LAUNCH X431 PRO 3S+

For the last two years, I have been extensively using a Launch X431 V Pro. It has worked flawlessly across car brands and models. I work mostly on BMW, which has some of the most complicated electronics. The Launch software has never failed me, including working on BMW diesel vehicles. Over the past two years I’ve also received excellent support from the vendor, Ucar Tech, through both their Facebook Group for customers, as well as individual one-on-one support. So when I was ready to upgrade my hardware, I was interested in sticking with Launch and Ucar Tech's support. With help from Ucar Tech, I selected the new 2021 V2.0 Launch X431 PRO3S+. Arrived in 2 days. Hardware was a huge leap forward from my prior X431 V Pro. In connecting and performing diagnostics, I would say the PRO3S+ is easily twice as fast as my prior model. The new Launch is built on the Lenovo TAB M10 TB-X605FC - a 10-inch touch screen, Android 9, and 1.8 GHz octo-core CPU account for the improved speed, visibility and useability. The PRO3S+ includes HAPTIC feedback, which is a great feature for operating the tool with tactile positive input feedback. The upgrade from the V Pro also adds 5 GHz WiFi speeds - updates easily took ½ to ⅓ the time for the prior model. The 7,000 Mah battery goes all day in the garage, without issue, in spite of increased screen size and processing speed. There are a variety of new capabilities with the PRO3S+ (the feature set is impressive for a 3rd party product working on native brands). I’ve used the bi-directional capabilities, brake service, oil service, and several others. Simply at this price point, this really becomes the cheapest tool in the toolbox when I consider its utility against the cost. There is no doubt in my mind that the upgrade was worth the cost. For anyone that uses their Launch tool with any frequency, it is a no brainer. For potential new Launch users, I can say that several years ago several professional mechanic friends recommended I look at the Launch as my multi-model car diagnostic tool. I am glad I took their advise!

This review is for all audiences shopping for an automotive scanning tool but my first comment has to be for those of you that are nervous about buying this product, like I WAS, because the country of origin is China and not the USA. Let me just say I took the dive for you and honestly, you will NOT be disappointed with this scanning tool. I also reached out to tech support and I received a response that same day in the evening which was refreshing. I bought the Launch X431 Pro3S+ which is the latest and greatest of the X431's to replace an old OTC scan tool that served its purpose at the time but let's be honest, basic scanners are so time-consuming by looking up error codes that I decided to shop for a replacement. I took around a month watching youtube videos and I was kind of sold on an Autel scan tool that I eventually got from Amazon. Well, it did good on some cars but totally failed on Lexus cars. I reached out to Autel support and they responded that they don't support it. It was indeed a bummer as I wanted to replace the Lexus Techstream that runs on my laptop but I figured it would do. Well, it turned out that a friend of mine had a Launch x431 mini and it worked on Lexus cars. I shop with confidence at Amazon for a reason, I had to return it to get the Launch :) Now about the Launch X431 Pro3S+, I've just barely scratched the surface using this tool but so far this tool has really impressed me. I've used it on a 2004 Ford F150 Lariat, 2004 Lexus LS 430, 2008 Mazda RX8, 2016 Toyota Corolla, and a 2019 Honda Odyssey. I used Intelligent Diagnoses and it automatically picked up all the vehicles except the Lexus. On the Lexus, I used Local Diagnoses and I was able to do everything Lexus Techsteam software did. I mean everything which was amazing. All bi-directional tasks! As an example, I attached 4 pictures, one of them shows data of a shot bank1 catalytic converters on the Lexus that came out as code P0420. On another snapshot that has tabs, health reports, remote reports, and recorded data, you can go back and see all your data. I'm just a DIY guy that loves to fix cars on the side, this will totally pay for itself and some. Time is money. Finally, the tablet is really nice! The hardware is solid and fast with a top-notch protective case. Also, there are so many hardware adaptors that I will probably never use but hey, if you need it someday It WILL be there. lol Oh, and the packaging was excellent!

Update: 3/25/2022: I want to let everyone know that the scanner is holding up well. This scanner is perfect for diy and also a shop. The issue with the 2-year update I mentioned in my earlier review has been fixed by the vendor and I am very happy with it. What makes this company a big success is its customer service. Imagine a vendor following up with you how the product is doing after almost 1 year of purchase? This just makes me feel even more confident that I am in good hands. I cannot say this to ANY of the scanners I’ve purchased in the past, including the branded scanners that costs 3x or 5x more. We all look for the AFTER- PURCHASE support and this company never fails. If you are on the fence and concerned about the functionality and price, here is my honest opinion. It’s worth every penny! You are buying a quality scanner with a customer service that is over the top. Your other option is to buy a slightly cheaper scanner and you’re on your own without after-purchase support from the vendor. NO I AM NOT PAID TO WRITE THIS REVIEW. I just want to help out by giving you my personal experience with the scanner and customer support. Good luck! Update: 7/2/2021: I contacted Launch Tech USA and was informed by Jeff B (Product Support Representative), “unfortunately the X431 Pro3s+ is not manufactured for the North American market and as such Launch Tech USA does not sell or support it. If you need a software update, repair or if you need info about the tool we would not be able to help you, you would have to contact whoever sold it to you. In addition, the tool will never work well on US Spec vehicles... we do not sell direct, or online via eBay or Amazon.” The reason why I contacted Launch Tech USA is the product should have come with 2 years of free update. When I checked the subscription under my account, the update expires in exactly 1 year from the time of activation. Overall, I paid around $1000 and this is a material information that I can’t ignore. I don’t want to deal with any of these issue so it’s going back. ORIGINAL REVIEW: This is not your average scanner, you get what you pay for and much more. This is shop ready and a must have for diyers. I still have to navigate the system but compared to the scanners I’ve owned this Launch x431 pro3s+ v2.0 is a winner! Overall it’s well made, sturdy and built to last. I also like the large screen. I haven’t dealt with the customer service yet, so that’s for future review.

I purchased this Launch X431 Pro 3S+ V 5.0 scan tool as I will be purchasing a newer import model vehicle early in 2025, and I wanted the ability to find faults, and perform advanced service functions such as brake bleeding, and what not on my own vehicles. I'm no mechanic, but I think a well-equipped DIY'er can benefit form a tool like this. This scan tool performs just as you'd expect, and has extended vehicle support, and pre-OBDII accessories, BUT... There's a question mark firmly planted in a rabbit hole here. The good: As I said, the tool is well equipped, and if you find this on sale, you can get it for less than $1,000 taxed and shipped to your door. It's a full android tablet, with Wi-Fi 5G and 2.4G, bluetooth, USB-C and is pre-loaded with its diagnostic software, and a link to download it if you need to after it's been reset, or the software removed for any reason. Pairing and registration of the VCI was easy, and I have confirmed the expiration date of my software updates is in fact 2 years from the date of activation, so no troubles there so far. The first thing I tried before activating it or updating anything was to do all the bi-directional stuff I could get my hands on that I understood on my own truck and everything I commanded to happen did just fine. I have not tried this on any US domestic vehicles. Getting to that. Network topology is great to have, live data works as you'd expect with the read values as well as the expected range next to them. Vehicle coverage seems to be extensive, and the scan process is fast enough for my taste. The included accessories for Pre-OBDII cars is reasonable, including the 38-pin Benz connector, which I'll probably never use. The device has support for addons that don't really cost a lot such as a battery tester, a bore-scope, and an oscilloscope if you're so inclined. You can even purchase software add-ins to support large trucks and motorsports vehicles if you wish. The bad: Can't comment on the update process yet, but from what I've read, it can get convoluted and expensive when you do update this unit and have to pay for it, and I couldn't even be sure if it's a subscription or not because of the language included in the text description of the update. Hardware is a little lacking with only 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and no apparent expansion slot that I'm aware of. Maybe there is behind or inside the case or something, I don't know. A slight upgrade will bring the hardware specs in line with their competitors from XTOOL and spice this unit up just enough. It does seem to trudge through the internet rather than blaze across it. The question mark planted in the rabbit hole: I'll try my best to be brief here, but if you've read this far... Let me be preemptive here and say I'm not knocking anyone, seller, manufacturer, or Amazon on this or anything, but light needs to be shed on this so I'm shaving a star off the top because of the existence of this question mark. The shade being cast by the giant question mark planted in the rabbit hole is this... I found out after I ordered this product as I continued to view reviews and content about this and similar products from Launch that Launch Tech USA does not distribute ANY of their scan tools or products on Amazon or EBay. It turns out that this particular model, although a valid, and legitimate product of Launch, is a "global" market product for sale predominantly outside the US. My product arrived set to English and to Pacific time, so I had no issues setting it up. But if it's a global market product, and not a native US market product, what's it doing here? I'm glad that it is, because it's a steal, but I have questions as to why this product exists in Amazon's US market website. Does Launch (CNLaunch.com) allow this because representatives contacted through LaunchTechUSA.com will tell you they don't if you're looking for US support. Is the seller acquiring these en masse at some bulk discount pricing and selling them at a good retail price that you and i can agree on? Conclusion: What I have is a legitimate Launch product that does what the advert says it does and that so far hasn't posed me any issues. the product was very well packaged, double-boxed with company origin information on the side. It arrived as described, undamaged, and perfectly functional. It could be faster, the hardware could be upgraded a little bit to meet competitors' specifications, and internet performance could be better. But as a scan tool, I haven't had it very long, so all I can say is "so far, so good." I'm shaving off a star due to specs compared to competition, and this shady question mark of why it's even on the US market to begin with when Launch Tech USA does not sell tools like this on Amazon, and that the US Launch arm won't support it, but will direct you to the global resources for any technical or product support. I can't knock this seller, Amazon, or this product. Everyone delivered. I have no reason not to recommend this if you need a scan tool because it performs as expected, but what I will say, is proceed with caution, do your due diligence and reference model numbers against the site that coincides with the US market. My first recommendation would be to buy your scan tools from appropriate outlets supported by the US side of the company, referencing against their US website and subsequent US product lines. OR, purchase a product that is appropriate to your region's market from a website that's serving that market. But if you're wiling, then try this. The seller delivers, the scan tool performs, and it's a steal. Overall, no complaints.

I just tried to renew one vehicle that showed up under IMMO it stated software diagnostics and IMMO for Subaru. They charged me one $60.00 and all I got is the IMMO for Subaru and no diagnostic updates for Subaru. I tried to explain problem to someone for Launch China support and they are not responding. They will rip you off do not buy this scan tool. It will be impossible to renew. They only make it so you can renew Chinese And India car makes nothing for US makes. Look elsewhere OTOFIX or Autel they don't rip you off when its time to renew. Launch makes it so expensive to renew once your membership expires they just want to buy another scan tool from them. Autel / Otofix also update their software with new features and Launch x431 has made no improvements. Launch wants $678 per year to renew 5 makes. That's almost my renewal for my Snapon Scanner. See Photo For Launch Renewal Rates directly from my x431. Once your subscription expires on Launch they also slow down the scan speed. On Subaru and Honda's tested four time slower after software expire. They are doing everything possible so you will buy a new scan tool from them. For shops scan speed is important. If you care about software updates then don't buy this and they will not fix anything because the support is in China and they don't care. You will see no improvement. The problem with this scan tool is when it expires in 2 years. They take away options to renew a single vehicle make like Honda for example. Two weeks before it expired they showed options to renew single vehicles in the Mall under Service Upgrade and each vehicle was $56 but again they took these options away and only left the option to renew 5 vehicles at $524 for one year. This is two thirds of the scan tool cost. It would be cheaper to just buy a brand new scan tool. So they are making it impossible to renew without getting ripped off. Also under local diagnose when you select a vehicle that has expired it will show the $56 option for that vehicle to renew but when you click on the renewals link it just takes you to the page in which you can see the $524 option. I'm mean seriously horrible software and buggy. They advertise that it can renew but then take the option away. I have tried contacting Support and explaining this and they were completely useless and located in China and they don't care and don't respond for weeks on end. You can show them the problem but again they will do nothing. You will not get support for this Scanner if something happens and they also don't correct things in feedback. I have reported numerous problems for multiple years in the feedback and they do absolutely nothing. For example the data compare or snapshot only shows in Metric values but they have no option to display in USA values like PSI for example for measurements. The only thing this offers is topology everything else is a joke on this tool especially the graphing compared to my Snapon Versus Edge or Autel or Otofix Scan tools and did I mention it is very slooow. They haven't updated the UI at all compared to Autel Otofix in two years and have come out with any new graphing or alerts. Autel and Otofix deliver awesome graphing. The software looks like it was designed by a 3rd grader. They are behind the times and if you were to buy a scan tool I would look at Autel or Otofix based on alerting and graphing capabilities. So you basically have to buy a new scan tool once this expires because they will make it too expensive to renew for what it is and you have to deal with china support and they won't be of any assistance. Basically I have a brick. This is basically a scam in the end. You would be better off buying a Topdon Topscan pro compared to this yes you won't have Topology but they topology isn't that smart it truly doesn't know what modules the car comes with anyway. It also doesn't show whats on CAN low or CAN high networks.

Starting off I am a master certified technician and the foreman of my shop. We have other scan tools including an Autel with J2534 programming as well as a Snap-on Modis Edge. Both are great tools. I was definitely uneasy about purchasing a "Global" tool instead of the US version Torque 3 but after the fantastic support and communication from the seller I decided to purchase. I have only had the tool for about a week but have used it on about 20+ different vehicles. So far the only issue I have seen is with a 2021 Kia Sorento that the scan tool mis-identified as a Mexican market Kia with the incorrect model and engine. The scan tool interface is very smooth and fast. Much faster than our ageing Autel and on par with our Snap-on. The graphing function works fantastic as well as the recording function for reviewing later. One of my main concerns was the ability to graph at least 4 data pids at a time on screen smoothly and I can honestly say that hasn't been an issue at all. It can graph up tp 12 pids at a time. The graphing refresh rate does slow down the more graphs you have one the screen at a time but so far even with 12 it is defiantly usable and with up to 8 it works flawlessly. As for bi-directional controls, so far it has had every control I have needed. From evap system tests and resets to cylinder deactivation. I have not run into a control that I did not have that I needed. I have had a few questions about functionality both before and after purchasing and the tech support has been fantastic. I definitely don't get an instant email response but so far it's with in a day. Every question I have asked has come back with highlighted screen shots on exactly what to do and how to use the tool. Overall I would 100% recommend this tool to a professional technician or an at home mechanic as well.

The scan tool is actually pretty good. For the price you cant beat it for things you arr able to access and do on certain cars. I would say from a professional stand point, it lacks some features an autologic, or Iscan would have, but sometimes is compensates for itself and has more than even those scan tools offer. I wish their was more programming functions. European cars on this thing is pretty sweet. It even has an after media blasting process for BMWs which some bigger scanners dont even have. The interface is pretty user friendly. Now from an at home mechanic, you can pretty much get everything done you need with this scanner. You can do brake jobs on cars that need the rear calipers pushed back through the scan tool on pretty much every make that uses that which is great. Relearn windows, reset oil lights easy stuff like that. All in all happy with purchase. The autel I would say is its competitor if youre looking between the two. The launch has better features and functions on the technical side.

This is fantastic, I have the autel lite at over 3k and this does everything the autel does with most vehicles and it does it easier. The autel you need a degree to operate and its huge. Only main difference is this can program sone ecu's on Mercedes and BMW other than that i use this scanner