GM Tech2 Scanner Clone SP23-C Unbiased Review

After much debate with myself I took the plunge and purchased one.  Was going to get one through AliExpess but that turned out to be a nightmare……….Long Story, won’t get into it unless someone ask’s.  Anyway I purchased the one recommended by two friends of mine.

http://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/gm-tech2-gmtech-2-diagnostic-scan-tool.html

Now the wait begins for it’s arrival

 

Jan 14, 2016 6:08:27 PM
Dear friend,

Your order is being processed. Obdii365.com will arrange shipment for you asap.

Best regards,

Joyce 

 

I paid $349.00 + $137.00 shipping. It’s shipped form Hong Kong and it’s heavy. I have had guitars in hard shell cases shipped from Japan and the cost was $130.00 so I wasn’t skeptical about the shipping price. The case alone has a 4kg / 8lb shipping weight. If you don’t need a carry case, as some others suggested, go for SP23-1. I personally don’t test it.

Of course it’s a clone….real GM Tech2 run in the $2k to $3k range.
Some of the guys have clones and have reported that it works just as well as the original.

Now I know that there are several advertised at a lesser price and free shipping but let me explain myself for buying this.
Both my 2 friends recommended this vendor as the one to go with because of reliability etc, etc.

 

Got a confirmation email in two days from Obdii365
Jan 16, 2016 4:59:36 AM
Dear friend,

Your order has been shipped by DHL, tracking number is ******** and is estimated to arrive your place in 3-10 days.

Best regards,

Joyce

 

GM Tech2 Arrived, Now the fun begins.  I ordered it on Friday evening and it arrived last night, Jan 18,2016. 5 days from order to delivery.

Here it is !

gm-tech2-sp23-c-1

32 MB PCMCIA card

gm-tech2-sp23-c-2

Tech 2 main unit

gm-tech2-sp23-c-3

TIS2000 CD, DVD etc

gm-tech2-sp23-c-4

gm-tech2-sp23-c-5

full set cables

gm-tech2-sp23-c-6

gm-tech2-sp23-c-7

Package includes the TIS2000 CD and DVD along with the USB Key

TIS2000 lets the Tech2 communicate with a computer (Win XP/vista and virtual machine i think.) to download data. The USB key is for accessing the GM site to revise the PCM settings so long as there were allowed by GM.

gm-tech2-sp23-c-8

ll I need now is for my laptop to arrive and i’m good to go !

 

This is what the GM service technicians use or would’ve used to service your car. No, not just a code reader. It is the most valuable service/ maintenance tool. I would certainly be willing to spend $400 to get the capabilities that tool offers.

I wound up purchasing a refurbished Dell Lap Top with Win XP just for the TIS2000 program and I can also use the laptop to view real time data as it’s wired up in between the Tech II and the car.

There are multiple levels of diagnostics that require a GM Tech2 scan tool to do that you cannot do with a code scanner. It helped find a misfire issue on a C5 Z06 which turned out to be bad valve springs. Next day l used it to verify ABS issues on a Suburban and initiate a throttle position relearn on a Tahoe.

I have used this Tech 2 to do a couple crank senor relearns. and recently did the Brake bleed on my 99 with Active Handling !!!!!

I have not done any reflashing with my clone GM Tech 2.  As far as I have learned by now is that the main use of TIS2000 is to update an existing PCM or flash a replacement (new) PCM .

As far as I also have learned you download files for your VIN from ac delco site by means of the TIS2000 first . Then you copy these files from the pc into Tech2 memory . Afterwards you connect the Tech2 to the OBD2 plug in car and update according to correct procedure . I hope you can confirm if this is correct ….

I can´t see any problem with reflashing the PCM using this clone.

Still testing the scanner and will keep updating review…

 

Reference:

GM Tech 2 pathing pdf

GM tech2 clone diagnostic tools comparison
Number Weight Card Including Package Quality Hot Selling All Tech2 come with the Same FunctionSP23-B and SP23-B3 have the best quality

SP23-B3 is SP23-B with Carton
Box

SP23-1 is SP23 with Carton Box

SP23-B3 3.15 KG C Card (SO22-C) Carton Box Best
SP23-B 9.10 KG C Card (SO22-C) Carry Plastic Box Best
SP23-C 9.10 KG C Card (SO22-C) Carry Plastic Box Good
SP23 9.10 KG D Card (SO22-D) Carry Plastic Box Good
SP23-1 4.55 KG D Card (SO22-D) Carton Box Best Price
After Sale Service: One Year!! Enough Stock Ready Ship!

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