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**hatzie** · 05-02-2019, 01:01 PM

The Vetronix Tech 2 was the GM dealership tool from the mid 1990's til around 2010ish.
The reasonable quality Chinese knockoffs are sufficient to the task at hand. I own one with a case, CAN-DI and all of the adapters that cost around $350 shipped from Guangdong, China about 7 years ago. It's about $290 without a case.
The knockoffs are not without problems.

I had to change the DC-DC Converter when it arrived requiring soldering skills and tools beyond a lot of folks skill set.
Some of the super cheap versions have issues with the VCI module so you get to send it back or replace the VCI.
I will not use any Tech 2 for ECM updates because any Tech 2 requires a fully RS232 compliant serial port on the PC doing the work. USB-RS232 will not cut it.

If you have a laptop or an old desktop PC that you can use in the shop the WiFI MDI clones are $200 and they work just fine over USB using Bosch MDI drivers. They're workable with hacked copies of Tech2WIN. GM-VXDIAG at around $140 is another choice again with hacked Tech2WIN and special drivers on the PC.
Tech2WIN is essentially a Tech 2 running on a PC using the MDI or VXDIAG as the interface.

The Launch PROS X431 Mini is around $800. It's from Launch Tech China not Launch Tech USA so you don't get support from Launch USA... Corporate and international politics I believe similar to buying a Malibu in Buffalo NY and not being able to get GM warranty in Toronto ONT... but it may be stolen tech by another Chinese company... the whole story ain't out there.

The Autel Maxdas DS808 is around $700 on sale right now. You won't find a better deal on a full function scanner that doesn't have intellectual property issues. Eric O uses these in his South Main Auto Youtube videos on customer cars.

One of the guys on the Impala Forums just bought a Vident iLink400 handheld that is supposed to do ABS Bleed among other bi-directional functions for around $160. He says it works but it's not super intuitive.
http://www.videnttech.com/product/item-79.html
https://www.amazon.com/VIDENT-Multi-...07FVMQ9TK?th=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/322824891739?ul_noapp=true

05-02-2019, 01:01 PM	#18
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,915	Re: P0446 mil The Vetronix Tech 2 was the GM dealership tool from the mid 1990's til around 2010ish. The reasonable quality Chinese knockoffs are sufficient to the task at hand. I own one with a case, CAN-DI and all of the adapters that cost around $350 shipped from Guangdong, China about 7 years ago. It's about $290 without a case. The knockoffs are not without problems. I had to change the DC-DC Converter when it arrived requiring soldering skills and tools beyond a lot of folks skill set. Some of the super cheap versions have issues with the VCI module so you get to send it back or replace the VCI. I will not use any Tech 2 for ECM updates because any Tech 2 requires a fully RS232 compliant serial port on the PC doing the work. USB-RS232 will not cut it. If you have a laptop or an old desktop PC that you can use in the shop the WiFI MDI clones are $200 and they work just fine over USB using Bosch MDI drivers. They're workable with hacked copies of Tech2WIN. GM-VXDIAG at around $140 is another choice again with hacked Tech2WIN and special drivers on the PC. Tech2WIN is essentially a Tech 2 running on a PC using the MDI or VXDIAG as the interface. The Launch PROS X431 Mini is around $800. It's from Launch Tech China not Launch Tech USA so you don't get support from Launch USA... Corporate and international politics I believe similar to buying a Malibu in Buffalo NY and not being able to get GM warranty in Toronto ONT... but it may be stolen tech by another Chinese company... the whole story ain't out there. The Autel Maxdas DS808 is around $700 on sale right now. You won't find a better deal on a full function scanner that doesn't have intellectual property issues. Eric O uses these in his South Main Auto Youtube videos on customer cars. One of the guys on the Impala Forums just bought a Vident iLink400 handheld that is supposed to do ABS Bleed among other bi-directional functions for around $160. He says it works but it's not super intuitive. http://www.videnttech.com/product/item-79.html https://www.amazon.com/VIDENT-Multi-...07FVMQ9TK?th=1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/322824891739?ul_noapp=true __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. Last edited by hatzie; 05-02-2019 at 01:20 PM.