Any opinions on either would be greatly appreciated.

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Neptune, NJ
White '87 Vette - 383 Superram ported and matched to TPIS big mouth intake, Eagle cast crank, 6"eagle forged rods, srp/je forged pistons, LPE 219 cam, ported heads(2"x1.56" ferrea valves), Comp cams pro-magnum 1.6 rr's, double springs, titanium retainers,Hypertech power coil and cap, 4 bolt block, TPIS headers, auto(trans kit,shift kit),Pro Torque 2600 stall converter, k&N filter, 3.07 rear diff., Silver ZR-1 wheels 17x9 and 17X11

 

If want something you can run in Windows get EASE and if you want something that you can run on dos get Diacom. I think Diacom is popular because it runs on DOS and you can run it on older & slower laptops that are easy to find and are cheap. The price difference is not that much and I have seen a handfull of post of people complaining about getting Diacom to connect in certain applications. I currently have EASE.

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87 Iroc 5.7, AFR190, SLP Cam(218/224), SLP 1 5/8 headers & cat back, Random CAT, SLP Runners, 48mm TB, custom chip(by me), Vigilante & Probuilt trans.

[This message has been edited by 87IROC350 (edited May 03, 2001).]

 

Would you say that functionality wise they are the same? I've checked both websites and they both seem to monitor the same number of functions.

 

I originally bought Diacom and returned it for EASE(I never actually had the chance to use it). The price was about the same but I saw a handful of posts from people were having some problems getting it connect in certain modes. A lot of people will swear by Diacom too. I went with EASE because you don't need a bunch of different connectors like Diacom and you get the pretty graphical displays with their base package. I've found it easy to use and it is very user friendly as are most Window based programs. When I was researching it seemed you got more for your money and functionality with EASE. I would assume they both pretty much so monitor the same functions.

What I don't liked about EASE is I found a small bug on their personal version of the software and their technical deparment was really good about resolving the problem. I asked if I hadn't of found this problem how do I receive updates or patches. They said they don't offer them unless you call in with an problem. I thought that was a crappy way to do business. Otherwise than that I have been very happy with the software hopefully someone else can give better feedback on Diacom. I haven't had the opportunity to use Diacom so I don't want to give you false or misleading information. If I had to do it again I would still get EASE. Hope that helps.

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87 Iroc 5.7, AFR190, SLP Cam(218/224), SLP 1 5/8 headers & cat back, Random CAT, SLP Runners, 48mm TB, custom chip(by me), Vigilante & Probuilt trans.

[This message has been edited by 87IROC350 (edited May 03, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by 87IROC350 (edited May 03, 2001).]

 

Thanks for the great feedback.

 

The biggest PLUS about Diacom is that you can run it on an older DOS based notebook that you can get for nearly nothing.

I suspect either one can only capture the data given by the ALDL connection so there really isn't any difference there.

As for "functionality", Diacom is pretty basic. It does have "limited" graphing capabilities, which I don't care for. It does offer the ability to translate into a DBF file which I then import into Excel, which is where I do all my manipulation.

The thing about Window based diagnostic tools that scare me is that Windows is so susceptible to crashing. I've never had that problem with DOS. If Windows was more stable, then I would probably be more incline to recommend EASE. Windows and communications have a nasty habit of conflicting.

 

I will agree with the above posts on this topic. I also started with Diacom, and had trouble connecting. I could only get the low speed data out, which was at the 160 baud rate. Diacom helped me as much as they could, but when I heard about the windows tool from Ease, I jumped on it. (Sold my Diacom). I got the personal Plus version. It has more graphing features, and you can record forever. I also had some bugs with it, but their tech support is good, and they helped me with any issues. I even tested some Beta software for them, and as a bonus I got the updated software ahead of everyone else.
I am going to do a scan/record on my way to work, I get so much data I don't know what to do with it!!! As long as my laptop battery holds out!!!

Email me if you have more Q's.

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Best ET 14.413 @95.57 without
pulling valve covers or manifolds.
Also with stock 2.77 rear end!!!

 

If price is a consideraion then I would download Craig Moates program E6, it's as good as diacom, runs in dos on old laptops, saves directly to an excel file, and best of all it's free.
http://members.tripod.com/moatesenheimer/gmecm/
just download file EB6001
and the update EB6003

I'm told it works with a cable from AKM electronis (there is a link in the Traxions tech article above), but I made mine with a max 232a chip as outlined here. http://www.techedge.com.au/vehicle/aldl8192/8192hw.htm I even got the max 232a for free from http://www.maxim.com/ because they give out a couple smple if you ask for them, the rest of the parts (resistors, capacitors, etc) are easily acquired at Radio Shack.

Now if money isn't a consideraton I would go with ease because the windows enviroment is much nicer, graphing sounds better, and linking dicom to a maf TPI is a real bitch. The only drawback would be if you cant transfer the data to excel. I would make sure you can do tht because excel is very nice for that sort of thing.

Good luck either way.

[This message has been edited by CanadianBeast (edited May 07, 2001).]

 

Thanks guys. If I decide I want to do this, I will probably go with the Ease software.

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Neptune, NJ
White '87 Vette - 383 Superram ported and matched to TPIS big mouth intake, Eagle cast crank, 6"eagle forged rods, srp/je forged pistons, LPE 219 cam, ported heads(2"x1.56" ferrea valves), Comp cams pro-magnum 1.6 rr's, double springs, titanium retainers,Hypertech power coil and cap, 4 bolt block, TPIS headers, auto(trans kit,shift kit),Pro Torque 2600 stall converter, k&N filter, 3.07 rear diff., Silver ZR-1 wheels 17x9 and 17X11