jay-mathes
Forum Replies Created
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From Sam – “We have worked on vin scanners for years.”
We have been using apps for iPhone from both NAPA & World Pac for a while now. They both work well, but will not input info into an invoice.So, trying to find a work-around, I bought a couple of these:http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-TT-BS012-Wireless-Cordless-Handheld/dp/B00E0G2M6U
They look like a keyboard to the PC, so it does get on an invoice. The instructions need to be read and some settings changed to get good results. One feature lets you go out, capture the VIN, then when back at the counter broadcasts it when in range. It is not a perfect solution, but will do a high percentage of cars.This scanner will work with any program that uses data entry from a keyboard.
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Fairly new purchases:
Robinair 34788 J2788 compliant R134 machine. Good performance, no issues, good unit.
Snap-On V3D2 Aligner
Initial install issue with the then brand new, lighter, small dual targets. Computer seemed of low capability for operating the unit. I bought a second similar computer and loaded the software. It worked flawlessly. S-O replaced the computer with a better one and it works fine.
The unit has been rock solid for just about a year. Our test vehicle was racked and off loaded several times and all measurements were repeated 100%.
We added the drive on aid & VIN reader. No Steering angle SW built in – we have enough factory scanners to deal with them when they actually need to be messed with. Many things can be bought used. A modern aligner is so much better than old technology it pays for itself in reduced set up time alone. Not to mention many makes should not be lifted for runout compensation.
We have a new VCM2, not enough time to evaluate yet. After 6 years with the original VCM, no reason to be nervous about it.
Another low cost new purchase was a bright underhood light.
http://www.tooldesk.com/automotive/ATD80050-ATD-Saber-light-30W-Underhood-Light.aspx
For my tired old eyes it puts out good light. Am keeping my eye open for a bright LED unit that is similar.
Several months ago added the Peter David dongle to our BMW 3G system that allows us to choose when ISTA updates. Frustrating having a vehicle come in for service mid day and have a 5 hour update tie the system up. It is a snap to use and does what it was intended to do perfectly.
We too have little trouble with equipment. Prior purchase research and proper care and handling as Tom mentioned.
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Looks like the last paragraph of my prior post is not completely accurate.
The calibration data is unique to the camera & boom, not the computer.
The cal data can be saved and/or loaded into a spare computer – or other place – before a failure. The spare computer can be installed as fast as the USB cables are hooked up and the spare takes to boot. That is, as long as the program was already set up, there would be nearly no interruption of work.
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1: _JBC
2: _~9 years
3: _Wednesday this coming week
4: __Snap-On V3D
Looked at both Hunter & S-O at the SEMA show. Our old unit is still reliable and works every day. The service sold me on another.
A downside to Hunter is EVERYTHING has to be sourced through Hunter. A printer, monitor, computer…
At 2 years old the small Dell in our low end machine failed. I took a spare workstation off the shelf, loaded the SW and did a calibration. We were up and running in under one hour. That can not be done with a Hunter.
Just to be fair, it can’t be done with the V3D either now. You can put another computer in and it will load the SW, but needs some optical calibration we can not do in the field any more. My solution is to have our spare workstation set up before the new install is complete. I’m not too paranoid, the SoCal desert is a terrible environment for computers. Too hot and dusty in the summers.
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I think you will get better answers if you:
Describe what you work on now
What tooling and information sources you use now
What experience you have and on what makes
What kind of work you expect to offer in the new shop
What makes will you solicit
What shop management training do you have
The answers will separate you from a person hoping to open a shop with no experience.
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I think discussing actual price/time is not allowed.
That said, there is a lot of real estate between rotating tires and relearning positions when needed to a ‘squishy tire’ lamp blaring with a non pressure related issue.
I think the former should be built in to a rotation price. Some sort themselves out without any fuss.
Actual problems handled like any other system testing quote.
