The Truth About OTC 3825 Pegisys & Verus – Scan Tools
December 13, 2008 9:49 am Auto Scan Tool, OTC Tool Blog
No Verus on this Snap On Truck
I stepped onto a Snap On truck today to get a close up shot of the Verus for this blog. The Snap On salesman said he couldn’t justify the expense of keeping a Verus scan tool in stock, it sells for $8895 without accessories. Quite understandable with today’s economic state and the price of the Snap On Verus scan tool approaching the cost of a new economy car like the Nissan Versa.
 $8895 Verus |
 $9990 Versa |
The Truth. “Obviously there is a huge bias towards the OTC tools on this site, so it is pointless to try and make a direct comparison. The VERUS is an actual COMPUTER, running windows XP, capable of running numerous applications and going to unlimited websites. The Pegisys is simply a custom interface with a touchscreen. The ONLY websites you can access are for software downloads and identifix. All of the information in the “comparison info” on the OTC site is misconstrued and mostly lies. Having used both, the verus has the better screen, better interface, better true shop capabilities, etc, etc, etc… the list goes on and on. What are the major complaints here? personality keys? really? We have been using them for a very long time, it’s not that big of a deal. The wireless link to the pegisys failed multiple times during the demonstration by the napa rep, I wouldn’t try and use that day to day. Also, the verus stores customer information and vehicle information until deleted, not for just two weeks like pegisys. And the ability to graph and record ALL PIDS at once, instead of just the three on screen is critical! The verus is always recording pid data from when you enter the datastream, when I used the pegisys I noticed that the unit would start graphing other pids when you switched to them, but would lose the history of the ones previously shown. To the host here, how can you deny that pegisys is NOT a genisys with a touchscreen. Same information (less actually) no true online capabilities, no true computer capabilities. Why not tell a little truth now and then.”
My Response. Wow, “The Truth” really hurts… if that’s your real name (just kidding). Usually when we have an anonymous comment on a post, there’s something someones trying to hide (ie, could be a competitor, like Snap On). I have nothing against Snap On tools, it’s just that not everyone can afford their prices. And I would be quite surprised if the Verus, with a $8895.00 price tag, didn’t have some advantages over the OTC Pegisys at $4999. And I’ve used personality keys in the past, you’re right its not a big deal if you have the one you need and it’s not worn out from repeated use. It used to really bother me, even though I had a huge key-chain full of personality keys, there would always be a new one needed at the most inopportune moment. With that being said, the main complaint isn’t about Snap On clinging on, to personality keys that they’ve been using since first making the brick (MT2500), back in the 80’s. It really comes down to a price issue. I personally have an OTC Genisys, I really like the affordability factor and that the fact that the Genisys with a Smart Cable never requires the purchase of additional keys to access different cars and systems. Now the advantages of the Pegisys over the Genisys that sticks out to me, is Internet capability for updates and Identifix, it’s cordless, the DVD-quality MPEG4 monitor, the ability to flash vehicles computers and of course the touch screen. If you want to have the capability to flash vehicles computers with the Snap On Verus, the Pass Thru Module is required at an additional $1,595.00. That puts the price of the Snap On Verus with the capability of flashing at $10,490. The OTC Pegisys is capable of flashing at a cost of $4999, less than 1/2 the cost of the Verus – and that’s the truth.
Question: Why should I buy a Pegisys from DenLors, my local NAPA store has the same price of $4999?
Answer: It’s true that $4999 is the price, this is because OTC has a minimum end user price set at that and any company selling it for less can be banned from selling this scan tool again. The benefit of purchasing this tool from DenLors with free shipping, is the savings on sales tax (we only charge sales tax in the state of Florida). The warranty is the same and is handled through OTC, not NAPA or DenLors.
Question: I really want to buy a Snap On Verus, I would be happy with an OTC Pegisys, but my wallet tells me I should buy a Genisys scan tool. What is the best bang for my buck when it comes to buying a scan tool?
Answer: Of course it depends on if you want to have the capability of flashing vehicles computers, but the the truth is most shops will not need to reprogram computers 95% of the time. When a flash is needed, most shops prefer to send the car to the dealer where they can deal with any problems that may still exist after the reprogramming is done. So I recommend the Genisys Scanner like I have, in my opinion it’s the best bang for the buck. I like it’s wide range of practical use accessing Engine, Body, ABS, SRS and closing vent solenoids for EVAP smoke tests on many vehicles.
The Truth :
Date: December 14, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
It’s not just about money, it’s about actually having a tool that saves you time and makes you money. After trading in our modis, weekly payments for the verus are under $50. It’s certainly paying for itself, plus a lot more.
And if you read the OTC site, you will be paying $400 more for the ability to flash, it is NOT included. Actually, having pass through built into the pegisys means that if you are doing a flash and your only diagnostic tool is the pegisys you are effectively frozen, waiting for the flash to complete which can take hours. Having an external module that you can use with a laptop means that you don’t have to tie up your $5000-$10000 investment on a long process like that. So continue to hide the truth on this site, everyone knows where your bias is and I hope that other shop owners will see the deception.
dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :
Date: December 14, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
The Truth shall set you free! Ok who is the Truth?…is this Tito?
I think the Verus is an excellent scan tool, but some shops may not have a 4 to $5000 trade-in and go for the $50 weekly payment. The comparison chart on OTC’s site states that the J-2534 Flash capability is built into the Pegisys, see their chart. And as far as getting the information out, that’s one of the reasons for this blog.
The Truth :
Date: December 15, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
I’m just a techie guy, and I am very excited to have the verus as it is a huge time saver.
If you look on the OTC page FAQ, it says “Q: How much will the software cost to activate the J2534 Reprogramming function?
A: List price will be $349.95, available in December 08’. Software will permit vehicle reprogramming downloads. The website downloads are an additional charge directly delivered by the OEM web sites and their price schedules. (See e-learning site for list of OEM web site addresses and price schedules. “
dennisb on Pegisys Flashing :
Date: December 21, 2008 @ 10:16 am
Of course the website downloads are an additional charge directly delivered by the OEM web sites, this applies to Snap On as well not just OTC.
Rob :
Date: February 17, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
I have purchased a snap-on Verus in November 08. After sitting threw a Pegisys class put on by Matco tools and OTC. I could tell you there is a lot of differences. First off Pegisys is run on Linux so to combat viruses. I run Linux and windows game servers on the net Linux has its share of problems. They also don’t allow you to go on to any site on the Internet, with Pegisys you get one link Identifix or something like that. On my Verus I log-in to IATN while monitoring sensors waiting to catch a glitch, Reading about problems I am experiencing with the car I happen to be sitting in. I also can e-mail customers asking them questions and receive answers all from my bay. plus if you have touched and played with both you would hands down want a Verus. Pegisys reminds me of a windows 95 OS, very bad graphics slow transitions. I would suggest you put your hands on both before forking out any money. I also traded in my modis the shop I worked for would not flip the bill. I pay $32 a week for my Verus w/euro, docking station and leather storage bag. Plus snap-on gave me $1600 in truck credit after purchase. I own 4 bay Matco tool box w/hutch and top locker half of my tools are snap-on the other have are Matco. All of my diagnostic equipment is snap-on from Verus to vantage and of course Shopkey5 as a Electrical/Diagnostic specialist you just cant cut corners.
peachautocare :
Date: April 3, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
I have a lot of problems with the Interceptor 5, same as pegisys. It’s very slow, it’s unstable, the most asian information is very poor and even worse on europeans. The mode 6 section is incomplete, even the Determinator has more information in mode 6. The Bi-directional capabilities are almost impossible to work with it, most the time the comunication is lost or the function is aborted. I already have my third unit that OTC sent me, and I’m still having problems. This Unit is better than competitors just on paper.
Greg :
Date: April 6, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
I Bought a Verus and made the mistake of turning in my modis. The Windows XP operating system is garbage. I have owned this brick with a nice screen for 2 weeks and have had it malfunction twice. The first time I did a restore, which got me back. Now I come in Monday morning turn on my $9,000 dollar brand new Verus, and I get a black screen with a blinking curser at the top left corner of the display. I call snap on tech support and am told that all I need to do is plug in a USB key board and hit the enter key…. So I go out and buy a brand new Microsoft comfort curve USB keyboard and reboot the Verus with the Key board (USB ) plugged in and when I get the blinking curser (top Left Corner) with the same old black screen.. I hit the enter key on the key board and nothing happens. I’ve now lost about an hour of working time screwing with this brand new machine that should be making me money. So I call back Snap on and get to wait another ten min’s for the tech guy, and I go through the entire issue again, and I ask him since this is on the Windows XP platform is there a way to do a safe boot with the key board. He (quote) tells me…”Gee I don’t know much about computers, let me ask someone please hold.”
Upon his return he tells me that you can’t do a safe boot with the verus. So much for your ability to use the windows operating system. So know they tell me that the hard drive has failed. So they tell me that they will send some sort of expedited slip and that I can send this defective 2 week old Scanner back to them and they will do an expedited repair on it and get it back to me possibly as soon as Friday.. It’s monday now. I tell them why don’t you send me a new one and I will exchange this defective one with you. That way they can play with this one as long as they like. “Let me find out if we can do that” says the tech who doesn’t know much about computers. He comes back,”no we really can’t do that we would have to talk to your Snap on dealer”. Okay, hold on I do a call merge and we can talk to him together! So I put the tech on hold and call my dealer who is on vacation for the next week according to the recording I get. I go back to the tech and tell him that my snap on dealer is out of town. He says let me have the numbers to the dealer which I give him, and he Identifies my dealer and says well the best we can do is to expedite the repair. Once again I tell him that I want one that works like its supposed to work right out of the box. He says sorry. I say let me talk to your supervisor he says okay.. I am transferred to his supervisors phone which is an answering machine and Here I sit screwed. (Why isn’t the supervisor working) perhaps he’s repairing Veruses. So if you really want the truth about Verus there you have my real life true experience with the Verus and with Snap on tech Support.
So what is the solution…. Snap-on needs to get with an operating system that works like OSX – Unix based tested for commercial and scientific application, not susceptible to viruses, can work with multiple processors. I would much rather have a Mac Pro (17 inch screen with an interface that plugs into a USB or FireWire 800 Port. Macs are sturdy the new ones have a battery life of 8 working hours, they are lighter than this snap on brick, and last but not least the OSX operating system unlike ***All the Windows operating systems*** works day and night, night and day. Apple uses C+ for there programs instead of Visual Basic (Rather limited language)
Unix based systems are used for Military and scientific systems which can not afford to fail in time of Crisis. So why is snap on saddling themselves with this lousy Windows Operating system? Old bad habits die hard. And thats the truth
the real deal :
Date: May 21, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
The verus is a stable plattform with a data base the has been proven through the years with other snap on platforms it os is windows xp . The OTC Pegisys is not a true pc and has limited capitables to to an unstable os . I just sent our pegisys back to spx and luckley will get a full refund . This tool was released way too early befor it was prefected . We were promised the world and I think we were all dissapointed with what we got . Yes the versus is Is the price of a little car but when you need it it works . I have enough do to in my day at the shop as it is then to be on tech support with spx every time I use it . For me I am done with being a r&d project for spx . I make no money on the phone with spx for an hour at a time trying to get the pegisys to do the job I paid for . In the end this tool hurts our bottom line .
m davis :
Date: October 21, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
i was reading some of the comints that was made about scan tool performans.i can tell you which way not to go.matco interseptor 5000. does not work more than half the time.will link up sometime,most of the time not.a real wast of 10.000 dollors.and they will not take it back.i,ve had mine 8 months its be back to otc 2 of the months and its right back to locking down. this is a bad problum,needs to be fixed.ive got two bricks no problums.if you going to sell somthing,it needs to work and work well.atlest thats what i toll,ed matco.