Features:

  • Measures spark peak voltage, for finding primary and secondary coil faults
  • Displays ignition waveforms in real time, allowing for detailed analysis
  • Detects ramp time (or dwell angle), for diagnosis of timing issues and primary coil faults
  • Has chart and comparison functions, allowing the user to find intermittent issues
  • Works on all spark-ignition engines, from small 2-stroke engines with magnetos to modern cars with computer-controlled coil on plug systems
Well designed and built, but problematic choice of probe connector

Pros: This tool is very well designed with a robust case and solid plastic buttons that have a quality feel when pressed. The software is innovative and provides useful modes and views as described in GTC materials. It is great to have a tool that features probes for BOTH spark plug wires and coil on plug (COP) systems. When using "tachometer" mode, the RPMs are fairly stable both in chart and digital view. This is a really big plus. Cons: In chart view, the highly variable secondary spark voltage jumps around and you have to visually ascertain an average value. You can estimate an average kV by comparing real-time kV readings to the y-axis label values. It would be best if in digital view, the average kV was shown in addition to min and max. Not a serious problem though. Spark plug kV will jump around a lot because of real-time changes in resistance at the plug, timing changes, etc. On the tool I received, the BNC female connector for the gooseneck probe on top of the unit fits somewhat loosely and its weight can make it rock back and forth a bit. In my opinion this can eventually loosen the inner conductor sleeve of the female BNC and maybe lead to intermittent connections. BNC connectors can have this problem, for example when matching 75 ohm connectors to 50 ohm connectors. Fortunately conventional coax cables with BNC male connectors are lighter in weight than the gooseneck probe and they do seem to fit more snuggly. You can get a 3 to 6 ft flexible coax cable with male and female BNC connectors and fix the probe to the end of the cable to use as a test wand. Alternatively, GTC makes a 2 meter flexible coax cable that accepts all the probe tips, and gets around the problem of a loose fitting gooseneck probe. It also has a locking spark plug wire probe. The part number is GTC505-CSC and you can order it directly from GTC for a reasonable price. If your gooseneck probe fits loosely to the BNC connector on top, I would definitely get a coax extension cable or the GTC505-CSC. Amazon should stock this accessory. Otherwise it appears to be a very fine tool and worth the cost.

Saved me time, money and aggravation.

I own a 94 Corvette with the crapy OptiSpark distributor on the front of the engine below the water pump. Several of the plugs are difficult to get to also. I had a cylinder misfiring and the old school method of pulling one sparkplug wire at a time off of the distributor is not practical with the OptiSpark. I only have less than a thousand miles on the new plug wires and plugs. After receiving the General Technologies unit, I read the instructions while it charged. Went to the garage and fired up the Vette and began testing. Less than 3 mins later I knew which 7 cylinders were firing and that the #2 cylinder was the problem. Pulled the plug and a visual inspection revealed nothing. I went ahead and changed that plug out with a new one and bingo baby!!! Smooth as glass and by not needing to change out the other 7 plugs, I've saved $50 in parts and 2 hours of labor.

I could not believe that a small handheld analyzer like this one could read and display so many parameters ...

Ordered this a few days ago and after spending one day studying online and reading thorough the documentation that came with it I finally put it to test. I could not believe that a small handheld analyzer like this one could read and display so many parameters of the ignition status. I only wish i had this useful yet compact tool years ago. Just touch the COP with the magic wand and you learn a lot about the firing in that cylinder. It deals with the secondary of the coil mostly but that is enough info to troubleshoot a dead or misfiring cylinder. Knowing that the analyzer is made by our neighbors in the north is a big comfort. Only thing I wish it had is the ability to store the graph and waveform for later review.

A good basic igniton tool, Glad I bought it as it is easy to use compared to my Fluke 98

I tried it on DIS on my car and on a snowblower to check RPM, scope wave form,burn time and spark voltage on each cylinder. The user menu options is very easy to use. I wanted to know if my 1 cylinder snowblower RPM was the same as my Tach./Hr. reading was but I had to set it from 4 cycle to 2 cycle. And I found the RPM was within 10-20RPM's. My Fluke 98 and Genisys scopes have more menus in ms time but this tool is a good tool for the money

great for diagnostics

I finally got to use it. Its a GREAT tool. It has graphing and a great hold feature which allows you to save info from each cylinder so you can compare it all on screen. It is really user friendly. It does both distributor ignitions and coil on plug. The probe could be a little longer.... but the tool is really great. I dont know how long its been on the market but i am sorry i didnt get one years ago.

Quick and easy

One of my techs at my auto repair shop has one and loved it so I had to get one for myself so I did not have to borrow something from my employee, very quick to find secondary and maybe even primary ignition system failure and to see which cylinder maybe miss firing without having to hook up a big scope, I love it quick and easy and portable, rechargeable, use on basically any coil type ignition system whether single or may cylinders.

Five Stars

For the serious tech, you need this in your box

All of the reviews for this product were 5 stars ...

All of the reviews for this product were 5 stars. I agree. Many years ago, service stations had a big "Sun Machine" for tune-ups. Now I have the same power in a handheld device.

Awesome automotive spark system tester

This worked better than I could have imagined in detecting a miss on a car I was working on, a coil on plug design. It was crystal clear immediately. The directions are more or less useless and I had to dig out the videos on youtube to figure it out.

Very useful

I really like this tool. Definitely easier than other methods of diagnosis I have at hand. I'm still trying to incorporate it into my daily routine to get the hang of how to interpret the data...I've gotten a little old-school over the years and hope to get on the right track with this tool. Super useful.

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