JScan vs Tazer vs Flashcal+ my experience

[XtremeRetard]

Just a quick overview of my experience with these 3 tune tools.

Got the Tazer first.
Tons of features, a little bit complex to use with the cruise control buttons etc. But you get used to it.
Programmable permanent stuff works fine.
Live features are unreliable and intermittently work.
Unmarrying removes all your changes including gears, tires etc. Grr.
Not bound to your VIN if unmarried, can be used on another Jeep.
Support not bad, a little slow, but all good.

Got the Flashcal+ to avoid having to unmarry all the time for dealer warranty stuff
The benefit was easy changes to permanent stuff like tires, gear ratio etc
Advanced features and even basic features like LED change dont work properly. Had to use Tazer to fix.
Support is slow and non-existent. Still have an unresolved issue logged from last Sept 2022.
But for the basic changes it works fine no problem and is better than the Tazer as changes are permanent. (Change with this, then marry with Tazer, unmarrying does not erase changes)
Super expensive option considering.

Lastly JScan, got this to do ABS Bleed procedure and the demo looked like it could do loads of stuff.
Permanent changes are quick and easy. Faster than Tazer.
WAY cheaper than the other 2 options. Like $75 all up with a compatible OBD2 bluetooth adapter and license.
Hands down the device to get unless you want all the extra fancy Tazer stuff which may, or not may not work reliably.

So summary, Tazer best for features, but fiddly and marry/unmarrying all the time sucks.
JScan best for permanent changes and also best value overall.

My 2c is based on my experience and opinion. Discard if so inclined.

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[Dryver]

Thanks for the thoughts. Getting ready to pull the trigger on larger tires (maybe) soon and have been debating which one of these ways to go.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Just a quick overview of my experience with these 3 tune tools.

Got the Tazer first.
Tons of features, a little bit complex to use with the cruise control buttons etc. But you get used to it.
Programmable permanent stuff works fine.
Live features are unreliable and intermittently work.
Unmarrying removes all your changes including gears, tires etc. Grr.
Not bound to your VIN if unmarried, can be used on another Jeep.
Support not bad, a little slow, but all good.

Got the Flashcal+ to avoid having to unmarry all the time for dealer warranty stuff
The benefit was easy changes to permanent stuff like tires, gear ratio etc
Advanced features and even basic features like LED change dont work properly. Had to use Tazer to fix.
Support is slow and non-existent. Still have an unresolved issue logged from last Sept 2022.
But for the basic changes it works fine no problem and is better than the Tazer as changes are permanent. (Change with this, then marry with Tazer, unmarrying does not erase changes)
Super expensive option considering.

Lastly JScan, got this to do ABS Bleed procedure and the demo looked like it could do loads of stuff.
Permanent changes are quick and easy. Faster than Tazer.
WAY cheaper than the other 2 options. Like $75 all up with a compatible OBD2 bluetooth adapter and license.
Hands down the device to get unless you want all the extra fancy Tazer stuff which may, or not may not work reliably.

So summary, Tazer best for features, but fiddly and marry/unmarrying all the time sucks.
JScan best for permanent changes and also best value overall.

My 2c is based on my experience and opinion. Discard if so inclined.

FYI for others - JScan can’t help with ESS, so you will need to also budget for a Smart Stop Start. (Great product and forum member.)

Not knocking any of the options, just adding a data point. The whole reason I bought a Tazer in 2018 was to disable ESS. They were first to market and the only option until SSS came out.

 

[JL ME]

Just a quick overview of my experience with these 3 tune tools.

Got the Tazer first.
Tons of features, a little bit complex to use with the cruise control buttons etc. But you get used to it.
Programmable permanent stuff works fine.
Live features are unreliable and intermittently work.
Unmarrying removes all your changes including gears, tires etc. Grr.
Not bound to your VIN if unmarried, can be used on another Jeep.
Support not bad, a little slow, but all good.

Got the Flashcal+ to avoid having to unmarry all the time for dealer warranty stuff
The benefit was easy changes to permanent stuff like tires, gear ratio etc
Advanced features and even basic features like LED change dont work properly. Had to use Tazer to fix.
Support is slow and non-existent. Still have an unresolved issue logged from last Sept 2022.
But for the basic changes it works fine no problem and is better than the Tazer as changes are permanent. (Change with this, then marry with Tazer, unmarrying does not erase changes)
Super expensive option considering.

Lastly JScan, got this to do ABS Bleed procedure and the demo looked like it could do loads of stuff.
Permanent changes are quick and easy. Faster than Tazer.
WAY cheaper than the other 2 options. Like $75 all up with a compatible OBD2 bluetooth adapter and license.
Hands down the device to get unless you want all the extra fancy Tazer stuff which may, or not may not work reliably.

So summary, Tazer best for features, but fiddly and marry/unmarrying all the time sucks.
JScan best for permanent changes and also best value overall.

My 2c is based on my experience and opinion. Discard if so inclined.

I have a 2021 Wilys
So, all I'm looking to do is gear / tire and led lights like fog on with brights settings. Do you think
jscan would best?

 

[Rhinebeck01]

FYI for others - JScan can’t help with ESS, so you will need to also budget for a Smart Stop Start. (Great product and forum member.)

Not knocking any of the options, just adding a data point. The whole reason I bought a Tazer in 2018 was to disable ESS. They were first to market and the only option until SSS came out.

@OldGuyNewJeep .. You and I were both early adopters of the Tazer JL as you know... We also both adopted the SmartStopStart unit early on, also...

Actually, Steve at SmartStopStart a forum sponsor here, was the very 1st to have an offering that dealt with the ESS button push ..... and then after awhile Joe @ ZAutomotive figured it out so to speak and added it to the Original Tazer JL.

In regard to "First to Market" it was ZAutomotive who was First to Market with a a programmer for the Wrangler JL in 2018. It was much much later that Superchips came up with a programmer for the JL.

I remember the talk here when Superchips tendered a marketing ad that stated.... First to Market for a JL programmer and many here laughed and or cried that's pure bullchitt...

@SmartStopStart.com has a terrific offering that never hiccups and to me is the very best unit to buy if all you want to do is have a device that in essence, does the ESS button push for you.

ZAutomotive in my opinion has the best programmer out there you can buy for a JL/JT.

Shortcoming with the Tazer JL, is when you unmarry you lose your settings and that presents problems lets say. Another major shortcoming is often the guy/gal that installs one. Some are to lazy to read the instructions and learn how to use the Tazer JL... to lazy to unmarry when prudent to do so. etc..

Anyway, the Tazer JL is top dog in regard to a programmer for the JL/JT and the other brand programmer I mentioned, is laughable at best.

And JSCAN ... Yes, a terrific offering brought to us by a guy in Poland named "Piotr Bialic" . Yes, JSCAN is not perfect... sometimes JSCAN touts they can do x and cannot do x, but on the whole, JSCAN is very very good. For sure though, JSCAN drops the ball in regard to ESS.

In closing... For a guy or gal that wants/needs all that comes with the Tazer JL Mini, I myself tell them to use a hybrid approach...... You install/use a Tazer JL but also run/use JSCAN. Those that know the in's and out's programmer wise, know why I recommend/suggest the hybrid approach.

.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

I have a 2021 Wilys
So, all I'm looking to do is gear / tire and led lights like fog on with brights settings. Do you think
jscan would best?

@JL ME

For you... and what you want to do... YES, JSCAN is absolutely the way to go!

Do that and buy the SmartStopStart unit to deal with the ESS button push ... unless you don't mind ESS and or pushing the ESS button.

 

[SparkleTooth]

Removed my Tazer simply because I felt like it got in the way of diagnosing other issues when they arise. For instance, the electrical system on JLs is abysmal so when sensors flake out, the Tazer just added a layer of complexity to troubleshooting. I didn't fully use all its features anyway other than the start/stop disable.

For gears and tire settings, I used ECRI, which is dead simple to use and allows you to make your settings and then remove the device. Has a nice IOS/Android App for making the adjustments.

For me the less that is plugged into the OBD the better.

 

[Tncdrew]

In closing... For a guy or gal that wants/needs all that comes with the Tazer JL Mini, I myself tell them to use a hybrid approach...... You install/use a Tazer JL but also run/use JSCAN. Those that know the in's and out's programmer wise, know why I recommend/suggest the hybrid approach.

.

+1 on this approach. On Rhinebeck01's recommendation, this has worked well for me!

 

[Jeep Wick]

Just a quick overview of my experience with these 3 tune tools.

Got the Tazer first.
Tons of features, a little bit complex to use with the cruise control buttons etc. But you get used to it.
Programmable permanent stuff works fine.
Live features are unreliable and intermittently work.
Unmarrying removes all your changes including gears, tires etc. Grr.
Not bound to your VIN if unmarried, can be used on another Jeep.
Support not bad, a little slow, but all good.

Got the Flashcal+ to avoid having to unmarry all the time for dealer warranty stuff
The benefit was easy changes to permanent stuff like tires, gear ratio etc
Advanced features and even basic features like LED change dont work properly. Had to use Tazer to fix.
Support is slow and non-existent. Still have an unresolved issue logged from last Sept 2022.
But for the basic changes it works fine no problem and is better than the Tazer as changes are permanent. (Change with this, then marry with Tazer, unmarrying does not erase changes)
Super expensive option considering.

Lastly JScan, got this to do ABS Bleed procedure and the demo looked like it could do loads of stuff.
Permanent changes are quick and easy. Faster than Tazer.
WAY cheaper than the other 2 options. Like $75 all up with a compatible OBD2 bluetooth adapter and license.
Hands down the device to get unless you want all the extra fancy Tazer stuff which may, or not may not work reliably.

So summary, Tazer best for features, but fiddly and marry/unmarrying all the time sucks.
JScan best for permanent changes and also best value overall.

My 2c is based on my experience and opinion. Discard if so inclined.

Good info. I am wondering who has used alfaOBD and how it compares to JSCAN. Also curious about what the Autel scanners will do which are roughly $300 now.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Removed my Tazer simply because I felt like it got in the way of diagnosing other issues when they arise. For instance, the electrical system on JLs is abysmal so when sensors flake out, the Tazer just added a layer of complexity to troubleshooting. I didn't fully use all its features anyway other than the start/stop disable.

For gears and tire settings, I used ECRI, which is dead simple to use and allows you to make your settings and then remove the device. Has a nice IOS/Android App for making the adjustments.

For me the less that is plugged into the OBD the better.

The ECRI Wireless Vehicle Calibration Device that retails for about $100 or so is decent for what it is.
It's very limited in what it offers though.. and with it you still have to deal with the security gateway connectors. I have worked with this offering and it is not bad at all. Support for same by ECRI, is aok also.

For most, though it makes sense to use a similar amount of $ and buy a JSCAN license, an ECRI Security Gateway Bypass Module and an OBDLink BT Scan Tool and do programming with that.

You can do so much more with this set-up, then you can with a ECRI Wireless Vehicle Calibration Device and yes, also as with the ECRI calibration device, no marrying woes with the set-up I mention.

 

[Rogersocal]

Love my Tazer, Idle up (Winch Mode, but i use it for compressor when airing up) and cooling fan full (great for those slow crawls but engines getting hotter than i want) are pretty awesome. Besides the ESS memory there are tons of features.

 

[KeithB]

Having trouble with my Flashcal+ keeping my ESS turned off. I've called the company and was quickly told it wasn't my devices fault. No accountability at even considering my issue or helping me resolve what is going on.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Having trouble with my Flashcal+ keeping my ESS turned off. I've called the company and was quickly told it wasn't my devices fault. No accountability at even considering my issue or helping me resolve what is going on.

@KeithB

Suggest you sell that offering .... even at a $ loss and go another route based on your needs.

 

[Bayrat]

Why the programmer for disabling the SS feature? Pull the fuse and disconnect the small battery. This website has a plethora of information regarding the how-to aspect.

 

[rcadden]

Why the programmer for disabling the SS feature? Pull the fuse and disconnect the small battery. This website has a plethora of information regarding the how-to aspect.

If you do this, you've only removed the small battery from the circuit. Unless you push the button the ESS will still attempt to function, but will pull from the main battery instead of the small one.

You still need to disable ESS, either by pushing the button or by using SmartStopStart/Tazer.

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