There is €310 between the iCarsoft CR Pro+ and the iCarsoft CR Max P, and plenty of people hesitate between them because both are bidirectional and have a similar number of functions. The CR Pro+ is a button-operated handheld scanner with 48 functions; the CR Max P is a 10″ tablet with 50 functions, control unit coding, a Bluetooth VCI and DoIP. The real question is whether you will use what the CR Max P adds.
CR Pro+ vs CR Max P comparison table
| CR Pro+ | CR Max P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €339.95 | €649.95 |
| Format | Handheld unit with buttons | Android touchscreen tablet |
| Screen | 4.3″, 800×480 | 10″, 1280×800 |
| Makes | 58 | 58 |
| Bidirectional control | Yes | Yes |
| Service functions | 48 | 50 |
| OE control unit coding | Not listed in its spec sheet | Yes, 8 brand groups |
| Connection to the car | OBD2 cable | Bluetooth VCI |
| CAN-FD | Yes | Yes |
| DoIP | No | Built in |
| Updates | Free for life, via TF card and PC | Free for life over Wi-Fi |
Figures from the official iCarsoft spec sheets. Always check compatibility for your exact model before buying.
Where they are alike
More than the price gap suggests. Both run full diagnostics on every system across 58 makes, offer bidirectional control for active tests and share almost the whole list of functions: oil, EPB, SAS, DPF, BMS, ABS bleeding, injectors, TPMS, air suspension, airbag, immobiliser, AdBlue, EGR, turbo, clutch, Start&Stop, NOx sensor, GPF and many more. Both read CAN-FD and have English menus, with 15 languages available. And neither charges a subscription for updates.
The two functions the CR Max P has and the CR Pro+ lacks are mileage verification and VIN verification. If you buy and sell used cars, they may interest you.
Coding: what really sets them apart
The CR Max P codes control units at dealer level across 8 groups: BMW, the VAG group, Hyundai/Kia, Ford, Mazda, Renault, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Subaru. Coding means changing a control unit's configuration: adapting a replacement module, switching comfort features on or off, adjusting lighting or telling the car it has different equipment fitted. That capability does not appear on the CR Pro+ spec sheet.
If you only want to diagnose and service, you won't miss it. If you swap control units, fit genuine accessories or like customising a BMW or a VAG group car, it is the main reason to step up to the CR Max P.
DoIP and recent cars
The CR Max P has built-in DoIP, with an RJ45 cable, the F-Chassis cable for BMW and a USB-to-Ethernet adapter in the box. The CR Pro+ has no DoIP. Today most servicing is still done over CAN, which both handle well, but the more recent cars you work on, the more likely you are to come across one that needs it. We explain it in detail in what DoIP and CAN-FD are.
Everyday use
The CR Pro+ is compact, button-operated and cable-connected. It fits in the glovebox, and for an oil reset or releasing the parking brake it is quick and does the job.
The CR Max P is in another league for comfort: a 10″ touchscreen, readable live data graphs, a wireless VCI so you can move around the car, and a 10,000 mAh battery good for about 8 hours according to iCarsoft. It updates over Wi-Fi, no PC needed. If you are going to use it every day, you will feel the difference.
Four scenarios to help you decide
- You are replacing your car's battery. Both do battery registration (BMS), so the CR Pro+ is enough and you save €310.
- You are about to buy a used car. The CR Max P includes mileage and VIN verification, two functions the CR Pro+ does not have. If you buy and sell cars often, that counts in its favour.
- The radiator fan won't start. Both are bidirectional: you can switch the fan on from the tool and see if it responds. With either one you will know whether the fault is in the fan motor or further back.
- You are fitting headlights or a replacement module to a VAG group car or a BMW. To get the car to accept the new part you usually need to code it. This is where the CR Max P is ready for the job.
If you recognise yourself in the first or third, the CR Pro+ is enough. If the second or fourth sounds like you, the CR Max P will justify the price difference. And if you are still unsure, think about how often you will use it: for occasional use, the handheld; for daily work, the tablet.
Which one to choose
- Choose the CR Pro+ if you are a driver or home mechanic who wants active tests and nearly every service function, and you don't need to code control units. It is the cheapest bidirectional tool in the range.
- Choose the CR Max P if you code, work on recent cars that may need DoIP, will use it daily or are buying for a workshop.
Like the tablet but the budget won't stretch? The CR Max has the same 50 functions and coding for €499.99, with a cable and a 7″ screen; we compare them in CR Max vs CR Max P. And if your doubt is one step lower, read CR Pro vs CR Pro+. Every model is under multi-brand diagnostic tools, and the most popular ones under best sellers.
