I miss having a pds they got rid of ours when we went to ids for our fords that pds was awesome. Ids well its ok. Gm tech 2 and mdi are nice but also pricey. I like the looks and price of the snap on ethos plus but don't know if it will read duramax and powerstroke trucks I've ran into that befor where lower end don't mean to call it that ( but its no solus or modis ) wouldn't read those vehicles diesels.
How many techs own there own shop tools?
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
Yea I know, that would be big plus for you. Our shop does non fords imports and domestic, the master/Forman tech is insane at diaging everything, and I think I wanna go the same direction as him so I think the ethos would help out a lot if it can do diesels that would be a bonus.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
I don't know about snap on's latest update, but as of their last update, my Verdict couldn't touch the IDS on powerstrokes. It can do damn near everything else on every other car out there and is my go to scanner 99.9 percent of the time, but it can't do simple stuff like looking at the IPR and ICP while cranking. And the last time I tried, I couldn't control fuel pressure on a Duramax. I spoke with a snap on engineer a while ago and made them aware, so not sure if anything has changed. For now I just grab my tech 2 or IDS when I'm working on diesels.
And personally, I would skip the Ethos completely and see if you can pick up a used Solus pro for the same price or see if you can get a good deal on a new ultra. I would highly recommend a Verdict or Verus, but for most individuals, the cost is out of the question. Their capabilities are amazing however.
And personally, I would skip the Ethos completely and see if you can pick up a used Solus pro for the same price or see if you can get a good deal on a new ultra. I would highly recommend a Verdict or Verus, but for most individuals, the cost is out of the question. Their capabilities are amazing however.
Nice to know Matt thanks alot. Ids does so much with the powerstroke its just so awkward to use and I've used it alot lol. I like gm tech 2 and the mdi is even better. I've considerd getting an mdi since I mainly do duramax work at the fleet I'm at and I work at a Buick gmc dealer part time also
GTA Matt
Well-known member
I plan on getting snap on's newest update soon and will let you know what it can do. I don't have a snap on dealer at my shop so I need to save up the cash and pay one outright to update it for me. As a side note, its unbelievable I can't get a snap on dealer to give me the time of day :/
GTA Matt
Well-known member
I had an ethos, then traded it for a solus pro and then traded that for a verdict. Ethos was good for viewing and graphing data, but you really need bi-directional controls.
What do you mean by bi- directional controls? I've seen you refer to that a few times, but I'm not familiar with that term. So no snap on dealer will give you the time of day, but yet you have invested money in a verdict and a sweet epiq set up. That's not cheap, what's wrong with them.are they allergic to your money? Lol.
cryan
Well-known member
I wasn't questioning the value or the efficiency increase these products bring to the tech, far from it. But as CrewChief hinted at some OEM's are a bit touchy about access to their software and data and I was surprised that due to the costs involved with some systems that the shop owner was not covering the cost. I deal in marine diesels which for the most part are marinised versions of industrial engines. The problem we have is that we don't buy the engine from the manufacturer we buy them from the company that prepares them for marine use. so while the OEM are happy for us to use their logos, brands etc to sell the products they are less open when it comes to engine management software. However in the EU there is a law that OEM must make such technology available to independent shops BUT they are allowed to charge the Earth for it. In fact we recently turned down an offer to become a dealer for a major Outboard motor brand because of the cost involved in buying and updating their diagnostic equipment which for the amount of units we would expect to sell in a year would be uneconomic. I certainly don't expect anyone working for me to cover those costs. As Crew Chief said though I guess car management systems are a bit more generic than the heavy equipment stuff we work with.
Oh see I wasn't aware of no bi directional controls that makes it useless to us really. Couldn't control ipr, or injectors. Perform system seal on gm evap or anything like that I didn't realize its a glorified innova
GTA Matt
Well-known member
Bi-directional controls means you can turn certain things on and off using the scanner. Things like evap purge and vent solenoids, relearning throttle bodies, crankshaft relearns on GM's, gauge sweeps, all the TIPM and FCM outputs on chryslers, etc. With the Ethos, you can only view and graph live data. I heard that the newest Ethos can do something with tire monitors, but I haven't looked to see exactly what it does.
I got all my snap on stuff from my old dealer in Maryland. Been in NC for almost 2 years now and the SO dealer we had walked into the shop one time to show his ride-along my setup. Haven't seen him in almost a year. He didn't like me because I don't run out to his truck like he is the ice cream man. He told me my old dealer was a "high roller" and not to expect that from him. Screw him......
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GTA Matt
Well-known member
Here's the details on the Ethos plus. I'm not familiar with cheaper hand helds, but I would think a 3-500 dollar autel could do the same thing. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682269&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
I'm pretty sure bothies tools do bi directional since there snappys higher end tools. Do you guys get a discount through ford for the ids software and vcm? I know we get a price break through gm on tech 2 and mdi stuff.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
The solus ultra can do everything the verdict can do scanner wise. Has all the same capabilties. The verdict is wireless and has the built in labscope and vantage pro built in as well as the wireless multi meter.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
If you are just looking for a general scanner, the autel will be fine. If you want more capabilities over multiple car lines, snap on is the only way to go. My shop has a Master Tech and a Genysis and I test drove a launch before buying my verdict and honestly nothing can touch snap on.
True gotta have the laptop. Didn't know the snappy scanners were so great I knew the modis was king for a long time. Down the rd ill prolly get a scanner idk if I want to get a general scanner or mdi since I do alot of gm cars and tech 2 is slowly going the way side.
yogitech
Well-known member
Joe,
Are you referring to the Autel MaxiDas Ds708? It has bi-directional capability, live data etc. Falls just below the SO, at 1/8th price. Really a great unit...
Are you referring to the Autel MaxiDas Ds708? It has bi-directional capability, live data etc. Falls just below the SO, at 1/8th price. Really a great unit...
Ford guys do you guys use Mongoose or VCM with IDS?
I picked up a Mongoose for $185 off Amazon and IDS is free to download on your dealer's account. Rover requies us to use a Toughbook ($800 off ebay) on tech support request but otherwise you can use any laptop.
I picked up a Mongoose for $185 off Amazon and IDS is free to download on your dealer's account. Rover requies us to use a Toughbook ($800 off ebay) on tech support request but otherwise you can use any laptop.
vcm.
The Solous Ultra is worth every penny over the Autel. Snappy is running some good deals right now.
yogitech
Well-known member
For the money it's VERY solid....
it's strange, we can ask or just about any special tools, and get them with no problem...
an extension cord, air hose, or even a replacement keyboard for the shops computer takes an act of god to get..
That is a lot like my work. I have a theory about this I think it matters hows account the money comes from. If it's out of the plants general budget it gets ordered if out of the bosses it's on hold indefinite.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
that is what I do....
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
it's strange, we can ask or just about any special tools, and get them with no problem...
an extension cord, air hose, or even a replacement keyboard for the shops computer takes an act of god to get..
I know I'm spoiled on this stuff...My boss will buy anything I need and we usually don't even discuss it if it's under a couple hundred bucks for something. He doesn't want stupid **** slowing down the work, like hunting all over for and extension cord. Tool truck can bill the office directly, there's a hardware store account, Grainger, and company Visa for anything else....It is funny, though, they can be cheap and refuse to deal with dumb little things, but at least the shop / getting work done is covered. I know a lot has to do with many years of work and trust.
pilotman81
Well-known member
I couldn't agree more. I am still a field mechanic and I have heard alot of customers' praise for my crew and I when we show up with a full complement of tools and don't have to wait around wasting time.
I agree with all of you guys to me there's a certain amount of confidence you gain having your own and know there yours and there the second you need them to do a job. Last on the list is a jump box, underhoist screw stand, and a fluid evac/ recharges. Do you guys have any recommendations on decent jump boxes for diesels I do alot of duramax and powerstroke
crewchief888
Well-known member
i think we got ours from northern tool.
i'll check tue or wed when i get back to the shop
i'll check tue or wed when i get back to the shop
crewchief888
Well-known member
i'd guessimate thats probably in the range of the one we have.
it'll spin over any of our diesels on all but the coldest days
Perfect that's what I need some of our ambulances can be beasts to start if the batteries die. And like today the jump box was left unplugged and was half dead its to small anyway if they didn't just die its useless. And of course the good jumper cables were a 20 foot knotted mess. Just a typical day lol
bowmard
Well-known member
>>I'd rather own old dirty worn out Snap on tools, than buy new shiny Chinese craftsman junk!!<<
Amen!
Amen!