Choosing the right car diagnostic scanner can be a daunting task, especially with the variety of options available in the market. Among these, the Thinkdiag scanner stands out as a popular choice, but its subscription model often raises questions. Let’s clarify the Thinkdiag subscription to help you decide if it’s the best car diagnostic scanner for your needs.
Thinkdiag offers a flexible subscription approach. The basic OBDII functions are always free and fully operational, ensuring essential diagnostic capabilities right out of the box. For advanced functionalities, Thinkdiag provides several subscription options. You can opt for a manufacturer-specific subscription at $39.99 per year. This unlocks all diagnostic functions for a chosen car brand, excluding Tesla which has a different pricing structure. Upon purchasing a Thinkdiag, you typically receive one free manufacturer subscription for a year. Alternatively, for technicians focusing on specific services across various brands, Thinkdiag offers a service function subscription. For $49.99 annually, you can unlock a particular service function, like ABS actuation, for all car manufacturers. Thinkdiag also frequently provides a comprehensive annual subscription for $129, unlocking all functions across all supported manufacturers.
If your subscription lapses, access to the subscribed advanced functions will be suspended until renewal. For example, a Kia manufacturer subscription enables full diagnostics for any number of Kia vehicles within the subscription year. However, accessing Hyundai or Ford diagnostics would require separate subscriptions for those manufacturers. This model is designed to be cost-effective. DIY users can subscribe only to the car brands they own or service, while professional technicians can choose service-specific subscriptions based on their specialization, like TPMS relearn.
While an annual fee is involved, it’s important to consider the value it provides, including software updates for new models and features. When compared to other bidirectional scan tools, such as those from Launch, which also require annual update fees, Thinkdiag presents a compelling and often more affordable option. This subscription model ensures you have access to current diagnostic capabilities while offering flexibility to tailor costs to your specific needs, making Thinkdiag a strong contender in the realm of car diagnostic scanners.
