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I know professional auto mechanics use automotive diagnostic computers. How much does a professional diagnostic computer cost? (Not a cheap one...one that a real professional would use)
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Los Angeles
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Re: diagnostic computer cost
Mon, September 7, 2009 - 2:18 PMMine started @$7k, by the time I added all the scope options, European diagnostics, extended capability cabling and pickups for ignition, vacuum, compression & amperage waveform analysis, then 5 Gas Exhaust analysis, I've probably got about 15k into it. Then there is the annual $1k software updates that need to be paid for.
It's a Snap-On, I'm pretty happy with it, but it by no means does everything. I spent two hours in a class a month ago that the purpose was about how to pick the right analyzer for your shop. Two intensive hours, hosted by an unbiased industry professional, I came away with a *lot* more information on how to do this, but even more unsure which is truly the right decision. There is no perfect choice unless you specialize in only a small number of car manufacturers at your shop. -
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Re: diagnostic computer cost
Sat, September 19, 2009 - 7:51 PMBefore you write off the cheap ones- are you talking about what Mark described or a just code reader? I use a ScanTool connected to a laptop, and there's a huge amount of information you can get out of it with the right software. the tool itself was about $70 with some minimalist software that gets the same sort of data as you'd get from the kind of handheld code reader that Autozone might loan you, the better software (which we got off bittorrent) covers a few more parameters for a lot more functionality. I've been quite pleased with owning this thing, I can drive around and look at what various sensors are reading while the engine is under load, etc, do screenshots of specific clusters of readings when a fault goes off, etc. -
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Re: diagnostic computer cost
Tue, November 3, 2009 - 9:09 AMWhich tool and which software are you using? I just have a reader that was $70 and the software that tells you what the code means.
-Mike -
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Re: diagnostic computer cost
Sun, November 29, 2009 - 10:15 PMI got this hardware:
www.scantool.net/
and someone got me the more advanced software for it, I assume through bittorrent. I wasn't around when he downloaded it so I don't know where he got it.
The pro software gives you a few more parameters to look at than the 'basic' version, and a few more functions, though sadly my 1990's OBD-II vehicle has been dead since we got the better software, so I haven't gotten to play yet. My remaining running vehicle, an 80's VW, doesn't have anything to monitor nor a brain to connect to.
I found the basic version just fine for my 1998 GMC diesel. For fuel injected gasoline vehicles, there were a few more useful logging or or display features in the pro version that I never needed for the diesel.
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