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      10-29-2018, 08:59 PM   #23
Billfitz
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You don't get 2nd day delivery, or even 7th day delivery. Not a problem if you don't need it in less than 10 days.
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      10-30-2018, 05:00 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The 510 is easy to use, ISTA+, not so much. ISTA+ is a professional mechanic's tool, Foxwell NT510 is much more appropriate for a weekend mechanic. Anything that requires ISTA+ is probably best left to a pro. The NT510 is also much more than just a $50 OBD reader.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanelko View Post
I find the ISTA+ GUI extremely intuitive, not very difficult to use at all, and I am not a professional by any means. The detail which it guides you through the process step-by-step really is dummy proof. I retrofit the OEM HUD system and owe it to ISTA+ for making the process pain-free. Anyone who's removed a dashboard knows that it's a long process with a ton of parts and trim that needs to be removed. ISTA will literally tell you where you should pry the trim piece at and in which direction -- not one tab or clip was broken.

Back in the day the handheld OBD scanners fit the bill, but nowadays with the complexity of the systems and all the separate ECUs/modules there are in a vehicle, they just don't cut it in my opinion. You can't even replace the battery without registering it after (which I did through ISTA+ as well).
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Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The NT510 does that. I suspect that since you have ISTA and are comfortable using it that you've understandably never checked into the capabilities of the NT510, which are considerable. I'll probably look more closely at ISTA should I come across something that I can't do with the NT510 or ESYS, but that hasn't happened yet.
I highly recommend ISTA+. You could get it for "free" if you look at the right places online. Other scan tools don't cut it with regard to diagnosing a F chassis BMW.

It takes a bit of computer savvy to set up correctly.
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      10-30-2018, 09:05 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Polo08816 View Post
I highly recommend ISTA+. You could get it for "free" if you look at the right places online. Other scan tools don't cut it with regard to diagnosing a F chassis BMW.

It takes a bit of computer savvy to set up correctly.
I would pay someone to set up ISTA+ for me. Issue is I would have to buy a computer as well as the cable.
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      10-31-2018, 05:17 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n00bkiller944 View Post
I would pay someone to set up ISTA+ for me. Issue is I would have to buy a computer as well as the cable.
I run ISTA+ in a Virtual Machine. I have the $15 ENET cable along with the BMW ICOM system which is useful for older BMWs.
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      10-31-2018, 06:43 AM   #27
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Unless you're running an "above the table" shop, just get the bootleg version of ISTA. The factory documentation is all in there, fantastic stuff to read through.
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      12-14-2018, 02:51 PM   #28
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Sorry to revive an old thread but does anyone know if the NT510 will display realtime 02 data, looking to see if 02s are shot

thanks!
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      12-14-2018, 03:29 PM   #29
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I haven't tried it myself, but it should.
http://www.foxwellsupport.com/foxwell-nt-510/
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      12-15-2018, 08:20 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Polo08816 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The 510 is easy to use, ISTA+, not so much. ISTA+ is a professional mechanic's tool, Foxwell NT510 is much more appropriate for a weekend mechanic. Anything that requires ISTA+ is probably best left to a pro. The NT510 is also much more than just a $50 OBD reader.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanelko View Post
I find the ISTA+ GUI extremely intuitive, not very difficult to use at all, and I am not a professional by any means. The detail which it guides you through the process step-by-step really is dummy proof. I retrofit the OEM HUD system and owe it to ISTA+ for making the process pain-free. Anyone who's removed a dashboard knows that it's a long process with a ton of parts and trim that needs to be removed. ISTA will literally tell you where you should pry the trim piece at and in which direction -- not one tab or clip was broken.

Back in the day the handheld OBD scanners fit the bill, but nowadays with the complexity of the systems and all the separate ECUs/modules there are in a vehicle, they just don't cut it in my opinion. You can't even replace the battery without registering it after (which I did through ISTA+ as well).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The NT510 does that. I suspect that since you have ISTA and are comfortable using it that you've understandably never checked into the capabilities of the NT510, which are considerable. I'll probably look more closely at ISTA should I come across something that I can't do with the NT510 or ESYS, but that hasn't happened yet.
I highly recommend ISTA+. You could get it for "free" if you look at the right places online. Other scan tools don't cut it with regard to diagnosing a F chassis BMW.

It takes a bit of computer savvy to set up correctly.
Don't you need a battery tender to use ISTA+?


I like the idea of ISTA but it requires a little more outlay vs the Foxwell unit.
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      12-15-2018, 09:32 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F32Fleet View Post
Don't you need a battery tender to use ISTA+?


I like the idea of ISTA but it requires a little more outlay vs the Foxwell unit.
It gives you warning due to a low or high voltage, but that is not a show stopper. It's simply a warning.

ISTAP (older programming suite) needs the voltage to be regulated during the flashing process. However, this can also be achieved by connecting another F chassis BMW to the one being flashed using jumper cables. The other vehicle will regulate the voltage in this case.

That's my workaround at least.
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      12-15-2018, 11:00 AM   #32
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You need a battery maintainer (not a tender) capable of 70 amps if you're going to flash. They're not cheap. I picked up a Schumacher Inc 700a on eBay for about $400. They say 70 amps but I've flashed the entire car twice and didn't see more than 30 amps I think being drawn.

For just ista d diagnostics you don't need that, but anything at your own risk.

Ista d
Esys
Enet cable
Battery maintainer

Icom isn't needed for the f chassis. It will show you the kl15 voltage but at least the versions of the software I used didn't seem to care, and I knew it was good due to the maintainer. Enet worked fine.

Ista p is basically Esys for dummies (bmw service department) the only nice thing it offers is running the right service functions after a flash. E.g. disabling the AC compressor run in after flashing ihka. That one got me.
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      12-15-2018, 11:09 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YuminNuman View Post
You need a battery maintainer (not a tender) capable of 70 amps if you're going to flash. They're not cheap. I picked up a Schumacher Inc 700a on eBay for about $400. They say 70 amps but I've flashed the entire car twice and didn't see more than 30 amps I think being drawn.

For just ista d diagnostics you don't need that, but anything at your own risk.

Ista d
Esys
Enet cable
Battery maintainer

Icom isn't needed for the f chassis. It will show you the kl15 voltage but at least the versions of the software I used didn't seem to care, and I knew it was good due to the maintainer. Enet worked fine.

Ista p is basically Esys for dummies (bmw service department) the only nice thing it offers is running the right service functions after a flash. E.g. disabling the AC compressor run in after flashing ihka. That one got me.
You don't need a power supply if you have another BMW F chassis vehicle that you can connect via jumper cables to the F chassis vehicle you are flashing.

People don't flash very often so I'm okay idling another car for a bit less than 60 minutes for a full flash. Less expensive to idle a car for an hour than it is to purchase a Schumacher INC device.
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      12-18-2018, 11:36 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I haven't tried it myself, but it should.
http://www.foxwellsupport.com/foxwell-nt-510/
Thanks ill give it a shot!
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      09-09-2019, 07:20 AM   #35
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A question about scan tools: I have the Peake R5 which I used on my 2007 E90. Will it read everything on my 2020 F32 or will some of the codes be missing/wrong/unreadable. Trying to decide if I can keep it or need to replace it with the Foxwell. With the Peake Research site gone, and a forum and web search fruitless, thought I'd ask here.
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      09-10-2019, 01:14 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nadthomas View Post
I do all of my own mechanical repairs/maintenance, and so fair I have been able to get away with a cheap ODBII scan tool. That scanner has been on the frits lately, so its time to upgrade.

What is the best bang for your buck diagnostic scan tool for under $500. I would like something that will do more then just an ODBII reader, and I'm currently looking at the Schwaben scanner, but if there is a better one for a couple of bucks more or a cheaper one that does 90% of what the Schwaben will do for a fraction of the cost great. Even better if it will scan other cars, I currently have vehicles from Ford, GM, and BMW.

I'm also an IT Engineer, so it doesn't have to be a handheld either, I have plenty of computers at my disposable. Although handheld is preferred out of conveniences.

Share your thoughts!
NT510 is for sale at ECS tuning for $105.99
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      09-10-2019, 03:59 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by city1991 View Post
NT510 is for sale at ECS tuning for $105.99
At less than $110, this is a great price. I paid $150 last year when NT510 was on sale at Turner Motorsports.
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      11-23-2023, 03:35 AM   #38
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NT510 is a good choice. However, if you intend to use it for Ford, GM, and BMW, it would cost you more for software for each brand. You can take a look at autel MK808s, it's a best bang of the bucks for me. Check this post to see what it can offer you. I often turn to this website for advice before picking up a new scan tool.
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