The Autonerdz Community Forums - what computer do you use to power your scope

kicksbutt Guru Member Picogroup Offline I'm an Autonerd Posts: 252 litchfield park az Arizona USA	what computer do you use to power your scope Mar 29^th, 2013 at 12:30pm hello all I am curious what computers everyone is using to power their scopes. I will need to get a new computer to run my scope. my idea is something fairly lightweight and small so its easy to move around. I would like anyone else's input if you don't mind thanks
Back to top	IP Logged

Spence LSD Guide Picogroup Offline Posts: 8,025 Jeffersonville Pennsylvania USA Gender:	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #1 - Mar 29^th, 2013 at 2:39pm We use ToughBooks. CF-19 and CF-30
Back to top	N.B.S. Dilly Dilly! FJB WWW IP Logged

Andrew Phoenix

Senior Member
Picogroup

Offline

I'm an Autonerd

Posts: 107

Olympia
Washington
USA
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #2 - Mar 29^th, 2013 at 3:24pm

I’ve got a Lenovo N580 with windows 8 here at the office. I would recommend the computer, although I personally wouldn't recommend windows 8... not that there’s much choice in the stores. I tend to believe in using a cheaper computer in the shop environment so that if/when it breaks it’s not a huge loss, plus it’s less likely to outlive its usefulness.

Back to top

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

IP Logged

kicksbutt Guru Member Picogroup Offline I'm an Autonerd Posts: 252 litchfield park az Arizona USA	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #3 - Mar 29^th, 2013 at 6:22pm yea I heard windows 8 I need to stay away from that seems to be part of the issue trying to find something
Back to top	IP Logged

Tom Roberts Autonerdz Administrator Picogroup Offline Autonerdz Founder Posts: 8,598 Olympia Washington USA Gender:	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #4 - Mar 29^th, 2013 at 7:29pm Windows 8 works fine with PicoScope. But if you want to use any other software, you will probably spend more trying to get other applications to work than you will have paid for the PC. I know we have. You should still be able to order anything you want with Windows 7.
Back to top	Tom Roberts Forums Administrator IP Logged

Brad H

Super Nerd

Offline

Elevation 367 metres

Posts: 1,115

Kalgoorlie
Western Australia
Australia
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #5 - Mar 29^th, 2013 at 11:08pm

kicksbutt wrote on Mar 29^th, 2013 at 12:30pm:

hello all I am curious what computers everyone is using to power their scopes. I will need to get a new computer to run my scope. my idea is something fairly lightweight and small so its easy to move around. I would like anyone else's input if you don't mind thanks

It really depends on who and where it's being used. I have a toughbook running XP pro for Ford IDS and Pico if needed (on roadtest). I chose the toughbook for a couple reasons.
1. They can take a bit of accidental mis-treatment
2. Can be used in direct sunlight
3. They can be configured tablet style to sit easily on toolbox,trolley or car seat.

I just purchased a refirbished Dell Latitude E4300 laptop as a back-up to the toughbook and also to run JLR on seeing that program doesn't play nice with Ford IDS.
In the workshop I have a pc built to the highest specs at the time and this is housed in a custom built mobile cabinet.

This is my main pc and runs Toyota Techstream, Mazda, VAG-COM, autoenginuity and G-Scan wi-fi. It also hosts my Picoscope with a Datec boom.
I actually prefer the desk-type pc's to laptop (power wise), but it depends on the room you have and if you have an assigned bay.

Back to top

DILLIGAF

IP Logged

magicmatt Senior Member Offline LSD is better than a BFH Posts: 138 savage Minnesota USA Gender:	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #6 - Mar 30^th, 2013 at 5:06am hello, I run a HP Probook 4430s with windows 7 pro.
Back to top	The Flasher_scope&scan diagnostics LLC IP Logged

sidmann

Junior Member

Offline

Posts: 86

Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #7 - Mar 31^st, 2013 at 8:09pm

Brad H wrote on Mar 29^th, 2013 at 11:08pm:

This is my main pc and runs Toyota Techstream, Mazda, VAG-COM, autoenginuity and G-Scan wi-fi. It also hosts my Picoscope with a Datec boom.
I actually prefer the desk-type pc's to laptop (power wise), but it depends on the room you have and if you have an assigned bay.

hey brad, who or where did you get the gscan wifi dongle from? i've been trying to get hold of one but the rep here says they dont have it Angry

Back to top

IP Logged

Brad H

Super Nerd

Offline

Elevation 367 metres

Posts: 1,115

Kalgoorlie
Western Australia
Australia
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #8 - Apr 1^st, 2013 at 4:43am

Hey Sidmann,

long time no hear mate. I bought the Wi-Fi kit directly from Clive at Mount Autoequip.
I only use it for Diesel injector coding and some actuation testing, for this it's great.
As far as viewing live data, it falls over,terribly! You can't reduce the pids viewed to increase the refresh rate (unless I'm mistaken) and it is ultra sloooooow...

I rang Peter Crump with a query on it early last year and he couldn't help me,none of his customers had it. So I think there was a very little take-up with the kit. Maybe it's the fact it is priced North of $500, maybe the super-slow refresh rate?
Let me know if you're still interested,I'll shoot a quick vid and send a link.......................

Back to top

« Last Edit: Apr 1^st, 2013 at 5:11am by Brad H »

Wifi_1012x768_.JPG (51 KB | )

DILLIGAF

IP Logged

sidmann Junior Member Offline Posts: 86 Gender:	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #9 - Apr 1^st, 2013 at 10:10pm that will be great brad, I'm definitely interested in one. i guess they didn't want to deal with any complaints from those who use it. as for pcscan, is it just the software for the PC or do i need to update the gscan unit as well to activate the wifi?
Back to top	IP Logged

Brad H

Super Nerd

Offline

Elevation 367 metres

Posts: 1,115

Kalgoorlie
Western Australia
Australia
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #10 - Apr 2^nd, 2013 at 4:13am

sidmann wrote on Apr 1^st, 2013 at 10:10pm:

for pcscan, is it just the software for the PC or do i need to update the gscan unit as well to activate the wifi?

Everytime you update the SW on your SD card, you install the latest version of 'PC scan' on your pc of choice from the web site. When opening the program for the first time, it prompts you to register the dongle, then putting the SD card into the pc with the card reader.

Who your rep from Mount? Ring Crumpy, he's you best bet.
I'll do a video for you on the weekend Wink

Back to top

DILLIGAF

IP Logged

Brad H Super Nerd Offline Elevation 367 metres Posts: 1,115 Kalgoorlie Western Australia Australia Gender:	Re: what computer do you use to power your scope Reply #11 - Apr 5^th, 2013 at 10:09pm Here's a quick vid showing the G-Scan Wi-Fi system in action.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL2uLcTm_7g
Back to top	DILLIGAF IP Logged

sidmann

Junior Member

Offline

Posts: 86

Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #12 - Apr 7^th, 2013 at 7:36pm

thanks for that video demo, i rang pete up and asked him about it again and his first words were "you been speaking to brad haven't you?" Grin

to clarify, there is 2 parts to the kit? the dongle to pc, and the wifi adapter for the gscan? i always thought it was just the one on the gscan it self, not much you can do to improve the refresh rate in that case. i'm still thinking if i should get it or not after seeing the refresh rate.

my obdlink generic wifi refreshes quicker than that Undecided

Back to top

IP Logged

Brad H

Super Nerd

Offline

Elevation 367 metres

Posts: 1,115

Kalgoorlie
Western Australia
Australia
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #13 - Apr 8^th, 2013 at 6:35am

sidmann wrote on Apr 7^th, 2013 at 7:36pm:

to clarify, there is 2 parts to the kit? the dongle to pc, and the wifi adapter for the gscan

Correct,the wireless transmitter is secured in the pouch of the replacement strap on the LHS.

sidmann wrote on Apr 7^th, 2013 at 7:36pm:

i'm still thinking if i should get it or not after seeing the refresh rate.

Fair enough, it's not ideal for every situation.

Are you going to AAAA? If you are maybe ask Pete to get the guys to have one on the Mount Autoequip stand for a demo Undecided

http://www.aftermarketexpo.com.au/

Back to top

DILLIGAF

IP Logged

Eddie

Senior Member

Offline

Posts: 220

Auckland
New Zealand
Gender: male

Re: what computer do you use to power your scope
Reply #14 - Apr 12^th, 2013 at 9:40pm

Brad H wrote on Apr 8^th, 2013 at 6:35am:

Fair enough, it's not ideal for every situation

I have the wifi for the G-scan also.
It is limited in its use, eg; it can't be used for OBD stuff or the Kia & Hyundai stuff.
It is also not generally recommended for use with resetting/relearning special functions (due I think to its slowness).
However for routine scanning for fault codes etc, generally its quite good, giving the advantage of being able to save files directly to the PC rather than SD card on the G-scan.

Cheers
Eddie

Back to top

Eddie
A Grade Mechanical Services
Sydney

IP Logged

	Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register

Autonerdz forums