Hey :)
I own a TF 98 magna, automatic and was looking at setting a computer up to the ecu and i was wondering whats the best hardware to use ? a 1.3u cable ? Want to mainly view information for now but maybe mod the ecu in the future. Thanks for any help.

Hey :)
I own a TF 98 magna, automatic and was looking at setting a computer up to the ecu and i was wondering whats the best hardware to use ? a 1.3u cable ? Want to mainly view information for now but maybe mod the ecu in the future. Thanks for any help.

An Intel atom based netbook is quite sufficient for most fiddling, if a bit small for extended use, but all notebooks are a pain to securely locate for use while logging. Evoscan's GPS based logger is attractive (except for the price), but isn't able to run software you would use for ROM work. I've been using an HP netbook in the car, and do the serious work on my desktop.

The TFs don't include the reflash connector that is required for ECU modding - this would need to be added (or you need access to a TH or later auto to use as a host while doing so, or you'll need to create a bench reflashing harness). The TF ECUs aren't confirmed as being reflashable (to my knowledge) but if its the same ECU hardware as the TH (which I expect it is) an Openport 2.0 cable would be required to safely reflash it.

For logging only, an Openport 1.3D is sufficient.

Thanks for your reply.
So something like this cable:
http://www.evoscan.com/evoscan-gps-obdii-cables/details/13/1/performance-vehicle-pc-diagnostic-interfaces/evoscan-13d-usb-obdii/mutiii/ssmii-datalogging-cable
would do me fine for the time being to just view and log data. Anything higher than that is advancing into features to mod the ecu ?
Will leave me with some fun :)

Thanks for your reply.
So something like this cable:
http://www.evoscan.com/evoscan-gps-obdii-cables/details/13/1/performance-vehicle-pc-diagnostic-interfaces/evoscan-13d-usb-obdii/mutiii/ssmii-datalogging-cable
would do me fine for the time being to just view and log data.

Yes. The Openport 1.3 cables (any variant) are better for logging than the Openport 2.0 cables from a sample rate point of view (at least 50% higher), but the latter also has the convenience of being able to log directly to an SD card (in CSV format) with no laptop connected.

So if you already have a desktop and don't have a laptop, the Openport 2.0 can work out cheaper if it suits your purpose.

Yeah already have a laptop so ill go ahead and grab myself a 1.3 cable. Thanks very much for your knowledge :)