VDIAGTOOL V200 Pro WITH TRACKER Full Review and Tutorial

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

If I was the maker of that I would be very pleased with the candor and professionalism that you applied to the review.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Oh thank you I hope the are!!! I don’t want to misrepresent what the tool offers as a lot of assumptions would normally be made on something like this such as it would trace shorts, etc.

[@MrOctNot]

Bought the tool. Traced wires on my '08 Town & Country left sliding rear door. Attached signal generator to each wire at the B-pillar connector and identified the broken wire (by color/stripe at the connector,) and located the exact spot in the harness where it was broken. NICE! Instructions for using this tool (in the included manual) are not clear, at all. It's in Chinenglish. Came back to this video and got the exact details I needed. Thanks!

[@SchrodingersBox]

Great to hear!! yes it’s incredibly easy to use but I do agree it’s a lot easier seeing a video that reading the instructions. I struggled a little with the translation too however being familiar with Power Probe ECT2000 I didn’t really need the instructions that much anyway.

[@assicsnike3470]

​@@SchrodingersBox is it worth buying???

[@SchrodingersBox]

Honestly I would rather the ECT2000 if I had to choose one.

[@MrOctNot]

@@assicsnike3470 I'm still happy with it. Use it frequently and it's holding up, unlike a lot of things from Amazon. I'd think the Power Probe would be of better quality though, if you're ok spending a little more.

[@PaulFrazier-w3f]

I don't many people understand there audience. People watch people like this guy (who absolutely knows mechanic's) for real world car fixes. Not just explaining tool has a light, can do diaods, test a battery ETC.

[@sagiriliyasuadamu3341]

I have been planning to buy a signal tracker like this for long but the lack of precise demonstration hold me back, now I learn how it works I will consider buying this particular one. Thanks matt for the demonstration.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Glad this will help you make an informed decision!!

[@WJHandyDad]

so thankful I found this video. I bought the V200 pro and read the instruction manual and felt more confused than before I read it. I think after watching your video I'll be able to put it to use. It's up to $129.98 now (5 months after your video)

[@SchrodingersBox]

Thanks for the update. Yeah I will admit- the instructions do have a bit of translational challenge. I think the fact I am so familiar with the power probe helped me out a lot.

[@WJHandyDad]

@@SchrodingersBox before your video I had no clue how it was supposed to work. After your video I feel like I could use it like a pro

[@bobbyd6680]

$85 on Amazon after applying a $15 coupon.

[@WJHandyDad]

when I ordered it was $129.98 but had a $10 coupon and it's still showing same. I got the one with all the attachments

[@bobbyd6680]

@@WJHandyDad Hmm. I just clicked on the link in the description and it's 99.00. Must be a different kit.

[@kobrien61]

Best explanation of the tool along with a real life better than instruction manual thank you very much, you answered a lot of questions

[@billlangdon5914]

Wow, things sure have changed since the old days of diagnosis. It's almost becoming fun, did I really just say that? You know what I mean. Good job Matt.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Hahahah oh it’s incredibly fun!!!! The more technical, the more fun because the more satisfying it is knowing 98% of people would fire the parts cannon and lose huge while you nail it the first time.

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

I have meant to say that your start-up engine intro is better than coffee in the morning 😄

[@brucemadden1626]

Excellent review--that probe is a game changer and should sell REALLY well!

[@Markb8608]

Subscriber here. I am getting tool tired. I ought the ect2000 whihc was hit or miss. when it works ir works. saved me from trasking my F-150. I have a couble of wire tracers fro HF wihc as not very good. Then bought the Kleinvdv500-820 wire tracing kit. keep up good work.

[@SchrodingersBox]

These wire tracers have many variables to them- for example one reason it may be hit and miss is you may sometimes be using it on a parallel circuit. If so you must isolate the circuit you are testing. It’s important to consult a wire diagram and make sure you are testing a circuit that is in the correct configuration.

[@JoeSevy]

If I had a 5V function I feel like I could guarantee I'd eventually mistakenly use the 12V function when I needed the 5V function. So, no loss to me. Think I'll get one of these.

[@m.b.smoshitoa8325]

I laughed as you say GROUND. It reminds me of the video of check the GROUND. Moshitoa south Africa

[@SchrodingersBox]

Hahahaha yeah I know. I think I forever poisoned the automotive world with that hahahaha!!!

[@asignmaker]

Well explained articulate and thorough. I shall purchase this tool. Thanks, SK

[@SloMo-rk5pv]

Thanks for the straight up honest review. This is going on my shoppiing list. 👍

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I got the power probe with short finder works great. $100 bucks that’s pretty good and affordable for most 🤔things keep getting better in technology

[@blueiceoh]

I am seeing a earphones plug on mine. Is it an upgrade or a knockoff or did you forget that feature?

[@SchrodingersBox]

Yeah I never mentioned it. I really don’t see a use for it lol

[@anthonysova7117]

Nice presentation Matt can’t wait to see you use it Cheers

[@sliderdriver1]

It seems we have to pay 53 dollars more (50%) over the pond. Power probe are more aligned in their pricing. I agree it has great advantages though.

[@advancedleveldiagnostics]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing! The only thing that gets me nervous about these tools is the fuse, I find the Power probe is really good. I've had other brands that, after the tool shuts off, are still passing 10 amps of current! I am curious how this fuse is. BTW, if you have a power probe 4, you can use it as a wand for your short finder.

[@botchvinik8668]

I don't follow what you're referring to by "the fuse" and "still passing 10 amps of current". I'm considering buying one of these tools so if you could clarify your concern better i would be appreciative. Thanks in advance.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Yes this has an instant circuit breaker self resetting but I am not sure what amperage is required to trip it. Indeed it’s a very valid concern and one of the reasons I would like to see a voltage and current limiter available.

[@Ianf1x]

i have the old modle 7years old . the rocker switch started sticking on after 2 days. took apart and fixed. i was using it today on a tractor with no indicators. its good for finding pwm on brake light and back light single element bulb.

[@Mr2004MCSS]

Nice review. I have the Innova power check which is a Power Probe knock off. It does offer a setting to just apply 5 volts as well as a 3 volt setting and the regular 12 volt setting. It does not have a signal checker.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Thanks for the info! Gotta have a signal tracker though- once you have an open and need to find where it is, you will find you can’t live without the signal tracking!!

[@Mr2004MCSS]

@@SchrodingersBox At some point I will probably pick up this tool as the signal checker would come in handy.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Good choice!! I can’t even count the number of times I have used a signal tracker. Probably 10 times on camera but at least quadruple that off camera!

[@rsbharley4766]

Excellent video, great info. I am looking at a power probe circuit tracer for shorts and opens PPECT3000 . do you think this a better unit for tracking as I already have a V200 probe. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@SchrodingersBox]

the ECt3000 is better for circuit tracking because it can do shorts. The device shown in the video only does opens.

[@rsbharley4766]

Thanks for the reply, take care.Cheers

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

when you unhook that ecm connector and want to find out which pin it is you will know when you touch the pin (or any part of the bare wire) with your finger because it will use your body as an antenna while youre holding the wand with the other hand. alot like a radio when you get near it and the reception improves. also this CAN induce a tone into nearby wires it likes and lead you astray. mine is a centech harbor freight model which uses a 9v battery $26....it is just as good as the ones i used in the navy to track down wires in gigantic bundles with hundreds of wires, those were name brand tools cant remember the brand. briansmobile has a good vid on these tone generators. yup if the other end of that wire is grounded you cant tone it, it must be open. so if it eventually goes to a switch for lights the switch must be open or the connector unhooked from in this case an ecm. if that wire goes right to a string of lights you cant track it because it will go through the incandescent filament right to ground. these toners work great for house wiring. you can track a wire through the wall, through the ceiling, attic, etc. if a wire goes from an outlet up the wall and i want to know which way it goes i can hold the wand near the wall and its that good. this centech model may put out more than that tool you have. and if you look on amazon they have one called noyafa that is very strong. it will track wires underground which this cannot. say you have a shed and the wire goes underground to feed the shed. ok. but you want to dig there without hitting the wire. tone it out with a strong tool. all it does is send a funky wave of current through the wire and the wand converts that field that it picks up into an audible noise. looks like that tool you have doesnt do a load test like the load pro. i like power probes, i may get one, so far ive gotten by with my own test leads and cords for that kinda stuff (injecting 12v + into a wire to test the circuit) and usine the ground of the battery as a reference point not the ground of the circuit in question so i know if its a bad ground or not. i need to get a load pro but i can just make one and i dont need lisle or electronic specialties relay adapters to test relay pins while they are plugged in because i have a kit of terminals, you know the red, blue, and yellow ones you crimp. i can hook up and probe any relay, but today all i had to do was put a jumper in the socket to know the problem for my dim running lights is not the relay, its a source voltage issue from the auxilliary battery. also not pullswitch or wiring for rooflights loom. e350 chassis van, minibus.

[@botchvinik8668]

Hi Matt. After watching this review i decided to buy one. Ordered it from Amazon. When it arrived i was eager to use the open scan feature b/c i have a vehicle with a 9 wire harness that i need to determine if all 9 circuits are integral from A to B. So i hooked up the 2 large alligator clamps to the + and - posts of battery, set the VDiag harness switch to #2 position, and connected to red 'test' lead to one of the wires at the unhooked connector end. Turned on the 'on/sensitivity' switch on the side of the scan tool and pushed the 'test' button. Nothing. Not a peep. So i came in the house and watched your vid again. Even tho you don't show us what's happening with those 2 large clips i assume they're hooked to the battery...unit has to get power from somewhere after all. So i mimicked your "bench test" set up and tried again. Still nothing. I have checked the 9v battery in the test tool and it checks out good at 9.6v. Am i missing something? Am i doing something wrong? I have sent an email to the "support" email address provided on the website and in the User's manual, laying out my dilemma to them as well, but thought i'd reach out to you also and see what your thoughts are. Thanks in advance for whatever help you can offer.

[@SchrodingersBox]

the way you describe it, seems to me you looked for continuity on an open circuit.

[@botchvinik8668]

@@SchrodingersBox Then i didn't do a good job at describing what i did with my van. But regardless of that, I replicated exactly what you did in the video; large alligators connected to - and + on the battery, switch on #2 position, both black and red short test leads laying out flat on bench, and then turned the side dial on and pressed the 'test' button on it. No tone. Nothing. Tell me if i had it hooked up wrong. Did you have the unit hooked to your battery as i described? I assume so but as i said, you didn't show that in the vid so i'm only going by assumption. If so, then all i did was replicate what you did and yet i had no tone. Nothing.

[@SchrodingersBox]

I still don’t understand what you are trying to do. Are you doing a continuity test or a voltage application?

[@botchvinik8668]

​@@SchrodingersBox ???? WHAT??!! Am i speaking Chinese?? What does it matter what i'm trying to do with respect to my vehicle?! I told you...twice now...quite specifically....that upon having no success using the tool on my van's issue, I performed EXACTLY the same procedure that you did in your video!! And got ZERO tone. I have also asked you, TWICE now, to confirm how you had the unit connected...ie. were the 2 large alligator clamps hooked to the battery? Instead of asking me irrelevant questions, how about starting with that instead. Bottom line is that i suspect i have a dud (faulty) unit right out of the box. But i just figured on the off chance i may have missed something...your unclear example in the video doesn't help...that i would reach out to you for some clarity. All i gotten is responses that are absurd. Do i confuse people with too much PLAIN ENGLISH?? Jesus!

[@SchrodingersBox]

It’s relevant in every way. It’s actually the ONLY relevant question in fact to determine if your configuration is correct. Are you trying to do a continuity or voltage test? That’s a simple answer. Answer that and I can tell you the configuration you need. It’s already obvious the VDIAG isn’t the issue. We can clearly see that.

[@markchidester6239]

Nice! I would have liked to see how well it located the pin for that wire in the connector. How does it feel in your hand? Like a well made quality tool?

[@SchrodingersBox]

It feels same quality and feel as power probe. As for the specificity on a single wire- it really depends on a lot of variables- the best way is to separate every wire in the harness.

[@jeremyhaag4506]

Whats the voltage operating range? Looking for something that will handle + 48v dc

[@SchrodingersBox]

Ah great question I should have mentioned that. It’s 6V to 30V.

[@jeremyhaag4506]

Thank you. Love all your tech videos, insightful and intuitive, 22 years automotive & marine tech, Jeremy

[@SchrodingersBox]

How cool! Thanks for watching!!

[@jayschmidt4007]

Canon City CO here!!!

[@jesustovar7931]

Nice review! I’m looking for a good magnetic lamp, like in the video. My cheap Chinese ones can’t hold a charge, new, for an hour before dying, also, magnet falls off.

[@SchrodingersBox]

oh yeah those ones I have are also a cheap Chinese version as well but the battery life is excellent. maybe $5 each and I just consider them throwaways.

[@bigfoot9445]

Appreciate your review! Could you not create your own open to track by disconnecting either the source, the load, or both, at least in some scenarios?

[@SchrodingersBox]

Yes you could however the issue would be if the wire is shorted to ground somewhere you will not be able to create an open by disconnecting it

[@JimFinlayson]

Very nice review. Thanks again for doing the channel.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Thanks for watching!!

[@Steve-ft3kb]

I'm late to this party but the Pro version of this is nothing more than a combined V200 and a V210 and i have an email from Vdiagtool confirming that fact. Kinda makes one wonder about the one year in development story, no? Also, given that the 210 can be often be found for less than $15, sometimes less than $10, you have to question the upcharge from the V200 and the V200Pro.

[@MechanicTechnicianRepair]

exselente tool master mui buena grasia master

[@rogereastman3187]

I almost wish I could find one single flaw in you, and your programs. That would allow me to identify with your humanity. 😂 Just kidding of course, but you are the best of the best !

[@SchrodingersBox]

Hahahaha thanks for the compliment.

[@jum5238]

I learned long ago his flaw is that he's got a big heart and sometimes a poor businessman (he helps a LOT of people without charging them). He'd be great as a nextdoor neighbor to bounce things off of. Not a flaw... unless you only talk $$.

[@ralphnav8654]

Awesome review, Thank you.

[@DependableAutoTruck]

have you tried to see if the power probe 5V end will work with that tool.

[@SchrodingersBox]

I did think that but of course didn’t want to mention it in the video. Since I now own the tool I will try that and show it in a future video if it works.

[@donho9670]

Hey Matt, I believe your intonation with the word "GROUND!" was not up to your usual standards...(heh)

[@robertmobileman8304]

THANKS FOR THE DEMO MATT

[@SchrodingersBox]

Anytime!!

[@hayzersolar]

But how do you find shorts? Power probe lets you and most of my issues are shorts. Awesome video get up the great work.

[@SchrodingersBox]

yes this is an open finder. it doesn’t find shorts like ECT3000

[@hayzersolar]

@@SchrodingersBox so how do I find a short? I have one, every time I put the fuse in it blows. I like this review but doesn't do what I need.

[@SchrodingersBox]

You need an ECT2000. That’s what I use.

[@jasonm7651]

Where do you attach the alligator clips on the signal generator?

[@SchrodingersBox]

Just right to the wire you want to track. Easy as that! Just make sure the wire is not shorted to ground or power. Obviously it isn’t not going to be effective unless the circuit is isolated. AND make sure the circuit is linear and not parallel or you will be chasing rabbit holes.

[@jasonm7651]

@@SchrodingersBox it’s an entire harness…connect to one wire at a time?

[@SchrodingersBox]

No no no/. Only the circuit you are tracing.

[@johnnicholas978]

Nice one mat...il be buying one

[@RobertCiampa9112]

Signal detector similar to a phone toner. Great price.

[@jum5238]

or like some of the home wiring testers where you plug it in and can see in the circuit breaker box which circuit it is. Have to dial down the sensitivity due to crosstalk on the nearby wires.

[@pepeshopping]

That’s just a regular volume dial! Not a “sensitivity” dial!

[@jesusholguin4891]

What happens if accidentally send power to the ground it damages?

[@SchrodingersBox]

It depends on if there is resistance or not

[@sagrysdebeer1348]

Can I use it on a 28v sistem

[@SchrodingersBox]

Good question! Technically it works on 12/24V systems. I can’t imagine the 28 is a significant difference.

[@SamiaHalab5315]

Can you check full injection with this

[@SchrodingersBox]

Of course!

[@SchrodingersBox]

yes of course. Just use the tool to supply a ground.

[@legallass9905]

❤❤❤

[@dankerr2973]

Nice job . Thanks for the review.

[@bernardaflores1720]

Nice review

[@cliffperry8470]

What about us UK people can you put a link for us .

[@SchrodingersBox]

Good point. I will ask the company.

[@cliffperry8470]

Thanks that be great 👍

[@DylanL69]

I'd save my money and just buy the power probe and who knows power probe maybe working on an updated version

[@SchrodingersBox]

Save money by buying a 3X more expensive tool that you don’t know if an update will be coming???

[@DylanL69]

@@SchrodingersBox still worth it for the quality

[@SchrodingersBox]

Owning both I can say the quality is identical. In fact it almost seems like maybe power probe and VDIAG might even use the same manufacturer.

[@DylanL69]

@@SchrodingersBox idk about the vdiag quality I've never had one or held one but I know the power probe is a quality made product

[@SchrodingersBox]

I don’t follow- then how do you know it’s worth 3X as much if you don’t know the quality of the competitor?

[@pktv9028]

Do you can help me

[@SassoonCheryl-y6p]

Murphy Plains

[@georgebell3964]

👍

[@vlota]

4 minutes in before he mentions it's a sponsored review

[@SchrodingersBox]

What difference does that make? How does that affect the features and performance of the device?

[@vlota]

@@SchrodingersBox Because if you're getting given stuff for free, you're probably not going to be overly critical of any of its faults, are you.? "The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg" and all that. It's really annoying when, trying to find honest real world reviews of "stuff" on KZbin, you only find out part way through many of the videos that the reviewer has been given the item for free. At least have the decency to state this up front, so you don't waste peoples' time.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Do you clearly don’t pay attention to the fact that I decline 98% of requests for paid promotions because I won’t support any products I haven’t tried myself. Also what shortcoming are apparent from the product that I didn’t disclose in the review? Name one. Name just one.

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

Review my wife

[@jimharper6073]

Second !! Well really First !!!, if you don't count the "ringer"

[@legallass9905]

😆 I forgot about that.... I yield First to you, Jim!

[@SchrodingersBox]

Hahahaha yes she has an advantage knowing before I even post lol.

[@on-site4094]

👍