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NOHASSLE
WARRANTY
BEST PRICE
PROMISE
†Finance example typically based on a 5 year lease purchase agreement. Finance subject to status, full terms and conditions available on request. Other finance options available. All prices exclude VAT at 20%. Price, availability and specification may change without prior notice.
Warranty subject to manufacturers terms and conditions of use. Errors and omissions excluded. Offers valid until 31st December 2016. Prices correct at time of going to press: September 2016.
Diagnostics Solutions
WHAT IS THE RIGHT DIAGNOSTICS SOLUTIONS FOR YOU?
Today’s mechanical workshops cannot function without diagnostics
equipment but are you getting the best out of what you’ve got?
And more importantly, is the diagnostics kit you have right for you?
Your diagnostics equipment should give you confidence that
you’ve found the root cause of a problem, enabling you to
make a repair quickly, efficiently and, of course, profitably. Here
we review some of the key areas to consider when looking at
diagnostics equipment.
But remember, you don’t have to be an expert in this; that’s our job.
So talk to our Workshop Equipment Specialists, they’ll help you
choose a diagnostic machine that covers your needs and meets
your expectations.
* Separate software subscriptions to each OEM are required to operate OEM software.
COMMUNICATION
There are three aspects to a diagnostic machine’s communication
capability: vehicle coverage, communication protocols and the user
interface.
Broad vehicle coverage is now expected on universal diagnostics
machines. Vehicles have had a standard EOBD (or, for older vehicles,
an OBD) communication port for many years, so at one level, all
diagnostics machines do cover all vehicles because they will be
able to carry out a basic Read/Reset*. But all-makes workshops still
get caught out now and then, so vehicle coverage is still relevant.
Alternatively, you may be looking for specialisation.
Vehicle computer electronic data exchange systems (communication
protocols) continue to evolve, enabling more data to flow more
quickly in either direction. Knowledge of the communication
protocols of a particular machine will provide an understanding of
what the machine is ultimately capable of, so it’s a key consideration
when making a purchase.
Finally, the way the software presents you with information, vehicle
feedback, and options on the screen (the user interface) is a matter
of individual preference but it’s important nevertheless.
DATA RETRIEVAL
The way a diagnostic machine handles data is important
on two levels.
Firstly you need useful results, information that takes you further in
your fault-finding; not data that throws up more questions. Machines
that contain reference data that you can compare against your live
test results have an advantage.
Secondly even if you think you know the problem, with today’s
interconnected systems can you be certain that simply replacing the
component will resolve the problem with no come-backs? Features
like guided troubleshooting, experts’ forums and live tech helplines
all help you interpret diagnostic results more thoroughly, and quickly.
ACTUATION – CODING AND SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
The ability to instruct or code vehicle ECUs and components.
Some diagnostics solutions provide OEM level aftermarket software
and may well do so on a range of vehicles. Some offer Pass Thru
capability that allows access to OEM interfaces and some offer
the capability to download OEM software and operate it alongside
the aftermarket software*.
JOB RECORDING
Will you want to print ‘before and after’ test results for your customer?
Would it be useful for you to be able to recall the information in the
future? Some machines have this capability.