available worldwide in multiple languages. However, take heed that they will only support the languages and vehicles available in the markets they are sold (scanners will be specific to Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, or Oceania.)
Protocol Support
Indeed, all three scanners support basic protocols like SAE J1939 and SAE 1708. However, each device is different and narrows down to specific vehicles. Refer to the comparison chart for the specifics.
Vehicle Coverage
The Autel MS908S Pro supports as many vehicles as the MaxiSys Elite. However, keep in mind that it stops getting software updates once the stipulated update time expires.
Next, we have the Autel MS908CV Heavy-Duty Scanner. As its name suggests, it specializes in heavy-duty automobiles from brands like Ford, Freightliner, Kenworth, Volvo, and Ram Trucks, among many others. Nevertheless, it also supports passenger and commercial vehicles from 1990 to 2020.
Finally, the Autel MaxiSys Elite Scanner has the most comprehensive vehicle coverage (it’s on par with platinum-level diagnostics scanners like the MS909, MS919, and even Ultra). It supports 80+ automobile brands, 130+ makes, and over 10,000 models. In short, it’s compatible with all vehicles and registered automobile machinery. On top of that, it gets better with each update as it incorporates newly released automobiles.
Pros and Cons
Autel MS908S Pro
Pros
- Supports full OE-level system diagnostics for vehicles, including light and heavy-duty trucks.
- Offers full OBD-II functions.
- Has comprehensive vehicle coverage.
- Available worldwide.
- Has 25 advanced and 23 adaptation functions for passenger and commercial vehicles.
- Supports bi-directional control.
Cons
- Lacks ECU programming and coding.
- Doesn’t have all the advanced functions.
Autel MS908S Pro
Read more: Autel MaxiSYS MS908CV heavy-duty truck scan tool review
Autel MS908CV
Pros
- Supports full OE-level system diagnostics.
- Offers all OBD-II functions.
- Covers all vehicles and auto machinery from 1990 to 2020.
- Has 25 special advanced functions.
- Is capable of bi-directional control.
- Supports ECU programming and coding.
Cons
- Doesn’t support the latest vehicles (released in and beyond 2022).
- Lacks some special functions.
- Only available for use in North and South America.
Autel MS908CV
Autel MaxiSys Elite
Pros
- Offers all OE-level system diagnoses.
- Capable of all OBD-II functions.
- Has the most comprehensive vehicle coverage that keeps expanding with each software update.
- Has all the advanced special functions (38 plus).
- Allows for bi-directional control.
- Supports ECU programming and coding.
Cons
- Only available for use in North and South America.
Autel MaxiSys Elite
Recommendation
The Autel MaxiSys Elite Diagnostics Scanner is the best for professionals. Indeed, it’s more expensive than the rest. However, it also comes with a free 2-year update subscription. Therefore, it will only get better.
The MS908S Pro is the second-best option if you want to save some money. Its automobile coverage library is quite comprehensive. Also, it only lacks a few features.
Unfortunately, the two make the MS908CV look outdated. Not only does it lack ECU coding and programming, but its automobile library is quite limited.
Read more:
