VXDIAG VCX SE and Scanmatik 3 Which to Buy
Question:
Which i can use for diagnostics xentry and inpa/ista at least and for programming vediamo, monaco and ncs expert? VXDIAG VCX SE or the new SM3 (Scanmatik 3)
Scanmatik SM3 Pass-Thru adapter is a successor of SM2Pro adapter with CAN-FD and DoIP protocols.
The new scanmatik 3 (looks pretty much the same as scanmatik 2 pro), but main difference being the introduction of CANFD, DOIP, wifi instead of BlueTooth, faster USB data transfer speed (from 12 mbps to 480 mbps, they changed the usb chip/drivers it seems), and the auxiliary cable now comes with the basic package.
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Compatibility:
- Both units work as J2534 passthru devices for software like Benz Xentry, BMW ISTA, and others.
- Both support tools like PCMFlash and BitBox for ECU reading and writing.
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Features:
- VXDIAG VCX SE supports DoIP but not CAN FD. For CAN FD, the VXDIAG VCX FD model is recommended, which is cheaper than the SM3.
- VXDIAG VCX SE supports both Vediamo and DTS Monaco engineering software, while the SM3 only supports DTS Monaco.
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Pricing:
- The VXDIAG VCX SE/VCX FD is much cheaper than the Scanmatik 3, with the SM3 costing about twice more. On aliexpress sm2 pro costs like 50$ and sm3 450$.
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Issues:
- The SM3 has issues with K-line communication (e.g., problems connecting to PSA Diagbox and flashing ECUs like Med9 and EDC16), whereas the VXDIAG VCX SE works fine with Diagbox after license activation.
- SM3 has slower connection times and issues in Vediamo coding and DAS operation.
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Recommendation:
- If you already own an SM2, upgrading to SM3 might not be worth it, as SM2 Pro still receives updates and new features.
- For users needing to work across multiple brands, the VXDIAG VCX SE is a better choice due to its lower price and broader compatibility.
In summary, VXDIAG VCX SE is cheaper, more versatile, and better suited for users who need support for multiple brands, while SM3 has some technical issues, especially with K-line communication.
