[EweRomancer]

Hi Everybody,

Has anyone had any luck with aftermarket HDS tools? I have a general OBD scanner which can pull generic codes and not much more. I'd like to really drill down on things: ie view electrical switching functions, reprogram TPMS and so on. My CRZ is a bit weathered and paying the dealership $150 a visit is going to add up quickly.

This one looks too good to be true:

V3.103.066 HDS HIM Diagnostic Tool for Honda with Double Board

V3.103.066 HDS HIM Diagnostic Tool for Honda vehicles from 1992-2020, supports CAN BUS system, allows you to re-program the Auto ECU.

www.obdii365.com

Has anyone tried?

I saw another post that recommended the bluedriver device from Amazon, but that doesn't look quite full_featured enough. I'd really like to get as close to the dealership tool as I can without paying an exorbitant amount.

Any suggestions?

 

[MrFastFox666]

I have a cheapo ELM327 clone from China. Works great for genric codes and some live data but not much else.

 

[NY-Z]

I'll post here instead of starting a new thread. Back to the original question, anyone have one of these Chinese HDS tools? Looks like a good deal if they actually work and support all functions including the IMA.

 

[Spdbump]

While this does not monitor the TPMS it monitors some of the Hybrid information if you use the X-Gauge commands. » ScanGauge II

» Honda-Acura

if you want more than this then you need to look at other sources and decide how much you are willing to spend. A place to look might be harborfreight.com Search Results For "Code Scanner For Automobiles" they have all kinds of units at different price points. Or talk to Snap on or other tool trucks you may find a deal on a used one that covers the year and features you need for your car.

 

[NY-Z]

The Scangauge is still just an OBDII device with some programmability for reading extra stuff. I already have Torque on my phone for reading and clearing ECU codes, live data, checking readiness etc.
The clone HDS units as linked to in the first post appear to provide the same capabilities as the real HDS used by dealers, and for a lot less money. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually has used one on a CRZ with a first-hand evaluation.

 

[PeterPerkins]

A Honda clone tool is invaluable for proper diagnostic and research work on these cars.
We would not have such well developed hacks, tweaks and gadgets for the IMA cars without having had access to one.

I bought mine a FLY 108 PRO nearly ten years ago and it cost $700! However they are a lot cheaper now.
It has paid for itself many times over and lead directly to the development of several very successful IMA related gadgets.

This sort of thing is a newer version ..

Honda FLY 100 Tool

Cheap OBDII readers simply cannot access the huge range of information available to the factory tools.

This one may work and looks like an early Honda Clone effort.

Honda Tool Option

 

[Spdbump]

The dealer devices are also OBD 2 and it will be interesting to know if the clones truly have the same capabilities at a lower cost than the dealer or professional devices but there is a whole range of devices that go from simple obd 2 generic devices to the full blown dealer devices and everything in between. The Scan gauge with the program-ability is a little bit above the generic OBD 2 code readers and can read some of the Honda / Hybrid specific information. As I stated all depends on if it works and how much you want to spend.

@PeterPerkins is on the right track and uses his for what you are talking about and as I stated you maybe able to get a "professional" tool used from one of the tool trucks that sell them,one of the harbor freight ones or one of these other Chinese clones. A lot more options than there used to be.

The Scangauge is still just an OBDII device with some programmability for reading extra stuff. I already have Torque on my phone for reading and clearing ECU codes, checking readiness etc.
The clone HDS units as linked to in the first post appear to provide the same capabilities as the real HDS used by dealers, and for a lot less money. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually has used one on a CRZ with a first-hand evaluation.

 

[PeterPerkins]

The true clone tools running the HDS software have identical features to the dealer ones.
They are basically dealer tools with cracked software so you don't have to be logged onto the Honda dealer network or $$ subscriptions for them to function.

Things that may not work include reprogramming or updating computer modules.
This requires firmware files for the ECU's etc which asfaik come from the Honda servers.
I've never looked at this aspect in any depth.

Legislation in the EU afaik also stopped manufacturers locking down the tools and forced them to allow independent garages access to them as well as authorised dealers.

 

[NY-Z]

Yep it does look like the current clones are full-featured HDS replacements, although I'd like to see a first-hand review for a hundred bucks it might be worth just giving one a try. I know there are cheap Tech2 clones for GM that work well and I'm hoping these are similar.
Torque is great for the regular OBDII functions and having it on the phone makes it super convenient and always available. But it only does generic engine stuff.

Edit- thanks Peter you replied while I was typing this.
Do you have experience with the unit linked in the first post? It's currently available for $99 and shipped from the US so very tempting-

 

[PeterPerkins]

I use the FLY108 PRO so do not have experience with the other tool.

Also Malwarebytes flags that link as a trojan.

I risked sending $700 ten years ago to an unknown firm on the internet in the far east for the FLY tool, it was difficult to obtain and expensive.

There is always some risk....

 

[NY-Z]

Yes I got the Malwarebytes flag too. I'm not too worried about that, it happens with a lot of sites that I know are ok and anyway I have double web protection running (Malwarebytes web extension and an ad blocker).
Well if I end up going for this I guess I'll be the one giving the report.

 

[PeterPerkins]

Well if I end up going for this I guess I'll be the one giving the report.

Indeed you will.

I did ask Honda UK ten years ago for the price of the dealer tool. LOL
They said £4000 for the kit and a £100 a month subscription..

 

[NY-Z]

Certainly out of the reach of most individuals but a drop in the bucket for a dealership.
There's a push here in the US for "right to repair" legislation that should make proprietary repair information and equipment more readily available to the consumer and independent shops, but for now we have the Chinese-

 

[NY-Z]

So I just found the same Chinesium unit on Ebay for the same price, placed the order and I should have it by next week. Supposed to be shipping from NJ which is next door, and no need to deal with the dodgy website although it may be the same people.
Stay tuned for the report-

 

[NY-Z]

I'm back with an update, and happily it's positive. I now have a working HDS for $100 US.
It took me a while to get it going because for some reason the USB-serial adapter I was using was only allowing partial communication between the HIM and my laptop. I could program the HIM and see it respond, and it even passed a self-test with the loopback plugs they give you. But it wouldn't connect the HDS to the vehicle. After numerous tries I decided to swap out the adapter for another one and it connected right away. I had to mess around a bit to make the HDS accept a fake repair order # and then I was in. Did some poking around and even cleared some (presumably old) DTCs that were lurking in areas where an OBDII scanner would never see them. I'll check again at a later time to see if any come back.
I might have played around for longer but it's rather cold outside here today so I called it quits for now.

TLR- Buy this. If your laptop doesn't have a hardware 9-pin serial port you'll need a USB-serial adapter, they do offer one as an option with the unit or you can get one from Amazon, computer store etc. Just make sure you can return it if it doesn't work.

 

[JHCivic]

I'm back with an update, and happily it's positive. I now have a working HDS for $100 US.
It took me a while to get it going because for some reason the USB-serial adapter I was using was only allowing partial communication between the HIM and my laptop. I could program the HIM and see it respond, and it even passed a self-test with the loopback plugs they give you. But it wouldn't connect the HDS to the vehicle. After numerous tries I decided to swap out the adapter for another one and it connected right away. I had to mess around a bit to make the HDS accept a fake repair order # and then I was in. Did some poking around and even cleared some (presumably old) DTCs that were lurking in areas where an OBDII scanner would never see them. I'll check again at a later time to see if any come back.
I might have played around for longer but it's rather cold outside here today so I called it quits for now.

TLR- Buy this. If your laptop doesn't have a hardware 9-pin serial port you'll need a USB-serial adapter, they do offer one as an option with the unit or you can get one from Amazon, computer store etc. Just make sure you can return it if it doesn't work.

Hi, I have been looking all over for a scan tool for HCH2 to read IMA related codes & battery module voltages. Do you have a link for the one you purchased? Does it work with a HCH2. Thanks in advance.

 

[NY-Z]

Here is the link to the one I purchased-

OBD2 Scanner ABS&SRS Diagnostic TPMS,DPF,EPB,BRT,Oil Reset VIDENT iAuto 702Pro | eBay

VIDENT iEasy200 Code Reader OBD2 Scanner Car Check Engine Fault Diagnostic Tools. For GM/Ford/BMW/MINI/Chrysler Full System OBD2 Scanner Diagnosis VIDENT iLink400. Vident iBT100 Battery Tester 12V Battery Analyzer for Flooded,AGMGEL 100-1100CCA.

www.ebay.com

There are many similar units available, but I chose this one because I could deal with Ebay instead of a possibly sketchy third party website, and also because it was shipped from the US and not from China.
It should work with your car, but if you want to be sure you can contact the seller before making the purchase. I found them to be responsive when I had questions.

 

[litz]

Here is the link to the one I purchased-
....

I actually have that same hardware--got it 3-4 years ago and couldn't get the software working on my computer. Thanks for posting about it, as I might get it back out of the parts bin and see if I can set it up with my (relatively) new computer.

 

[NY-Z]

I'm using it with a Win7 laptop. The info says it's good for XP and 7, doesn't mention 10 although I'd be surprised if 10 was a problem. If it is maybe running it in compatibility mode would work.
There were specific instructions for installing the software, I did follow them.

 

[stickslikevelcro]

I've decided to pull the trigger on one of these knock off diagnostic tools as I'm sick and tired of seeing my vsa, hill start, and air bag lights every day.

@NY-Z any more updates on your unit? Were you ever able to retrieve some IMA info?

Trying to decide if I should go with the same one or this:

HDS HIM V3.101 Diagnostic Tool For Honda + Z-TEK USB1.1 To RS232 Connector | eBay