VXDIAG GM GDS2 and Tech2Win Test Report

Why I Bought It:

I've been using an old GM Tech2 for a while now, but lately, it's been acting up. I decided it was time for an upgrade, and I heard that the VXDIAG VCX Nano for GM was a solid alternative, especially if you don't want to spend a fortune.

I picked up the VXDIAG Nano from this site for 128, including WiFi and free shipping. For an extra 14, the WiFi version seemed like a no-brainer.

It arrived a few days later, and I couldn't wait to try it out.

First Impressions:

When I opened the box, I was a bit surprised by the size of the device—it’s about 18 cm long, which wasn’t what I was expecting. I remember thinking, "Is this really going to fit under the dash easily?" But once I got it set up, I realized the size actually made it easier to handle. The first time I plugged it in, I noticed the USB connection didn’t seem to click in as securely as I’d like. I had to reposition it a couple of times before it felt right. After that, it’s been working without a hitch, but that initial moment gave me a bit of a pause.

Software Installation Experience:

I was a bit nervous about the software installation, as I’d heard that some people had to use VMware or a virtual machine to get it working. But I followed the installation guide they provided, and everything went smoothly on my laptop with IDS v114 installed natively—no virtual machine needed. The best surprise was that after the first connection, it prompted me to update the firmware, which had been released just a week before. This gave me confidence that the company is actively maintaining their products. Updating the firmware was a breeze, taking just about a minute.

Important Reminder:

Once everything is installed, make sure you keep VX Manager open! Don’t close it after clicking run, or you might run into some unexpected issues—I’d rather not talk about how I figured that out...

Using IDS:

I’ve seen people claim that the VXDIAG can only read fault codes and can’t do more advanced stuff. From my experience, that’s not true. Here’s what I’ve done on my 2015 GM so far:

Flashed the ECM (worked perfectly) Programmed a new key fob (no problems) Activated some hidden features (easy) Replaced and reprogrammed the BCM module (smooth sailing) The biggest win for me was successfully updating the ECM module using the VXDIAG Nano, and everything went off without a hitch—just like my old Tech2. I suspect that the negative feedback might be due to fake VXDIAG units floating around out there, so make sure you’re buying from the official site! The genuine VXDIAG devices have a laser-engraved serial number.

Conclusion:

After a few days of using the VXDIAG GM GDS2 and Tech2Win, I’m really happy with it. It does everything my old Tech2 could do, and it’s been running smoothly so far.

If you’re in the market for a Tech2 replacement, I highly recommend giving this device a look. For the price, it’s definitely worth every penny.