Tech 2 Clones....are they all the same?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 375
Likes: 116
From: MN
Tech 2 Clones....are they all the same?
I'd like to have a Tech 2, and for the limited hobby work I do, a clone seems to be best. I'm aware of some of the quality issues. As I read and search, I've seen a couple different photos of clones. Some have a GM logo on the top left of the screen and the words Tech2 on the top right of the screen. Others have no stickers or writing on top of the display screen. A company called Vetronix sells what appears to be a clone, but they are priced double of the other clones I've seen. Most of the companies selling these clones appear to be in China and use DHL (extra $60) for shipping. Is there a particular vendor that most on this forum are using to purchase their Tech2's?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
I have a generic knockoff. Paid about $250 for it including shipping, plus $20 or so for a case from home depot (can look up details if you like.)
Mine works great with one exception. If I view the screen of constantly-refreshing parameters, I am fine, but as soon as I scroll down the device freezes and reboots. That may be due to the specific image on the card rather than the device, or not. Unsure. If you are looking for anything but that feature, buy one and you probably will not be disappointed.
Mine works great with one exception. If I view the screen of constantly-refreshing parameters, I am fine, but as soon as I scroll down the device freezes and reboots. That may be due to the specific image on the card rather than the device, or not. Unsure. If you are looking for anything but that feature, buy one and you probably will not be disappointed.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
I have tried numerous times to get info - it always seems like if someone actually gives you the link where they bought it, it's gone. I have also seen some shady operations with numerous estores. I will be following your journey.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 674
Likes: 102
They do not come with instruction books or guides, I have learned from posts on here all of the different things it will do.
mine came with computer soft ware for windows xp so I cant load the software on a win 10 computer to record live operations
but the tool works fine
mine came with computer soft ware for windows xp so I cant load the software on a win 10 computer to record live operations
but the tool works fine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
I bought the VXDIAG package on ebay. I'm still fiddling around with it and have yet to connect it to the car. I'm at the point now where it "sees everything" except the car - so hopefully I'll be able to do something useful with it soon.
I run it on Windows 10 and skip the virtual machine business.
Plenty of threads on this - here is one - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599929168
I run it on Windows 10 and skip the virtual machine business.
Plenty of threads on this - here is one - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599929168
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 375
Likes: 116
From: MN
To my original question about all clones being the same, I'm thinking more and more that they are. From what I can tell they are all made by Vetronix. The site below had a bog with some interesting articles on their clones. Support seems to be good, and this might be a good company to purchase from.
http://blog.obdii365.com/2019/07/10/...liable-or-not/
http://blog.obdii365.com/2019/07/10/...liable-or-not/
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
thought there was a thread where a GM tech compared the clones to a genuine and his conclusion was they were the same and also thought the Vetronix models were in fact made for GM ??????
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,564
Likes: 4,034
From: Cape Coral, Florida
All the Vetronix Tech 2's are not the "clones" but the real deal...the original Tech 2 was made by HP with the Vetronix software and then Vetronix purchased the manufacturing rights from HP...Vetronix was then acquired by ETAS who then merged with Bosch in 2006 !!...a used one will set you back WELL over 1 grand...and close to 2...most of the Tech 2's you see on YouTube by the Diagnostic guys are Bosch !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Oct 8, 2019 at 06:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
All the Vetronix Tech 2's are not the "clones" but the real deal...the original Tech 2 was made by HP with the Vetronix software and then Vetronix purchased the manufacturing rights from HP...Vetronix was then acquired by ETAS who then merged with Bosch in 2006 !!...a used one will set you back WELL over 1 grand...and close to 2...most of the Tech 2's you see on YouTube by the Diagnostic guys are Bosch !!
https://www.vetronix.com/pages/about-us
https://www.vetronix.com/collections...tronix-tech-ii
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Oct 8, 2019 at 07:41 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
All the Vetronix Tech 2's are not the "clones" but the real deal...the original Tech 2 was made by HP with the Vetronix software and then Vetronix purchased the manufacturing rights from HP...Vetronix was then acquired by ETAS who then merged with Bosch in 2006 !!...a used one will set you back WELL over 1 grand...and close to 2...most of the Tech 2's you see on YouTube by the Diagnostic guys are Bosch !!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 375
Likes: 116
From: MN
At the obdii365 site that I posted above, I've spent the last hour looking through the various models of Tech 2 that they sell. It appears that they all come with the same software. The differences appear to be whether they come with a carrying case and what sticker set they come with. One sticker set has the GM logo in the upper left, the other does not. The basic package in all these seems to be:
Tech-2 Flash Tester
32 MB PCMCIA Card with GM OE Applications
CAN diagnostic interface module(CANdi) and instruction sheet download (199.2 kb)
RS232 cable and user`s manual
RS232-DB9 adapter
DLC Cable, DLC Loopback Adapter
12V Cigarette Lighter Power Cable
SAE 16/19 Adapter
NAO 12/19 Adapter
Battery Power Cable
TIS 2000 CD
Based on that, I'm thinking all I'd need is the basic $220 Tech 2. I also need to add $60 shipping.
Edit...the overseas pages for these Tech 2's are difficult to read. The other difference I noticed is that more expensive ones include more vehicle options such as Saab and Opel. All I need is the GM package, so again, I'm thinking I only need the basic unit I noted above.
Tech-2 Flash Tester
32 MB PCMCIA Card with GM OE Applications
CAN diagnostic interface module(CANdi) and instruction sheet download (199.2 kb)
RS232 cable and user`s manual
RS232-DB9 adapter
DLC Cable, DLC Loopback Adapter
12V Cigarette Lighter Power Cable
SAE 16/19 Adapter
NAO 12/19 Adapter
Battery Power Cable
TIS 2000 CD
Based on that, I'm thinking all I'd need is the basic $220 Tech 2. I also need to add $60 shipping.
Edit...the overseas pages for these Tech 2's are difficult to read. The other difference I noticed is that more expensive ones include more vehicle options such as Saab and Opel. All I need is the GM package, so again, I'm thinking I only need the basic unit I noted above.
Last edited by roegs; Oct 8, 2019 at 11:02 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 36
From: Crystal Springs MS
I bought the VXDIAG package on ebay. I'm still fiddling around with it and have yet to connect it to the car. I'm at the point now where it "sees everything" except the car - so hopefully I'll be able to do something useful with it soon.
I run it on Windows 10 and skip the virtual machine business.
Plenty of threads on this - here is one - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599929168
I run it on Windows 10 and skip the virtual machine business.
Plenty of threads on this - here is one - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599929168