Custom Channel Presets

[jonwally]

Hello All

I just upgrade my Modis to a used Verus, both have v12.4 and so far I'm loving it. I was just watching a channel on YouTube, ScannerDanner, and he was using a Pico computer scope. Now here's what I think I saw, he had custom presets setup for use on the scopes channels. For example a setting for using his 60A amp clamp on the 20A mode then another if it was on the 40A mode.

What I think Snap-On needs to add to the scope and graphing meter is the ability to setup custom channel presets like the ones they have already included. This would give us the ability to have a scale shown that matches what we are measuring and not have to do a conversion in our head.

It would be really easy cause most things we measure is voltage. Even with an amp clamp, all it does is measure the amps and sends out a signal in the form of voltage. It could be as simple as telling the scope that 100mv = 1A then it could show an amp scale instead of a voltage scale. Could even include a starting range for the scale. But the scale range could still be adjusted.

This is just a thought and some feedback from you guys would be nice. Or SO has already done this and its in an update I don't have yet. That would be one reason to update.

Thanks

[Joe Rappa]

Do you mean like this?

[jonwally]

I know you can save the whole scope setup. What I want to be able to do is save the way a channel is displayed. Say I have a low amp clamp that outputs 200mV per amp, unlike the 100mV the Snap-On one does, I could have the amp scale on the left be correct for my clamp. Or say I have a pressure transduser that outputs voltage, I could have the scale read correctly.
Thanks for the relay thou.

[Joe Rappa]

I understand. I'm not sure we'd ever see something like that. So few folks use a scope in the first place, I doubt SO would spend development money on making use if generic transducers seamless. I don't speak for them though...so you never know.

It is a good suggestion though.

Joe

[Wheel]

Hello All

I just upgrade my Modis to a used Verus, both have v12.4 and so far I'm loving it. I was just watching a channel on YouTube, ScannerDanner, and he was using a Pico computer scope. Now here's what I think I saw, he had custom presets setup for use on the scopes channels. For example a setting for using his 60A amp clamp on the 20A mode then another if it was on the 40A mode.

What I think Snap-On needs to add to the scope and graphing meter is the ability to setup custom channel presets like the ones they have already included. This would give us the ability to have a scale shown that matches what we are measuring and not have to do a conversion in our head.

It would be really easy cause most things we measure is voltage. Even with an amp clamp, all it does is measure the amps and sends out a signal in the form of voltage. It could be as simple as telling the scope that 100mv = 1A then it could show an amp scale instead of a voltage scale. Could even include a starting range for the scale. But the scale range could still be adjusted.

This is just a thought and some feedback from you guys would be nice. Or SO has already done this and its in an update I don't have yet. That would be one reason to update.

Thanks

What you are asking for is what I would call a custom probe list or the option to define the probe and what it is measuring to the scope so it can interpret it into amps, degrees F or C, psi, vacuum, etc instead of having to read the result onscreen as voltage and interpreting it yourself. We have asked for these features for years - all in vain. I fully agree with Joe's doubts that Snap On will ever deliver on it though - not until they replace
some people up in the higher ranks with someone who once again cares about what the customer wants and will listen. For now, the only way to get what you want is to either buy a product elsewhere that already has it or find a company still willing to listen to its customers and will make it happen.
My old Interro PDA had the ability to do this for a limited number of probes, and it is how old?

[Joe Rappa]

In Snap-on's defense on this, I know it can be frustrating if you ask for a feature and it doesn't appear. But I think the guys in engineering have done a GREAT job of trying to get us the features we need in the scanner. Just because someone asks for it doesn't mean it's going to happen though. Some requests are not worth the expense(money better spent elsewhere), or would be used by too few (as in this case exactly). Or sometimes it isn't even possible, or legal.

Again, I know that it can seem like requests fall of deaf ears, but I promise that it is not the case. Unfortunately NO company shares competitive information, so you're never going to hear when/if it is being considered. There have been some great features added to the scanner as a result of customer requests here. If I had to guess, and I do, I'm not holding my breath for this one. Unless the scaling changes could be make for very little money, I doubt this feature would be added for the tiny fraction of people that would use it.

Joe

[Wheel]

In Snap-on's defense on this, I know it can be frustrating if you ask for a feature and it doesn't appear.

If I alone ask for it, it's just disappointing. If many ask for it, it is frustrating. If many take their time to make a good case for it, then I think they should at least seriously look into it. They owe their customers that.

But I think the guys in engineering have done a GREAT job of trying to get us the features we need in the scanner.

I agree here, and believe it or not, I think they are doing the best they can, and to my knowledge, these are not the ones causing the problems.



Just because someone asks for it doesn't mean it's going to happen though.

True enough.

Some requests are not worth the expense(money better spent elsewhere), or would be used by too few (as in this case exactly).

The ones making these kind of decisions is where the trouble lies.
Do they go on their opinions or do they really survey the users of the equipment?
A majority of the scope users use the low amps presets, and a good many use the pressure transducer presets - because they are there. Additional presets or the means for the user to create them CANNOT be used because they are not there. I dare say they would be used and appreciated if they were - and by a majority of the scope users.

Or sometimes it isn't even possible, or legal.

This is often the case. There are many features from the ATS scopes
I wish Snap On had but understand they are patented. Therefore I don't ask for those. Too bad Snap on couldn't work out a deal with them.

Again, I know that it can seem like requests fall of deaf ears, but I promise that it is not the case. Unfortunately NO company shares competitive information, so you're never going to hear when/if it is being considered. There have been some great features added to the scanner as a result of customer requests here. If I had to guess, and I do, I'm not holding my breath for this one. Unless the scaling changes could be make for very little money, I doubt this feature would be added for the tiny fraction of people that would use it.

We will have to disagree on how many would use the feature. I also have to disagree on how many use scopes. While it is a small percentage of the total amount of mechanics out there, I find it interesting that Snap On bothered to bring out the Vantage Ultra to tempt this "small percentage."

Joe

You do a really nice job of finding answers for a lot of our questions when you can. You and your colleagues who do so aren't appreciated enough
for this. I still feel those above your paygrade could learn much from you guys. I think I am not alone in feeling they have lost touch and are no longer on the same page as their customer base. Yes it is disappointing when a needed feature isn't added, but what I find genuinely infuriating is when almost every time a new tool or "upgraded" software is brought out, it is missing so many useful features its predecessors had. New and improved tooling should mean just that. It is a lot easier to trade that old tool in for the new one if that new one offers something better PLUS will do EVERYTHING its predecessor did. It would be a no brainer if one had the money !

[phill57]

Presets

Thanks Wheel for bring this up again.

I just thought I would put my two cents worth in here, (1.8 cents Canadian). In the days before the Atlas software when we had the original Verus software I believe 10.2, when you saved a Preset you could put a detailed description along with saving the preset that would go a long way to simplifying the use of these features. This has been brought up by myself, Wheel and a few others that I feel are probably power users of the scope features. We can still put in the comments/additional information when saving a scope setup for future use but it never reappears when you go to select that preset in the future. Even the factory additional instructions that appears with Presets in the Vantage Pro do not display in the Atlas system anymore. My point is we had something that I think was an excellent feature and it was taken away like many other things.

Just have a look at presets in the SSC software and those comments are there.

[Wheel]

Thanks Wheel for bring this up again.

I just thought I would put my two cents worth in here, (1.8 cents Canadian). In the days before the Atlas software when we had the original Verus software I believe 10.2, when you saved a Preset you could put a detailed description along with saving the preset that would go a long way to simplifying the use of these features. This has been brought up by myself, Wheel and a few others that I feel are probably power users of the scope features. We can still put in the comments/additional information when saving a scope setup for future use but it never reappears when you go to select that preset in the future. Even the factory additional instructions that appears with Presets in the Vantage Pro do not display in the Atlas system anymore. My point is we had something that I think was an excellent feature and it was taken away like many other things.

Just have a look at presets in the SSC software and those comments are there.

I am convinced that Snap On diagnostics has their own agenda which no longer includes the power user - regularly removing useful and still widely used features from newer tools and software. Power users and exceptional mechanics - the guys for who mediocre tools just won't do - are who kept making the choice to buy Snap On tools throughout the company's history when other more affordable choices were available whereas mechanics ranging from average down to DIY (which is the market I think they would rather sell diagnostic tools to now and not fool with us) would buy something cheaper and from other sources. It has been speculated that features have been removed to make a tool cheaper - whether or not that is the actual reasoning this has been achieved, the tools ARE cheaper and I don't mean pricewise. They are still built well, just missing features they or their predecessors once had, and in my as well as others' opinions still need.
Even if Snap On offered the Verus new for $100.00 complete, I guarantee you someone will still gripe about it costing too much. Better, more capable tools cost more money and I think all power users understand that, or should, and would be willing to pony up for what they want. Too bad these guys are being ignored by the corporate bean counters in favor of those who will complain about tooling costs no matter how cheap.

[Rally]

In Snap-on's defense on this, I know it can be frustrating if you ask for a feature and it doesn't appear. But I think the guys in engineering have done a GREAT job of trying to get us the features we need in the scanner. Just because someone asks for it doesn't mean it's going to happen though. Some requests are not worth the expense(money better spent elsewhere), or would be used by too few (as in this case exactly). Or sometimes it isn't even possible, or legal.

Again, I know that it can seem like requests fall of deaf ears, but I promise that it is not the case. Unfortunately NO company shares competitive information, so you're never going to hear when/if it is being considered. There have been some great features added to the scanner as a result of customer requests here. If I had to guess, and I do, I'm not holding my breath for this one. Unless the scaling changes could be make for very little money, I doubt this feature would be added for the tiny fraction of people that would use it.

Joe

That is Stupid, Minimal effort on Snap-On's part could make that happen. I write code and it would be no problem at all to incorporate that feature into their scope. It it was a useless feature Pico and others would not offer it.
Give it some time and Snap-On will be Obsolete. Many other companies offer way more for far less. If you need the Guided Component tests in the first place you already hurting. I'm not trying to talk down on you but fact is fact.

[Wheel]

That is Stupid, Minimal effort on Snap-On's part could make that happen. I write code and it would be no problem at all to incorporate that feature into their scope. It it was a useless feature Pico and others would not offer it.

I agree it shouldn't be that hard and they should do it, and in a manner which allows the mechanic to set up a given probe for themselves instead of having to bug the Snap On guys each time someone wants something special.

Give it some time and Snap-On will be Obsolete.

It is not from the lack of talented employees I assure you. It is a bean counter/management problem who has their own agenda and could care less about what their customers want or what their employees could achieve if given half a chance.

Many other companies offer way more for far less.


If you need the Guided Component tests in the first place you already hurting.

There are a lot of top notch mechanics who could make you and I put together look like a couple of beginners that would take exception to the above statement. Unless you only work on familiar cars all the time AND have a photographic memory, these can help you, and are handy in the tool if needed.

I'm not trying to talk down on you but fact is fact.

Good luck getting any results from them or even an answer for that matter.