Hi Nerdz,
Was hoping to get some advice regarding scopes in the shop and how to prove to some old boy mechanics that this technology is the way forward.

My boss and workshop manager (both previously mechanics) are sat in antiquated times and honestly have a blank expression when you say things like PWM or CAN-bus.
We get some real late model cars in the shop which ideally we have a decent scope for.

How do I show them financially that its a worthwhile investment?
There have been a few cars that have been 'parts cannoned' in the past 6 months and that personally is not what I am about, yet previous conversations have gone unnoted.

I have my own Pico which I bought a few years ago and havent touched since I started working at this shop. I took it home because the shop does basic welding and engineering stuff too and other staff don't really care about others tools etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Ryan

Also is the Nerd Series different from the Flash tutorial library? Because I'm so out of practice feel I need a good starting point if I can get back into it.

MTech wrote on Jan 13^th, 2018 at 3:33pm:

Also is the Nerd Series different from the Flash tutorial library?

Yes.  It's not PicoScope focused training.  It's more general lab scope technique and strategy.  It's rather dated now but the concepts are still relevant.

MTech wrote on Jan 13^th, 2018 at 3:33pm:

Hi Nerdz, Was hoping to get some advice regarding scopes in the shop and how to prove to some old boy mechanics that this technology is the way forward

MTech wrote on Jan 13^th, 2018 at 3:33pm:

I have my own Pico which I bought a few years ago and havent touched since I started working at this shop. I took it home because the shop does basic welding and engineering stuff too and other staff don't really care about others tools etc.

MTech wrote on Jan 13^th, 2018 at 3:33pm:

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Ryan

The biggest problem here is your working at the wrong type of  shop,

That being said you will find that a lot of older owned shops still work as it they are back in the 60s and throw parts at cars until they run right.

I have sold Pico here in Canada and found that 40 percent of sales are to shop owners and out of those sales the scope gets used only on broken cars, and in the end frustration of not being familiar on usage relates to the scope not being pulled out again.

Then there are the sales that go to Techs young and old who like you find there superiors don't want them to waste time pulling out the scope and insist in throwing parts at the broken cars

What I suggest to you is practice at home on a regular period with your own and family cars, capturing known good patterns and make files to store them, this will make you familiar and confident when you use it at work.

Using the scope will help one to learn how things like coils injectors and electrical circuits work on cars this is very important for quick diagnostics, knowing what good looks like when the bad one is in your face is very important.

A number of my sales to young techs here has resulted in turning the bosses confidence around and that relates to the tech being aloud to use the the Pico more often with favorable results.
I encourage these Canadian Techs to share with me there captures in the beginning which helps them in getting out on the right foot.

Maybe you need to move out of this place of work and find a modern shop that encourages the use of scopes to diagnose. ;) 
  

I would like to say I am one of the young techs that Mick is referring to. I purchased my pico from Mick last summer. My boss didn’t even know I would be buying it. Since then I have been practicing and been on the forums constantly. Once you get used to the scope it really helps on the broke cars. Mick and the forums has helped me tremendously. My boss has come around with the pico and let’s me have it. I got lots to learn still but I love it. I encourage you to keep going. Hope this helps

Mick wrote on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 8:47am:

The biggest problem here is your working at the wrong type of  shop

That is unfortunately what I have been thinking for a while....sad but true.


Mick wrote on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 8:47am:

What I suggest to you is practice at home on a regular period with your own and family cars, capturing known good patterns and make files to store them

Definitely need to set some time aside to do this, I know plenty of people with cars!


Mick wrote on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 8:47am:

Maybe you need to move out of this place of work and find a modern shop that encourages the use of scopes to diagnose

Im thinking that this may be the best course of action to actually help me progress, which is a real shame as this shop has potential to be around for a fair while longer.


danpereira wrote on Jan 14^th, 2018 at 12:20pm:

I would like to say I am one of the young techs that Mick is referring to. I purchased my pico from Mick last summer. My boss didn’t even know I would be buying it. Since then I have been practicing and been on the forums constantly. Once you get used to the scope it really helps on the broke cars. Mick and the forums has helped me tremendously. My boss has come around with the pico and let’s me have it. I got lots to learn still but I love it. I encourage you to keep going. Hope this helps

Thanks for the encouragement!

I assume no one will mind if I post captures to the forum for people to pick apart dissect etc?

MTech wrote on Jan 15^th, 2018 at 10:10am:

I assume no one will mind if I post captures to the forum for people to pick apart dissect etc?

Don't be afraid just post them in the Pico group area.

What part of Birmingham did you come from you from?

I have great friends in Cannock

Mick wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:20am:

What part of Birmingham did you come from you from?

Spent most of my childhood in a town called Kidderminster, not lived there for a very long time though.

Cant say I ever went to Cannock and it wasnt even that far away!  :)

MTech wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 11:33pm:

Mick wrote on Jan 16th, 2018 at 11:20am: What part of Birmingham did you come from you from? Spent most of my childhood in a town called Kidderminster, not lived there for a very long time though. Cant say I ever went to Cannock and it wasnt even that far away!  :)

Only 90 miles from where one of my great heros George Mallory came from.

http://www.returnofkings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/everest8.jpg