Autel and OTC are some of the best diagnostic scan tool brands on the market. They both feature all kinds of scanners with their notable models being the high-end scanners. In this OTC Encore VS Autel Maxisys review, we’re going to compare the OTC Encore 3893 scanner with the Autel Maxisys MS908 scan tool.
Related: Autel Maxisys Pro MS908P Review
These scanners are ideal for professional mechanics, busy car repair shops, and mechanics. This is because they are slightly on the high-end and come with advanced features that may not be of help to DIY enthusiasts. Continue reading to find out the differences between these two scan tools and select one that meets your needs and budget.
Related: Autel Maxisys Pro MS908P VS Maxisys Elite [Features Comparison]
Features Comparison: OTC Encore VS Autel Maxisys
Features | OTC Encore | Autel Maxisys |
| J2534 Compliant VCI: | No | Yes |
| Operating System: | Android | Android |
| ECU Coding: | No | Yes |
| Advanced ECU Programming: | No | Yes |
| Display: | 7 inches | 9.7 inches |
| Display Resolution: | High-resolution touch screen with 1024 x 600P resolution | LED capacitive touch screen with 1024x768P resolution |
| Domestic Enhanced 1980 – Current, Asian Enhanced 1987 – Current, European Enhanced 1986 – Current: | Yes | 1996 & newer |
| Wireless Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI): | No | Yes |
| Key Fob & Remote Reprogramming Procedures: | Yes | No |
| Battery Disconnect Procedures: | Yes | No |
| TPR TPMS Tool for wireless sensor registration: | Optional | Yes |
| AutoDetect Repair Info Search: | Yes | No |
| Maintenance Test: | Yes | No |
| Speakers: | No | Yes |
| Microphone: | No | Yes |
| Audio Input/Output: | 3.5mm stereo headset jack | 4-Band 3.5 mm stereotype/standard headset jack |
| Camera(rear): | No | Rear-facing, 5.0 Megapixel, AF with Flashlight |
| Connectivity: | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Ethernet: RJ45 Ethernet Connection, Cellular: 3G/4G module: WCDMA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Battery: | Lithium-ion Cylindrical | 11000 mAh 3.7 V lithium-polymer battery, Charging via 12 V vehicle power |
| Price: |  Check Price | Our Recommended Check Price |
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OTC 3893 Encore Professional Diagnostic Tool Kit details
OTC is another top brand that offers high-quality and advanced diagnostic scan tools on the market. The OTC Encore 3893 scanner is sturdily constructed to withstand the tough floor garage conditions. The device helps mechanics and technicians to repair a vehicle faster as it has an AutoDetect system. With this system, you’re able to get likely vehicle fix based on more than 30 million vehicle-specific and experience-based fixes.
Related: OTC 3896 Evolve review [Bosch Diagnostic Scanner]
Additionally, the Encore runs on the Android operating system and is compatible with a wide range of vehicles makes and models from the US domestic, Asian, and European. Due to its quick boot-up time, this scan tool will help you diagnose errors quickly and fast. The large LCD screen also clearly displays whatever is recorded on the car computer for easy interpretation. All you need to do is to register the scanner out of the box so that you can start using it.
The OTC Encore 3893 automotive diagnostic scanner is compatible with a wide range of vehicles manufactured from 1996 and newer. This includes popular vehicle brands such as Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, GM, Honda, Volkswagen, and Nissan. It also comes with a free subscription and lifetime hardware warranty. With the Auto-ID function, you will be able to identify most CAN vehicles in less than 10 seconds.
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Pros:
- It has an easy and intuitive user interface.
- OTC 3893 has a large LCD display for easy interpretation of results.
- It comes with an excellent boot-up time.
- It has outstanding coverage with more than 30 years of experience.
- The tool offers extensive vehicle coverage.
- It comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
Cons:
- It requires the user to create a Google Cloud account before utilizing
- It is somehow costly.
- You will have to register the scan tool out of the box before you can use it.
Autel Maxisys MS908 Automotive Diagnostic Tool details
The Autel Maxisys MS908 diagnostic scan tool is a professional grade scanner that performs advanced key programming and ECU coding. The sturdy and sleek gadget is made with a protective rubber housing to prevent the device from being damaged in case it falls down accidentally. The MS906 scan tool also features the powerful Cortex-A9 quad-core processor and Open source Android operating system. These make the device to operate fast and multitask. So, no more delays as you perform a wide range of tests on more than 80 US domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.
Related: Autel MS908 VS MS906 [Which is Better?]
The MS908 also features a built-in lithium-ion battery that can run for 8 hours continuously before having to be recharged. The scan tool can be used to set triggers, configures display options, records and playbacks live data. Simply connect the device by using either the VCI or Wi-Fi to update and diagnose the vehicle from anywhere within your garage. It is recommended that the user should be within 230 meters when they use the wireless connection. Also, reading and erasing of error codes is made easy as it has a large 9.7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1024×768.
Related: Autel MS906TS VS MS908
With such an easy to navigate gadget with free updates and one-year warranty, this is a nice scan tool to have for both professional technicians and busy car repair shops.
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Pros:
- It provides extensive vehicle coverage.
- It supports both OBD1 and OBD2 vehicles.
- The tool has a cloud-based data management service for organizing customer information
- It has a fast boot-up time and it allows multitasking
- It has a battery that runs continuously for 8 hours
- The Autel maxisys ms908 has an easy and intuitive user interface
- It has one-year of free software updates.
- It comes with a one-year warranty.
Cons:
- It is quite expensive
- It comes with English as the default language and to change to other languages, you will be charged a fee.
Which is a better Diagnostic Tool? OTC Encore or Autel Maxisys?
The OTC Encore 3893 scan tool and Autel MS908 diagnostic scanner are two amazing professional-grade scanners with outstanding features. They are sturdily made and offer accurate results. They also feature a large LCD display for easy interpretation of results and have an intuitive user interface. But if you want to have a more advanced diagnostic code reader, I would suggest that you go for the Autel MS908 as it has some extra features that the Encore 3893 doesn’t have such as advanced ECU programming. Still, have a question after reading this Autel Maxisys VS OTC Encore post? Comment below.
Some concerns after purchasing an OTC Encore:
I found that none of the three ports were usable to export data from the scanner! The two USB ports do not work and the Save to SD card option doesn’t work. I verified with OTC Support that the ports do NOT work. The only way to get info out is through a wireless connection. If you don’t have a wireless connection or cannot use wireless because of a sensitivity to electromagnetic fields and want to transfer data or access the web—forget it. They could have included an Ethernet cable port.
I found that I could not set up an email account for Outlook. I understand that it is because the Android OS is old. OTC Support told me that it is not updatable. I have updated my OS in my phone, I am pretty sure and of course various computers can be updated.
Another significant issue is that to make the email function with Gmail, you HAVE to turn on less secure email access. I have had an email account hacked so this is totally unacceptable.
I also have found that the display can be hard to see at times when the ambient light is bright.