As a seasoned auto repair expert at xentryportal.store, I’m always keen to test and evaluate the latest diagnostic tools in the market. Recently, I had the opportunity to put two popular Mercedes-Benz diagnostic interfaces head-to-head: the VCI C6 clone with Xentry and the TabScan T6 Xentry. My goal was to see how these devices stacked up in real-world use, focusing on speed, stability, and overall performance with Xentry, Vediamo, and DTS Monaco.
My testing setup included a Dell 5300 laptop equipped with an Intel Core i7 8665U processor, 32GB of RAM, a 500GB NVMe SSD, and running Windows 11 Pro. I installed Xentry 09.2023, Vediamo 05.01.01, and DTS Monaco 8.16 to ensure I had the latest software versions for both devices.
Setting up both the Xentry C6 clone and the TabScan T6 was straightforward. For the C6, I installed the newest 1.0.0.5 drivers. One notable advantage of the Xentry C6 clone was the readily available drivers. In contrast, while setting up other devices in the past, I’ve sometimes had to hunt down the correct drivers, highlighting a smoother initial experience with the C6 in this regard. For the TabScan T6, I installed the “TabScan PC Management Tool,” which automatically handles driver installation and file downloads. Both devices were recognized as eCOM devices in Vediamo and DTS Monaco without any complex configurations in VCI Manager or system settings. After driver installation and a quick reboot, both the Xentry C6 and TabScan T6 were ready to roll.
I began my performance comparison with standard bench tests on EIS222 and IC222 modules, common procedures for Mercedes-Benz diagnostics. Interestingly, the Xentry C6 clone took a slightly longer time initially to gather all the vehicle information before initiating the quick test. In a subtle but noticeable difference, the TabScan T6 seemed to process this initial data acquisition a bit faster.
To further validate these initial impressions, I moved to on-car testing using my S205 2017 Mercedes-Benz. Both the Xentry C6 and TabScan T6 performed reliably and quickly during a quick test and error code clearing. However, mirroring the bench test results, the TabScan T6 consistently demonstrated a faster performance in completing the quick test and clearing diagnostic trouble codes.
Moving into more specialized software, in Vediamo, both devices exhibited comparable speeds. This might be attributed to Vediamo’s architecture and the older systems it typically interfaces with. However, DTS Monaco presented a different picture. The TabScan T6 truly shined in DTS Monaco, performing significantly faster than the Xentry C6 clone. Navigating through menus and changing VCDs was noticeably quicker with the T6. The speed difference was so striking that I shared videos with a colleague who uses VXDIAG SE, and even he was impressed by the TabScan T6’s responsiveness.
Interestingly, both the Xentry C6 and TabScan T6 support WiFi connectivity. While I typically prefer a wired connection for diagnostic work to minimize potential WiFi interference or latency issues, I inadvertently used the TabScan T6 via WiFi and found it surprisingly stable and smooth. This wireless capability adds another layer of flexibility to both devices.
In conclusion, both the Xentry C6 clone and TabScan T6 are competent diagnostic interfaces for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, functioning flawlessly with Xentry and other diagnostic software. However, based on my testing, the TabScan T6 offers a noticeable speed advantage, particularly in demanding applications like DTS Monaco. If speed and responsiveness are paramount for your diagnostic needs, the TabScan T6 emerges as a compelling option. For those interested in seeing the TabScan T6 in action, feel free to reach out, and I can share video demonstrations showcasing its impressive speed compared to the Xentry C6.
Note: Placeholders like https://example.com/image1.jpg, https://example.com/image2.jpg, and https://example.com/image3.jpg are used for image URLs. In a real implementation, you would replace these with actual image URLs relevant to Xentry C6 and TabScan T6. Alt text needs to be written based on actual images chosen. For example, if image1 is showing the devices on a workbench, alt text could be: Xentry C6 clone and TabScan T6 diagnostic tools set up on a workbench for performance comparison. If image2 is a close up of the Xentry C6, alt text could be: Close-up of the VCI Xentry C6 clone interface connected to a diagnostic laptop. If image 3 shows the TabScan T6 connected to an OBD port, alt text could be: TabScan T6 diagnostic tool in use for on-car testing on a Mercedes-Benz S205 model.
