Just to be clear, in a service department, there are always "terminals" that are live with the GM Tech Center, that can be accessed for bios, flash, calibration, and other VIN specific updates, as well as running GMSI (GM Service Information), in what at one time was a program called "Dealerworld" One side of it was GMSI, the other was GMVIS (GM Vehicle Information System), another GMNASPO (Parts).

Meaning, if I had to do an odometer change, I would go to the car, download it's pertinent data (VIN#, calibration ID, Bios, etc, etc...), Go back to the Terminal download it in to the terminal, and then the GM Tech center would send back authorization and import that in to the tool, from there, I would go back to the car, and do what was necessary. If the terminal was near, I could just run the Tech2 as a pass through entity. Basically what I'm getting at, is the Tech2, regardless of actual way it does it, was the facilitator between everything.

MDI, builds upon the Tech2 "pass-through" methodology, using the terminal as the facilitator and LAN controller of the entire process, that the actual MDI unit is merely the communication device (or "slave") between the car and the terminal. In some ways, it is actually faster as you are eliminating steps and eliminating potential communication issues with the tool, but you lose portability power. Meaning, you're more tied to the terminals in the service department. Whereas with your T2, you can use it anywhere, anytime and just plug in, and do what you need to do short of needing the tech center authorizations. You're not tied to your local service department. This is the main reason I am not a fan of MDI.

At least this is the best way I can describe it in summary fashion. MDI was just coming in, in it's earliest forms, as I was leaving. So I haven't had as much exposure to it, which is the other reason I prefer the ole Tech2... Familiarity.

I saw another forum member talking about getting a Tech2 for $300 and I was pretty skeptical, but after he posted that it was working fine, I had to try one.

I ordered one from AliExpress on July 10th and it arrived on July 19th via DHL. I paid $305 shipped. This is the package I received from China.



Opened it up.


Taking it out.


All of it out and unpackaged.


Connector ends.


Software CD.


Apply your own stickers!


CANdi module and cables


The new clone on the left, and my original legit Tech2 on the right. (stickers not applied yet)


Back side.


Bottom port.


Right side.


Top side.


Left side.


The back side after applying stickers.


The VCI module pulled out.


The 32mb PCMCIA data card pulled out.


Booted up in the car.


Displaying the Misfire Graphic screen.


Displaying the Engine Data 1 screen.


My overall impression after playing with it for a few days. Wow! This thing is cheap, works great, and is of the same build quality as my original. Some of the few differences that I immediately noticed are the buttons feel different and the screen is much brighter. The buttons on my original have a distinct "click" feel to them, and the clones are mushy. However I found that the more that I press them, the clickier they get. The screen being brighter is a plus.

The only thing I'm disappointed by that I didn't get the case. The other forum member stated that the price would be much more if you got the case. I wish I had done some more research because I found several sellers selling the same thing with the case for around the same price. However, I did feel more comfortable buying from the same source as the other member.

So what am I going to do with it? Well, having multiple Tech2's would be handy (one at home, one at the shop), but I think I'm going to give it to my Dad. He's been talking about getting one because he is jealous of mine. I'm not going to tell him it's a clone and see if he notices.

Would I recommend this to the ordinary backyard mechanic? YES! With most average scantools being around $150-200 to get ABS and other functions, spending another $100 to being able to access every module and system in the car makes it totally worth it. Most dealers charge a $100+ diagnostic fee just to hook theirs up to your car, what a joke. You can do this yourself and learn more about how your car's computer works. Buy one now!