New Programmer!

[4XLGator]

Smitty, sorry I didn't get to call you this weekend. On the weekends I have my son I get so into spending all the time I can with him and lose track of everything else. I'll give you a call tomorrow or Tuesday.

I have been doing a lot of "programmer" reading and have ruled out a few and put a few others on the potential list. Like you, I'm thinking about building a comparison and pros & cons spreadsheet to keep up with everything.

Banks is one of the ones I have ruled out. They are too conservative with their tuners, but with good reason in my opinion...they have the most to lose out of any of these other companies, none of which have been in the diesel business as long as them. I think their main concern is simply liability.

Superchips is out, my opinion is that they are more into gas than diesel.

Diablo is out, I don't think they have the diesel experience that others have, much like superchips.

H & S is out, on price alone. I hear they are great, but I feel others can do what they do for less money.

EFILive is out...I'm not a computer programmer but I think I could handle it. But, knowing myself it would consume a lot of my time because I would want to play with it all the time. I can literally see myself sitting out in the truck late at night doing so. So, I'm gonna resist that temptation.

I haven't looked into to Bully Dog, but plan to. I doubt I will buy them though.

I am going to continue to look into Smarty, Edge and Quadzilla, although I am leaning towards Smarty right now...which I never thought I would simply on looks alone. However, guys seem to love them and I prefer analog gauges over digital (yes, it's kind of a big deal with me). And not the Jr, I'm looking hard at the S-06 and SSR, although the SSR seems like it does more then I want to get into (same reason as EFILive). They provide higher hp settings and ultimately I would like to have the mods for, and supporting mods to support 500 to 600hp. I realize it's gonna cost me $6k to $10k but that hp range is my goal.

I may even eventually stack with TST.

Even though I typed most everything here, I'll still give you a call tomorrow or Tuesday and we'll kick it around. I typed here as I thought Aaron and Lou may find it interesting reading too.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by 4XLGATOR Smitty, sorry I didn't get to call you this weekend. On the weekends I have my son I get so into spending all the time I can with him and lose track of everything else. I'll give you a call tomorrow or Tuesday. I have been doing a lot of "programmer" reading and have ruled out a few and put a few others on the potential list. Like you, I'm thinking about building a comparison and pros & cons spreadsheet to keep up with everything. Banks is one of the ones I have ruled out. They are too conservative with their tuners, but with good reason in my opinion...they have the most to lose out of any of these other companies, none of which have been in the diesel business as long as them. I think their main concern is simply liability. Superchips is out, my opinion is that they are more into gas than diesel. Diablo is out, I don't think they have the diesel experience that others have, much like superchips. H & S is out, on price alone. I hear they are great, but I feel others can do what they do for less money. EFILive is out...I'm not a computer programmer but I think I could handle it. But, knowing myself it would consume a lot of my time because I would want to play with it all the time. I can literally see myself sitting out in the truck late at night doing so. So, I'm gonna resist that temptation. I haven't looked into to Bully Dog, but plan to. I doubt I will buy them though. I am going to continue to look into Smarty, Edge and Quadzilla, although I am leaning towards Smarty right now...which I never thought I would simply on looks alone. However, guys seem to love them and I prefer analog gauges over digital (yes, it's kind of a big deal with me). And not the Jr, I'm looking hard at the S-06 and SSR, although the SSR seems like it does more then I want to get into (same reason as EFILive). They provide higher hp settings and ultimately I would like to have the mods for, and supporting mods to support 500 to 600hp. I realize it's gonna cost me $6k to $10k but that hp range is my goal. I may even eventually stack with TST. Even though I typed most everything here, I'll still give you a call tomorrow or Tuesday and we'll kick it around. I typed here as I thought Aaron and Lou may find it interesting reading too.

No problems Lee. I understand the priorities.

I have decided to just look at on-the-fly type tuners. Which, you can do per se with POD on the Smarty. But, Smarty uses the ODB port which is what the Insight uses (I have used analog in the past and like my digital). I have tried using a ODB 2-1 cable but Smarty did not like it. I can disconnect the Insight make my POD change and then hook the gauges back up. Not as bad as doing a complete download, but still a PITA.

As a daily driver I am more interested in MPG, then power. So I would like to have the capability to easily switch from an economy mode, to a tow mode (more power), back to economy, etc. With out going through the 10 minute process each time. Again, I could use POD, but not sure I really like using it. It changes shift points, power, throttle response, etc.

I understand with the Smarty you can do some tuning. But, not sure I really want or need it. I am not really interested in the 5 more hp (example) that fine tuning the timing may get me. Now, if it gave me another 1-2 mpg I would like. But do not think it does that. Or have not seen it from my Smarty. I have noticed that some of the 'on-the-fly' tuners are now offering timing/torque/low end tuning.

So, for now I am looking at ease of use, gauges, economy, power when needed.