Topic: DiabloSport Predator U7198, What are your thoughts?

[Fowlhunter]

I just started looking (Today) at the DiabloSport Predator U7198.  I'm not looking to get real crazy with tuning the Ole girl but I thought this may help with my horrible gas mileage and give her a spark of life?  I know, go with HPTuners, I'm not looking to spend that much money plus I don't have a laptop to tune from the garage.  Some of the things I would like to do is:
Remove all or a percentage of the TM, change shift points to different RPM's, I think it may even work for turning on my efans once that mod is done???  Most if not all places I've found it sell for around $369.  I'm simply trying to weigh everything out right now.  Nelson can turn on my fans for $35, they also list a PCM tune of $250 but not sure what that includes?  Like I said I've just started looking today with no intent to buy today.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not real sure how much this hand held tuner can actually do?

Thanks, Fowlhunter

[MyBigToy]

If you want to watch eBay and forums for a while you can buy a used Predator for $200; that's what I gave for mine. Just make sure that it was reset and I would suggest making sure it's the latest software revision level since it offers more features. I like being able to adjust some of the parameters myself and to monitor some of the parameters.

The Nelson tune will get you more gains than the Predator will give you and he should include turning the fans on as part of the PCM tune pricing. That would bring your net cost for the tune down to $215. I believe he offers free retunes if you were to change something that might require it (like a cam or gears or tire size) but you have to send the PCM back to him to do it.

If you decide to buy a new Predator for $369 you are most of the way to buying the standard HPT software so that's the way I would go in that case.

[KY_BOB]

I think that the Predator is the best handheld on the market.  I would be leary of a used one unless you knew it had the most recent software already in it.  The earlier ones don't give you as much control.

I agree with MBT about Nelson.  You will gain more with that than any hand held.

[Fowlhunter]

I appreciate your thoughts and opinions, I've never owned any kind of tuner so you guys would know better than I.  Like I said, I'm simply trying to weigh everything to see what would be a better option for me.   

[Alaska_AV]

Well, I like my pred. Had it for years now. The TM kill And trans changes you can make, alone are worth it to me.

 The abilty to just plug it in, to get codes+ clear them, for repair is priceless. HPT and other hand helds do the same. if not better

 If you get a new one it has all new guts in it so you can log and download new OS software to keep it updated with out haveing to send it in.

 A used one most likely wont have the new guts, and cost $100+ to upgrade. A used one can still install custom tunes via e-mail.

 Custom tunes can be made for the pred at a reasonable cost like WB and OBB have done. hand in hand with the guy, without sending the PCM around Like with a nelson tune.

I'm not blasting nelson at all. Sounds like a fine way to go also


Some day I want HPT. I piss myself thinking about total control

[06MonteSS]

it's definitely worth it IMO... 

you'll have control over a bunch of parameters that you can modify and dial in to get even more performance over the canned tunes...  plus, having an 02, you'll have tranny control too, so you'll be able to firm up your shifts, adjust your shift points, etc etc....

But, when you DO get one, make sure you get a NEW one, so that it's on the newest revision - which will allow you to save data logs, and will have more parameters available to tweak, and will also have better canned tunes than the older ones...  because they have redone their canned tunes to improve them more than what was available in the older ones.

Plus, buying a used one, you run the big risk of the person telling you it's unlocked and ready to go, and then when you get it, you find out it is NOT.. that the person didn't restore their original stock tune to their vehicle cuz they wanted to keep the tune, so now you have a locked predator that you can't do anything with.  There have been TONS of people posting after the fact that they bought used predators and when they got 'em they were still locked -- then they're SOL.

ALSO, depending on how old of a revision the used one is on, it may not be able to be unlocked at all, even after restoring the original backup to the original vehicle - cuz old old ones did not...  they did not unlock after restoring the backup.


so, when buying one, a NEW one, I would hit up marylandspeed.com and get it from there, because they're running a deal where they're offering free shipping, and also give you the pc interface kit (serial/usb cable and power adapter) for free!  these are items you'll need anyway, in order to download logs and import/export tune files.


And, as Alaska said, custom tunes can be made for the pred at a reasonable cost like WB and OBB have done. hand in hand with the guy!   

Go for it!!  you won't be disappointed....

-Lew

[oHIobellboy]

Just drive it over to Bob's and have him use his HPT to turn your fans on. His is an 02 also.     I like the things I can do with my pred but as mentioned earlier, It would be best to make sure you had the newer version so you can log and compare notes and such.

[Fowlhunter]

Great information by all!!   

Thanks, FH

[06MonteSS]

you're welcome, man!!