XTOOLX100 PAD 3 Advanced Key Fob Programming Tool with KC100 Key Chip Programmer + EEPROM Adapter, Bi-Directional Control & 31+ Services, OE All Systems Diagnostic, 2 Years Update

I came very close to canceling this order before it shipped, mostly due the the cost. I wasn't sure I could justify paying so much for something I'd use so seldom. Originally, I only wanted the key immobilizer programming functionality for our large family's eight vehicles. Only two had spare keys/remotes. I followed the recommendation in the item's description on Amazon and emailed the manufacturer to verify that the immobilizer programming function would work on all our vehicles. This was the least expensive option to cover our wide variety of makes and models.Then, I called a few locksmiths to see what it would cost to have them program the keys/fobs for all six cars that needed second keys. $200-$400 per vehicle, they said. So at the lowest price per set, I would be paying $1200 for six spare keys to put in a drawer until needed, if ever. Suddenly, the X100 PAD 3 price didn't seem so high.I maintain the seven of our vehicles that are out of warranty myself, and while I already had a $60 OBD II scan tool, it was lacking a lot of the more granular options and gave little to no information about the DTC codes it discovered. What the heck is a P0447? And what is causing it? I spent a lot of time googling for information and then watching related YouTube videos to figure out what was going on and how to fix it.All this taken into consideration, along with the fact that the X100 PAD 3 is a fully functional wi-fi enabled Android tablet with a screen big enough to watch those YouTube videos (or to use with my wi-fi endoscope, or to watch my favorite streaming TV episodes), I decided to give it a try.As fate would have it, I got extremely busy shortly after placing the order, and when the box arrived on my doorstep, it was moved to my office, where it sat unopened for over 2 months. I just finally got the free time to open the box and try out the unit two weeks ago, far beyond the 30-day return window.At first, I was disappointed with the ODB scan tool features--they appeared to be a graphical version of my $60 tool. I thought I surely must have missed something in the interface's navigation. And I was right. I had missed almost the whole app! Once I started navigating from the right screen, it became clear to me why this is such an expensive tool--at least for a shade tree mechanic like me.Apparently, no matter where you live, there is an interface for you. You can choose your language for the interface, and choose the country or continent of your automobile's origin. Then, you can download everything you need for diagnostics for any make of vehicle you choose. You must have wi-fi available to do this, but thereafter, it can be used anywhere, with or without network connectivity.In the photos I posted here, you can see just a fraction of the vehicle diagnostics options and menus. I plugged it into my wife's 2020 Nissan Armada, ran a scan, and there were no DTCs, just as expected. Then, I ran it on my daughter's 2012 Buick Enclave, which had a check engine light that had just appeared a few days before. Immediately, I learned that the cause was a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor fault. $30 and 30 minutes later, her problem was fixed. A few days later, my F150 started misfiring badly. I plugged up the X100 and found that the bank 1 cam position sensor was sending occasional invalid information. A $20 sensor and another 30 minutes in my driveway fixed that problem, as well.I especially like that if wi-fi is available, a touch of a tile on the interface will take you directly to a description (via a web search, but still...) and you can watch a YouTube DIY video and even order the necessary parts, all right there on the X100 PAD 3. Meanwhile, even without available Internet, the descriptions of the problems found are generally detailed and sufficient.As you can see in the pics here, the X100 PAD 3 includes tons of adapters for diagnosing pretty much any vehicle there is, anywhere it's from. There is also, of course, the hardware units and connectors necessary for programming immobilizer keys and remotes, which was my original need when I ordered the unit. The live graphics can be presented as gauges or graphs and can be recorded or screenshot. Entire summary reports can be saved (as PDFs), as can video and audio recordings (there's a built-in camera and mic). The file management tools let's you navigate the 50GB internal filesystem as well as any USB devices you might connect, including a computer. Files can be copied between this unit and any other USB storage compatible device, or transmitted via wi-fi. Sorry, it doesn't have a Play Store app, but I'm guessing one could be added, as it does have a great web browser, and it is an Android tablet, after all.I purchased blank immobilizer keys and fob remotes on Amazon for a few dollars each, with the exception of my wife's Armada, which was about $70 (much better than $400!). A local mobile locksmith came to my home and cut the blank key blades in my driveway for $10 each. Altogether, my costs for the keys and remotes for 6 vehicles was around $220, including the locksmith's fees.I did a couple of our cars' keys the day I first opened the X100's box. They were, I knew from watching videos, the easiest ones to program. It just took a couple of minutes for each. I have two VW's and my wife's Armada, among others, left to do, and I've procrastinated because of what my mobile locksmith told me as she cut the blades for all the cars. Nissan's and VWs use a special security technology in the immobilizer chips, and a slight mistake could cost me $700 for a dealership to reprogram everything from scratch--meanwhile, I'd have to have the car towed to the dealership and might well be without it for a day or two. That's a bit scary to think about, but I still plan to gamble on the remaining cars after watching related DIY videos repeatedly until I feel comfortable. BTW, most such videos actually use XTool units--if not the X100 PAD 3, then another, similar, often less expensive model. Even my mechanic hero Scotty Kilmer has videos where he programs keys with an X100.All this boils down to my overall impression and recommendations:The XTool X100 PAD 3 appears to be well worth its relatively high cost, if for no other reason than its immobilizer capability for a wide range of vehicle makes and models. Its scanning and diagnostics functions are professional small-shop quality. I had some major transmission work done on our Mazda recently, and while I was paying my bill, I noticed a technician using a huge roll-around diagnostics system with a 30" or so display. I commented on it, and the owner said he had invested about $15k in it, and it had paid for itself many times over the past couple of years. I mentioned that I had purchased an XTool X100 PAD 3 for myself, but that it was still in the unopened box (at that time). He knew of the tool, and said his company had two similar XTool units (but much higher-end A80 Pro models), and his technicians loved them.I exchanged a few emails with XTool's support when trying to decide which unit to purchase, and while they they are in China (potential time zone issues if you're in a hurry), I always received helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and adequate responses--even to the point of replies from them listing all units compatible with various permutations and combinations of all my vehicles, which I had listed in my original email. "This model won't program keys for your VW or Nissan, but this one will, or the combination of these other two units would work, or there's a third option...", etc. Their advice kept me from ordering a unit that would only have programmed about half of our eight vehicles.So, if you need a small shop quality diagnostic scan tool and/or immobilizer programming tool, I recommend checking out the XTool models. You may not need the X100 PAD 3, but whether you choose the less or more expensive model(s), I'm guessing you'll be satisfied. I love mine, and it has already more than paid for itself in just its first two weeks of use.My only negative comment about the unit has to do with the occasional "non-native English" syntax and wording in its documentation and DTC descriptions--things like perhaps, "Sensor of Mass Airflow." You can see a few of these in the screenshots I posted here.So if you need a scan tool or an immobilizer programmer, this is your go-to tool. Well worth the price.I hope this review was helpful!

Company support is fantastic! Tool is high quality, easy to use and it programmed my keys quickly and easily. Highly recommended product!

I had a few questions after purchase, which were answered immediately and fully.Very happy with the product and the customer support! They even followed up within a couple days to confirm all was well and if I had any other questions. I feel very comfortable with their support, with regards to knowing they are there and answer questions within the day or two.Excellent product, excellent customer service, couldn’t ask for more! I’ll definitely recommend to my friends, as well as use them again for future purchases.

I tried a few other scanners and key programmers buy did not have the capability to pull key security codes from the models I use until I found this one. Within moments I was able to program all the dodge vehicles I needed!

Bought this for my business. It works well and is simple to use.