Thread: Diagnostic tool, where to buy?

I have been a Beta tester for GAP Dianostic ( IIDTool) and very happy with the unit. Use it on my TD6. Think it will do most of what you need.

Home - GAP Diagnostic

Britpart are the distributors. For prices check all the usual suspects & E-bay in the UK.

Another to look at is Black Box Solutions. Great unit but coast a lot more.

Blackbox Solutions Ltd - Designers and manufacturers of the best vehicle diagnostic tools.

Gary

I'd agree with Gary on the BBS system. It is very capable and you can buy any part of car's modules, but they do cost if you want it for any car/any VIN number!
Comparable/better than the dealers' Testbook system.
Quite reasonable cost for a complete system if you just want it for one car; ie locked to one VIN number.
Don

Hi, I saw this one the other day, it will do all Land Rover vehicles (expensive) or single model ((not vin) not so expensive) so it looks like a good bet. I think it is the one I would go for.

It reads to a Windows computer, it is not a complete system, I don't know if anyone on the forum has used one or not.

Google the name as in the title here, it will give you more detail.

More about Lynx
As Lynx is Windows based, the system is future proofed due to your laptop or tablet’s hard disk drive which allows for ‘many more’ numbers of updates compared to hand held devices. Lynx is powered by Omitec who build the T4 – Official Land Rover diagnostics tool. Live data can also be displayed using graphics; making it easier to read time based events. Live data can be recorded for a comparison, a great advantage over hand held diagnostic tools as they do not usually have storage memory. The Windows based tool allows simultaneous access to the vehicle diagnostics and consultation of circuit diagrams and other technical information. Lynx will also allow you to access the internet if you are connected to it whilst diagnosing a vehicle and other such programs you might need to use in a garage environment. Lynx is supplied in a hard wearing carry case with foam insert to protect it when not in use. For the enthusiast home user, using Lynx will mean no more trips to your local main dealer to clear any faults on your Land Rover.
*Microsoft Windows based PC or tablet with - Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 operating system. DVD drive. 500MB available hard disk space (minimum). 1024 x 768 screen resolution (minimum). Administrative rights - only required for software installation.


Hope this helps.


Cheers


Mike

That looks interesting will have to give it a go.

I can't recommend IID, I too was a Beta tester and I still have a long list of functions that don't work. I gave up documenting and sending them in because they just got ****ty, argued with me - then 2 weeks later I would get an email saying they had recreated the issue and I was right. Just wasted my time and treated me like ****. I really went through and tried every function, not just clearing a couple faults.

The unit is often temperamental and freezes - it is better then the prototypes were. Not to mention how bloody annoying operating with a tiny screen is. Many fault codes are not translated to text - returned as a 4 digit code which is just useless, the whole point of a vehicle specific diagnostic system is it converts the codes into a useful text string - or at least provide an online PDF so I don't have to wait a week for an email. When I search google for the 4 digit code all I find is other forums asking "IIDtool returned this code - fault 4164 - any ideas?" (4164 is not a code just example)

I work in the software industry - I use and try a hell of a lot of electronic devices as part of my work or out of interest in my sad nerdy personal life. This is the most frustrating device I've been stupid enough to waste my money on.

At least other devices that have not lived up to the potential, have been able to be used for a different purpose in the house, like the HP webOS tablet - IID can only do 1 thing.

I have used many different diagnostic and programming systems - I have not used Hawkeye but I can't see how it can be worse.

Thanks to all for your input, much appreciated.
I will keep researching, it seems there is not one tool that will do everything (at a reasonable price) however for the back yard mechanic the IID will do most...?

cheers

I've recently had to replace front height sensor(s) and found that the L322 system is pretty fussy about settings/counts of the height. When first fitted it would work ok for about a week, then the EAS would turn itself off.
I have BBS Faultmate extreme system and it came up with "outside limits of parameters"
and this came back to being able to change/rewrite the "settings/counts" to very close to actual readings. Now all working well.
The older cars, Classics and P38 EAS systems not so fussy.
So, if you think you'll want to do EAS parts replacements, you may want to check if the system you think to buy, will allow you to do this.
Lynx doesn't appear to do so.
Comes down to how much $$$ you are prepared to pay.
Black Box Solutions offer a Faultmate Extreme, single vehicle kit L322 for around 930 euros. Does almost everything; and more capable than Testbook!

And that’s a good point Don. Most systems won’t handle suspension calibration.

Given GAP started with a tool specifically for L322 EAS, it is no surprise that that's one section that is complete and works well with IIDTool.

The BBS system is similar to VCDS for VW/Audi group – it does everything, much more than the dealers’ system. Pity about its price and VIN locked.

My system is Faultmate Extreme and I've opted on every module I've bought ( classic, some P38, Disco 1 and 2, now L322) to be multi vehicle; yes, it costs!
But I used to do lots local repairs at 1/2 local dealer hourly rate/prices ( and 1/2 the time!)
Did quite a lot of TD5 power upgrades; still got a few upgraded TD5 ecm's in the cupboard!
Must sort them out ; ONE DAY!!@!!!!!!!!