Isn't this stuff you can mostly read through HPTuners? Or is this for non-HPTuners cars?

Some stuff yes, but others no. Also, no restrictions as to brand or year. Also, this gets readings right from the sensor and bypasses everything else. So if a error code says knock sensor, I go under the car, connect to a ground near the sensor and connect to the knock sensor wire, then tap on the engine with a wrench and it will show the signal right from that sensor.

That makes sense! Sounds like it could come in handy. This is probably similar to the scope we used on my car when tuning the audio. Well, they used, I watched. I've never run one.

Been doing more reading on your question about using a scan tool like HPT.

Scan tools can only display the information the cars computer can see. Most scan tools sample 10 times per second. 100 times at the most.

A digital volt meter samples information at 1000 times per second and averages what it gets.

A oscilloscope samples 1,000,000 times per second and displays the information it gets.

The manual gives a example of a problem with a ABS. A scan tool shows no codes, and a volt meter shows normal readings. A oscilloscope will show the actual wave. The bad sensor can be found and replaced.

It should be considered a tool just like any other. Wont have all the answers, but helps identify problems the other tools can't.

Great tool to have. I've never been able to justify buying one for myself as I've never used one or had any training. Guess like anything electrical based, it would be easy enough to learn what I'd need. Keep us up to date on it Dan... keep talking to me about how it'* helping you.

One of those things I've thought about but never wanted to spend the money.

Look at it this way Bill, it'* easier to use the HPT, and far more useful. If you can push buttons and choose a wave form from the menu, then clip a ground probe, and touch a wire with another probe, your just about all the way there. ALL basic wave forms for most sensors are listed on the data card. Just pull up what you need, and it displays it on the top half of the screen. Then connect the probes and the wave form your sensor is providing is on the bottom half. Freeze the screen and look at it.