Cheap Tech II's, what's the catch?

[limited cv8r]

As the title says, "Cheap Tech II's, what's the catch?"
Would be a nice toy to have, but don't want to by a piece of junk.

[GMPX]

The Chinese knock offs with the fake cards? Too good to be true? I believe so, I am told that they work for a lot of things, but side by side with a real one it's not the same.
I don't own one, we have a real TechII, I'm just passing on what I hear (which maybe BS too).

[minytrker]

I have heard the same thing about them. They do work but only for some things is what I have read and heard. I am always looking for a cheap real tech II's but they are hard to find.

[Tre-Cool]

i have 2 of them.. the frist one i used 3 times over a 6 month period, then i was using it to do some stuff on a mates car and it lost the vci module (most likely thanks to his shit battery)

the 2nd one i baught recently for 950$ because it was cheaper to get the whole lot instead of paying 500 just for another vci module. this one has worked great and i have even updated all the modules in 3 ve commodores via a tis2web subscription.

i have the export holden data, north america & isuzu data cards. the export holden does pretty much vt-ve straight out. its only programming certain stuff you need to get a tis2web subscription.

[limited cv8r]

Ok, couldn't help myself & bought one online. This is the software they are offering to choose from,what do i need? Just the holden? or do I need the GM as well.


Holden Australia -- v 1996-2007
OPEL -- v115.001 1997-2010
Suzuki -- v01.210.020
GM -- v32.002 1991-2012
Saab -- v143.000 1998-2010
Isuzu -- v107.021 2006-2010

[GMPX]

What a shame they don't have up to date Holden, 2007 is 5 years out of date! Finally, I have heard that some 'non genuine' cards cannot be updated using TIS.

[TDFDiesel]

How can you confirm if it's genuine or a knock off?

[GMPX]

From the outside I don't know, apart from one is $50, a genuine is more like $400.

[Tre-Cool]

i wouldnt worry about the holden card only going to 2007. all the new updates etc still require a tis2web subscription. all the modules etc are the same from the 07 models.

[GMPX]

all the modules etc are the same from the 07 models.
I suppose you are only thinking Commodore here, not Colorado, Cruze, Barina etc, they seem to change each year. But you are right, up to 2007 will get you by for most things you'll ever need to do.