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One of the most common services that an auto locksmith provides is the copying or replacement of car keys and fobs. Of course, with modern technology, that’s not as simple as cutting a blank key or ordering a new fob and sending the customer on their way. In most circumstances, you must reprogram the new key to be accepted by the car’s immobilizer.
So, the question for locksmiths is: what coding machine do you need to meet the demand of your clients? In this article, we’ll discuss the pros, cons and costs of the most common coding machines available today so that you can choose the best one for your business.
In the next section, we’ll go through some of the most popular options for coding machines on the market today. But before we dive in, here are a few considerations that every auto locksmith should have in mind when buying a machine for their business:
To be sure, you want a coding machine that will offer you a good return on investment. So, you might be tempted to opt for a cheaper machine that boasts of the widest variety of functions. These models often are manufactured abroad, which is why they can offer such a low initial investment price. But, buyer beware! Cheap coding machines often don’t live up to the expectation, and when you realize that you’ve bought a machine that doesn’t actually meet the demands of your business, there’s not a lot you can do about it.
In this article, we’ll talk about where you can find reliable coding machines that won’t let you down. They’re worth the slightly higher price. When in doubt, we would recommend that you don’t buy anything under $500.
As an auto locksmith, you want a coding machine that will allow you to work with as wide a range of car companies as possible. After all, this is what will make you competitive alongside car dealerships and mechanics. But, there is no such thing as a universal car key programmer. Even the coding machines that boast of a wide range of car manufacturers may only be able to duplicate keys from a limited number of models within each brand.
As we dive into each of the coding machines on this list, we’ll keep a close eye on exactly how they perform in terms of car manufacturer range.
You may think that diagnostic capabilities are more useful for mechanics than auto locksmiths, but this is another important element in your selection. You want to make sure that you’re able to address any anti-theft fault codes that come up during the reprogramming process.
As an auto locksmith, you know that the world of car key technology is changing all the time. Every year that a car manufacturer releases a new model, you can assume that they’ve made a few upgrades to their security that makes duplication and cloning a little bit trickier. That’s why you want to pay close attention to whether a coding machine offers software updates, and for how long. The ones on our list either offer one or two years of free software updates, which is an important way for you to stay relevant for your customers.
One of your best sources of information on which coding machine to buy will come from other auto locksmiths! Before buying anything, take a good look at the reviews of the model you’re interested in to find out more about real-life battery functionality, whether the car model list is really as extensive as the description, and more.
So, what are the immobilizer programming tools that are most popular with auto locksmiths, today? Let’s take a look:
The IM508 key programmer by Autel is one of the most well-known devices on the market. Here’s what you should know about this versatile device:
The device comes in a convenient carrying case that is packed with everything you need for car key programming: the tablet, the XP200 key programmer, OBD cable and additional cables, adaptors for Kia, Honda, and Mazda vehicles and more.
If you want to make sure that a specific model will be supported by this Autel device, you can look at Autel’s online database. This helpful database will let you know the specific functions available for a car’s make and model.
Pricing: As of this publication, the Autel MaxiIM IM508 can be purchased for somewhere between $900 and $1300, depending on whether you’re buying used or from the manufacturer. The higher end price comes with free software upgrades during the first year and a year warranty.
Overall: The MaxiIM IM508 is a great option for locksmiths who want to be competitive in the key duplication industry. It offers enough coverage to be able to clone and replace most US-made and foreign cars, and it’s intuitive enough that you don’t have to spend hours learning the ins and outs of the device.
You might have guessed already that the IM608 by Autel is simply a more extensive version of the IM508. In addition to having a larger screen (10.1” instead of 7”), double the storage, and a more powerful battery, the IM608 also has more functionality in what it can do in terms of key programming and other diagnostics. For instance, the IM608 offers Volvo smart key learning and reading and writing for Mercedes infrared keys. These functions are only available with the IM508 after upgrading from the XP200 to the XP400.
Now, there are a few other versions of the IM608 that offer even more functionality. For example, the IM608 PRO is powerful enough to offer key reading for up to 85% of the car models in North America. So, if you’re looking for even more specialized key programming tools, you can keep reaching for more advanced versions. But, for the large majority of auto locksmiths, the MaxiIM IM608 version is a good investment. One other thing to keep in mind is that the IM608 comes with one year of free software updates.
Pricing: As we mentioned, there are a few versions of the MaxiIM IM608, so you’ll see differences in price. The standard IM608 II goes for about $3,350, while the IM608 PRO typically costs $3,600.
Overall: This is a good option for any auto locksmith who really wants to corner the key duplication market in their area. It offers more coverage than the IM508, without being too cumbersome or complicated to use.
The KM100 is one of Autel’s most portable and streamlined key programming tools. It was created specifically for IMMO key programming, and is compatible with a range of manufacturers and over 700 different cars, including BMW, VW, Honda, Toyota, and GM. The KM100 can be used for all keys lost situations, car key cloning, and key unlocking. And, it includes a lifetime of free software updates.
But a major caveat here! While the KM100 is a nice little device that will work for many car key duplication jobs, it’s not nearly as versatile as the previous two tools on this list. If you’re looking to make car key programming a major component of your auto locksmith business, this tool may not have the functionality you’re looking for. Specifically, the KM100 does not offer:
Pricing: The pricing of the KM100 is often what draws auto locksmiths to this option. It’s only about $500, and that includes lifetime free updates.
Overall: The KM100 is a good option for locksmiths who are looking to offer more car key duplication services as part of their business. The KM100 has good coverage (not as good as more powerful coding machines, but good), is portable, and easy to use.
Advanced Diagnostics is another leader in the industry that you can count on to make a great coding machine. Here are a few details about this product:
While this coding machine is widely trusted and popular, there are a few downsides that you should know about. For one thing, the Smart Pro is sometimes described as bulky and heavy. This could make it a hassle to transport for mobile locksmiths. There have also been complaints about updating software issues, specifically when purchasing new software packages.
Pricing: One thing you should know about the Smart Pro is that it’s not a one-time payment. You purchase the device for about $3,200 and then decide on the software plan that makes the most sense for your business. This makes the device more versatile for a range of different needs: if you only use the device every once in a while, you can pay per use. Or, if you offer key duplication as one of your main services, you can purchase an unlimited token pass.
Overall: The Smart Pro by Advanced Diagnostics is a fierce competitor for the IM608 by Autel. This device is able to offer a wide range of car manufacturer compatibility, and some locksmiths enjoy the unique tiered-pricing for software as it allows them to tailor the device to their day-to-day clientele.
The XTool is known primarily as a diagnostic device, but it has a powerful key programming component. Here are a few details to know about this D9 Pro version:
Something to note about the Xtool is that while it is gaining in popularity, it is a more recent device than Autel and Advanced Diagnostics. That means that it doesn’t have quite the consumer confidence as the other two brands. That being said, one benefit of Xtool is that they’re very open about the kinds of immobilizer systems they work with on their website, so that you can easily know what you’re getting before you buy.
Pricing: Because the Xtool is a newcomer in the world of auto diagnostics, it comes with a lower price tag. You can get this coding machine for about $1400. Remember that you do need to purchase the EEPROM adapter separately, which adds about $50 onto your total.
Overall: The Xtool is quickly becoming a well-loved coding machine for auto locksmiths because of its price point and range of services. As of right now, it’s not as popular as the more established brands like Autel and Advanced Diagnostics, but we expect to see the Xtool become a household name in the next few years.
This coding machine by Launch is another up-and-comer competing with the big names by offering a lower price point. It generally has great reviews and can be found used and new from reputable dealers. Here are a few details for the Launch X431:
When shopping for the Launch X431, it’s important to look for the version with key programming capabilities. This version comes with the XPROG 3 Immobilizer Programmer Kit that allows you to do all of the key programming you need.
Pricing: When purchasing the Launch X431 IMMO Plus Key Programmer directly from the company, you can expect to pay about $1200. On Amazon, you can find it for about $1600, so it’s best to start with the manufacturer for the best price.
Overall: This is a well-reviewed key programming machine that is reasonably priced for what it offers. Users like that it’s slightly more portable than some of the other options on the list, and the car manufacturer compatibility range means that it offers a high return on investment for auto locksmiths. The added on IMMO key programmer tool is a recent addition to what was previously a well-respected diagnostic and scanning tool, and we’d say that the add-on has made it one of the most competitive machines on the market.
It’s clear that there are many good coding machine options out there for auto locksmiths. And, at the end of the day, if you choose one of the programmers on this list, you’re going to be able to offer car key duplication to almost every single customer in your area. Although no tool is 100% universal, these leaders in the key programming field offer more coverage than anything you’ll be able to find for a lower price.
So, when you’re ready to make the investment, one of these versatile, durable, and user-friendly tools is bound to take your business to new heights!
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