Thread: Gap Diagnostics IIDTool BT - best buy?

Originally Posted by BradC

Just be careful, that looks like an OEM non-bluetooth model.

So I will ask the dumb question, what is different between the 2.
Bulletman

Originally Posted by Bulletman

So I will ask the dumb question, what is different between the 2.
Bulletman

No such thing as a dumb question.

The IID was originally developed with the dashboard interface and a usb-serial port to link a laptop. The laptop interface is spartan and not much more advanced than the dashboard interface. The next model was the IID-BT with Bluetooth which lets you use the mobile device apps and presents a much nicer way to use the device.

That Britpart OEM version looks very much (and is priced ) like the original non-BT version. It may not be, but the highly conspicuous absence of the word "bluetooth" the acronym "BT" or the Bluetooth logo, plus the significant price difference might point that way.

I've used a 3 interfaces (dash, laptop and app) and I can tell you which one is my preference. I treat the dash interface as very much a "get out of jail free". The app any day of the week.

Trying not to sound like a salesman, let me illustrate my experience of the advantage of the bluetooth version.

To do this you'll need some background. I'll use the abridged version.

We (my wife) bought the Antichrist in January 2017. For the next couple of years it tortured us (again, my wife; it never played up while I was in the car) with repeated faults leading to limp mode on the freeway in peak hour traffic, requiring a "pull over 3 lanes, stop and reboot" and 7 visits to the workshop. By mid to late 2018 she handed me the keys with a "Do it up and sell it to some other sucker, burn the ****er to the ground or you drive it!". So I decided to take it over (Stockholm syndrome). Cue purchase of IID.

After nearly 3 years of (mostly) trouble free motoring, 2 weeks ago we're pulling into a caravan park when we get the dreaded "bong" and amber suspension warning triangle. When towing I have the IID app on my phone running live values so I can keep an eye on stuff that might go wrong. I stop in the driveway, back out of live values, read and e-mail faults list, clear suspension fault and then proceed down the driveway. Total time stopped some 30s, and wife goes "Hrm, hasn't played up for a while, what was that?". Response "Suspension error, probably that valve block I didn't do last year, but it's all good". Nod of approval and it lives to fight another day.

Frankly I don't care what it cost. It's saved both my marriage and the D3.

To be completely objective, I spent a *lot* of money over the first 2 years paying someone else to do stuff on the car I couldn't do myself because I didn't have the information. Since I've had the IID I've been able to do it *all* and not pay anyone anything. It's saved me many times its purchase price.

Originally Posted by BradC

Trying not to sound like a salesman, let me illustrate my experience of the advantage of the bluetooth version.

To do this you'll need some background. I'll use the abridged version.

We (my wife) bought the Antichrist in January 2017. For the next couple of years it tortured us (again, my wife; it never played up while I was in the car) with repeated faults leading to limp mode on the freeway in peak hour traffic, requiring a "pull over 3 lanes, stop and reboot" and 7 visits to the workshop. By mid to late 2018 she handed me the keys with a "Do it up and sell it to some other sucker, burn the ****er to the ground or you drive it!". So I decided to take it over (Stockholm syndrome). Cue purchase of IID.

After nearly 3 years of (mostly) trouble free motoring, 2 weeks ago we're pulling into a caravan park when we get the dreaded "bong" and amber suspension warning triangle. When towing I have the IID app on my phone running live values so I can keep an eye on stuff that might go wrong. I stop in the driveway, back out of live values, read and e-mail faults list, clear suspension fault and then proceed down the driveway. Total time stopped some 30s, and wife goes "Hrm, hasn't played up for a while, what was that?". Response "Suspension error, probably that valve block I didn't do last year, but it's all good". Nod of approval and it lives to fight another day.

Frankly I don't care what it cost. It's saved both my marriage and the D3.

To be completely objective, I spent a *lot* of money over the first 2 years paying someone else to do stuff on the car I couldn't do myself because I didn't have the information. Since I've had the IID I've been able to do it *all* and not pay anyone anything. It's saved me many times its purchase price.

You sound more like a marriage counselor than a salesman with that post.
My question was more based at other than the blue tooth option to use say a mobile phone as a monitor so you didn't have cables etc around your knees and ankles whilst trying to drive, did the BT version offer any extra functionality, or updates that the non bluetooth version has/had.

I have a Hawkeye and although it has managed to get me by it has alot of failings, and several of those are things I consider important for use especially if doing any remote travel, and by remote I mean more than even a couple hundred kms from a workshop that can help. We are currently travelling from Darwin to perth and I doubt north of geraldton there is much help till you get to darwin.
If I keep the D3 I will be purchasing the gap tool as everything I have used or seen used doesnt come close to the info I have managed to see displayed on this forum from those who have the gap tool.
Bulletman

Originally Posted by Briar

A friend in Orange has purchased one of these for his D4. They are under $200. I'm guessing they don't do everything an IID Tool does, but the price is right. What are others opinions of this compared to the Gap tool? Thanks.

Attachment 178455

*I have one of these (NEXAS) that I lend to customers when they go off on a remote trip in their D4. It clears codes and thats about it, its crap.

*If the GAP (single vin one?) is anything like the GAP PRO then it's dam awesome, there is not much I cant do with mine and I've only had it a few days!
*I purchased direct from the GAP website.

I bought mine back in 2107 from Duckworths UK. $593 delivered at that time. It was the blue tooth version. The contact there gave AULRO members a good price. His name is Dan Roberts. danroberts@duckworthlandrover.co.uk

I bought a flat OBDII ribbon cable and ran it from the OBDII port up behind the steering wheel cover and connected the GAP tool there. Sits there unsecured quite safely and it has been connected ever since. You need to remember to disconnect through the app (not physically) after every use so that your car battery doesn't drain as the device keeps polling trying to reconnect if you don't disconnect via the app. Other than that no issues at all.


Martin

Thank you all, I purchased direct from Gap Tool, Canada. Now I have to study up on 'how to use' on the forum.

Because my D4 is so reliable and trustworthy, I'll use the OBII as a monitoring option - Im loathe to alter EGR, etc (dont want to jinx it). We will be towing a caravan and its codes, temperatures and get out of jail, etc that I want it for.

Thanks again for all the input, great community.

Originally Posted by DazzaTD5

*I have one of these (NEXAS) that I lend to customers when they go off on a remote trip in their D4. It clears codes and thats about it, its crap.

*If the GAP (single vin one?) is anything like the GAP PRO then it's dam awesome, there is not much I cant do with mine and I've only had it a few days!
*I purchased direct from the GAP website.

Thanks Daz. You've convinced me.

A question for you or anyone else though. How does the non-pro Gap IIDBT tool get configured to your vehicles VIN? Does it happen automatically at first "plug-in".

Checked out current prices in AUD for tool (including postage) for Tool.

GAP Canada - $707
BAS - $766

Canada looks the go.