Old laptop + Techstream vs. BT Scanner (1 Viewer)

[kromulent]

I had an XTOOL Bluetooth scanner that I used with the Anyscan app on my LR3 but it has wandered off....so I'm looking for a replacement. I checked my local Craigslist and a Lexus/Toyota shop is selling off an old laptop (Windows Vista!) with Techstream v.14 on it. It's a little bit more $$$ than another BT dingledongle but is it more powerful/useful? If it's only ~10% better I'd probably pass. What say y'all?

 

[dudemancool1904]

Check this thread out. Scan tool off Amazon that does everything TS does.

Handheld Techstream Alternative Found!

First off… Huge thanks to @misteracng for bringing this to my attention. Figured I’d share as many will likely benefit from it. I got zero interest in needing a laptop to make tweaks to my truck... Got it to try to disable the auto telescoping steering wheel, figured it was on Amazon, so if...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[TheComedian]

Why not use a normal laptop, WinXP on a virtual machine + the usual dongle for ~10-20€ and a version of techstream?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Why not use a normal laptop, WinXP on a virtual machine + the usual dongle for ~10-20€ and a version of techstream?

It all depends on what you want to do. I was unable to program my TPMS sensor IDs with a cheap dongle, so I ended up getting a laptop + an expensive VXDIAG dongle. If I were to tool up today from scratch, I'd probably get the tool recommended above from Amazon. I think I might buy one anyways, and just keep it in my 200.

 

[grinchy]

Having the actual Toyota license is a pretty good option in my opinion. I used techstream a few times while getting my rig setup and during some upgrades, but haven’t needed it for two or three years.

 

[gasman4u]

I HAD the techstream use in an old laptop briefly after using the "how to tech stream in 5 minutes" 100 series thread instructions. I say had, as now my old laptop that did work with it no longer does, my VM with mac does not work, and my new PC laptop I bough to get it to run the techstream stuff doesn't work. It was cool while it lasted, but I got frustrated with not being able to troubleshoot why it stopped working and now wouldn't work with newer (and faster) tech.

 

[bloc]

and now wouldn't work with newer (and faster) tech.

Most likely anti-virus protections... definitely put up hurdles for me.

 

[gasman4u]

Most likely anti-virus protections... definitely put up hurdles for me.

That was a B to deal with for sure with the new PC. I thought I had turned off all the nanny stuff. Maybe I didn’t.