Heavy Duty Scanner/Service Tool

[Welderguy24]

I know there have been several threads on scan tools for heavy duty trucks, Class 8 and such. In my current shop we have a older version of the Nexiq Prolink which works well for DDEC III and IV Detroit and non-Acert Cat's, we have an Acert cartridge as well but it is really not desirable. On top of all this my shop is starting to get into more and more Cummins work as well.

I am trying to research what our most viable option would be for Cummins and Cat, not real worried about Detroit at this time. In a perfect world I would like Cummins Insite and Cat ET laptop based software but here are my issues, (1) do you need to use Cummins hardware with Cummins software and likewise for Cat or could I use something like the Nexiq USB adapter for both programs, and (2) I know these programs are subscription based (cha-ching!) but will the software work without them, i.e. we are a private shop and will not see a 2012 Cummins for at least another five years or so, so do I really need all the newest updates and therefore the subscriptions?

I am open to hearing everyone's thoughts and input. I would like to stay with the OEM software if cost effective instead of something like another Prolink solely because of the added features and not having to source work out or call a dealer over to our shop.

What do you guys use and what are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[bigsteve1969]

ive found toughbooks on ebay loaded with it all for under 1k. all you would have to get is a nexiq blue box. i work at a dealer so we have all the programs well most of them anyway. a whole lot easier to properly diagnose a problem when you can do all the test and programming

 

[Welderguy24]

Any idea on the subscriptions? And will the Nexiq bluetooth adapter work?

 

[joshthedieseltech]

nexiq works will all oem softwares, the laptops on ebay never expire.

 

[peterbilr98]

grab a laptop and start fixin trucks

 

[nathan_454]

cat ET will work after the subscription expires, If I remember right Insite will have limited access, i.e. no diagnostic tests. IIRC

 

[Rig Rocket]

cat et does not work after the subscpription expires. we just sent ares in

 

[bigsteve1969]

after the subscriptions are up most of the advanced test and programming are useless but i think insite and cat et will still read codes. i wouldnt go with the nexiq bluetooth we have enough trouble keeping the regular usb cabled box hooking up usually have to reboot after swapping from cat to cummins or vice versa

 

[Welderguy24]

after the subscriptions are up most of the advanced test and programming are useless but i think insite and cat et will still read codes. i wouldnt go with the nexiq bluetooth we have enough trouble keeping the regular usb cabled box hooking up usually have to reboot after swapping from cat to cummins or vice versa

What connector would you suggest then?

 

[dtt454]

the older versions of cat ET will work, if you get a current version it has an expiration date built in, i havent tried it to see what happens if you try to use it after the expiration date, but they just started doing that within the last year or so. some dealers seem to be weird about not selling it. the dealer i used to work at was that way. and im sure its expensive. if your dealer is willing to sell it to you, you will have a customer version which although useful, for troubleshooting and doing calibrations and what not, from what i understand you still cant reflash ecms with it.

i dont konw anything about cummins, but when i was looking for something that would do detroits i was liking the nexiq iq but i couldnt find anyone to talk to who had actually used one. i was wanting to know if it could do things like program injector trim files and such. i still dont know.