Which version of icarsoft?

[GrahamA]

Assuming the logic is that the icarsoft MB V3 is an improved version of the V2 is the 'Acuational/Bi-Directional testing etc' a feature worth having?

It's the only difference I can see between the two.

My primary reason for purchasing one would be the ability to read error codes, determine their cause and whether I have the ability to fix it myself or not, and clear the codes.

The ability to diagnose faults on the climate control system would be beneficial so could be deciding factor if one has it and the other doesn't?

 

[Tony Dyson]

Assuming the logic is that the icarsoft MB V3 is an improved version of the V2 is the 'Acuational/Bi-Directional testing etc' a feature worth having?

It's the only difference I can see between the two.

My primary reason for purchasing one would be the ability to read error codes, determine their cause and whether I have the ability to fix it myself or not, and clear the codes.

The ability to diagnose faults on the climate control system would be beneficial so could be deciding factor if one has it and the other doesn't?

I had to look that one up?​

Meaning of acuation in English:​

acuation​

Pronunciation /ˌakjʊˈeɪʃn/​

NOUN​

rare

The process of making something sharp or sharper, in various senses.

Sounds like an additional level of diagnostics, have you asked the question of iCarsoft?

 

[mioba]

Given the not huge price difference i would go for v3 for sure. If as you mention you are handy, then the machine will pay flr itself pretty fast.
plus if you went for a v2 unit, you would always be kicking yourself for not getting v3.

 

[GrahamA]

I had to look that one up?​

Meaning of acuation in English:​

acuation​

Pronunciation /ˌakjʊˈeɪʃn/​

NOUN​

rare

The process of making something sharp or sharper, in various senses.

Sounds like an additional level of diagnostics, have you asked the question of iCarsoft?

I was just curious as to whether anyone had practical experience of both rather than sales spiel from a company?

 

[DSK]

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread.

I’m going to grab a V3 myself no doubt it will be handy as the 219 and 221 age.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[supernoodle]

I had to look that one up?​

Meaning of acuation in English:​

acuation​

Pronunciation /ˌakjʊˈeɪʃn/​

NOUN​

rare

The process of making something sharp or sharper, in various senses.

Sounds like an additional level of diagnostics, have you asked the question of iCarsoft?

Sorry, haven't worked out if you realise that's a typo or not and having fun, but you know Bi-directional tests are another name for Actuator tests?
I see in icarsoft blurb they call it actuation tests though,
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-397-icarsoft_mb_v30_for_mercedes_benzsprintersmart.html

Actuator tests are invaluable. They allow you to take control of actuators, ie open/close valves, control pumps/fans etc. The functionality has to be supported by the module, so it's not going to let you do everything or do allow you to do anything silly. Hopefully icarsoft have implemented it well enough to make it useful.

 

[Tony Dyson]

Sorry, haven't worked out if you realise that's a typo or not and having fun, but you know Bi-directional tests are another name for Actuator tests?
I see in icarsoft blurb they call it actuation tests though,
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-397-icarsoft_mb_v30_for_mercedes_benzsprintersmart.html

Actuator tests are invaluable. They allow you to take control of actuators, ie open/close valves, control pumps/fans etc. The functionality has to be supported by the module, so it's not going to let you do everything or do allow you to do anything silly. Hopefully icarsoft have implemented it well enough to make it useful.

No, this one took me by surprise, when I found the definition made sense in the description to the subject matter, I took it at face value! As now your explanation of the typo does as well! I hope you're getting on with your new scanner.

 

[supernoodle]

No, this one took me by surprise, when I found the definition made sense in the description to the subject matter, I took it at face value! As now your explanation of the typo does as well! I hope you're getting on with your new scanner.

I bought the icarsoft CR Max as we have non Mercs in the house too. It has the same Actuator test functionality, made use of it on the Nissan, not on my old S211 yet.
It's paid for itself already though with the few jobs I have used it for.

 

[supernoodle]

I should point out, not so happy with the live data part though. When I connect to the Nissan ECU, it gives you one big list of channels to select from. That's OK.
On my Merc, it offers you sub groups like Starting, Rail Pressure Control. You can only view the few labels they've defined in that sub group. I want to view labels from several of these groups together. I can't see how to do it.
It must be an icarsoft issue as the Delphi tool just offers the single list to choose freely from.
Oh and the data rate is painfully slow, 1s sample rate is useless.

It'd be interesting to see if that's common on all icarsoft or just the CR Max.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’m in the market for a good scanner that can do a bit more than read codes but there are so many bad reviews on entry level scanners and very little information from users who have resolved faults with them. My immediate requirement is likely to be registering a new battery fitment for the BMW as the car uses an intelligent alternator.
I see little input from members on what was used to resolve what fault on the forum which adds to the dilemma we should probably have a new forum heading on this something like ‘scanners and faults’

 

[Tony Dyson]

I should point out, not so happy with the live data part though. When I connect to the Nissan ECU, it gives you one big list of channels to select from. That's OK.
On my Merc, it offers you sub groups like Starting, Rail Pressure Control. You can only view the few labels they've defined in that sub group. I want to view labels from several of these groups together. I can't see how to do it.
It must be an icarsoft issue as the Delphi tool just offers the single list to choose freely from.
Oh and the data rate is painfully slow, 1s sample rate is useless.

It'd be interesting to see if that's common on all icarsoft or just the CR Max.

The one thing I've noticed with the iCarsoft products is that the more manufacturers the instrument covers the less features are included, coupled with the multiple dedicated tools currently available all without proper documentation can be a bit of a lottery if you don't exercise due diligence in your choice of instrument. I too find the iCarsoft slow in every part of operation, from initial startup, reading and displaying any data, without taking it apart I would suggest 'Value Engineering' to be the culprit here and to be a feature of the range rather than a feature of any specific model.

 

[supernoodle]

The one thing I've noticed with the iCarsoft products is that the more manufacturers the instrument covers the less features are included, coupled with the multiple dedicated tools currently available all without proper documentation can be a bit of a lottery if you don't exercise due diligence in your choice of instrument. I too find the iCarsoft slow in every part of operation, from initial startup, reading and displaying any data, without taking it apart I would suggest 'Value Engineering' to be the culprit here and to be a feature of the range rather than a feature of any specific model.

Vehicle diagnostics shouldn't need anything fancy in terms of HW. The specs used haven't really changed in years. They only have to send a CAN/KWP message every 10ms at the fastest.
The latest generation Ecu's have processors in the order of 300Mhz with 8Mb flash. The CR Max is 1.3GHz and has 32Mb flash, it should be more than capable.

 

[Tony Dyson]

Vehicle diagnostics shouldn't need anything fancy in terms of HW. The specs used haven't really changed in years. They only have to send a CAN/KWP message every 10ms at the fastest.
The latest generation Ecu's have processors in the order of 300Mhz with 8Mb flash. The CR Max is 1.3Ghz and has 32Mb flash, it should be more than capable.

Agreed but the real life performance is persistently lacking however, it does work and get there eventually so I'm not yet inclined to go poking around inside just yet for a looksee!

 

[Snake Charmer]

Agreed but the real life performance is persistently lacking however, it does work and get there eventually so I'm not yet inclined to go poking around inside just yet for a looksee!

I have been considering one of these for a while, like you I need more than just MB vehicles included. I watched a couple of videos comparing the Pro and Elite then Pro and CR Max, the Pro and Elite did seem to have a little lag in use but nothing I could not live with. I do like the look of the CR Max as it is closer to a tablet based unit a friend lent me I was really impressed with, I think that was an older Launch.

 

[supernoodle]

I have been considering one of these for a while, like you I need more than just MB vehicles included. I watched a couple of videos comparing the Pro and Elite then Pro and CR Max, the Pro and Elite did seem to have a little lag in use but nothing I could not live with. I do like the look of the CR Max as it is closer to a tablet based unit a friend lent me I was really impressed with, I think that was an older Launch.

I must say I haven't noticed any lag in the CR Max booting or when navigating menus. It's just the live data is slow, but I'm sure that's icarsoft not written that bit very well. When I want live data I'll borrow the Delphi kit from my friend.

I agree the touch screen tablet form is nice, that's what made me go for it.

 

[Snake Charmer]

I must say I haven't noticed any lag in the CR Max booting or when navigating menus. It's just the live data is slow, but I'm sure that's icarsoft not written that bit very well. When I want live data I'll borrow the Delphi kit from my friend.

I agree the touch screen tablet form is nice, that's what made me go for it.

I would be perfectly happy with the CR Pro (particularly at the current price) after living with my 14 year old OBDII laptop software which has always been a bit flaky and slow, the CR Max looking a bit smoother with additional features and internet access swung it for me so I bit the bullet this afternoon.

 

[DSK]

Just before I buy the V3 MB version, is this dedicated to Mercedes only or, can it also do other marques?

If is there a model that will do all the Merc stuff as above and other makes as well, which is it?

 

[Snake Charmer]

Just before I buy the V3 MB version, is this dedicated to Mercedes only or, can it also do other marques?

If is there a model that will do all the Merc stuff as above and other makes as well, which is it?

It is a minefield choosing one to suit your needs and I would not like to recommend one. Single make would not suit me as I have Mercedes, Volvo and VW cars hence I went further up the iCarsoft range to the CR Max for the multi manufacturer and additional features. I also work on cars for a living but seldom need to plug a vehicle in at work so the cost of a more expensive or Snap-On system and updates would be wasted and never recovered financially.

Unusually, I serviced a 2020 Audi Q7 last week and the CR Max would have been handy but I would have needed their top of the range CR Ultra at over 4 times the price of the CR Max to reset the service mileage and our JLR Specialist neighbours struggled with their Snap-On diagnostics.

Have you looked at the iCarsoft CR Pro features to compare? This was the only comparison I found of iCarsoft product from the European website, unfortunately V3 products are not listed.

 

[DSK]

I do not work on cars as much as I used to due to time constraints and other life commitments but I like to have these things to hand due to complexity of modern stuff and the ability to share/test more accurate error details is needed to even help DIY stuff. Thank you for sharing the above chart, its very useful!

 

[Snake Charmer]

I turned work away when self employed due to the lack of diagnostic equipment, even simple service work like changing discs and pads with E Brake.
I have my iCarsoft CR Max now, it came this morning and I like it so far. Tried it on our '03 Golf and the S211 so far, it will be getting more of a workout on the Mercedes, Golf and my two V40's, one of which has a management light on I have not yet investigated. Currently logged into the forum on it posting!