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Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by John Coleman on May 5, 2010, 2:26 pm
Message modified by board administrator May 5, 2010, 3:43 pm

Hi - does anyone have any knowledge of the Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit. I am looking to invest a not too large a sum in diagnostic, mobile equipment and would like to know if anyone has used this and would be prepared to share their thoughts and findings? Thanks

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by martin young on May 5, 2010, 6:20 pm, in reply to "Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
Martin Young

dave
you know your dying to post

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Carl ford on May 5, 2010, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
Carl Ford

Dave hill will give good advice on pico I use the scope on my verus and would not be without one as it's a very powerful but easy to use tool so don't think you will regret buying one
hth

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by ROGER JORDAN on May 5, 2010, 8:39 pm, in reply to "Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
Roger Jordan

Hi John, I have had a Picoscope for many years, it`s the parallel connector two channel one so it`s pretty old now but does all I ask of it although I would love to upgrade to a four channel.
The automotive menu sets the scope up for most operations you will use and gives full description on how to connect so is very user friendly and the Pico website is full of info and real case histories.
My scope is used daily and I would say it`s getting very difficult to properly diagnose modern systems without some form of scope.
As the others have said, keep an eye out for Dave Hill or Dave Harney they realy can make a scope talk and are both realy helpful.
Look on the scope sections of any technical website, Ilexa is a good start with many case histories and realtime waveforms displayed which will give you some idea of how the system works.
If you haven`t already done so , download the Pico demo software and have a look at it.
Hope this helps Roger

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Tom Williams on May 6, 2010, 11:17 am, in reply to "Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
Tom Williams

I use the 4 channel Pico. It's a very good piece of equipment.
I find the big drawback is the fact that it's PC based. It's a real drag to set up just for some quick measurements.
Until mine died, I'd mostly use the PMS100 for convenience.
I couldn't even think how to work in a mobile situation, I suppose if you start young enough.
For mobile use in the great outdoors I'd be tempted to go for something self-contained like a Vantage or similar.

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Mark Banks on May 6, 2010, 2:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
Mark Banks

Hi John,

I can see Tom's point about being PC based... But because the Pico is PC based, printing and archiving your test results is so much easier.
I too have a PMS100 which is great for quick initial checks but I think you can't beat the Pico for useability.

I guess it's all down to personal preference.

Regards, Mark

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Pete Mutlow on May 6, 2010, 7:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"

Hi John,

I have a 2 channel Pico which I have had for a number of years. This is used on a mobile basis and sits in the back of the van permanently connected to a lap top with the leads attached. So if it is required, it is quick and easy to use. I won't go into detail how good it is because that has been covered in previous posts except to say that I concur with the comments made. Also, I find the customer is quite impressed (who normally sits on my shoulder) when I show him what the trace should be, and what the trace actually is. This gives him the confidence on the diagnostic work carried out.

Incidently, I also use a "quick look" tool first which graphs MAF, CTS, ATS, TPS, HO2 etc which is the Creader V. This is an inexpensive piece of kit which I find handy and very quick to use. If I see something which needs detailed analyis, then PICO comes into operation.
However, when I first mentioned Creader V a few weeks ago, it caused howls of derision from certain quarters!

So, I can only concur with the previous inputs that PICO is a very good option.

Regards

Pete M

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by John Coleman on May 6, 2010, 9:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"
John Coleman

Well thanks for all you constructive help here. It seems I am looking at a useful bit of kit that is generally well received within our industry. Thanks also for the advice re the Creader - it may be something worth looking into. I am still at a very early stage and appreciate any help I can get so thanks again.

All the best to you all

JC

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Andrew Clarkson on May 7, 2010, 9:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"

Hi John,

The Pico scope is a brilliant piece of kit. Pico Technology are an excellent company to deal with. You won't go wrong with a Pico scope.

Regards,

Andrew,

Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #

Posted by Dave Hill on May 9, 2010, 9:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit #"

Hi John

You will find many threads devoted to this topic on may forums. It is my firm belief that you won't find anything else out there that does what Pico does, especially for the price they ask.

I have to lay my cards out here & say that I have little experience of anything else, other than Snap-on products. Although the Modis, Vantage & Verus are very capable tools, I find that they restrict the process of gathering waveform data.

To be fair to the Snappy products, they do offer more than just an "oscilloscope" within the package. A quality DVOM & graphing meter & some "vehicle specific" test information is built into them all. The Modis & Verus have four channels that "run" regardless of whether they are selected or not. You can't devote your entire arsenal of samples, to one channel "main event", like you can with Picoscope.

If you want a scope that is future proof & able to navigate each waveform at will..... & also post the data files & images all over the internet, so that you can learn & share with your colleague.... Pico does all this so well.

Did I mention the price? Did I mention the free for life software updates? Bloody hell I don't know where to start or stop!

Autonerdz is a great source of information too! Tom Roberts offers an unprecedented level of understanding & back up.

There are many other scopes out there & I can't say anything good or bad about them, as I have only used Picoscope, but suffice it to say, I have not found it lacking in any department & I like to think that I push it to the limits.

HTH

Dave

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