Best scan tool

[wh1-Denver]

I need recommendations on the best scan tool to buy for my 86 t-type.

 

[wicked6]

It all depends. If you want one on the fly right in front of you, go with the ScanMaster. It is compact, the size of a radar detector and can be placed right in front of you. No need for a recalibrated 145mph speedo since this will tell you the speed, curtisy of the old ECM. $245 new
www.ramchargers.com

If you want all the information you can get at the most framerates go with the DirectScan. www.bmcomputersource.com
Note: you will need a laptop for DS. $245 new


I first bought the DS then most recently bought the SM2. SM2 is more convenient IMO. For the dragstrip, DS is the way to go.

For the everyday driver/racer go with SM2 first. For purely drag racing at the strip go with DS.

 

[kenmosher]

There are lots of features and different ones are important to different people.

Take a look at the Comparison Chart (http://www.turbo-link.com/tlink/scanchart.html) at http://www.turbo-link.com for a list of the various features, advantages, and options with each of the various popular choices.

 

[motorhead]

I like Turbo-Link, and I have both versions... Ken offers the best customer support and tech advice out of any product offered. Ken is the man.

He just needs to make that v3.0.2 update small enough that it'll fit on a 3.5" floppy disk!

 

[strikeeagle]

Only DS is adequate for racing - unless you define 8 or 9 frames of data as adequate.

 

[kenmosher]

One man's opinion ... I seem to get along just fine with it for many years.

8-9 frames in a 10 second car ... more in the slower cars.

If you are burning chips and need very detailed datalogging for troubleshooting, DS is great. If you have a basic idea of where your car is and how to tune your car and need to verify it and tweak it in, then TurboLink is fine

No absolutes ... different tools, different strengths, and no matter what you choose, you can rely on the fact you've got a good tuning aid whether it's an OTC, DS, ScanMaster, TurboLink .. all proven, all work well.

 

[RobV6]

I have no finacial interst in turboLink...However have been doing busines with them since 91.

The new 3.0.2 is amazing.

And how many times does a company owner tell you all have their merits.

Ken Mosher is the Fairest man I've ever done business with.
Go try his free Demo....Really Cool!!

Not knocking anyone else. Just had to say this. Thanks Ken!!!!

 

[Weazel]

I agree with Rob, Ken helped me out quite a bit. I ended up going with DirectScan only because it was the first one to come up on the used market, and I was anxious to tune. If my $Free.99 laptop had been enough to run version 3 of TurboLink reliably, you bet I would've waited for it. The demo was awesome, and the 1.2 data frames per second didn't bother me. DS is borderline overload. If I only made ONE full throttle run on TL, it may not have been enough, but what fun is it just making ONE run???
I personally will always go with a laptop based scantool, I'm a nerd about getting as much info as I can. I understand the convenience of a ScanMaster, but if there's even the slightest change in my car's behavior, it'll probably be found by DS or TL.
BTW BOOST SENSING on TurboLink must be pretty awesome. That's one thing that'd be VERY nice to have.

 

[Mr URL]

I recommend a Scanmaster on the dash for ease in always having O2's and knock at your finger tips (easy to see when WOT going down the road or track) plus the other features it has to offer ALONG with a laptop scantool for recording data to analyse. Scanmaster gives you data all the time without having to have a laptop in the car. Perfect for street use and watching while going down the track. TurboLink Version 3 and DirectScan is awsome having the capability of logging all the data on your runs plus indepth trouble shooting features. Both work with the Scanmaster "Fast update code" if you happen to have that programmed into your chip. Pick the one laptop scantool that fits you best. Boost sensing is only available with the TurboLink (either version) while "fast update code" compatibility is only with the new Windows version 3. Version 3 requires a "beefier" newer laptop but it's added features is worth it IMHO.

I actually invested in all 3 cause each one has it's advantages over the other depending on what I'm doing. Ken Moser has superb support on his products.

 

[TurboDave]

As you can see, the gist of this thread among the experts is:
There is no "best" scan tool. There are just different ones. Each has their pros and cons, and you'll have to decide which way to go and what you need it to do for you.

If I had the bucks, I'd be doing like Chad. I'd be running all three.
I have Direct Scan because I was big into making my own and friends race chips and all the alpha/beta testing on Extender chips, so the overwhelming amount of data was a must.

I have Scanmaster on the dash for everyday driving.

I'd like to have Turbolink for several reasons, but for no other reason but to be able to speak of it with some degree of knowledge, but I have already spent my scan tool budget

 

[strikeeagle]

Again, if 8 or 9 frames of data is adequate for (your) racing, then TL is a fine tool...

Hey, I think I said that...

 

[turbo6x2]

Direct scan is great but you have to hot wire it into the ecm which means you can't use it on every car. (for those of us that own more then one)However I do own to direct scans. Turbo link can be hooked up on the spot no alternations needed and Ken Mosher is the man when it comes to asking any questions not just turbo link issues. I prefer having records of my runs, either of these programs is top notch but if you want exceptional customer service go with the new version of turbo link.

 

[wicked6]

hotwire the DS!!!!!! I did not hotwire the DS in my car. I can plug and unplug it anytime I choose.

What did you do!?

 

[TurboDave]

What's up with hotwiring???? Mine just plugs in. As a matter of fact I went the extra mile and got a spare PCM, set it up for DS, and that gives me a measure of portability.