Review on 🔧 Autel ML629: Upgraded OBD2 Scanner with Full Functions - ABS, SRS, Engine, Transmission Diagnoses - Ideal for DIYers and Professionals by Kulwinder Hendrickson

First of all I like this thing. BECAUSE it tells me a lot and it saved the price I paid the first time I used it (which puts me off buying the $115 part). I can learn a lot more from this device than any of my previous devices (Note: I have not used professional devices like Autel's high end devices which TOO MUCH require a subscription). No subscription is required, but you can download the latest profiles for MANY models. It reads MANY aspects of certain makes of vehicle that a basic OBDII diagnostic tool cannot. For example I didn't have any codes from my other units so I bought this one and it immediately showed me P0231 (Fuel pump under voltage on our Ford Expedition). It changed what I did. I isolated the faulty relay and replaced it for $15). So what's not to like? - The operation is really uncomfortable. It doesn't save my car's profile, so I have to navigate cumbersome menus every time, WAIT for it to recognize certain things, etc. Yes, it works, but I really don't like it. Loading car brand profiles (for updating) is REALLY unclear. It seemed like I should be able to use USB to boot directly to the device, but I couldn't. I had to put the SD card in a USB device and plug THIS into my computer (unlike the device), then load the profiles and THEN put it back into the device. After that everything worked very well, but it's a pity the instructions did NOT tell me to do this and it's just a cumbersome process. BUT IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, you may miss updated profiles. So it's a really important process. The logs you store on the device (when reading from the computer or the car's ECU) are not dated at all. So you get to the log and you just have to remember what it was and WHEN it was recorded. I'm just trying to remember to ALWAYS delete them so I know it's the only one there if I need to upload one. It's just annoying when you have more than one and you're not sure which is the last one. - It's a little strange that I can't put a battery in it and play with it (e.g. to erase some magazines). But I have to connect it to the vehicle OR the computer for it to turn on. I still find it a bit strange that I can't just go to ONE PLACE (in the menu) to run all diagnostics. But I can not. I have a main device called "Scan" and another main device called "OBDII/EOBD". I decipher that the OBDII section is the standard code for many cars and the scan has more private aspects. But DANG, it's annoying, especially since it doesn't remember my car (and bypasses a lot of the scan questions). - I'm still trying to learn how to use the freeze frame function. There doesn't seem to be any instructions. I often just poke around the menu trying to figure out what else it might be telling me. INDEED? IS IT DIFFICULT to create a meaningful guide? Damn it, pay me for it! :-)WELL. it's a lot of awkwardness. You may be wondering why still 5 stars. Well, I haven't found anything better. Once I identify the uncomfortable area, she gives me the information I need. And it paid off right from my first diagnosis. I REALLY didn't think it would solve the problem that well, but this device combined with searching the internet is an AWESOME combination and will allow many of us DIYers to save an amazing amount of money and solve some problems we are having otherwise would occur very difficult.