New Scan Tool Like Toyota Techstream and better than Carista

[Romer]

I was having some issues on my 200 series Land Cruiser verifing I had fixed an EVAP issue. The problem is it can take days of driving on Toyotas before the overnight key off EVAP test runs. Toyota Techstream can initiate the test and perform a full set of customizations.

Toyota Tech Stream can also program new replacement keys, select new TPMS sensors, Enable ABS Brake bleeding, Transmission Fluid exchanges, etc. Many functions only available at dealers or if you have a Techstreamsetup on your laptop. I had a temporary 30 day setup 9 years ago to customize my 200 series.

On the Tacoma, I bough Carista and after having programmed features, there wasnt anything more it could do than thee OBD II tool already on my phone that had no subscription fee, so I cancled it.

Several folks in the Land Cruiser forum IH8MUD had tried a scan tool that was inexpensive and supposedly does what Techstream does. Seemed to good to be true at $189 leess $30 coupon, but Amazon is great at returns so I bought one;
LAUNCH Creader Elite V2.0 fit for Toyota Lexus Bi-Directional Scan Tool, Full System OBD2 Scanner, All Reset Service Code Reader

There are no subscription costs and comes setup for Toyota (If uyou select that one), you can add other manufacturers for a cost.

I got it yesterday and played with it after updating (They call it upgrade) the SW

Note, the below are a mix of pictures from my Land Cruiser and Tacoma. I didnt see the value in retaking the same photos in the Taco

Main Menu

The OBD is pretty simple and is where I would kick off the EVAP test. I would have to take the gas cap off to see if it worked resulting in a fail. I will do that after I complete my reassembly and then pass emissions on my Land Cruiser

Now for the customization and good stuff.
It isnt very obvious how some functions work. I got to one point were it was giving me a sw version so I thought that was info and all there was, but you have to select OK (Not sure why) to proceed to the good stuff

Main Menu- OBD takes you to normal OBD Functions. The Diagnose took some figuring out

First select Diagnose and then you get this menu, select Toyota

Select OK

Select 16 pin North America

You get the below menu, select OK

Then finally you get to the good stuff. I haven't played with it all yet. Service Selection is where you program TPMS or do Brake bleed etc or reprogramm a new factory key. I have not verified any of these functions

Customize settings is what Carista provided

Customization menus. I did not dive down into each one. I did go under warnings to see the Seat Belt option I selected in Carista. Still a lot more to this tool that I haven't played with yet

This is the menu under Warnings

Sponsored

 

[Romer]

Here is what it looks like. Alittle wider than a dollar bill. Photo from another user on the Land Cruiser Forum

 

[Bannedname]

That looks interesting - I ordered a Carista Evo but am returning it as it appears even the scan functions require subscription.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

cool stuff. yeah the carista is a scam. Not once did it tell me a subscription was required for basic functionality when I ordered the hardware. I went through the checkout process again to verify.

Think i found it on aliexpress for like 115 just gotta double check its the right sku.

 

[Bannedname]

cool stuff. yeah the carista is a scam. Not once did it tell me a subscription was required for basic functionality when I ordered the hardware. I went through the checkout process again to verify.

Think i found it on aliexpress for like 115 just gotta double check its the right sku.

Same - not willing to pay a subscription for functionality that is free with every other OBD2 scan tool.

If you find it on aliexpress, please share the link.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

This is the one I ordered: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807342302031.html

Always gotta be a little careful with aliexpress but i've had really good (albeit slow shipping) experience before.

 

[Bannedname]

This is the one I ordered: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807342302031.html

Always gotta be a little careful with aliexpress but i've had really good (albeit slow shipping) experience before.

I wonder what the difference might be between 2024 vs 2025 edition or if its just naming

 

[Rocko]

I just tried ordering one following the link from Aliexpress. They want me to send them a picture of my credit card,but are holding the $116 for 24 hours and say they will refund it if I dont "verify"my credit card. No thanks. I'll just buy one off amazon when they return my money, or I'll contest the charge ang buy one off Amazon. I'll pay the extra and not have my credit card photo with payment info floating around China. Funny, I have bought off Ali before without problems, but usually for small $$ things.

 

[Yotota]

Something to keep in mind for units like this...

These tools have the ability to read/write coding to your ECU, TCU, BCMs, Infotainment units, etc.

This means that they have the ability to write incorrect codes, or fail during a write, which could result in dash lights for malfunctioning systems or certain functions failing or bricking the ECU or other modules.

If something on this unit fails and causes damage to your truck, do you think [Insert Random Chinese Amazon Seller Here] will support you to fix it? I give that zero chance.

Even Carista, a Bulgarian company which has no American presence (and therefore would not show up in a US Court) posts a very clear disclaimer that you're on your own:

The Carista application and any software embodying it, including in testing mode, is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability, faults/bugs, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Prizmos as a licensor of the software makes no warranty that the software is free of defects or is suitable for any particular purpose. In no event shall Prizmos as the licensor be responsible for loss or damages arising from the installation or use of the Carista application, including but not limited to any indirect, punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages of any character including, without limitation, damages for loss of goodwill, work stoppage, device failure or malfunction, or any and all other commercial damages or losses. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the Carista App is borne by you. Should the application prove defective, you and not Prizmos assume the entire cost of any service and repair.

I've played the game before with a cheap Chinese mini-vci j2534 cable and bootleg Techstream, but that was on my older and cheaper rigs. I'm not playing this game on my new $55k truck.

Once you start playing with settings like these, using third party scanning tools, you're on your own. You bear the full liability of any issues you cause. I would be more comfortable with a more established vendor like Carista, whose tools only access the Customizable Features. Or better yet, a legit Mongoose cable with legit Global Techstream Plus. It's your call how much risk you're willing to take. But it's not 100% risk free.

 

[Romer]

Caution is always wise. I saw this company has been around for quite a while and I am comfortable with the risk. That is a personal choice we all have tio make when ever we do something. I needed something to initiate the Evap test on my Land Cruiser was the driver for me. I have seen posts on other Toyota forums were folks did the customizations and did not have any issues. I had used Techstream (Toyota product) on an old laptop with several different SW add ons to make it work before. I doubt Toyota would have supported me if it caused a bad ECU write.

I appreciate your being cautious and understand your perspective. Like I said, I am comfortable with the risk

 

[Yotota]

Caution is always wise. I saw this company has been around for quite a while and I am comfortable with the risk. That is a personal choice we all have tio make when ever we do something. I needed something to initiate the Evap test on my Land Cruiser was the driver for me. I have seen posts on other Toyota forums were folks did the customizations and did not have any issues. I had used Techstream (Toyota product) on an old laptop with several different SW add ons to make it work before. I doubt Toyota would have supported me if it caused a bad ECU write.

I appreciate your being cautious and understand your perspective. Like I said, I am comfortable with the risk

For sure. There is probably a 99.9% chance that you'll be fine, and the tool will have zero issues. Probably even better odds with Carista. But not 100%.

My motivation to post that was to make people aware that it's not completely risk-free. The slim chance of a bad outcome could result in a very expensive dealership visit, for which the owner would be fully responsible.

I'm personally not going to plug random Chinese off-brand components into my truck. I'll just have the dealer change the settings I need changed at my next visit in a few months.

Sponsored