Diagnostic Tester
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From: Cambridge England
Thanks for the ffedback - all !
ErnestSW : What I am developing reads the "flashing codes" but gives a nice 2 line alpha numeric display of the fault codes, and also guides you through the process.
Although you can read codes off the dash of the later cars, it's a cumbersome business, and you can't do the "actuator and sensor" checks, reset the idle, or read the detonation knocks.
The device will do almost everything a "Hammer" will do, except do the bleed proceedure on the PSD.
ErnestSW : What I am developing reads the "flashing codes" but gives a nice 2 line alpha numeric display of the fault codes, and also guides you through the process.
Although you can read codes off the dash of the later cars, it's a cumbersome business, and you can't do the "actuator and sensor" checks, reset the idle, or read the detonation knocks.
The device will do almost everything a "Hammer" will do, except do the bleed proceedure on the PSD.
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From: Houston, TX
John, what is the communications protocol standard between the unit and the ECU et al?
Nathan, I agree
An observation......if you go without a software/lap top PC solution, it will be more difficult to offer updates in the future.
Also, most 928 owners have obviously demonstrated the desire to learn/fix/fiddle/modify with their own cars and will certainly be able to handle more than a black box solution......if they can't, they send out the emmergency broadcast on RENNLIST, and promptly have about twenty 928s parked in their driveway for a fixit party.
Alex Pepper and Dave Harrison offer Software/protocol convertors over here for all OBDII vehicles. As a benchmark, their units go for about $140, but they almost definitely sell more units to a larger market.
http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html
Http://obd-2.com
Nathan, I agree
An observation......if you go without a software/lap top PC solution, it will be more difficult to offer updates in the future.
Also, most 928 owners have obviously demonstrated the desire to learn/fix/fiddle/modify with their own cars and will certainly be able to handle more than a black box solution......if they can't, they send out the emmergency broadcast on RENNLIST, and promptly have about twenty 928s parked in their driveway for a fixit party.
Alex Pepper and Dave Harrison offer Software/protocol convertors over here for all OBDII vehicles. As a benchmark, their units go for about $140, but they almost definitely sell more units to a larger market.
http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html
Http://obd-2.com
Last edited by Scotsman; Dec 5, 2003 at 07:40 AM.
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From: St. John's, NF, Canada
While my car would not be able to make use of this diagnostic tool, I do think it's a good idea...and someday I hope to have a 928 that one could be used on. So two comments:
1. If I had a vehicle that could use the tool, I would buy one. Obviously the lower end of the price scale would be more attractive, so I'll vote for $300 a unit.
2. I will agree with several others here that my preference would be a software/hardware interface type diagnostic tool rather than a single purpose device. I would think this approach would be less expensive to manufacture and much easier to add features/fixes to than a purpose built device.
I do have a late model Audi A4 and have the VagCom tool for that...very helpful...almost indespensible, so having one for the 928 would be a no-brainer for me. I think it would be practical to offer a product at the $200 price point using the PC/intereface route, if one did not have to incur the tooling costs for the user interface. At this price, I think virtually everyone would buy one.
If you are not familiar with the VagCom tool from Uwe Ross (http://www.ross-tech.com), it is an ideal combination of value and flexibility. Take a look at his work...maybe even talk to Uwe about his experience. He is very approachable and open about his business. You never know, there may be some business synergies between you!
Keep up the good work. I like the direction you are going...even if I am not in the market for the products at this point in time.
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
1. If I had a vehicle that could use the tool, I would buy one. Obviously the lower end of the price scale would be more attractive, so I'll vote for $300 a unit.
2. I will agree with several others here that my preference would be a software/hardware interface type diagnostic tool rather than a single purpose device. I would think this approach would be less expensive to manufacture and much easier to add features/fixes to than a purpose built device.
I do have a late model Audi A4 and have the VagCom tool for that...very helpful...almost indespensible, so having one for the 928 would be a no-brainer for me. I think it would be practical to offer a product at the $200 price point using the PC/intereface route, if one did not have to incur the tooling costs for the user interface. At this price, I think virtually everyone would buy one.
If you are not familiar with the VagCom tool from Uwe Ross (http://www.ross-tech.com), it is an ideal combination of value and flexibility. Take a look at his work...maybe even talk to Uwe about his experience. He is very approachable and open about his business. You never know, there may be some business synergies between you!
Keep up the good work. I like the direction you are going...even if I am not in the market for the products at this point in time.
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
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From: Cambridge England
Scotsman -
The unit will have the facility to be updated from an intenet connected PC. From a RS232 port.
The hardware for a PC tool would be cheaper, but there is the "cost" of the software.
SteveCo - thanks very much for your input. I agree that the VagCom "front end" is attractive, but not everyone has a laptop, or wants it in a garage environment.
Regards,
The unit will have the facility to be updated from an intenet connected PC. From a RS232 port.
The hardware for a PC tool would be cheaper, but there is the "cost" of the software.
SteveCo - thanks very much for your input. I agree that the VagCom "front end" is attractive, but not everyone has a laptop, or wants it in a garage environment.
Regards,
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I vote for a laptop interface setup. I own an ODBII interface (http://www.obd-2.com/) for my laptop and also use my laptop to download track data from my AIM system in my track car.
Anything over $300.00 is going to hurt volume. There may be a several people who would purchase one unit to share, therefore very few units sold.
At $200 I would by one today.
At $250 it would be on my need to get list
At $300+ I'm looking for a few people to share with.
Anything over $300.00 is going to hurt volume. There may be a several people who would purchase one unit to share, therefore very few units sold.
At $200 I would by one today.
At $250 it would be on my need to get list
At $300+ I'm looking for a few people to share with.
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From: Portola Valley, CA
I dont have a later model car, but for what my 2cents is worth, I would also opt for a laptop version even if it were 3 times the price of a standalone unit.
I want 32 million colors and software which can be patched and updated not a little lcd screen. This is 2003! Plus you can sell updates...
I want 32 million colors and software which can be patched and updated not a little lcd screen. This is 2003! Plus you can sell updates...
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From: McDonough, Ga.
John,
Just my 2 cents worth. Love the idea, would prefer a laptop/software solution. Based on similar functionality for other cars it looks like $250 may be the sweet spot. I would have to upgrade my eprom to utilize so I would have to include that cost as well. Thank you for your continued interest in the 928.
Just my 2 cents worth. Love the idea, would prefer a laptop/software solution. Based on similar functionality for other cars it looks like $250 may be the sweet spot. I would have to upgrade my eprom to utilize so I would have to include that cost as well. Thank you for your continued interest in the 928.
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From: St. John's, NF, Canada
John;
It's your money going into developing this thing, so my opinion is just that...my opinion. Worth exactly what I paid to create it! Very interested to here about to updating capability you mentioned in another post. This is a great feature.
I'll watch with interest as the other board users express their preferences. I'll predict, however, that you would sell twice the volume at twice the price if it was based on a PC platform. After all, how do you thing Bill Gates got so rich!
HP created a hybrid system for diagnostics for Ford many years ago that allowed both...an in-car "capture" box that would download to a realtime system back in the garage. They still use it today, I believe, but have added a laptop version that converges both functions, if desired.
I do agree with your point on a portable unit for those without a laptop. I just happen to think the vast majority of your target market does not fit this description. And on that note, I'll remove my IT product marketing hat (which happens to be what I do for a living) and don my 928 hobby one. Bring on that diagnostic tool!
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
It's your money going into developing this thing, so my opinion is just that...my opinion. Worth exactly what I paid to create it! Very interested to here about to updating capability you mentioned in another post. This is a great feature.
I'll watch with interest as the other board users express their preferences. I'll predict, however, that you would sell twice the volume at twice the price if it was based on a PC platform. After all, how do you thing Bill Gates got so rich!
HP created a hybrid system for diagnostics for Ford many years ago that allowed both...an in-car "capture" box that would download to a realtime system back in the garage. They still use it today, I believe, but have added a laptop version that converges both functions, if desired.
I do agree with your point on a portable unit for those without a laptop. I just happen to think the vast majority of your target market does not fit this description. And on that note, I'll remove my IT product marketing hat (which happens to be what I do for a living) and don my 928 hobby one. Bring on that diagnostic tool!
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
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From: Cambridge England
Bern,
The only function I know that isn't available on my tester , that is on the 9288 is the PSD bleeding procedure.
The tester is a two way device, otherwise it couldn't activate the various functions I have described........................
Have a good weekend !
The only function I know that isn't available on my tester , that is on the 9288 is the PSD bleeding procedure.
The tester is a two way device, otherwise it couldn't activate the various functions I have described........................
Have a good weekend !
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From: Cambridge England
borland,
I understand that people have found a way around that "mechanically".
Sterling,
The amount of info and commands are limited by the ECU. I can access all the routines that are available from the ECUs in the 928.
Your Motec ECU may have lots more, but the clever bit is in the ECU, not because you have a PC interface.
I understand that people have found a way around that "mechanically".
Sterling,
The amount of info and commands are limited by the ECU. I can access all the routines that are available from the ECUs in the 928.
Your Motec ECU may have lots more, but the clever bit is in the ECU, not because you have a PC interface.