Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 2294
I had a IId tool which did most things and is very easy to use; I now have a faultmate extreme which is a lot more expensive , but I can do about anything the factory did and more, but it is not for the faint hearted.
mental, but need a computer for the big things , but operates as a stand alone as well.
Member Since: 11 Jan 2011
Location: Strasbourg
Posts: 200
Alan B wrote:
Thanks for the replies guys,
It looks like the Hawkeye is the favourite so far going by your comments
I am not in a rush ( yet ) as everything seems to be working
Wait just a dagblammed minute here: Hawkeye the favorite? How did you count this? By my count (ok, not objective but still...) when you posted the above the IIDTool was winning 6 to 1 over the Hawkeye - and that lead increased after your post. I hope you don't referee football matches...
JK
In all seriousness, the Hawkeye can be a good choice over the IIDTool depending on your needs: the IIDTool does considerably more and is less expensive (see Blue200tdi's first link a page back) but the Hawkeye is not VIN locked. So for a small garage or a larger LR club interested only in regular maintenance, the Hawkeye is the more sensible alternative. For a private use system or a small club, though, the IIDTool wins easily in my (not so impartial) opinion . Additional VIN licenses can be purchased for ~GBP60-70.
I posted this a while back as background info - which I really did try to keep objective. Choosing a diagnostic system is not easy for someone who has not had to deal with vehicle diagnostics regularly. HTH
SteveMfr wrote:
There does not seem to be much clarity on the functions of a diagnostic system and what to expect when you use one. Here's a short explanation (EDIT: ok long...)
First, there are four basic types of functions that a diagnostic system can have:
- fault code reading and clearing
- service: live values and component manipulation (to check operation) or executing service routines (such as for the EPB)
- Editing the car's configuration files (CCF)
- Initializing, calibrating, or programing new components
Then you have to separate different types of faults or DTCs (Diagnostic trouble codes):
- generic OBD codes: these are all the emissions related codes that come from the drivetrain (motor and transmission). These are standardized across all manufacturers so that they can be read all over the world at emissions testing stations. There are OBD readers starting at £25 that do a fine job of reading these. Some even manage to clear fault codes.
- manufacturer specific codes: all the rest of the systems on the vehicle. In a Hyundai that is probably not too much, but in a modern LR it is quite a bit - and many items such as the EAS, ABS, DSC, etc. are vital for vehicle operation as well. These can only be read by manufacturer specific code readers.
You can separate the diagnostic systems into different categories:
- generic code readers: only emissions related OBD codes. Start at ~£25. Some of the more expensive ones may include live values (engine/trans only) and the non-generic ability to clear SRS faults (turn off airbag light) which makes them attractive for small, independent repair facilities.
- manufacturer specific fault code readers: can only read and clear faults. Shows no live values, allows no manual component activation/testing, no vehicle programming, etc. The only 'pure' fault code read/clear device for LR vehicles is the Blackbox FCR.
- manufacturer specific diagnostic systems more for personal than professional use: allow some or all of the functions of a full diagnostic system: live values, manual component activation/testing, vehicle programming, etc. Depending on the cost, these may or may not be locked to one vehicle VIN and have increasingly more functionality with increasing price. These start at the low end with the RoverAllComms (only early RR L322) and Hawkeye, and continue through our IIDTool and the Blackbox Faultmate. The latter 2 are VIN locked.
- professional diagnostic systems: these include the OEM LR IDS/SDD, Autologic, Blackbox Faultmate, and IIDTool Pro (coming soon)
Choosing the right system requires spending a bit of time looking at all of the relevant information. If you do not want to do any CCF editing and a a fair bit of basic maintenance on several LR's, the BBS FCR or Hawkeye might be the way to go (but be aware that the functions offered are quite basic - for instance the Hawkey can not do an EAS calibration if you replace a height sensor). If you want to do more but only on a few vehicles (say 1-3), you'll have to look into what the BBS Faultmate or IIDTool have to offer. If you have a club (or for an independent service facility) you can look into one of the professional systems.
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20842
SteveMfr wrote:
Alan B wrote:
Thanks for the replies guys,
It looks like the Hawkeye is the favourite so far going by your comments
I am not in a rush ( yet ) as everything seems to be working
Wait just a dagblammed minute here: Hawkeye the favorite? How did you count this? By my count (ok, not objective but still...) when you posted the above the IIDTool was winning 6 to 1 over the Hawkeye - and that lead increased after your post. I hope you don't referee football matches...
Seeing as you are only in Fife, feel free to pop over at some point, if you want to have a play about with it, see what you think
then I can't see how the hawkeye was "favoured" in any way, shape or form? There's a few people saying they were happy with their hawkeye, but no comparison or count up of who bought what and why?
Or is there another thread that I haven't seen?
2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Jul 2013 10:26 am
GoBeyond
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: Eddleston
Posts: 858
Maybe time for a poll
However each one has it's benefits depending upon the application.There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
16th Jul 2013 1:55 pm
Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
My apologies, rough night on Saturday so wasn't thinking straight.
The iid seems to be the favourite.
I am after something easy to use, reasonable cost but not sure about something that is locked to one vehicle
If I could get an explanation on these tools in plain simple terms it might help me choose.
I don't think I would be the only one on here who doesn't have a clue about using any of these
Thanks for your replies/help
D3 57 xs Stornaway grey
D2 02 commercial silver gone but a great servant and won't be forgotten
Iid Bluetooth
16th Jul 2013 7:23 pm
robo
Member Since: 30 Jul 2010
Location: solihull
Posts: 298
got to admit im with alan i really need something easy to use etc,if you dont now much about diagnostics it does seem a bit daunting,ok for all you experts out there but for me its so difficultgone not forgotten 2 classics
gone forgotten 2 p38s
current d3 se 2006 td standard for now
16th Jul 2013 7:46 pm
GoBeyond
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: Eddleston
Posts: 858
There you go Alan, come to Livingston on Monday, you can see and play with both devices !
Can't get better than that !There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
16th Jul 2013 10:13 pm
philby258
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Stockport cheshire
Posts: 654
Member Since: 11 Jan 2011
Location: Strasbourg
Posts: 200
Hi Guys,
I really did not mean to start a battle here - I was just kidding on the score (and no need to apologize, Alan!).
The Bearmach Hawkeye and its functional equivalent from Britpart, the Lynx, are good pieces of kit - they both come from the same manufacturer.
Alan, I try to provide objective background info on diagnostic systems so that potential purchasers can make their own decisions based on their needs. Unfortunately diagnostic systems do an awful lot these days (far beyond service and maintenance) and have functions that can be very attractive even to private users; for example, take what LR refers to as vehicle individualization (changing the car configuration to suit individual wishes) or programming new features.
I really did try to reduce the relevant info to a bare minimum - and this ended up in the 4+ paragraphs I posted above. Looking back through what I wrote: maybe I should stay away form acronyms too... Just to clarify:
- OBD - on board diagnostics
- EPB - electronic parking brake
- CCF - car configuration file (contains info on installed equipment (cruise, rain sensor, etc) and optional settings (daytime running lights, lazy lock, et, etc))
- DTC - Diagnostic trouble code (same as a fault code. Alphanumeric code indicating a specific problem in a system - should be translated into plain language by the diagnostic system e.g. "R.F. height sensor out of range" - to aid in the repair)
Please try to take the 5mins to read through what I wrote - and ask on anything you are unclear about (by PM if you like). You're going to need to understand these things anyway when you go to use the systems - regardless of which system you purchase. www.gap-diagnostic.com
17th Jul 2013 8:15 am
WillyEckerslike
Member Since: 22 Aug 2013
Location: Out in the world
Posts: 967
First post, but here goes.....
I'm trying to decide between the Faultmate and IIDTool at the moment. Bought my 2006 D3 last year and very happy with it, but now needing to make some changes to it (issue with rear suspension plus one key died a death after a washing machine related accident ).
I see from the Gap Diagnostics website that the suspension calibration is definitely part of the functionality, but the BCM module configuration (which I assume is where the key config is done) is still listed as "in progress". Is it possible to code a new key with the IIDTool? It's not a deal breaker if it can't be done, but it will be a definite win if it can be.
Sorry for the basic question, but I can't see a definitive answer, where I could for the Faultmate.
I am looking to buy a diagnostic tool as we are very short of guys up here to clear fault codes, edit CCF files etc.
Looking at the thread it looks as if the IID tool is the one to buy?
My question is how often do these tools get updated and are updates free or is it a subscription?
I wouldn't want to spend he best part of £300 bangers and find out that its old software that won't/ can't be updated.You only get one lap, make it count !!
7th Sep 2013 8:42 am
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
FS, the IID has been constantly updated during it's short life. ( updates are free )
Gap do support the IID tool very well and new features are enabled every time there's a firmware update. I had doubts too, but after reading the reviews here on the forum and knowing I could always resell the IID to a fellow forum member without losing too much on it, I took the plunge and bought one.
If you buy an IID, after you've enabled a few features and added them to your car, you'll really only use the fault reading/clearing capability with any great regularity but you must remember the IID can also tinker with other things like steering angle recalibration, and has very good suspension tinkering and diagnostic capability which would cost a fortune to have sorted by any of the indys or dealers.
Make no bones about it, if you want full, all singing and dancing capability, then you won't be happy until you've bought the astronomically priced Faultmate MSV2, but for value for money with an increasing all the time capability, the IID is probably unrivalled for the cash.
I think the only drawback is the vin locking which kind of prevents you helping other owners without paying for further unlocks. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
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. Additional VIN licenses can be purchased for ~GBP60-70.
).
