I work for a city and found that our public works/maintenance department just purchased a scan tool. I was wondering if any techs here have used it and how user friendly would it be to non techs. Also, I will be the first to call myself out as computer incompetent.

Really all I want to do is check and clear some codes. I would really like to turn off my rear 02s as well.

The tool is an OTC SPX tech 2 flash.

 

I really like the app Torque Pro for Android phones if you want basic scanning and the ability to clear codes. I am not familiar with that scan tool. Hopefully someone will chime in with experience with that unit.

In order to eliminate the rear O2's in the tune you will need tuning software like EFI Live or HP Tuners (there are others, but those are the most common).

 

An aftermarket scan tool will not turn sensors off or flash modules that have been replaced. ( If there is one I have not seen it) Its only job is gathering data and clearing codes.

 

A Tech 2 will only work on GM vehicles. I am kind of surprised that they purchased it since it's very specific to 1 brand of cars. It also will not work on New Gm Stuff with The Global Diagnostics platforum.

I have also been told that GM is not supporting the tech 2 any more and that there are no more updates.

What they should have bought was an MDI if they want to stay Specific to GM

The difficulty of use is dependent on your ability to learn.

As mentioned it wont turn off your 02 sensor's. It is not a tuning suite. You also can't not program (Flash) modules with out a subscription to GM.

You mainly would use it for diagnostic work since you have the ability to interact with different modules.

 

You also will need can di module to service 2007.5 and up gm stuff in your fleet. If you service mainly trucks yes its awesome as it will allow you to perform bi directional control and enter special function menus as if you were a gm dealer. I have a snap on modus as well but it still does not have the sheer capability and level of access my gm stuff does on gm vehicles. But as mentioned earlier you are locked to gm diagnostic with the tech 2 whereas the snap on works really well and can work on all platforms with enough access to get most things done.

 

The Tech II is NOT newbie friendly (most bi-directional programming-capable tools aren't). There's plenty of things you can push to make something break if you don't understand what you're trying to do.

The menu system is fairly well laid out, but don't go wandering off into loading new calibrations or modifying assigned RPO codes in systems unless you really want to. Other than that, you can use it to do all sorts of diagnostics to pre-2010 GM vehicles (2007.5-2010 with CANDI interface)