February 2023 - 24

Top Diagnostic Tools for 2023
Training will help you gain the most value out of any tool or piece of equipment.
By Scott Brown, PTEN Technical Editor
A
s a diagnostic tech myself,
I'm always on the lookout
for new tools that
can help me do my job more
efficiently. I usually find this to
be an extremely challenging
task because many of the tools
I've been using for years are
highly effective at carrying out
diagnostic or investigative tasks
I come across. However, there
are tools I acquire that don't get
used very often, but in certain
situations, the tool can provide
extremely valuable information
that enables our shop to proceed
toward the goal of finding
the cause of the problem.
In most cases, a new tool will require
new knowledge. For example, if you were
to acquire a multi-channel lab scope and
wanted to use it to identify engine valveto-piston
timing problems, then you, of course, would not only
need to have good foundational knowledge around engine
mechanicals, but you would also need to know how to set up and scale a
pressure transducer and any other inputs you wanted to monitor.
You would then need to know what data to collect and analyze,
and document your findings to support your diagnostics. So, my
suggestion is that with any new tool that you add to your arsenal, you
will need to attain the necessary knowledge for achieving success.
The following is a list of the top tools that I admire - consisting
p FLIR VS80
used in the medical field and wondered why we couldn't get
that level of quality. Well, we all know the obvious reasons for
this. One caution I'd like to mention here is that you want to
avoid sticking the camera into a hot environment since this can
result in its destruction! Here are a couple of cameras whose
specifications impress me.
of some tools that I currently use and find highly valuable and
some I may be acquiring in the future. Some are new, and some
have been around for a while and may be hard to obtain. However,
all are highly effective, in my humble opinion, so please stay with
me, and let's check these out. Additionally, with more electrified
vehicles entering the marketplace, we'll also explore some new
tools to consider adding to your arsenal.
VISUAL TOOLS - INSPECTION CAMERAS
Sometimes you need to do a visual inspection that is nearly
impossible without major disassembly. I've used multiple
borescopes over the years, which I usually find extremely
challenging. We've probably all seen the ultra-high-end scopes
24 PTEN FEBRUARY 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
FLIR VS80 - HIGH-PERFORMANCE VIDEOSCOPE
In addition to their specialty with forward-looking Infra-red,
FLIR has brought to market a new videoscope called the VS80.
The videoscope is outfitted with 1024 by 600 high-resolution 7″
touchscreen display and is available in seven different kits with
the option to purchase waterproof, ultra-slim probes that can be
easily swapped in and out. Probe options include a 4.5mm diameter
two-way articulating probe; a four-way articulating probe;
a plumbing spool probe with a 25m cable; single HD and dual
HD visible camera probes; a standard definition probe; and a
general-purpose thermal camera probe.
VIVIDIA ME-610I - OASIS SCIENTIFIC
The ME-610i or ME-620 works with either an Android or
Apple smartphone or tablet to view or record high-resolution
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2023
