Best Keying Devices Autel, Launch, VVDI etc?

[VanLifer39]

I'm researching key programing devices, but am uncertain which device/brand is best. It seems Autel is the most popular. VVDI and Launch are less common and seem to cost more.

 

[michaelluscher]

I'm hours of time and ~$1,500 deep into the auto key programming and locksmith rabbit hole

Tread carefully, and set reasonable expectations
A lot of the tools are touch and go, poorly translated Chinese copies, others simply don't work

What vehicles will you predominantly be working on, and what tasks/functions do you seek?
Are you a business, are you NASTF/VSP/AutoAuth registered?
I'm still bitter about how Autel pulled Toyota AKL functionality from the KM100, but I semi understand why they did it
Euro stuff in general is a minefield, one wrong move and you've bricked thousands of dollars worth of modules, and off to the dealer it'll go

I count myself fortunate that I've never made a brick, nothing's ever left on a tow truck, and out of two dozen or so jobs I took on, only one I was unable to complete
I flipped the smart key on eBay for cost, and everyone went their own separate ways with no hard feelings

Depending on the age of vehicle, your average mid to high tier scan tool can do key and keyfob programming
Some separate apps or eBay sellers can get you the PIN you need to do the job
One bogus eBay key, drop in voltage, or button press can brick a ~10 year old Nissan
Not trying to scare you, but I'd rather you hear it now

Here I am using the Lonsdor K518 Pro to do AKL on a Prius V that came from the auction with no keys

Here I am adding a key to a 2010 Civic (mid tier Autel scan tools can do this job)

Depending on your skill set, existing equipment, and budget, you may not need a key programming tool at all
FORScan, AlfaOBD, or Toyota Techstream might get the job done for you, for a lot less
To those with only one key (or one key and it's getting flaky), I highly suggest getting spares before you're in a All Keys Lost situation, it's less expensive and less of a risk to add when you've got something that still works

A lower/mid tier OTOFIX (powered by Autel) can do fairly new Honda's efficiently

Newer stuff can get complicated and expensive FAST

 

[VanLifer39]

Excellent tutorial. I was looking into a programming tool for programming keys for future van life rigs. I would stick to Japanese makes with a few hyundai models with proven reliability records. The only Euro vehicle I'd consider would be the MB Sprinter. I've looked into the smaller MB Metris vans but it seems they're hard to quirk work on and not many shops know how to service them.

 

[edyvw]

Excellent tutorial. I was looking into a programming tool for programming keys for future van life rigs. I would stick to Japanese makes with a few hyundai models with proven reliability records. The only Euro vehicle I'd consider would be the MB Sprinter. I've looked into the smaller MB Metris vans but it seems they're hard to quirk work on and not many shops know how to service them.

European vehicles generally have best aftermarket support. There are numerous manufacturer softwares, especially for BMW, that you can download for free.

 

[zzyzzx]

Forscan works get for programming Ford keys.