[thscott]

You don't program the keys, they contain an inanimate chip that needs to be recognized by your vehicle before it will accept it. The key gets inserted into the ignition, and the diag tool plugged into the ODB2 port, and it gives you instrutions on the specific steps for the given vehicle. I also did a Kia with a key fob, and that just needed to be close to the steering column per the diag tool's instructions.

I’ll just add, FWIW, to remind folks not to confuse programming the key with programming the key fob (remote). Two different things and procedures.

 

[Doh]

Before you but a Xtool make sure you get confirmation from Xtool about specific features for year/make/model from their internal tech support. I purchased one recently after "confirmation" from their sales team and half the features didn't work for my vehicle(NOT ODYSSEY). I had purchased it through Amazon and was able to return it. They too are a offshore company with slow response so be aware.

 

[celicool]

I will get my shot at it this weekend so stay tuned.

 

[celicool]

I was hoping for a bit more detail than that. You can't plug in keys into anything, so how did you read/write the key chip? I have seen tools where you put the key in a large slot and they read/write the chip magnetically. Look at the AK90+ as an example (https://www.amazon.com/Aramox-Programmer-Diagnostic-Fitment-KEY-PROG/dp/B07RSRHBS3). You put the key in that big slot to program it.

How did you do yours?

BMW is a different species when it comes to key programing because they don't allow key programing thru ODB port. You may have to use a different model XTOOL and/or additional device to achieve that. You will want to talk to XTOOL tech support before buying.

 

[celicool]

I will get my shot at it this weekend so stay tuned.

I am not sure how, but I got a blank key fob programmed for the 2012 Rav4. Lock, unlock, and ignition start all work for me 😁 😁 😁 .

Key Fob is the fob without the physical metal key. I press the ignition button to start the car with the key fob in my pocket.

I can't program the Odyssey keys until I get them cut first.

 

[celicool]

A few things I have noticed recently about locksmith business. This is just my observation so your experience may differ.

Neighborhood locksmith is a disappearing business. I had a hard time locating one with physical location. Local handyman/hardware stores (not Home depot type) are your best bet.

A search from your smart phone like "locksmith near me" will not give you good result. All of my search returned business listing like middleman or (if I am lucky) a few valid mobile locksmith only. Two of the addresses I actually followed up turned out to be ghost addresses. I gave up looking for locksmith from my phone after a frustrating day.

Use your actual Yellow Pages to look for locksmith instead.
This was how I eventually nailed down several local locksmith in my area. The 1st one declined to cut my bring-in key blanks--they would only cut blanks they sell me for probably a lot more (I did not ask). An old employee told me that was the owner's policy and gave me an address of another locksmith that might do the job for me. I came and waited for about 40 minutes outside because the locksmith was out on a mobile call. This is where my search ended. Even if they agree to cut my blanks for the Odyssey, it would probably cost me $20-$40 per key. At that rate, I am going to cut my own stinking keys.

So, yes! that is my story of "key searching". I am going to cut my own keys and contribute to the demise of locksmith as a business.

 

[christos]

Update on my interactions with Foxwell about replacing my obsolete NT510 scanner.

After paying them $136.50 with Paypal (130 for the scanner and 6.50 for paypal fees), I received a new NT530 scanner. It came with no vehicle specific software installed, but running the FoxwellAssist software allowed me to immediately install the BMW software. They had agreed to give me both BMW and Honda software, so after a quick email they configured their update agent to install the Honda software too, so now I have both.

So bottom line, after paying $136.50 I now have a brand new NT530 scanner with both BMW and Honda software, just like what I had with the old NT510. I am OK with this. I have to say that if you can look past the delayed responses (time difference), and the need for some creativity in interpreting their terse messages, my interactions with Foxwell were quite good. But do note that their website and update software are not intuitive.

I did not want to pay in the order of $500 for an XTools or other scanner that supports more vehicles, I do not have that need at the moment. What solidified the decision for me was the XTool's inability to program BMW keys (according to some videos I found online), which would have been a game changer.

I have not played with the NT530 yet to explore its capabilities. I did notice that it has a bunch of active tests though. If there is anything specific you want me to try just let me know.

 

[marciano]

^My limited interactions with Foxwell so far are positive as well, I’ll say that. I bought an NT710 from their web site. After a 10% off coupon, I paid $225 with free shipping.

I did have some difficulties in creating an account on the device and activating it in the beginning, but that was network issues on my end. The Starbucks Coffee and local public library’s WiFi networks I used required an authentication step, which the Android system in NT710 couldn’t/didn’t display.

I also failed to establish a connection between the device and the hotspot on my iPhone——until I enabled “allow maximum compatibility” on the phone.

NT 710 uses Android OS.

So far, so good. I’m still learning how to use the device.

 

[thscott]

Update on my interactions with Foxwell about replacing my obsolete NT510 scanner.

After paying them $136.50 with Paypal (130 for the scanner and 6.50 for paypal fees), I received a new NT530 scanner. It came with no vehicle specific software installed, but running the FoxwellAssist software allowed me to immediately install the BMW software. They had agreed to give me both BMW and Honda software, so after a quick email they configured their update agent to install the Honda software too, so now I have both.

So bottom line, after paying $136.50 I now have a brand new NT530 scanner with both BMW and Honda software, just like what I had with the old NT510. I am OK with this. I have to say that if you can look past the delayed responses (time difference), and the need for some creativity in interpreting their terse messages, my interactions with Foxwell were quite good. But do note that their website and update software are not intuitive.

I did not want to pay in the order of $500 for an XTools or other scanner that supports more vehicles, I do not have that need at the moment. What solidified the decision for me was the XTool's inability to program BMW keys (according to some videos I found online), which would have been a game changer.

I have not played with the NT530 yet to explore its capabilities. I did notice that it has a bunch of active tests though. If there is anything specific you want me to try just let me know.

I had a similar good experience with Foxwell when my original NT510 failed. This was beyond any warranty period. I contacted them and they "sold" me a new, updated model (530, I think) with two vehicle downloads for a very good price.

 

[celicool]

Update on my interactions with Foxwell about replacing my obsolete NT510 scanner.

After paying them $136.50 with Paypal (130 for the scanner and 6.50 for paypal fees), I received a new NT530 scanner. It came with no vehicle specific software installed, but running the FoxwellAssist software allowed me to immediately install the BMW software. They had agreed to give me both BMW and Honda software, so after a quick email they configured their update agent to install the Honda software too, so now I have both.

So bottom line, after paying $136.50 I now have a brand new NT530 scanner with both BMW and Honda software, just like what I had with the old NT510. I am OK with this. I have to say that if you can look past the delayed responses (time difference), and the need for some creativity in interpreting their terse messages, my interactions with Foxwell were quite good. But do note that their website and update software are not intuitive.

I did not want to pay in the order of $500 for an XTools or other scanner that supports more vehicles, I do not have that need at the moment. What solidified the decision for me was the XTool's inability to program BMW keys (according to some videos I found online), which would have been a game changer.

I have not played with the NT530 yet to explore its capabilities. I did notice that it has a bunch of active tests though. If there is anything specific you want me to try just let me know.

Not even locksmith can program BMW keys for you (from my limited digging). BMW rather pays a fine than complying with the rest of the industry.

You might be able to find limited hacks on the internet. I did not look into it because my interest was elsewhere. Did you try the BMW forums?

 

[christos]

Not even locksmith can program BMW keys for you (from my limited digging). BMW rather pays a fine than complying with the rest of the industry.

You might be able to find limited hacks on the internet. I did not look into it because my interest was elsewhere. Did you try the BMW forums?

Yes, I follow a number of BMW forums. I have an E36, and E46 and and E93. I have two keys for all of them except the E93, for which I only had one key. I purchased a key and programming from an aftermarket company. Not cheap, but cheaper than the dealer.

I know people have programmed keys for the E46 using an AK90+. I could find no such options for the E93.

 

[Kramer1782]

I am not sure how, but I got a blank key fob programmed for the 2012 Rav4. Lock, unlock, and ignition start all work for me 😁 😁 😁 .

Key Fob is the fob without the physical metal key. I press the ignition button to start the car with the key fob in my pocket.

I can't program the Odyssey keys until I get them cut first.

How did the key programming go for the Honda? I have been eyeing the Xtool D7 but was considering the Foxwell after some reading here because I want something tried and true for Honda as that is my primary make. However, I do also have in the driveway Ford, Jeep, and Toyota as well as whatever else the kids and family end up with. So I was very pleased to continue reading threads on scan tools and eventually coming to some recent experience with Xtool. How do you like it still and have you encountered any issues since posting? Did the key learn go as advertised/expected with the honda after getting them cut? I also run winter and summer tires so the TPMS functionality of the D7/D8 is attractive to me. Thanks in advance for your continued feedback.

 

[Kramer1782]

If I get a lifetime membership of something, that subscription is good until I die. Lifetime means lifetime--that is well understood. Lifetime never means "until we decide to no longer support it"

I get it about old technologies eventually being dropped by manufacturers. In those cases, they should simply say "free updates" like software companies do. Take Microsoft for example. They say free Windows updates. They don't say "lifetime windows updates"

That is a reasonable offer for $130, but you better ask them about how many years of support or software updates after that. Also, Foxwell software is buggy.

I put money where my mouth is and ordered an XTOOL D8 BT (Bluetooth capable) this week. XTOOL D8 is just a big brother of D7 with better hardware and a little better in software too. At $488 it's a bargain to pass up. I plan to program a wireless key fob for my 2012 Toyota RAV4 and a 3rd key for this 2007 Odyssey Touring with it. If I can successfully do that, the tool basically pays for itself. I don't really need a 3rd key for this Ody and will just do it as an experiment. Now, try to do that with the Foxwell NT530.

I am sure Foxwell also has capable scanners out there to program keys, but I a done with Foxwell. There are many better Chinese companies out there trying to build a name for themselves with better products and tech support.

Remember the saying "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me". Don't be that person.

Did you buy your D8 BT off the Xtooleshop.com site or from amazon?

 

[celicool]

Did you buy your D8 BT off the Xtooleshop.com site or from amazon?

I got it off Ebay from Oficial Xtool seller in Jan 2024 for $487.99.
That same link was showing $784 for the same unit model (D8 BT) last night, but it has dropped down to $549.00 this afternoon.
It looks like Xtool has been selling their devices in many markets including their official website(s), Amazon, and Ebay. Ebay seem to have the best price during the period of my purchase though.
Try to catch it during promotion period.

 

[celicool]

How did the key programming go for the Honda? I have been eyeing the Xtool D7 but was considering the Foxwell after some reading here because I want something tried and true for Honda as that is my primary make. However, I do also have in the driveway Ford, Jeep, and Toyota as well as whatever else the kids and family end up with. So I was very pleased to continue reading threads on scan tools and eventually coming to some recent experience with Xtool. How do you like it still and have you encountered any issues since posting? Did the key learn go as advertised/expected with the honda after getting them cut? I also run winter and summer tires so the TPMS functionality of the D7/D8 is attractive to me. Thanks in advance for your continued feedback.

I've got all the tools needed for key cutting, but I have not had opportunities to cut keys for the Honda nor Toyota yet. I will write more about that when I get them done. It's all about choices and priorities right now.

Love the Xtool and encounter no issues so far. To compare the Xtool to the Foxwell units mentioned in this thread is like comparing a university graduate to an Elementary student--there is no comparison.

 

[Kramer1782]

I've got all the tools needed for key cutting, but I have not had opportunities to cut keys for the Honda nor Toyota yet. I will write more about that when I get them done. It's all about choices and priorities right now.

Love the Xtool and encounter no issues so far. To compare the Xtool to the Foxwell units mentioned in this thread is like comparing a university graduate to an Elementary student--there is no comparison.

Lol thanks for the heads up. Looking forward to hear from you after that’s all good and we’ll. Thanks for the update.