No matter a professional GM technician or a DIYer, GM Tech2, GM MDI and VXDIAG VCX NANO for GM will be your low price options.
Following parts will list them one by one including their features, function, similarities & differences, customer feedbacks, etc.
This post contain following contents:
First option: GM Tech2
GM Tech2 comparison table
GM Tech2 customer feedback
GM MDI option and feedback
Option 3: VXDIAG VCX NANO GDS2 tech2Win
Option one: Old GM Tech2
SP23-B, full package With One 32mb Card, €329+ shipping:
Sp23-C, with one case, €309 + shipping:
http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/gm-tech2-gm-diagnostic-scanner-1407.html
SP23-B3, No carton box, €325+ shipping:
http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/gm-tech2-127.html
SP23-1, cheapest with one 32MB D card, €250+ shipping:
http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/new-gm-tech2-gm-diagnostic-scanner.html
Following table compare the similarities and differences among different packed GM Tech2 diagnostic scanners.
Customer Feedback on Tech 2 (Item No. SP23-C)
I’ve been on here a long time and I recently bought a Tech 2 (SP23-C) off the cardiagtool.co.uk site back on Thurs April 16th and had it the following Monday. What was funny was I just got a notice on that Monday that it was just shipped. It was $349 plus $150 for shipping, though I’m sure that includes customs fees as well. It came in a very nice plastic case that houses the Tech2 and all the cables and connectors. Several others over in C5 Tech have gotten one also. I’m no expert with it and learning as I go but mine has worked great so far on my 2003 C5 and 2008 C6. Just used it last week to deprogram the F55 on my C5 so I could get rid of the leaking magnetic shocks and put on C6Z06 ones. Will be using it this weekend to cycle the ABS to bleed my brakes on my C6 since they are feeling a bit mushy since I put on the powder-coated calipers.
Other feedbacks:
I ordered it when they were on Holiday, which isn’t a problem and they promptly responded upon their return to work. I received it about 5 days after payment and it came heavily wrapped and packed in tons of bubble wrap. Needless to say it arrived in the same condition it was meticulously packed in.
I received everything I needed from them to plugin to my ’08 93 Aero and play around with the typical body and key features. My primary reason for picking up the Tech II was to program a spare key. I figured ~$500+ at a dealer or ~$400 on my own would be well worth it…obviously if I received a working, defect free, unit.
I ran the systems self test on the Tech II when it arrived and it worked flawlessly. The next step was programming a key and changing some of the standard comfort features. Using the software posted by a few awesome SaabCentral users, I was able to get security access using an old Dell laptop from my IT guy’s graveyard.
Programming a new key was easily as 1-2-3. So my mission was effectively accomplished, save money getting a second key. Of course my carryover benefits were next to test. I changed my key-unlock settings to all at first press, and then lock on drive off/open on key out was a snap.
My Tech II is still working flawlessly, knock on wood and I definitely recommend dealing with cardiagtool.co.uk if you’re in the market.
GM Tech2 is still a stable workhorse of a scan tool for the GM stable. I still have an old Tech1a which I use on the older cars mainly before 2009 year. My Tech2 is the only scan tool that I use when tuning our cars. I prefer it over the scanner software that is included in the tuning software. For me its much easier than wrestling with a laptop when on the dyno and especially when driving on the street. GM MDI is the new standard, but it is only for a few cars (GM and Opel) at this time. One being the new gen Camaro. It is part of the new Global Diagnostics systems that GM is steering towards.
If you had a Tech2, you could possibly talk to the dealer and have them access their TIS system to load the BCM or PCM calibration to your Tech2. Some may do it.
If you can’t do that, just buy additional TIS2000 with USB key.
GM tech2 would NOT work with All C5’s, if you are going to use it on a C6,, make SURE you have the CAN D modules.
Update I purchased the correct updated memory card off the internet with the GM Calibrations and I purchase a used CANDi module so I can use it on my C6.
My GM TECH 2 is now fully functional for F body, C5 and C6. It cost me a lot more than the initial $1000 that I thought was a good deal. Lesson learned..
My brother has one from
http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/new-gm-tech2-diagnostic-scanner-gm-saab-opel-suzuki-isuzu-holden-b-card-1363.html , used it many times, had it for about three years. Works great, no problems. And the seller is great with questions and getting back to you on emails.
I got a real GM Tech 2 many years ago for free, long story, lucky me. Anyway it is only programmed up to 1999, yet I have never had a problem with any procedures on my ’03 Z06 or my 2000 S-10. I have two new GM cars, a 2012 and a 2014, and they don’t use Tech 2’s anymore.
the tech2 arrived 2 days later.it looks and feels exactly like the gm one,and I have been using these things since they changed from the tech1 to the tech2,i have years of experience with it and it works exactly like any others ive used at gm dealers over the years.im happy with it,even though the shipping was a lot,its still a great deal.462.00 for a brand new tech2 with a candi module all the cables and adapters and case is great .
t will do the relearn,ive used it some more since my last post and it does everything a real tech2 does,and ive been using the real one professionally since its inception.mine came with the 32 mb card.you have to specify GM English when you order the unit.there are a lot of other cards for different languages saab, holden,etc
They are quick to respond. I just got an email back from a Nancy Lin. They shipped my item two days ago but did not have a chance to update the status. She even informed me that she declared a $69.00 value to help keep my customs fees low. Now that is service! She said she would be sending me a tracking number today.
Option 2: GM MDI
Chinese GM MDI and GM TECH2 comparison in the following three points:
Vehicle year coverage:
Chinese GM TECH2 is mainly compatible with the GM vehicles before 2009 year; GM MDI mainly covers GM vehicles after 2009 year.
Difference in function:
GM tech 2 is a professional GM diagnostic tool; GM MDI support programming online, support Opel offline programming function, Note: if you want to program by using GM MDI, you need to buy account at GM MDI official site at
https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome
Handheld or PC-based:
GM tech 2 is handheld GM scanner, no need to work with computer; GM MDI works with a Laptop, communicate via wired or wireless network.
GM MDI Features:
- All Chip are new and original
- With opel Global tis global diagnostic system
- Support offline lease function
- Support programming online
- Support cable communication
- Support wireless communication, device have internal wifi card inside.
- Support Opel offline programming function
- With GDS2 diagnostic system
- Tech2win diagnostic software support adding latest software
- Support original factory latest software
- With European Chevetl Global tis, Supports European Chevetl offline programming
General Motors Global Electrical Architecture (Global A) and Global Diagnostic Hardware &Software
Global Diagnostic System DGS& Mutiple diagnostic Interface MDI.
Option 3: VXDIAG VCX NANO GDS2 tech2Win
VXDIAG VCX NANO is compatible with GM Tech2Win and GDS2, and verified working well, available at cardiagtool.co.uk.
Via USB, €113 free shipping: http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/vxdiag-vcx-nano-for-gm-gds.html
Via WIFI Wifi €115 free shipping
: http://www.cardiagtool.co.uk/vxdiag-vcx-nano-for-gm-opel-with-wifi.html
Newest software version supported:
GM Tech2win 2.302, GDS2 v12.0.00835.
GDS2 covers GM from 2009 to new 2015, Tech2Win covers GM Group vehicles Opel Saab from 2005 to 2013.
Update:
GDS2 firmware update online, and software update when the newest version is available.
Installation:
GDS2: WIN7/8 64bit and run in VMware player
Tech2Win: xp, win7 64bit or win8 64bit and Native installation
Note: GDS2 run with VMware player and suppose higher computer parameter.
CPU: I3 -above,
RAM: 4GB at least
HDD: over 120 GB
VXDIAG VCX NANO for GM Tech2Win Installation Video
VXDIAG VCX NANO for GM GDS2 Installation Video
Pros:
It performs online programming service( SPS)
Expirtion date were fixed, tech2win still showed 42 days, gds2 still showed 30days, no need to make lease renewal every month.
Both GDS2 and techWin are available with both USB version (SP241)and USB/WIFI version (SP241-W).
Cons:
It not supports offline programming compared with GM MDI.
Function and feature:
1) GDS 2 Provides the Following Capabilities in Multiple Languages:
* Read codes, code status, Freeze Frame data and Clear Codes.
* Read VIN, ECU part numbers and software numbers.
* Record, store and replay Stored data.
* Control and monitor Output Control functions.
* Configure and Reset functions.
* Record or display history of the previous vehicle diagnostic sessions.
2) Service Programming System (SPS):
* Passthrough programming on GM past model and Global A vehicles
* Increase reprogramming speed 20-70% and get ready to service new models
For pass-through programming of electronic control units on all vehicles built since 1996 and future model releases. The VCX Nano Prime GM KIT is between 20% and 70% faster than Tech 2.For example, on a new Tahoe hybrid with 7 ECUS, it would normally take 2 full hours to reprogram. But, with VCX Nano the process is completed in just 45 minutes. That’s a 64% difference and means you could service 10vehicles rather than 4in an 8-hour day! The potential to increase revenues is dramatic.
3) Tech2Win Function:
Tech2Win, an application version of the Tech 2 and CANdi (Control Area Network diagnostic interface) moduleTech2Win can be used during a vehicle road test, offering a larger screen with all of the Tech 2 tool functionality. The Tech2Win application offers all of the features and functions of the Tech 2 for Opel, Saab etc.
This is from CarDiag – Professional Car Diagnostic Tool Online Shop technical support: Low price GM scanners advice: GM Tech2, GM MDI and VXDIAG VCX NANO for GM