Hand Held Programmers

WilliamsVMAX · February 25, 2008

Hey guys, I looking for a hand held programmer. I know alot of you guys get your PCM tuned like a Nelson Tune, but I am only interested in a handheld. I bought a Superchips Flashpaq the other day and I can definitely notice the difference in power and firmer shifts. I was wondering your thoughts on other handheld programmers out there. Where I bought the SC the dealer said that the Edge Evolution was really good as well....it really wakes up your truck and its guaranteed 40+ HP and SC is only 22+. However I was on the SC Flashpaq website and they quaranteed me 40+ HP with the 6.0L and about 60% removal of TM, not sure on Edge. They also carried the Diablo programmer, they never said much about this one. I know the edge can do more and you can keep track of whats going on with your truck on the edge monitor. Also the Edge is only $20 dollars more. So I need your opinions. Should I keep the SC Flash Paq or exchange it for the Edge Evolution. Thanks for the help.....

Paul58 · February 25, 2008

Do a search on the Edge and you'll see plenty of comments about it and other hand helds. I have the Edge and like it. What sold me was the addition of the gauges so I can monitor real time variables such as engine temp, oil temp and pressure and transmission temp. These are all very important when towing. It also has a nice tow tune that really helps with getting my truck and 7700 lbs TT on the highway! The dash pod is cool also!

VMax2007 · February 25, 2008

Handhelds

I've had the Edge....this is my opinion when compared to a Custom Tune.

MHeffe · February 25, 2008

I also have and Edge but I did not notice all that much difference with it so I think I am just going to go with a custom tune. But the Edge looks nice and dose give you a lot of info.

Paul58 · February 25, 2008

Handhelds

I've had the Edge....this is my opinion when compared to a Custom Tune.

I'm not going to argue with you, because argueing handheld to custom tune is like argueing apples to oranges!

Custom tunes just don't work for everyone, I being one of them! I agree you can get way more out of your engine with a custom tune, but a handheld is also way better than stock. I didn't want to buy a second ecu so that I could put my truck back to stock for service, nor did I want to have to crawl under the hood and swap the ecu if I did.

The torque management doesn't bother me because 1) I don't race my truck, 2) I have no desire to burn the rubber off my tires, and 3) It's a nice safety feature that protects my drive train while towing.

With the handheld, I also have the option of 4 different tunes (the first being useless in my opinion), 1) Trans Only, 2) Economy (which I use the most), 3) Towing (which I use almost as much), and 4) Performance (which I was using before gas prices sky-rocketed again!)

I also find the gauges on the Evolution very valuable!

So, I know these threads always tend to drift into an arguement of Custom Tune over Handheld Tune, but the OP did say he wasn't interested in a Custom Tune, so I was merely relating my experience with the Edge Evolution. If I didn't use my truck for towing half the time, and as a daily driver the other half of the time, a custom tune would probably work for me (even though I hate paying for premium fuel when I don't have to!) Just my .02, not intended to be a flame!

Bostonsfavson · February 25, 2008

The torque management doesn't bother me because 1) I don't race my truck, 2) I have no desire to burn the rubber off my tires, and 3) It's a nice safety feature that protects my drive train while towing.

I don't race my truck or spin my tires either, and I do quite a bit of towing, but I still like having TM disabled. It just improves the overall driveability of the truck. The difference is truly amazing; the truck drives as it should. Just something to keep in mind

VMax2007 · February 25, 2008

The torque management doesn't bother me because 1) I don't race my truck, 2) I have no desire to burn the rubber off my tires, and 3) It's a nice safety feature that protects my drive train while towing.

I don't race my truck or spin my tires either, and I do quite a bit of towing, but I still like having TM disabled. It just improves the overall driveability of the truck. The difference is truly amazing; the truck drives as it should. Just something to keep in mind

+1

I also do not race my truck and do not plan to. Yes, I can do burnouts now, but I don't. I just like knowing I CAN if I choose to, not if GM chooses to let me or not. The driveability with the TM (specifically the "Abuse Mode" Nannies) removed is night and day (or "Apples to Oranges" as you put it Paul).

No flaming intended, I am just stating my opinions as someone who has owned both. I thought I liked the Edge too when I had it, I am SO glad I decided to sell it and try a custom tune. Best move I have made yet on modding this truck.

For the record...I never saw any MPG gains in ANY of the Edge tunes, no matter what octane I ran. I tried every combination I could too. In fact, my mileage went UP about .5-1MPG when I removed the Edge and had to wait a few weeks for my Nelson tune. With that said, I have also NOT seen any MPG gains with my Nelson tune either, probably because I am enjoying the newfound throttle response so much.

dlstewart01 · February 25, 2008

I had a wait for me tune. It went in the garbage because thats what it was. I got a Diablo sport hand held and couldn't be happier.

Yall have a good one,

Don

jcgilpin · February 25, 2008

I have a Predator, and put it on Diablo Tune, along side with some 93, and I couldn't believe the difference. These programmers seem to only do alot, if you use the highest tune setting. I currently get about 15.5-16mpg.

omegafiler · February 25, 2008

There really is nothing wrong with a standard handheld unit. I know they get bashed a lot for no apparent reason, but it's not like they they're somehow "bad" or something. It all depends on what you want out of your truck and tune. Also getting these popular "Max/Hot/93 Octane Only" tunes and pulling 100% TM should warrant some concern that you are adding a lot more stress to your entire drivetrain. Something that's rarely mentioned on performance forums. Granted most of that will depend on how you drive and how much "stress" your particular drivetrain can take, etc.

I just want to make sure folks understand what they are getting themselves into when asking for these tunes. Since most custom tuners aren't going to ask, "are you sure you want more HP?" They're going to give you what you want. More power! What you do with it is completely up to you.

However, you CAN get a true custom tune on a handheld. Both Wait4me and Wester's offer a handheld solution.

Paul58 · February 25, 2008

I did see mild gains with the Edge, I'm getting a consistant 17 mpg on my daily commute which consists of about 20 miles one way, all city streets with 39 flippin stop lights between home and work! Speed limits are mostly 45 mph with a coupls streets that are 40 mph. So, overall I'm satisfied. I also see 20 mpg on the highway with the cruise set at 75 mph. These numbers are using the Economy tune and 87 octane fuel. When I was using 93 octane and the Performance setting I could get 18 mpg on my commute, but the price of gas has gone up to much to really justify the added cost for an additional 20 miles per tank of gas!

C & A s Dad · February 25, 2008

If you really want the best of both worlds and do not mind paying for it, Wait 4 me can provide you with 3 custome tunes in an Excalibur SCT handheld unit or Westers can give do relatively the same thing using a Diablosport.

I have discussed this with a guy at Westers and I have to say, he was very responsive to my questions and thorough. If I go this route, I am leaning heavily towards Westers.

Not that I am going to do it, but it appears Bullydog is now offering a new HH for gas burners. They are well known for their Diesel products but have never really cracked into the gas market.

MHeffe · February 25, 2008

The torque management doesn't bother me because 1) I don't race my truck, 2) I have no desire to burn the rubber off my tires, and 3) It's a nice safety feature that protects my drive train while towing.

I don't race my truck or spin my tires either, and I do quite a bit of towing, but I still like having TM disabled. It just improves the overall driveability of the truck. The difference is truly amazing; the truck drives as it should. Just something to keep in mind

+1

I also do not race my truck and do not plan to. Yes, I can do burnouts now, but I don't. I just like knowing I CAN if I choose to, not if GM chooses to let me or not. The driveability with the TM (specifically the "Abuse Mode" Nannies) removed is night and day (or "Apples to Oranges" as you put it Paul).

No flaming intended, I am just stating my opinions as someone who has owned both. I thought I liked the Edge too when I had it, I am SO glad I decided to sell it and try a custom tune. Best move I have made yet on modding this truck.

For the record...I never saw any MPG gains in ANY of the Edge tunes, no matter what octane I ran. I tried every combination I could too. In fact, my mileage went UP about .5-1MPG when I removed the Edge and had to wait a few weeks for my Nelson tune. With that said, I have also NOT seen any MPG gains with my Nelson tune either, probably because I am enjoying the newfound throttle response so much.

I can agree with that I never saw any improvement in MPG I get 14.9 all the time I think my gauge might be stuck on 14.9