Tazer vs Flashcal vs other JL programmers

[WXman]

I own a Tazer JL. However, I'm still actively researching the Superchips FlashCal and the potential AEV ProCal JL that could be released this summer.

Aside from the fancy light shows that the Tazer offers, here are the major differences I've found between the two currently available options:

1) FlashCal reads and clears DTCs. Tazer only clears them.

2) FlashCal can turn off AutoPark on most JLs. Tazer doesn't even offer the option.

3) FlashCal can turn TPMS on or off. Tazer can turn TPMS on, off, AND set the threshold.


#1 is a big deal because who wants to clear DTCs without knowing what the problem was first??

#2 is a big deal because AutoPark is the single most annoying "safety" feature on the JL.

#3 is a big deal because if you run oversized tires, you often will run lower PSI. There are many guys like me who DO want TPMS to be functional, but we need it to trigger at a lower threshold. Simply offering "on" or "off" as the only options is stupid and a moot point because if it's off it's not working for me, and if it's on it's not working for me either because the light will always be on the dash because I am not going to run 36 PSI in a large set of LT-E rated tires on a 4,100 lb. vehicle!

So what it boils down to is the FlashCal will be better for some guys, and the Tazer will be better for others. This isn't really a matter of choice. It actually depends on your intended usage of the Jeep.

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[BlueBlood]

I own a Tazer JL. However, I'm still actively researching the Superchips FlashCal and the potential AEV ProCal JL that could be released this summer.

Aside from the fancy light shows that the Tazer offers, here are the major differences I've found between the two currently available options:

1) FlashCal reads and clears DTCs. Tazer only clears them.

2) FlashCal can turn off AutoPark on most JLs. Tazer doesn't even offer the option.

3) FlashCal can turn TPMS on or off. Tazer can turn TPMS on, off, AND set the threshold.


#1 is a big deal because who wants to clear DTCs without knowing what the problem was first??

#2 is a big deal because AutoPark is the single most annoying "safety" feature on the JL.

#3 is a big deal because if you run oversized tires, you often will run lower PSI. There are many guys like me who DO want TPMS to be functional, but we need it to trigger at a lower threshold. Simply offering "on" or "off" as the only options is stupid and a moot point because if it's off it's not working for me, and if it's on it's not working for me either because the light will always be on the dash because I am not going to run 36 PSI in a large set of LT-E rated tires on a 4,100 lb. vehicle!

So what it boils down to is the FlashCal will be better for some guys, and the Tazer will be better for others. This isn't really a matter of choice. It actually depends on your intended usage of the Jeep.

Makes perfect sense.

Thanks for the in-depth rundown!

 

[DanW]

Yep, that's the great thing about competition. I also think you'll see each vendor adjust their product if another has a feature that is very popular. It will be interesting to see the Pro Cal. I have the JK version and it does what I need it to do for that machine, but the interface is way outdated. If they use the same interface, then they'll have to price it significantly lower.

I do wish the Tazer could read codes, although I haven't needed that yet. Interestingly, my old dinosaur 08 JK reads its own codes, right in the dash. You then just Google them to see what it is. I wonder if that capability is buried in the JL's electronics somewhere?

One thing I do like is being able to set the TPMS thresholds. I run 30lbs cold. My 16 yo daughter and my wife will occasionally drive the JL surprised, so I want them to have a warning if a tire is going down. Heck, I'd like the warning myself, although I'd be likely to feel it or see it before I get in.

I'd still like to see the center brake light blink four or five times before becoming constant when initially applying the brakes. I've seen commercial vehicles with that and I think it helps get the attention of people behind you who are paying too much attention to cell phones and not enough to the road ahead. I think there is a chance that could be possible.

 

[Swanny297]

I own a Tazer JL. However, I'm still actively researching the Superchips FlashCal and the potential AEV ProCal JL that could be released this summer.

Aside from the fancy light shows that the Tazer offers, here are the major differences I've found between the two currently available options:

1) FlashCal reads and clears DTCs. Tazer only clears them.

2) FlashCal can turn off AutoPark on most JLs. Tazer doesn't even offer the option.

3) FlashCal can turn TPMS on or off. Tazer can turn TPMS on, off, AND set the threshold.


#1 is a big deal because who wants to clear DTCs without knowing what the problem was first??

#2 is a big deal because AutoPark is the single most annoying "safety" feature on the JL.

#3 is a big deal because if you run oversized tires, you often will run lower PSI. There are many guys like me who DO want TPMS to be functional, but we need it to trigger at a lower threshold. Simply offering "on" or "off" as the only options is stupid and a moot point because if it's off it's not working for me, and if it's on it's not working for me either because the light will always be on the dash because I am not going to run 36 PSI in a large set of LT-E rated tires on a 4,100 lb. vehicle!

So what it boils down to is the FlashCal will be better for some guys, and the Tazer will be better for others. This isn't really a matter of choice. It actually depends on your intended usage of the Jeep.

Correction -

#3 - The flashcal sets the min threshold value - I have mine set at 25psi. In thread 89 I posted a picture of the programming features of the flashcal for reference.

 

[lookitsadam]

I have the flashcal and haven’t had any issues, it can be unmarried when you take it for service, it won’t void your warranty - I have a Sport so I don’t need all the programming features of the higher trim levels in the Tazer. When/if tuning becomes available the flashcal will be able to be updated to handle canned tunes as well.

Personal preference on which you choose right now the only opeions are Tazer and Superchips

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what unmarrying is and why/how you would need to do this before servicing your Jeep at the dealer? I'm about to put 35s on my Sport S and was looking at the FlashCal but don't want to mess anything up.

 

[DanW]

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what unmarrying is and why/how you would need to do this before servicing your Jeep at the dealer? I'm about to put 35s on my Sport S and was looking at the FlashCal but don't want to mess anything up.

Unmarrying is for trips to the dealer service department. It allows you to mask or hide the use of a programmer so they can't try to void your warranty. Then, when done, you remarry it and are back to your settings.

I've not heard of a programmer messing anything up. If it did, the squawking here would be deafening. It has worked really well for me, and is one of my favorite modifications to my JL.

 

[islandtees]

Unmarrying is for trips to the dealer service department. It allows you to mask or hide the use of a programmer so they can't try to void your warranty. Then, when done, you remarry it and are back to your settings.

I've not heard of a programmer messing anything up. If it did, the squawking here would be deafening. It has worked really well for me, and is one of my favorite modifications to my JL.

I have found the Tazer is not remembering settings when I remarry the unit. I had to start from scratch the other day when I came back from the dealership.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

The TPMS pressure and tire size not being restored on a remarry has been mentioned at another forum and recently at this forum.

I have found that all other settings do get put back/set-up upon remarry.

I do not set tire size or TPMS on my JL. Stock tires...

Suggest you guys with TPMS and Tire Size settings to use the hint below (I got it from Joe, a month ago) about saving configuration to a file for reloading after a new marry.

---
If you have a laptop with the ZAutomotive utility on it, you can take the laptop out to the JL/JLU and connect the laptop to the installed TazerJL with the ZAutomotive provided data cable. After the cable is connected, with JL not started/not running... Ignition button push to RUN.

Now, using the ZPU utility – click “configure” then “utilities” and then do a BCM READ and save it as a file.

After doing the file save, you can unmarry, and when you’re ready – marry, and do a BCM write, writing back the file you saved.

Doing this is a time saver. Also, allows you to save different BCM read files with say different configurations.

.

 

[islandtees]

The TPMS pressure and tire size not being restored on a remarry has been mentioned at another forum and recently at this forum.

I have found that all other settings do get put back/set-up upon remarry.

I do not set tire size or TPMS on my JL. Stock tires...

Suggest you guys with TPMS and Tire Size settings to use the hint below (I got it from Joe, a month ago) about saving configuration to a file for reloading after a new marry.

---
If you have a laptop with the ZAutomotive utility on it, you can take the laptop out to the JL/JLU and connect the laptop to the installed TazerJL with the ZAutomotive provided data cable. After the cable is connected, with JL not started/not running... Ignition button push to RUN.

Now, using the ZPU utility – click “configure” then “utilities” and then do a BCM READ and save it as a file.

After doing the file save, you can unmarry, and when you’re ready – marry, and do a BCM write, writing back the file you saved.

Doing this is a time saver. Also, allows you to save different BCM read files with say different configurations.

.

The only problem with this is the Tazer was said to retain the settings when you remarry. I don't own or have a need for a laptop.
Joe needs to look into this as it is not a isolated case.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

The only problem with this is the Tazer was said to retain the settings when you remarry. I don't own or have a need for a laptop.
Joe needs to look into this as it is not a isolated case.

I hear ya. I do not think it was ever stated or promised that the TazerJL would save any or all settings though. I never read that or heard that from Joe. Perhaps this is not something that is possible with all settings.

ALL my settings have been saved but again, I do not program tire size or TPMS. IF I did, I would just have to go back in after a remarry and easily set TPMS and Tire Size after the remarry which takes but what, 5 mins. if you include the 180 second reboot time. 8-)

I know I don't plan on marrying and unmarrying and remarrying very often. To me the pain is the hardware removal and reinstall....

cc
@joe@zauto

 

[WXman]

Correction -

#3 - The flashcal sets the min threshold value - I have mine set at 25psi. In thread 89 I posted a picture of the programming features of the flashcal for reference.

Oh ok. I was going by Superchips' own information on their website. It clearly says TPMS can be set on or off only. In order to get adjustment, you need the TrailDash or whatever they call that...

Unmarrying is for trips to the dealer service department. It allows you to mask or hide the use of a programmer so they can't try to void your warranty. Then, when done, you remarry it and are back to your settings.

I've not heard of a programmer messing anything up. If it did, the squawking here would be deafening. It has worked really well for me, and is one of my favorite modifications to my JL.

I have found the Tazer is not remembering settings when I remarry the unit. I had to start from scratch the other day when I came back from the dealership.

Yep, my Tazer also did not remember my settings. I had to go back and fix my TPMS, tire size, splash screen, etc. all over again.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

snipe:

Yep, my Tazer also did not remember my settings. I had to go back and fix my TPMS, tire size, splash screen, etc. all over again.

Oh my.............. "all over again" .... geeeez takes but 5 minutes or so tops to reprogram the couple that did no go back..

 

[WXman]

snipe:


Oh my.............. "all over again" .... geeeez takes but 5 minutes or so tops to reprogram the couple that did no go back..

Compared to the 0 minutes it would take if my settings didn't get erased?

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Compared to the 0 minutes it would take if my settings didn't get erased?

Im with you, @WXman. After all, one of the main reasons we bought this is because we’re too lazy to press the ESS button or dismiss a weather alert! :cwl:

In all seriousness, though, I’m sure the loss of settings is just a bug that will be addressed with a firmware update.

Totally agree with @Rhinebeck01 that the hardware uninstall/reinstall is far more laborious than changing settings.

 

[WXman]

Apparently the FlashCal is popular because they are on backorder. Estimated to have mine in a couple of weeks. I'm going to try it out and see if all the features work or not. Will be neat to make a real world direct comparison of the two.

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