Powerprobe IV or Autel powerscan

[signcrafter]

Anyone have either of these? The PP IV looks to have some interesting features above the PPIII. Not sure if the 250 dollar price tag is worth it since I already have the PPIII but have been looking at it. But then ran across the autel powerscan with a 100 dollar price that looks to be very close to the features of the PP IV.

Anyone use the autel? Does it have all the features of the PPIV?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2R4ZAI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What new features does the PPIV have over the PPIII?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPY02EW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Does the hook have any features that the PPIV doesn't? Just trying to figure out the difference between all these?

 

[ffast65]

Subscribing.

 

[signcrafter]

Anyone have any of these? Especially looking at the autel powerscan since it's only a 100 bucks.

 

[larryforce]

I have been thinking of upgrading to power probe 4. Does any body know if it is capable of putting a load on a circuit. It mentions being able to load test a circuit. But the way it is worded made me think I may have to apply the load my self

 

[Brownsfan]

I dont have either but will soon. This site is the most expensive free site ever. I have the PP3 right now so not to sure about these 2 tools. But thanks to the OP I should have a review well when it gets here.

 

[signcrafter]

I dont have either but will soon. This site is the most expensive free site ever. I have the PP3 right now so not to sure about these 2 tools. But thanks to the OP I should have a review well when it gets here.

Did you order that maxidas yet?

Have you looked into the PPIV or hook? I also have the PPIII and thinking about getting either the PPIV or hook but not sure which one would be better. They both have some unique features I think. But want to see if that autel powerscan will do everything the PPIV will since it's only 100 bucks.

 

[Strouty]

What makes the power probe IV so much more valuable than the power probe III? I bought the master kit and it was cheaper than the PP IV.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QHDLEQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ncautoshop]

Hook! Hook! Hook! Use mine everyday. Probably one of the most useful diag tools in the shop - when you know how to use it!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Strouty]

Hook! Hook! Hook! Use mine everyday. Probably one of the most useful diag tools in the shop - when you know how to use it!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

What is the major difference between the hook and a regular power probe?

 

[signcrafter]

What makes the power probe IV so much more valuable than the power probe III? I bought the master kit and it was cheaper than the PP IV.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QHDLEQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The PPIII basically is just a test light that can also send a power and ground to power things up. I have one and like it. A PPIV has some more features for advance testing. More of a "multimeter" features and even some scope like features. Here is a video on some of the features you will be able to see it has over the III,

.

The hook has some other features. Like a "hot shot" that is supposed to load the circuit to do voltage drop.

Basically either the IV or the hook are the new PPIII that have more features.

 

[Strouty]

Sounds like the PP IV is a big upgrade. It would be nice to have them compare the hook to the IV, but at this point, I would buy the IV just because of the screen. Put that screen on the hook and I am all over it.

 

[FiendFX]

cheaper on ebay..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Autel-Power...1341405324&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

here's another website

http://www.autelonline.com/powerscan-ps100_p14.html

both are free shipping..

 

[FiendFX]

This tool is very similar to this

Or maybe it IS.. But now available in US to buy..

 

[Strouty]

They sure appear to be the same, even the same screen setup and colors. Seems like a good deal, the ebay seller even has best offer. I wonder how low they would go?

 

[Bobioz1]

Have had a pp3 for a few years now. Nice tool. Have a pp2 from before that. Test driving a pp4 right now. Color screen, min max, updated aux. ground lead = nice improvements. 200 volts, injector "testing", Pcm driver testing, and the rest = not impressed. I'd buy one if something happened to my 3, but no way I would pay to upgrade.
While researching the new 4 I revisited the Hook. Lots of cool stuff in that one like instant on screen voltage drop, circuit loading, in circuit ammeter. Originally price was too high ($500) and I heard its physical size was huge. Now the price is almost half ($260) and I deal with huge every time I take a piss. So the $269 pp4 is going back to Snap on and the Hook is ordered.

 

[ncautoshop]

What is the major difference between the hook and a regular power probe?

The keys behind the hook that make it worth while are
1: current measurements - this makes parasitic draw testing much faster and easier - and adds a level of protection with the adjustable circuit breaker.
2: the adjustable circuit breaker allows you to go from 2a-60a. Matching a circuits design in current aspects prevents accidental damage caused by a short or faulty load.
3: vref mode allows you to provide 0-5v to signal wires to determine if the computer sees the signal voltage. In some cases you may use the ground feature to provide power and ground to a sensor and verify that the sensor functions correctly.
4: switch adjustability allows you to switch between momentary, latch or pulse.
From time to time I use the hot shot option but rarely. I would prefer to use my load pro to load the circuit with a light load or use the actual component to load the circuit. The hot shot doesn't show you the voltage - so you can't document why the circuit isn't capable of handling the load. The load pro, a good volt meter and the hook are really the only electrical tools we use 90% of the time. Of course there are things these tools don't have the resolution to see, so we still use the scope a good bit. With a little bit of knowledge a scope really is a better investment than the newest power probe. (Speaking of dvoms I've got the new power probe volt meter and compared to my fluke it's a decent meter but compared to my fluke price wise and for automotive applications it's a awesome dvom)

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Strouty]

Thanks for the info, I may wait on the hook in hopes they put that nice screen the PP IV has.

 

[ncautoshop]

Thanks for the info, I may wait on the hook in hopes they put that nice screen the PP IV has.

My hook had screen issues but nothing major. I'd say you'll see that upgrade eventually!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[woodstockva]

While researching the new 4 I revisited the Hook. Lots of cool stuff in that one like instant on screen voltage drop, circuit loading, in circuit ammeter. Originally price was too high ($500) and I heard its physical size was huge. Now the price is almost half ($260) and I deal with huge every time I take a piss. So the $269 pp4 is going back to Snap on and the Hook is ordered.

 

[FiendFX]

Please, if anyone is gonna buy the Autel powerscan, please let us know.

 

[MadTinkerer]

Was at princess auto today and they carry the Autel powerscan ps100 on the shelf. $149 for any Canadians who want to physically touch it before buying.

 

[MadTinkerer]

There is a current thread on iatn about the power probe 4 and the powerscan. Seems the Autel does not have very favourable reviews. There is also a link for the power probe 4 for $155 which is the cheapest I have found.
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/PPI-PP401AS.html

 

[Mr_B]

cheapest I recently seen the ps100 is 84 bucks on ebay .
fairly useful tool at that price but find it lacking over the PP versions .

 

[afinepoint]

I saw this thread while doing an internet search for reviews of these very items.

I bought the Austel PS 100. I did read up on the Power probe. I have also used a Topdiag which I no longer have.

The reason I went with the Autel is it has the features I need at half the price of the Power probe 3. Both tools have 5 star Amazon reviews. A comment in this thread is that Autel did not have favorable reviews. That is no longer true.

As for use all of these probes do the same thing of applying voltages to a circuit. Grounding. Resistance, etc. What I found that drew me to my choice was those features, price, plus a useful work light.

Besides the price I didn't buy the PP because the sole Amazon seller has a strange seller's disclaimer and would not acknowledge being an Authorized seller until after a few email exchanges. It shouldn't be pulling teeth to get such simple and important information. And as mentioned both of these tools have 5 star reviews.

As for any advanced test needs I would not use any of these probes/scanners. That is where actual test equipment comes in. I have three multimeters two of which are Flukes.

I use the Autel as a convenient means of applying 12V to a circuit or component and doing other go no- go tests. I don't need to spend 2x to do that.

As for resistance testing both the Topdiag and Autel are highly inaccurate at low resistance. I'm guessing the PP is the same. I had to use a meter to do glowplug measurements. The probes read a .5 to 1.5 ohm as 19.

I was amused that Autel admitted the internal "breaker" is replaceable (will fail) and recommended buying more.

The Autel construction feels cheap as I stated in my review. It is the most fragile feeling tool in my collection feeling as if it would shatter if dropped. I've had this less than a month. Per the cliché time will tell.