ESP Gen 3 Review

[D Rochells 150861]

Well, it fucking sucks.

Cables short.

Shitty gas cap adaptors and you have to take off or it fails.

Shitty menu.

The "How to use a keyboard video."

0/10 would not bang.

[SoCalSmogGuy]

5/5 Star Review

[alldsd1motor]

I hate my Gen 3 also. Thinking about switching to Worldwide

[BlueSky]

I was having the same issues.  The last time my tech was here on Mar 17th he clicked on the "Electronic Software Update" tab and installed new software.  Now I can walk away while the gas cap is calibrating, I come back and switch caps and let it go all the way to the end (never removing the test cap) and it passes every time.  The new software seemed to have fixed other issues I also had.  In the first 8 months I had 25 service calls, now I gone over 2 months and no service calls.  The ESP software version I'm running is 1602.

[barrym95838]

D wrote

Well, it fucking sucks.

Meh, it's all relative.

Cables short.

The only short ones are the bar code reader and the alligator "non-contact".  I have my umbilical to the wall dialed in pretty nice, so I can scoot the machine close without tripping over shit.

Shitty gas cap adaptors and you have to take off or it fails.

Exactly like the ESP Gen 1.  I'm used to it.

Shitty menu.

Meh, it's all relative.

The "How to use a keyboard video."

Dunno what you're referring to.

0/10 would not bang.

C'mon, man ... it's a'ight.  I don't like some of the default options, like "Yes" for do you want to test another cap, and they should make the mouse pointer bigger if they keep certain options inaccessible with the remote buttons, but overall I'm not in any danger of throwing a tantrum over it.

6.5/10 needs improvement.

barrym95838
EO/EI/LA/BA144107

[D Rochells 150861]

I just find it disturbing that they seem to be incapable of learning from their mistakes and feedback from the end users.

Worst thing, after all these years they never noticed we need a place to set keyboards. And half the shops now have no drawer to keep the cash and 20 years worth of old coupons.

Oh yeah, the number one problem with all smog machines...printer failures. Now we have to call ESP to install a new printer as we can't get into the windows settings.

[barrym95838]

We operate in an imperfect world, half full of assholes and idiots.

The Gen 3 also calibrates a lot faster than my old Gen 1.  Dials in and out faster too.  I just get somewhat annoyed at the user interface, because it would be so easy for them to make it a lot more friendly.

barrym95838
EO/EI/LA/BA144107

[maxkilla]

I was moving the machine to get the bar code scanner to reach a RV and it pulled the plug out of the wall and smoked the bench..
Waiting on the repair guy now.
I'm gonna splice a longer cord in on the bar code scanner ..

[SoCalSmogGuy]

If your Gen 3 is down, send an e-mail to [e-mail] stating the issue and your station info. This gets a faster response than calling in.

In regards to the Gen 3:
Pros
* Cordless barcode scanner works phenomenal and scans 99.9% of VIN's
* Bluetooth OBDII scanners works good for checking readiness and DTC's without pulling vehicle into the bay. It has a nice far range.
* Manual mode dyne testing- Can start right away without weighing the vehicle
* Dyno Coast Down takes about 1/3 of the time
* Recalling VIR's is now very simple and fast
* Bench warm up is MUCH faster

Cons
* IT IS SO DAMN SLOW. I used to fly through the menu when performing an inspection, now I have to hit enter and wait for the machine to catch up to me.
* It freezes and crashes randomly. Sometimes it lags while you are running the ASM. Your countdown timer will freeze.
* It fails fuel cap tester calibration often. It then passes with the same calibration caps.
* OBDII has a hard time connecting during the inspection. Sometimes need to reset the entire analyzer to get the OBDII to work.
* Non-contact cables are pure garbage and not long enough to be useful.
* Lift Control, dyno takes much longer to raise and lower.

[iha]

Cons

Better have power at the DLC connector or did they fix this?

[barrym95838]

I have had that weird lag from time-to-time.  It can happen almost anywhere, but it's most noticeable when I'm scanning my badge or ASMing.  Mine has been powered up for weeks.  I'll try the soft-restart and see how it goes.

barrym95838
EO/EI/LA/BA144107

[iha]

# Manual mode dyno testing- Can start right away without weighing the vehicle #

How does the Gen 3 determine the brake force or resistance in manual mode dyno testing?

[Skanga]

I've been saying this since last year. Fucking thing SUCKS!

0/10 would not bang, either. Below my standards, sharp knees and all that.

[barrym95838]

iha wrote

How does the Gen 3 determine the brake force or resistance in manual mode dyno testing?

It still asks for the year make and model, so it must have an internal table of loads and limits, and it just uses those.

barrym95838
EO/EI/LA/BA144107

[D Rochells 150861]

The whole weighing process is just to see if you are clean piping, the resistance is always based off the VLT  if there is a match in the table.

[D Rochells 150861]

Ok, why the hell does it need to hide the 1st VIN and plate entries when you type, but is nice enough to tell you it's a match?

[tampered]

So here we are!  gen 3 are dropping like flies and whose fault is that?  Well we all know the answer, not the mfg, and not the owner, it's the inspector that certified them, right?  OFF WITH THEIR STAR!!!!  TO THE FUCKING SOUP LINE WITH THEM!!!

[Peter]

Here is the OBD communication issue with GEN 3. Some vehicle rpm are not detected or no communication. Even thou 12 Volts is present.
Moved to SPX machine no issue with RPM or Communication.  
Is it a GEN 3 fault not communicating on some vehicle. Anybody have the similar issue and what ESP says about it.  to
I an planning to keep SPX as long as possible.

[D Rochells 150861]

When performing a pre-95 test on something with DIS, I recommend proceeding without a valid rpm at the lead selection screen. This will allow you to change the RPM input during the ASM, otherwise you will be stuck with what you selected and possibly have to abort due to the retarded DIS signal software that keeps cutting the signal in half or adding.

[defective]

Has anybody lengthened the OBD cable yet?  With an adapter the GEN2 cable would fit, but I dont wanna fry anything.  Maybe Ill check continuity through the serial plug and dlc pins on both the cables....