Is Durametric worth it?

I�m considering getting the �enthusiast� 3-VIN version of Durametric. For now, my only motivation is to reset an airbag light that�s been on since I bought the car 18 months ago. I�ve replaced the seatbelt receptacles and the trigger unit under the radio. I could probably pay $20 to my local indie shop to reset the light. But I do like having the ability to access other functions of the car. For anyone that uses Durametric (or another similar tool), do you get use out of it? What other �great� things can it help with? Is it easy to use? Looking for any and all opinions.

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I have both a Durametric and Porsche Piwis2. If you plan to keep your car, it�s a minor investment to make for troubleshooting and resetting error codes. You say $20 to reset airbag? I doubt it. Also, what�s your time worth taking your car to a shop? This is a no-brainer.

Speaking of Durametric: have they ever figured out how to make it talk to a Mac without a bunch of extra stuff?(I hate "Windows" based computers.)

I like mine and I'm glad I got it. The ironic thing is the main reason I bought it was to keep tabs on camshaft deviation to make sure the IMSB wasn't failing. It turns out you'll see that as metal in the oil filter way before you see it on the cams. At least with a dual row. The only code I've gotten in the 20 months I've owned the car was an airbag. It helped me diagnose and clear that (seat belt). I've missed shifts before and it's given me piece of mind to know that I didn't get any stage 2 over revs. I've been worried about cooling and I've used it to graph oil and coolant temperature in real time while driving around. I've used it to turn on my radiator fans to make sure those are working right. Same for the Litronic headlights. I also saved some of my numbers in CSV format so I can bring them up in Excel later to see if anything's changed. Lastly, I've helped out a few fellow RL-ers locally who didn't have one so they could see what their numbers were. One of them is doing a pretty popular YouTube series on his rebuild right now. The con is that it's not really easy to figure out what numbers you should look at and what they mean. It gives you the tool but not the professional knowledge to know what the hell any of it means. Jake Raby has a great video on using it to do an IMSB pre-qualification that can get you started but you can do a lot of digging and reading on the internet to figure out how to interpret the numbers. Buying an EKG machine didn't make me a doctor I have a degree in computer science and my eyes started glazing over when I tried to read up on what fuel trim numbers were. I guess you have to have an actual problem with it to get the motivation to do the reading. Another con is that the software can be a little funky. If the engine dies I have to quit the program and restart it. If I let it record for too long it just seems to stop freeze up. That could just be something on my laptop.

I really do not enjoy using my durametric and only pull it out if there is absolutely no way to avoid it. 1. It's like 1992 computer buggy. I have run it on PC, on mac running parallel and in all circumstances... I pretty much hate it. 2. Says it can do stuff it can't do... for example, activating ABS pump to bleed brakes. Doesn't work for me. 3. Support - I have found the support from the Durametric team to blow... yeah, I got some responses, they were worthless and would point to the fact that they read about every 3rd word of my question and then responded. I am going to buy one of the scanners that the folks here recommend and use the durametric cable to hang my brake calipers when I'm swapping rotors.

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Does it work with Boot Camp or whatever the equivalent is now?

"Boot camp" became a simple partitioning tool that is on every mac. So you partition part of your hard drive and then install windows 10. When I used to be a Mac guy I had half my drive partitioned to play all the windows only steam games. Things have changed a lot since then though. I now own an HP laptop and you couldn't pay me to switch back to mac. OP: yes, durametric is worth it.

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I use Boot camp on my Macbook. The Windows I'm running on there has no issues with VCDS/Vagcom. So would assume Durametric would work as well. OP - I use the Autel AL619 reader. I bought this thing about 8 years ago (believe they still sell them!). It works fine on my 996, turned off the CEL and Airbag light recently. no problems. Used it on many other cars as well

Durametric is worth it because you should not have much trouble selling it if you decide to part with it. And not lose much money on it.

The resale aspect makes it worth it. I have a 3-vin that doesn�t log any VINs. Not sure how common that is. Be aware that it can�t see/do everything on a 1999 car.

Great feedback! Some positive. Some not so much. I think I'll spring for it to reset my airbag light. I do wish I had this available when I flushed the coolant last summer so I could activate the cooling fans. @zbomb Your points are exactly what I was already thinking of. I will take a chance and see if I can get some use out of this thing. Thanks everyone!

I own a professional version Durametric. I only pull it out for the few things my Snap-on Ethos Pro can’t do. I’d consider buying a used Snap-on scanner before buying a Durametric, especially if you own any other manufacturers cars.

I have the Launch Mini Pro X431, A generic but expensive OBD2 scanner, and the Durametric Pro. I almost always start with the Launch, pull out the OBd2 scanner for quick stuff, and only use the Durametric for coding some stuff which the Launch does not do well. Is the Durametric worth it? Reluctantly yes, only for a couple of functions. It only cost about $700 for me back then. It certainly would not be worth it if it cost more than $1,000. I can also add that the support for the product is almost ... zero. The Launch one is well worth its money. It works on all my cars and all other cars I work on. It also works on later model F1 gearboxes. That alone is worth the price of admission.

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Been my experience as well. Buggy s/w w/ Crap support . Stuff still doesnt work. Targa functions are like Cab usually desnt do anything. But readouts are helpful. Reset Airbag a couple time in 2 996 Chassis, I get my money's worth but wish it was better. I don't know anybody running Bootcamp/Durametric setup though I maybe wrong. Made my living on MSFT, but Mac and OSX on M1 silicone is great. So long Intel.

I use a MacBook Pro with Boot Camp and Durametric, works well. Like reported earlier, the software often hangs if you log for too long, or shut off the engine. But it helped me to track down cam deviations, and now that my engine has been rebuilt, it gives some peace of mind to check once in a while whether everything is still running fine.

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You can borrow mine before you pull the trigger if you want.

Yes.

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Can you elaborate more on the lack of Targa functions? My understanding is it can't read the microswitches in the rear or do functions like resets of the roof motors. True? What CAN it do for the Targas?

Yes It�s definitely worth having and relatively cheap. For the people who say it�s not worth buying: What do you recommend that cost less than $300 and can perform the same functions as the Durametric?

It's sort of a necessary evil. The bluetooth fobs and AIO scanners are great until they aren't, and the Durametric has that one option you need. Enabling the OBC on my 1999 996 as an example. On my Cayenne, examples include re-adapting the throttle and coding the instrument cluster to UK to disable the door chimes when the key is in. Support isn't even OK; more like nonexistent. My Enthusiast version still can't communicate with the PSM module on my 957 Cayenne, which is a known issue almost a decade old.

I bought one of these a few months ago and have reset airbag lights + CEL's without any problem. Its super easy and quick to use. Was $70 when I bought it. Amazon Amazon

I�m surprised there isn�t computer software that�s powerful enough to replace all the specialty devices for any and all cars out there. There probably is, it�s probably just expensive�

I recently used my Durametric on a 991 GTS. It was able to reset the oil change light...and that's about it. (Yes, I could get live data, but I can do that quicker with my Snap-on Ethos Pro) No coding capability was a huge disappointment! The Durametric is great for coding 997s, but not 996s nor 991s.

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Yep, very expensive. https://www.carid.com/autel/maxisys-...ml?view=441034

I wonder if this computer is anything like a PC was in 1979. Not just anyone had a PC or could afford it. But today, just about anyone can.

I believe the one I posted is so expensive because it can be adapted for even very old cars up to brand new cars. There are models of the same Autel computer that are less expensive that have narrower coverage of vehicle age. These computers are professional tools for shops that will need to work on "anything that rolls in." The exception of course, speaking as a professional photographer, any professional equipment could be a rich man's toys. The thing that separates these Maxisys computers from the cheaper Autel computers is the programming function. 99.9% of enthusiasts have no business messing with programming and tuning - IMO. I discovered these computers looking for an alternative to the Mercedes STAR diagnostic computer for working on ABC systems on CL's, SL's, and S's.

I have the $1200 autel and it does a ton of stuff in a ton if cars. I can also add modules if u want to do more as mine will not currently do keys or program. A random exaple was abs bleeding brakes on a 2001 Land Rovet D2. The odd thing about it is it doenst read most if the live data for my gt3 motor. Im have to put a request into their support center and expext a resolution because they r responsive to issues.

Yes, the Durametric is worth the money its the best value tool you can get.

I have been considering getting a Foxwell NT530 instead of the Durametric for my '99 C4, so this thread is of interest. From the research I have done, the Foxwell can read the microswitch positions on the 996, (I have a sticking switch somewhere) and also you can read the cam deviations with it, and clear codes, turn on fans ect. Anyone have any thoughts on using this tool instead of the Durametric?

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See my thread here concerning my �99 and missing misfire values with Durametric. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...re-values.html

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Were you ever able to find a tool that shows those missfires?

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My local Indy has a professional scanner that can read them. No clue why the Durametric is unable for a �99. Maybe my car is an oddball?

I have the Launch X431 Pro it was about $1,000 when I bought it 3 or 4 years ago.. I do also have the durametric (I had that first). I ended buying the Launch because at the time I had a newer Cayenne and needed to replace a window control module and you have have to sometimes program the car to recognize some replacement parts. I can also program a car to control certain features that are not accessible from your car's control system. Plus, the X43` does this for basically every make and model of car that i could see. The launch seems to work and give the same results as my durametric, it's just easier to use (bluetooth to a dedicated notebook, has way more capability and works on most cars/trucks

Durametric has refurbished units from time to time. Saves a few bucks.

I ended up buying a Foxwell NT530, haven't actually had much time with it yet, but so far is showing me what I want. Better solution for me because I also have a VW BHW TDI engine that I am tuning for a Jeep project, so having the VW software installed as well as Porsche means one tool instead of 2.

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We had a Foxwell NT530 and could see driver door microswitch in incorrect position causing beep when unlocking car. Couldn't see cam deviations (others said they could) in our 3.6 so returned it. Got Durametric can see cams, and does lock up and need rebooting. It can't see individual microswitches. Didn't return it.

I use the Durametric for code reading/clearing and for troubleshooting. I use the piwis 2 for programming control modules.

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Not yet.

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The software may have been updated since you tried it out. I can confirm that I can see cam deviations with my NT530.

It handles the convertible top re-learn,, Besides PWIS does anything else?

Anyone with the NT530 able to read oil temps on 996.2? Would that be found under �live data�? thanks Dan

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Where did you find the cam deviations? I can�t locate them in any of the menus. thanks

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You bring up an interesting point. I contacted durametric a few weeks ago to see if it can be run on an android cell phone. They said the phone has to be Microsoft Windows based. Haven't taken it any further yet. What this means if doable is that we can use a Microsoft phone to plug into the dme with the durametric connector and run our oil temps real time. Dont know how it would present on the phone if at all as a gauge, but it may be a benefit. Maybe someone has already explored this.

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I bought an NT530 and it does read oil temp in live data. I must need to update the software as cam deviations are not listed. On the Foxwell blog site they clearly show cam deviations can be read.