TOAD diagnostic scanner
 

Hello all!

I’ve done some research on scan tools for the last few days and have come
across TOAD in quite a few places. I looked through the forum but couldn’t find anyone on here that has used it before. I’m looking for a laptop based system that I can use across several different car manufactures and models (specifically lotus, Nissan, Mercedes, Audi’s, range rovers, etc.). Anyone have any experiences with this system? I’m sorry if this has been talked about in another thread. I couldn’t find any that talked about this system specifically.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/toad/


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300 views and no one has heard of the TOAD! Figured I would try again!


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Have you tried a Google search? Unfortunately, I don't recall ever reading about it on the forum.

Yeah sadly. I started with a google search. I saw a scan tool thread but it was very dated and technology has changed a lot since then so I figured I would try and ask :(


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The web site reads like one of those Available-On-TV-Only commercials. I'd stay away from it unless I found a reliable source that recommends it.

Never used TOAD; never even heard of it until your post. Just going by the web site look/feel.

Well some quick searches and it doesn't seem very impressive (all info I can find is from post in 2015). Looks like the Alex guy is selling pirated software (scanmaster v2.1) which then won't update and the programming software is someother company. I'd probably steer clear.

What are you looking for in this scanner software? Programming or just diag use and must it be laptop or is ipad ok? If iPad is ok and only trying to use for diag purposes then take a look at launch icarscan, does the entire vehicle not just PCM.

Oh wow! I guess I must have not looked hard enough! I’m looking for a multi-vehicle scanner that will access most all of the systems (abs/srs/ets). If something like this is even out there!


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Lots out there dude, but they all cost money. In this game, you get what you pay for

What kind of money are we talking about though? I have no problem spending money, if it’s truly good!


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Access to proprietary data is expensive - info has to be bought from manufacturer or reverse-engineered. (Very) Rough figures, but for one make of car, you can expect to spend $2000-12000 for easy access to most systems. Adding modules for different makes will set you back $1000-3000 per make.

I briefly looked at that link you posted. Several (well many now) I bought one of those USB ELM based OBD scan tools that included software. I've used it several times to get data my regular standalone OBD II scanner won't pull. It wasn't an expensive unit, maybe $30, but honestly I don't remember. It was likely some knock off.

Mine would pull data, do the graphs and logs, but I can't actuate sensor / solenoids or edit maps like that software claims. I'm very skeptical of those claims. I was impressed with my eBay one for what I paid, but that one is making some pretty wild claims. If you gamble your money let us know how it works.

Usually true but not so much anymore. As I have said multiple times in multiple threads in this site look at the launch icarscan. You will get full vehicle access, bi directional controls, some module programming (key programming, module coding etc) depending on the vehicle. I can tell you first hand it has reprogrammed a setting on a bmw that a $3000 snap on scanner could not. It’s only draw back I have found is the baud rate is fairly slow so for logging it’s not the greatest for anything else it will do what you want.

Awesome! I’ll look into that for sure. Does this one require a special blue tooth dongle? If not, could you recommend one that worked for you?


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It has its own Bluetooth dongle

Oh I see it now on Amazon. But the reviews are a little concerning. It has some really poor feedback on it


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