Looks like they also have USB to serial adapters available. I don't know if
their is anything special about their adapter or if a generic adapter will
work. I don't know anything about the company but the ProVantage website
seems to be the cheapest I found in a quick search.
http://www.provantage.com/xc_DAVC.htm
Randy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trevor Boicey" <tboicey@brit.ca>
To: "John T. Blair" <jblair1948@cox.net>
Cc: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: 2005 toyota tacoma
>
> John T. Blair wrote:
> > There may be another way. AutoZone has just started selling a nice
little
> > tool called the "CarChip" for $100. It plugs into the diagnostic
connector,
> > and will record your error codes, and some driving parameters like speed
and
> > braking. It also will record your error codes. After driving with the
> > carchip plugged in, you remove it and connect it to your computer. Then
> > you can display various info. There is a "reset" function available
then
> > through the your computer to tell the "carchip" to reset the car's
computer.
>
> I've had one of these for a while. They work fine. I've used it for
> the usual ODBC code stuff, "which oxygen sensor needs replacement", that
> kind of thing.
>
> At $100 I think it's a useful product. I guess on some levels I would
> prefer a standalone unit though, but they cost more and deliver quite a
> bit less.
>
> The computer hookup gives a LOT more infomation than just the code,
> but it's kind of a pain to run inside and connect to a computer than
> just to read it sitting in the driver's seat.
>
> (since it requires a serial port, I can't sit in the car with my
> newish laptop and work... laptops haven't generally had serial ports for
> years)
>
> I guess I'm also concerned about longevity, because right now the
> unit requires a serial port and a computer running windows that runs the
> software that comes with it.
>
> In five years, most desktop computers probably won't have serial
> ports. And in ten years, it might be hard to find enough junk to put
> together a computer that runs windows and the windows-based software
> that came with the unit.
>
> If you had a handheld, it would work probably forever. Like when you
> have 1950s era test equipment and special service tools to work on their
> 1950s cars.
>
> I've ran into this in other fields too. I used to do a lot of data
> collection with PC based ISA cards that came with DOS software. At the
> time, they were aimed to be "cheap replacements" for expensive lab units.
>
> However, the lab units still work, but if you want to use the cards
> you have to find a mid-1990s computer and a mid-1990s version of DOS to
> run them. The cards don't fit in modern machines, and the software won't
> run either.
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