Topic: After Market Scanners

[Rogue]

I've noticed recently that there seem to be a lot of aftermarket scanners that claim to read and diagnose GM (and other brands) electronic controls. Have any of you tried them? Do they actually work as advertised? I've started doing a lot of "concierge mechanic" work for friends, as well as my own cars, and find that a GM Tech2 clone could be a valuable addition to my toolbox. Your thoughts and experiences, please. Thanks.

[Sly Bob]

Check with Joe, he bought a Chinese Tech2 clone a while ago.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Didn't work,  was missing a part that you can't get so I couldn't verify it worked.  All the reviews I read about the Chinese version was by people who already owned the gm scanner and may already had the piece that was missing.

[Rogue]

Good to know. Thanks. All of the reviews were pretty glowing. Glad to get your input.

[Sly Bob]

Of course a Tech2 isn't going to help diagnosing other brands. I haven't any experience with these but have heard good things about them.
https://www.amazon.com/VXDIAG-Multiple-TIS2WEB-Diagnostic-Programming/dp/B01NACTAY8

[Rogue]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[Steelmesh]

Of course a Tech2 isn't going to help diagnosing other brands. I haven't any experience with these but have heard good things about them.
https://www.amazon.com/VXDIAG-Multiple-TIS2WEB-Diagnostic-Programming/dp/B01NACTAY8

I got the VXDIAG GM kit from Amazon, it freaked out both the Cruze and Volt using their bootleg software. The cars would do random electrical things with the dash and radio, throwing a bunch of false codes and lost commuinication with many modules.  I wouldn't recommend VXDIAG for a Cruze or Volt for sure.

After returning the VXDIAG I bought a used and genuine bosch MDI from ebay and GM gave me a 30-day GDS2 license even though I paid for 3-days.  Not sure if the genuine GDS2 on the VXDIAG would work, but the VXDIAG pirated software is crap.

[MattM]

If you get a highspeed blue tooth dongle and torquepro (app for your cell phone or a tablet) you can scan and datalog etc.  It works really well actually...

[Sol Asylum]

Not quite the same thing.  Some maintenance items need the Tech2 tool to program the car or do other features that a simple scanner will not let you do.  Your basic scanner is just a read only tool that may allow you to clear a code where as the Tech2 is a read and write tool that allows you to do a lot more.  Given Rouge asked about the Tech2 I am guessing he wants to do more than what a scanner will allow.

[elff]

Not quite the same thing.  Some maintenance items need the Tech2 tool to program the car or do other features that a simple scanner will not let you do.  Your basic scanner is just a read only tool that may allow you to clear a code where as the Tech2 is a read and write tool that allows you to do a lot more.  Given Rouge asked about the Tech2 I am guessing he wants to do more than what a scanner will allow.

Exactly
I have the Kiwi3 and use Dashcommand for simple stuff, I use HP Tuners for more detailed stuff and to be able to graphical look at historical data,
but I have a Foxwell Scanner to check for proprietary Alfa stuff that you just can't see in a smartphone app

[Rogue]

Time now to jump back in. I took a chance and ordered a  Vident iLink400 off Amazon. It's bidirectional, so I should be able to do command functions. The price was attractive, reviews were positive, and the features seem to fill any needs I can imagine. Free software upgrades for 3 years. Currently supports vehicles from 1996 to the current. Maybe OBD1 also. I don't recall. I want it to diagnose evap issues, and activate ABS. The one catch for me after getting it is: it uses a Trans Flash card to program the data. None of the 3 computers in my place have a TF slot. I do have a USB to TF/microSD/etc adapter on order, also from Amazon. I'll report back right after I've actually gotten to use it. It comes unprogrammed. First program download is free. I'm getting the GM one. Most all other manufacturers are available as well.

Has anyone here used one of these yet?

[Uranium-238]

Time now to jump back in. I took a chance and ordered a  Vident iLink400 off Amazon. It's bidirectional, so I should be able to do command functions. The price was attractive, reviews were positive, and the features seem to fill any needs I can imagine. Free software upgrades for 3 years. Currently supports vehicles from 1996 to the current. Maybe OBD1 also. I don't recall. I want it to diagnose evap issues, and activate ABS. The one catch for me after getting it is: it uses a Trans Flash card to program the data. None of the 3 computers in my place have a TF slot. I do have a USB to TF/microSD/etc adapter on order, also from Amazon. I'll report back right after I've actually gotten to use it. It comes unprogrammed. First program download is free. I'm getting the GM one. Most all other manufacturers are available as well.

Has anyone here used one of these yet?

Please keep us in the loop, I'm really curious how this works out. Haven't needed a ScanTool yet, but sooner or later I probably will...

[Rogue]

Rec'd the tool, and tried to download the software. Had some issues, but no time or energy to diagnose the problem. We were off to TX for two weeks to deal with family stuff down there. We're back home now, and I've gotten the device programmed for GM diagnostics. It seems the destination folder for the installer wasn't where they said it would be. Once I found the folder everything progressed nicely. I'll be out in the driveway this afternoon or tomorrow to see how it works. I will keep you all posted.

[Critterman]

Git er done!

[Sly Bob]

Anxious to hear how you make out with it.

[Sol Asylum]

Anxious to hear how you make out with it.

He's "makin out with it?"  I don't want to know.....NO PICTURES please.

[Rogue]

Sorry, Sly. It has a male connector on the end of the data link. That's the wrong equipment for me! OK....let's see if we can get serious. This crowd? I doubt it. I tried running basic diagnostics on it, and it ran great. At the moment I have nothing in need of repair, so I can't comment on the bi-directional controls. I did scroll through a lot of the functions, and it seems pretty user friendly. At this point I'm ready to give it a conditional 5 star rating. I expect it's going to prove to be money well spent.