Who makes the Best Diagnostic Tool

[Steve83ta]

Pretty much what the title says, I have the $300 Actron Elite, but for what I do, I want, need something a lot better.

I'm kinda of swing to a software based program that you plug in to your computer with a multiplexer becucase of the state of the art my computer, brand new, maybe only a month old.

Or do I go with the GM Tech2 which it always wanted beucase I owned GM Cars, but I am a technician, I might have cars I work on at home that are not gm.
It needs to have features or ABS and SRS diag.

I looking for sometime that perferably under $800

Thanks
Steve Thomas

[Tampa Tuning]

Sounds like you want to have access to sensors that are in the tech II, but scanning power.

I like the HP Tuners and EFI Live scanner. If I had to choose, HP Tuners has a better scanner.

No aftermarket platform has access to all your Camaro's sensors, but a Tech II truly does. Most aftermarket units can only calibrate the drive train. The Tech II is good as a scanner tool to perform diagnostic tests on failing sensors, but you can’t make percent changes with it to improve a sensor’s performance.

Phil
www.TampaTuning.com

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Steve83ta

Pretty much what the title says, I have the $300 Actron Elite, but for what I do, I want, need something a lot better.

I'm kinda of swing to a software based program that you plug in to your computer with a multiplexer becucase of the state of the art my computer, brand new, maybe only a month old.

Or do I go with the GM Tech2 which it always wanted beucase I owned GM Cars, but I am a technician, I might have cars I work on at home that are not gm.
It needs to have features or ABS and SRS diag.

I looking for sometime that perferably under $800

Thanks
Steve Thomas

Access to ABS and SRS will limit your options, a Tech 2 being GM only will limit you as well so you may have to look toward a used OTC or Snapon or Mac something along those lines.

Ted.

[Steve83ta]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Access to ABS and SRS will limit your options, a Tech 2 being GM only will limit you as well so you may have to look toward a used OTC or Snapon or Mac something along those lines.

Ted.

Sorry some how I forgot to tag this thread so Im a little late responding.

I was leaning towards OTC. A year or 2 ago I was at a demenstration for one of their new products. But the for the life of me I can't remember the model number. The cost wasn't to bad. A couple of thousand. I diag for a living and for me personally its eaiser to have my own equipment, even when I was in and out of some dealerships we always had preowned cars that needed almost factory information to view. I have looked at Efi Live but I haven't had a chance to get my hands on it, not to mention I haven't heard that many reviews on it as a diag peice of equipment. More people seem to use them as a tune tool.

I really need something that I can use across the board. More then just GM.
I have the most expensive actron one, its okay but still lacks what I want to see. Plus I want bidirectional controls. Heck the Actron one doen't even give me missfire data on a GM. It will on a for under the mode #6 but thats it.

Thanks for the suggestions. If you have any other ideas PM or post thanks

Steve

[mercedestech]

I am a professional technician as well, and when I'm working at home I use an Autel DS708. It has all the bi-directional controls for just about every manufacturer european and domestic. For a small upgrade fee it will do TPMS also. I can look at every module in my camaro, perform actuations, change coding, reset all fault codes. It works equally as well for both of my Mercedes-Benz vehicles and everything else I have encountered at home. The best part is it's right around $2000 which is far cheaper than a snap on Modis with the same level of function.

[Steve83ta]

Originally Posted by mercedestech

I am a professional technician as well, and when I'm working at home I use an Autel DS708. It has all the bi-directional controls for just about every manufacturer european and domestic. For a small upgrade fee it will do TPMS also. I can look at every module in my camaro, perform actuations, change coding, reset all fault codes. It works equally as well for both of my Mercedes-Benz vehicles and everything else I have encountered at home. The best part is it's right around $2000 which is far cheaper than a snap on Modis with the same level of function.

Thanks Ill look look into that one. I was seriously looking at the Modis, but it was hard to justify the price. Like I said in an eairler post, OTC has a pretty nice one. But I can't remember which one it was.

If it works well for your Benz then I expect it will do most everything I need. I am/was a Master Tech for Benz, along with Sprinter Certified. I spent from 04 to the middle of last summer with them. I didn't glance where your from but isn't Montvale fun!

[mercedestech]

Originally Posted by Steve83ta

Thanks Ill look look into that one. I was seriously looking at the Modis, but it was hard to justify the price. Like I said in an eairler post, OTC has a pretty nice one. But I can't remember which one it was.

If it works well for your Benz then I expect it will do most everything I need. I am/was a Master Tech for Benz, along with Sprinter Certified. I spent from 04 to the middle of last summer with them. I didn't glance where your from but isn't Montvale fun!

I don't get to Montvale much, I'm in Ohio and we go to Chicago, but Montvale is a nice training facility! The Autel is around $1800 and will absolutely do everything the Solus will do. Actuations are even provided for most canned components/modules (roll windows up/down, lock doors, turn on lights etc..). See if one of your tool guys are a dealer and will let you try one before you buy it. We have a solus at work for non smart/benz/sprinter vehicles, and I actually prefer the Autel over the Solus. It is wireless also so it can print to a networked printer and updates are also done wirelessly (and are free for a year!)

Our new FTS is from your area, Bob Ulanawicz..I'm the shop foreman at Mercedes-Benz of Bedford near Cleveland.

[Steve83ta]

Originally Posted by mercedestech

I don't get to Montvale much, I'm in Ohio and we go to Chicago, but Montvale is a nice training facility! The Autel is around $1800 and will absolutely do everything the Solus will do. Actuations are even provided for most canned components/modules (roll windows up/down, lock doors, turn on lights etc..). See if one of your tool guys are a dealer and will let you try one before you buy it. We have a solus at work for non smart/benz/sprinter vehicles, and I actually prefer the Autel over the Solus. It is wireless also so it can print to a networked printer and updates are also done wirelessly (and are free for a year!)

Our new FTS is from your area, Bob Ulanawicz..I'm the shop foreman at Mercedes-Benz of Bedford near Cleveland.

I never got to go to Chicago, it didn't make much sense because of my location. Spent a number of times up at Montvale, Jacksonville, and I was an Elite grad way back when the program was a GREAT program before it was butchered. I went though the Orlando FL Campus back in '05.

Montvale is a very nice training facility! Have you ever been there? You should see MBUSA's server farm, its nuts, like something you see right out of a movie.

Thanks that's exactly what I'm looking for, Ill see if I can get a test run from one of my 3 tool guys. I've spent so much time with my head in the Star Compact 3 and 4's I haven't really had the need or use for equipment that wasn't specifically for Benz. Also because of what they can do via CAN I've become used to very specific data. I don't have the need for a scanner to tell or give me a definition of a generic code, like most really well trained technicians I can tell just by looking at actual values. I want to be able to see eveything, as well as bidirectional control from from engine emission activations to control modules through out a vehicle. Weather its a transmission control module, ABS, and so on. I know the more you get the more you have to pay, but the snap on ones Ive looked into are not what Im looking for, the closest was an OTC unit, that was reasonable, but that demo was 2 years ago when we were looking to purchase it for the shop for Certified Non Benz cars.

I think I've met Bob once or twice. I spent a lot of my time with Merceds-Benz of Devon in Pennsylvania, Euro Cars bought them so its now under their banner.

Thanks for you help
Steve

[Steve83ta]

Originally Posted by Tampa Tuning

Sounds like you want to have access to sensors that are in the tech II, but scanning power.

I like the HP Tuners and EFI Live scanner. If I had to choose, HP Tuners has a better scanner.

No aftermarket platform has access to all your Camaro's sensors, but a Tech II truly does. Most aftermarket units can only calibrate the drive train. The Tech II is good as a scanner tool to perform diagnostic tests on failing sensors, but you can’t make percent changes with it to improve a sensor’s performance.

Phil
www.TampaTuning.com

Thanks I've looked into the tech 2 and almost pulled the trigger on it twice, the thing is I need it to do more then just GM vehicles.

I don't currently have a 5th gen Camaro, but my very recent ex and my best friend do. Both have the '11 model with Scotts signature in their engine bay. Talk about awesome!

Im currently rocking a 98 Trans Am WS6 that I dropped an 2005 spec. LS6 Corvette crate engine in way back in 07. I have stupid money into that car, from the engine to a viper spec t-56 which I rebuilt, to the ls6 clutch/pressure plate and slave and master cylinders. Along with long tube ARH headers with their high flow catted Y-pipe.

It was one of those things that if GM would have anounced the 5th gen a couple of months eairler then they did, I think it was august, I would have never done what I did and just waited till the car came out. I saw the Concept in person a month or two after the reveal when I was in FL back in 06 during the HOT ROD POWER TOUR.