ptschram
Well-known member
While I agree that being VIN-locked is a detriment, I find it curious a man with a ranbow flag avatar uses the term "GaY' in a derogatory manner.
Icarsoft diagnostic tool
- Thread starter fluffdaddy
- Start date
While I agree that being VIN-locked is a detriment, I find it curious a man with a ranbow flag avatar uses the term "GaY' in a derogatory manner.
My 1996 IBM Aptiva still works, too. Does not mean there are not new(er) options available today that do the same thing at a lesser cost.
While a full-time mechanic who earns their bread-and-butter on working on modern automobiles may almost require something such as a Solus, it's not even worth noting on a Land Rover web forum full of shade tree hobbyist because no one really gives a fuck that you own a $4k computer. The shade tree hobbyist does not require this when a $200 option is available that will do 99% of the things that actually matter. Saying you own a Solus Ultra is like saying you own a DVD/VCR combo - who cares, no one is in the market for a Solus Ultra on here.
I'll get the snap on guy in my area to let me do a test run on the snap-off Solus Ultra and see just what it can or can not do. I just hope it doesn't put some 2012 Range Rover into fuck you mode, all locked up with no way home. I've never been impressed with any scan tool I have to pay more than a grand to update every year or 2.
ptschram
Well-known member
The only reason you would pay $4K for one is because you were an ass to your Snap-On man.
Even the Newest Solus Edge is frequently available for barely more than $2K. For a cheap fuck, maybe that's too much to fix what was an expensive truck when new.
ptschram
Well-known member
You must piss of your Snap-On man as well.
Every year, updates for the Solus are only $595 and regardless of how far out of date it is, it is brought to current status for that amount.
Try that with an Autologic where you are forced to pay at least partially for every update that was missed.
You likely won't get a Solus Ultra as they are now discontinued, but the Solus Edge is even nicer than the Ultra.
Land Rover updates SDD for me for free and my employer puts a new one on my cart every couple years.
It would not matter if it were $600 for the unit and the $600 updates were free, it's still not a logical item for anyone who does not work on cars for a living. And if you're working on Land Rovers specifically it still makes zero sense. This is not about being a cheapfuck. I'm all about having nice tools - some tools matter more than others. Like a breaker bar for example, this is a tool you want to spend a few more bucks on because chances are you're going abuse the tool at some point by putting a pipe over it to break free something way too tight. Or a torque wrench. But no one really gives a shit if the scan tool can measure emissions on a 1991 Honda Civic or whatever magical bullshit the tool is good for because the $200 option will do basically anything you'll actually need it for.
I have an Autel MD802. I got it for ~$240 and its been great. It reads every module on just about every model of car. So far its pinpointed a traction control sensor on an old ML, and told me which HVAC servo was broken on the cayenne. Now that I think about it, I should hook it up to the old disco and find out why the ABS light was on.
If you could get a universal bi-directional tool for $600 and free updates I think that would be plenty worth it. Depending on the car it would almost pay for itself the first time you needed to re-program a keyfob.
Update speed is the most important thing to me. You guys say as long as it will read a modules data stream its all good. But when you start watching things like wheel speed sensors you need something very fast. You can have a scan tool on an anti lock brake system and know damn well a wheel speed signal has dropped out because you get the unwanted abs activation in a parking lot. With the peddle sinking and your ass hole puckering up because you think your going to glide into something or someone. The anti lock system on the car updates very quick and most scanners will never see the signal drop out. The best scan tool I have ever owned was a GM Tech2. When set to record an event and triggers set to start recording at an abs activation the update time goes super fast. It will see the signals drop out when most scanners will miss it.
I have a snap on Ethos. I got it to watch fuel trim data on Freelanders mostly. In its defense it was designed as a tool a service writer could pull codes from cars in the service drive to get a idea of what kind of repair a vehicle is going to need. But it updates so damn slow I can't trust it to watch o2 sensor activity. It's painful. Update speed is critical when you use it to make a living.
I have a snap on Ethos. I got it to watch fuel trim data on Freelanders mostly. In its defense it was designed as a tool a service writer could pull codes from cars in the service drive to get a idea of what kind of repair a vehicle is going to need. But it updates so damn slow I can't trust it to watch o2 sensor activity. It's painful. Update speed is critical when you use it to make a living.
Both of our Tech2s just quit working. Thankfully, you can run a Tech2 emulator from the GM website. None of the new GMs use the Tech2 anymore, they've moved on the GDS, but when we get the odd old body style Tahoe in the shop nothing else will talk to it properly.
So now we've gone from affordable home mechanic scanners to I only use the cool stuff that costs too much and nothing else is good enough for me because I'm a professional.
Way to go.:rofl:
Way to go.:rofl:
Maybe if you had a cool scanner you wouldnt pull a whole abs stystem out of a disco because you cant see a wheel speed sensor fall out. I like to use whats free to me. Just happens to be the cool stuff.
I sold mine when I could. I knew it was going to be obsolete before long. Like they all do. I have one of those old OTC scanners from the early 80's in a box someplace.
You say we would pay more than list price for something because our snap on guy is pissed off? Do you really believe that after 35 years fixing cars in dealerships around Chicago I don't have the ability to shop my guy against another? When they tell you guys that your area is yours and nobody can sell anything to someone in your area they are wrong. I don't piss off my snap on guy cause I need him for little stuff. But I will say I'm like 10 years from retirement, nobody is selling me a tool box or shit I don't need.
ptschram
Well-known member
I'm so sorry to hear you have an Ethos. The Ethos Plus is an improvement and there is another one out now that is supposedly pretty good but I prefer to sell the Modis Ultra.
ptschram
Well-known member
God I love you Dan!
I lost a sale because a scan tool wouldn't do ABS Bleeding on 2014 Mustangs.
My Business Manager went off on how one particular vehicle or function shouldn't stop the sale.
I had a Helluva time explaining to him that this shop worked on single models of a single brand and the ONLY need that had was ABS bleeding on the owner's car.
Yes, you are right, there are functions that are not needed and somethings it doesn't do as well as my dinosaur rovacom-Lite (which still works beautifully BTW)