automotive Archives - Garage Topic

Launch X431 PRO TT Test & Review

Today we look at the all new X431 Pro TT scan tool by Launch…. a must see for anyone looking to buy a new scan tool. It is a high-end full bidirectional control diagnostic scan tool. This is a very capable scan tool and Launch is a brand that is the favorite of many technicians everywhere. If you watch a lot of the “Youtube Mechanics” you’ll now that a lot of guys swear by this brand. The new X431 PRO TT is new for 2024 and it’s sure to be a very popular item. One of the many great features on this tool is the live data graphing capabilities. You can select up to 12 live data pids, and display up to 8 individual graphs on screen at the same time. There are a lot of other high end scan tools that currently do not have this capability. This tool is absolutely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a high end, full function scan tool from a brand that many guys swear by.

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XTOOL D7W, FIRST Scan Tool With WiFi VCI

https://youtu.be/54JuHonWrEM

BRAND NEW ITEM. Just in time for Black Friday deals. Must see even if you don’t buy.

The XTOOL D7W is the FIRST affordable scan tool to use a WiFi VCI instead of Bluetooth. This means the wireless connection between the vehicle and the scan tool is utilizing WiFi technology instead of Bluetooth technology. Which, to me, is a really big deal! WiFi is light years ahead of Bluetooth in terms of speed, bandwidth, and wireless range. In this video I do a range test and I get very impressive results. I will probably do another video in the near future to determine maximum distance of the WiFi VCI but I ran out of room in this video and I still had a rock solid wireless connection between the scan tool and the VCI. (plugged into my vehicle) The new D7W is the wireless version of the D7S. Both are brand new models from XTOOL and they are both excellent scan tools. Okay, sure, there are SOME other scan tools in this world that DO use WiFi….. but those are few and far ultra high end tools that cost thousands of dollars. This tool is the first AFFORDABLE full bidirectional control scan tool that the majority of people can actually buy. In my opinion this is one of the biggest advancements in the entire scan tool industry since scan tools became Android based. I suspect all other scan tool manufacturers will be scrambling to design their own WiFi VCIs now that XTOOL has released this new D7W. This WILL become the new standard for all scan tools, eventually… If you’ve been looking at new scan tools, this one is definitely worth taking a second look at. The D7 series of scan tools has always had excellent value (maybe the best value of all scan tools) when you consider their overall functionality VS price….. and now with a WiFi VCI, it’s an even better value.

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OTOFIX Comparison D1 Pro VS D1 Lite OBDII Diagnostic Bidirectinal Best Scan Tools

Otofix Comparison D1 Pro VS D1 Lite. OBD Diagnostic bidirectinal scan tools.

https://youtu.be/X5wDsdV4H3U

This is a comparison video to show the differences between the OTOFIX D1 Pro, and the D1 Lite diagnostic scan tools. Both of these scanners have full bidirection control and full live data on all modules in most vehicles. The D1 PRO scan tool does have a few more software capabilities than the D1 Lite but most of those are extras are for makes/models that are not sold in the USA, with the exception being Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. However, the D1 PRO has a larger screen, bigger/faster processor, double the RAM, and double the storage, a much larger battery, etc, etc. Overall, the physical hardware of the D1 PRO makes the tool feel much snappier and quicker than the D1 Lite (and the Autel 808 series) and it gives a much better overall user experience. Both of these scan tool are capable both capable of doing the same work 99% of time but the D1 PRO is much faster a nicer to use. The one notable difference that I have personally noticed, and I showed in this videos, is the speed of the full system scan. The D1 Pro scan speed is absolutely incredible. Be sure to watch my demonstration in this video. I’m sure you’ll be surprised, too!

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VDIAGTOOL V200 Circuit Probe Tester Review Similar to Power Probe III

https://youtu.be/EytC0NlWqxU

In this video I look at the VDIAGTOOL V200 Circuit Prob Tester…. which is very similar to the POWER PROBE III automotive electrical tester. I have experience with the Power Probe III and I can say this tool does the same work with the same features for roughly half the price of the PB3. (as of this video, early August 2023) If you do any automotive electrical work then you should probably have this tool in your tool box. It’s excellent for trailer wiring.

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How To Install A Battery Disconnect Switch On Your Vehicle Without Permanent Modification.

https://youtu.be/aD1usX2D8Fk

In this video I show how-to install a “Flaming River Big Switch” battery disconnect switch WITHOUT any permanent modification to the vehicle, whatsoever. This vehicle now sits for long periods of time without being driven and I am sick of having a dead battery every time I go to use the truck, which is not very often these days. Modern vehicles are constantly consuming small amounts of energy even when they are turned off to keep the vehicle’s computer alive. Those small amount of energy add up over time and can cause a battery to go dead over long periods of sitting. (or, in storage) The installation in this video can be completely undone and the vehicle is able to go completely back to stock form with no traces of the battery disconnect switch ever being installed. I used the Flaming River Big Switch only because that is what I had sitting on the shelf. It is overkill for this application but it’s what I already had so the price was right. This project can be duplicated with a much cheaper disconnect switch. Also, in this particular installation the vehicle uses a side post battery, with side post battery cables. However, if your vehicle uses a top post battery, with top post battery cables, the process will be very similar, but you will use top post cables instead. So now, as long as I remember to turn the switch off, I should always have a battery with a full charge when I go to drive that truck.

The vehicle in this video is a 2006 GMC 2500 SLE 4×4 with 5.3 gas engine.

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