blackolive (Ste)
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Thinking of buying a nanocom for the discovery td5. Will it do other models or will I need to purchase add ons ? Will I need a reasonably up to date laptop to configure it ?
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Rannsachair
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You need to pay extra to unlock other vehicle modules.
I thought it was used stand alone, no laptop needed.
I called up the factory in Nicosia when I was on holiday a few years ago in Cyprus to see if they would do me a deal picking up from the factory as I think it was the best on the market for a TD5. Unfortunately they would not do any deal so I ended up with a second hand Hawkeye which has done all I need so far.
I thought it was used stand alone, no laptop needed.
I called up the factory in Nicosia when I was on holiday a few years ago in Cyprus to see if they would do me a deal picking up from the factory as I think it was the best on the market for a TD5. Unfortunately they would not do any deal so I ended up with a second hand Hawkeye which has done all I need so far.
lotus_esprit_s1
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If you buy a disco Td5 version it will come configured for Td5 engine (disco and defender) and disco Td5 body/alarm/electrics. So as well as full disco Td5 usage you will be able to speak to a defender Td5 engine but not a defender Td5 alarm / body. Anything other vehicle is extra.
I have disco/defender Td5, and defender tdci on mine which I’ve owned for years. I hadn’t needed to update it with a laptop until last year when I needed to reset the steering angle sensor on 2015 Defender which needed latest software version. I use macs but I have an old 2012 Toshiba laptop kept for that sort of thing which updated it fine.
I have disco/defender Td5, and defender tdci on mine which I’ve owned for years. I hadn’t needed to update it with a laptop until last year when I needed to reset the steering angle sensor on 2015 Defender which needed latest software version. I use macs but I have an old 2012 Toshiba laptop kept for that sort of thing which updated it fine.
They are frustratingly amateur bits of kit and BBS charge the earth to add other models on. I have a nanocom for the D2 - when it does what it is supposed to its fine but thats about 10% of the time.
When I bought the D3 I though 'well I already have this piece of crap so I may as well add the D3'.... well guess what... the cost of new cables and adding a new model was about as much as a new nanocom... work that one out.
I bought a Hawkeye Total - unlocked for all models although sometimes it may need an additional dongle for different vehicles. Hawkeye just works. It tells you how to connect, when to have the ignition on/off etc. Trying to connect to the D2 BCU with the nanocom works about 2 times out of ten if you randomly stand on one leg. I tried to bleed the brakes on the d2 with nanocom - it kinda squirted a tiny bit of fluid through... Hawkeye just did the job properly. The only thing Hawkeye doesnt do that i sometimes need is programme fuel maps otherwise the nanocom would be sold.
Every nanocom update introduces a new bug as it tries to fix an old one. I basically cant NOT recommend it enough!
When I bought the D3 I though 'well I already have this piece of crap so I may as well add the D3'.... well guess what... the cost of new cables and adding a new model was about as much as a new nanocom... work that one out.
I bought a Hawkeye Total - unlocked for all models although sometimes it may need an additional dongle for different vehicles. Hawkeye just works. It tells you how to connect, when to have the ignition on/off etc. Trying to connect to the D2 BCU with the nanocom works about 2 times out of ten if you randomly stand on one leg. I tried to bleed the brakes on the d2 with nanocom - it kinda squirted a tiny bit of fluid through... Hawkeye just did the job properly. The only thing Hawkeye doesnt do that i sometimes need is programme fuel maps otherwise the nanocom would be sold.
Every nanocom update introduces a new bug as it tries to fix an old one. I basically cant NOT recommend it enough!
I still have the email chain from the owner of BBS where I messaged to say that the instrument function wasnt working properly, the response was I should think myself lucky to own one of their wonderful devices even if the 'nice to have functions' dont work properly.
Bobupndown
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Had a nanocom when I had a Td5 Discovery. It worked perfectly, did everything I needed it to and sold it when I sold the disco for about 75% of initial cost. I'd still have it except it wasn't upgradeable to late model Freelander 2.
willie.macleod
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I'm not entirely convinced by these one brand locked to one vehicle units selling for hundreds of pounds. My ancient Delphi 150e has done everything I need it to on my td5, including bleeding the brakes, remember the td5 is old school now in tech terms..... I fixed an issue with a friends Kindle the other day which was running some Android OBD diagnostics software and the list of vehicles and the functions available was extensive. He runs a small garage and they have spent many thousands over the years on different machines but that relatively cheap machine is the go to for 95% of the jobs he does.
MetalMonkey
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As I recall, Blackbox/nanocom has a slightly, umm, chequered past. I remember looking at them many years ago - but decided not to get one as they seemed expensive for what it was. I guess they have come on a long way.
Have you looked at pscan? Its basic but cheap. Not sure how much it does on the TD5 but I know they have been expanding coverage.
Have you looked at pscan? Its basic but cheap. Not sure how much it does on the TD5 but I know they have been expanding coverage.
That's interesting, when we first got our D2 I bought an MSV Extreme with multi-vehicle licenses. When it arrived it wouldn't power up, went through the process of posting on the forum and the owner gave me a load of grief because I was highlighting something that I'd paid probably £900 for that didn't work.
I've got an IID PRO, they were talking about adding D2 but not sure how much they've done. Great product, excellent support.
I added some extra modules to my MSV in their sale one year. The HVAC module for the D2 was listed as something like "This ECU has many hidden features and tricks" sounded very promising. All that module did for £80 or whatever it was was added the instructions on how to get into the diagnostic using the HVAC panel. The MSV couldn't actually talk to it.
My MSV went back to Cyprus twice, each time it cost about £80 but they did cover that in the warranty period.
You may be able to find a Nanocom One, I've got a couple of them. It was a box developed by an Italian before it got taken over by BBS.
If you have any modernish vehicle and do your own repairs you do need some of diagnostic tool, the beauty of things like Nanocom is you can change settings/configuration and program keys etc.
It does seem like an big outlay but you can save a chunk of money, almost every day on the Disco Facebook groups someone says "Got the three amigos what could it be" and then ten people try and diagnose it without anyone ever reading the codes.
I think on the newer Nanocom it's VIN locked for configuration/settings but will read errors on any vehicle.
Bobupndown
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Agree. Mine paid for itself first time I got the 3 amigos, Abs modulator fault. Replacement part fitted and codes cleared. Garage bill would have been more that the nanocom cost.
Rannsachair
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I have used my Hawkeye a few times, mainly finding dislodged front abs sensors, great to know which one, also abs valve fault then subsequently bleeding the replacement block . Then can clear fault codes and lights on dash.
Have loaned to friends too for a faulty MAF sensor, came unlocked for Defender and Disco 2. Paid £150 second hand, so well worth it for me.
Have loaned to friends too for a faulty MAF sensor, came unlocked for Defender and Disco 2. Paid £150 second hand, so well worth it for me.
I think I still have the MSV2 somewhere. Brilliant bit of kit at the time, much superior to the smaller more basic units. Not cheap though even though I know the owner of BBS reasonably well. I moved over to the GAP Diagnostics IID tool when I got to Discovery 4 and Range Rover L405. Bluetooth, smart phone so it's easy to keep in the glovebox.
blackolive (Ste)
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Sounds like hawkeye is the way to go. Thanks
