The iCarsoft CR Max and the iCarsoft CR Max P do the same diagnostic work: 58 makes, every system, bidirectional control, 50 service functions and control unit coding across 8 brand groups. What changes is the hardware: the CR Max P has a 10″ screen, a Bluetooth VCI and built-in DoIP; the CR Max is cable-connected, with a 7″ screen and DoIP as an optional extra. In between sits the CR Max BT, which is the CR Max with a wireless VCI.
CR Max range comparison table
| CR Max | CR Max BT | CR Max P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €499.99 | €559.95 | €649.95 |
| Screen | 7″ touchscreen, 1024×600 | 7″ touchscreen, 1024×600 | 10″ touchscreen, 1280×800 |
| Connection to the car | Direct OBD2 cable | Bluetooth VCI | Bluetooth VCI |
| DoIP | Optional (accessory sold separately) | Optional (accessory sold separately) | Built in, cables included |
| CAN-FD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Service functions | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| OE coding | 8 brand groups | 8 brand groups | 8 brand groups |
| Updates | Free for life over Wi-Fi | Free for life over Wi-Fi | Free for life over Wi-Fi |
According to iCarsoft, the CR Max P is the updated version of the CR Max BT: same core software, bigger screen, bigger battery and DoIP as standard.
What they have in common
All three are Android tablets running the same software. They diagnose every control unit, read and clear faults, show live data and run active tests. The 50 service functions include oil reset, electronic parking brake, steering angle, DPF, injectors, ABS bleeding, battery, TPMS, AdBlue, EGR, air suspension, Start&Stop, NOx sensor, and mileage and VIN checks, among others.
They also share dealer-level control unit coding across 8 groups: BMW, the VAG group, Hyundai/Kia, Ford, Mazda, Renault, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Subaru. Updates arrive over Wi-Fi, free and with no subscription, and the menus are available in English (15 languages in total).
The key difference: DoIP
DoIP is diagnostics over Ethernet through the car's own OBD2 socket. More and more recent cars use it, especially for programming and coding, because it moves far more data than the CAN bus. If one of these cars rolls in, the CR Max P is ready from day one: the box includes the RJ45 network cable, the F-Chassis cable for BMW and a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
The CR Max and CR Max BT can also work with DoIP, but you need to buy the relevant accessory separately. If you are not sure whether your cars use it, start with our guide to DoIP and CAN-FD.
Cable or Bluetooth
The CR Max connects with a direct OBD2 cable. It is the simplest option: nothing to pair, and no worries about batteries or interference. The trade-off is that the cable limits your reach and keeps you tied to the car while you work.
On the CR Max BT and CR Max P, the VCI stays plugged into the OBD2 port and the tablet goes with you. You can watch live data from the engine bay, from under the car or from the driver's seat while someone else drives on a road test. In a workshop that is a real plus; at home, for one car, the cable works just as well.
Screen, battery and weight
The CR Max P's 10″ screen, at 1280×800, shows more parameters at once and clearer graphs. The battery grows too: 10,000 mAh and around 8 hours of continuous use according to iCarsoft, against 5,000 mAh and around 5 hours on the CR Max. Over a full working day in a garage, that difference counts.
The price of the big screen is size: the CR Max weighs about 750 g and the CR Max P around 1,200 g. If it is going to live in the glovebox or the toolbox, the 7″ model is easier to handle.
What comes in each box
The contents help you decide too, because they show what you would need to buy separately:
- CR Max: hard case, tablet, charger, main 16-pin OBD2 cable, USB-C cable, multilingual manual and quick start guide.
- CR Max BT: hard case, tablet, Bluetooth VCI with extension cable, charger, USB-C cable, manual and quick start guide.
- CR Max P: case, tablet, VCI, charger, RJ45 network cable, F-Chassis cable for BMW, 1.2 m USB 2.0-to-Ethernet adapter, USB-C cable, cleaning cloth and manual.
None of the three includes OBD-I adapters for cars built before the OBD2 socket. If older vehicles come through your door regularly, bear that in mind or look at the CR Ultra range, which includes 10 adapters. All three come with our 3-year warranty.
Which one to choose
- CR Max: if you want the 50 functions and coding at the lowest price, you mostly work at home and don't mind the cable. If you need DoIP one day, you can add the accessory.
- CR Max BT: if you want to move freely around the car but the 7″ screen is enough for you.
- CR Max P: if you will use it every day, work on recent cars or want DoIP without buying anything else. For €150 more than the CR Max you get a big screen, twice the battery, a wireless connection and DoIP as standard.
If you are torn between the CR Max P and something simpler, read our CR Pro+ vs CR Max P comparison. And if you are after online programming or OBD-I adapters for older cars, the next step up is the CR Ultra range: CR Ultra vs CR Ultra P.
You will find all three under multi-brand diagnostic tools and, for professional use, under workshop diagnostic tools.
