Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Oaktree]

The Zurich is a very nice code reader, I use it on all my vehicles. Easy to use and tells you what the impacted (by code) components are so no guessing. Tells you where the OBD port location is and the female plug on the Zurich is illuminated so hooking it up under the dash is simple.

Curiously, can the firmware in these be updated when the time comes? I have one of those readers (not an HF one, am blanking on the brand and too lazy to go out & look) I got maybe 8 years ago, but it won't recognize my wife's 2015. I emailed the company asking about it but never heard back.
So, are these things considered disposable or can they be upgraded to recognize newer vehicles as time marches on?

 

[Rock Crawler]

Curiously, can the firmware in these be updated when the time comes? I have one of those readers (not an HF one, am blanking on the brand and too lazy to go out & look) I got maybe 8 years ago, but it won't recognize my wife's 2015. I emailed the company asking about it but never heard back.
So, are these things considered disposable or can they be upgraded to recognize newer vehicles as time marches on?

Yes, if you go to the HF site on a PC instead of a phone they have the link to the software updates there. They actually emailed this past year when the 2019 update was released. I have the 3rd one up the food chain (ZR13) that does ABS but not SRS, it's been extremely helpful by telling exactly what ABS sensor is dead when I had a wheel bearing silently failing.

 

[Rock Crawler]

They put the link to the latest zip file right on the main product page.

 

[5030]

I have the Zurich Updater App on my laptop screen. All I have to do is click on it and it tells me if there are any updates. if there are, I connect the code reader to my laptop (via the USB cable) and it downloads the latest firmware. Nice, easy to navigate code reader and not made in China either. I'd like to have the tablet style they offer but at 900 bucks, I cannot justify it. way cheaper than Snap-on at 4 grand though.

For my uses the Zurich hand held reader works just fine.

 

[KubotainNH]

"this gave me the thought of just buying extra batteries"

That's what I do; I have 4-5 different lights (including a nice bright 2-cell head light I use a LOT) that use the 18650's.

Also, I've seen a fair amount of complaints about the longevity of the plug-in connector on the HF/Braun folding light (I have 3), so I've always just swapped and charged externally.

I have one of the Nitecore "smart" chargers that do the 18650's (up to 4 at once), it also does the half-length 16340 cells (rechargeable replacement for one of the NON-rechargeables a smaller light I have)

Amazon - last time I tried to get 18650's from them I got the run-around; typed in the EXACT part #, kept getting page after page of everything BUT. Finally gave up and found 18650's here
Liion Wholesale Batteries | Li-ion battery/cell distributor
IIRC, that site explained that there had been cases of SOME 18650's causing fires - woulda been nice if Amazon had been upfront about it, instead of just trying the "hand is quicker than the eye" crap... Steve

That charger is pretty cool idea.

 

[KubotainNH]

I did something I have never done and that was to place an Internet Harbor Freight Order.

Received email saying they are back ordered indefinably 5 days after placing my order and my order will be cancelled unless I call and say not to cancel...

I thought good stocking stuffers but it looks like a no go...

Here is cut and paste...

An item(s) from your order is currently out of stock and its delivery date has been delayed.
We are unable to provide an estimated ship date at this time because we do not have a ship date from the factory. Your action is required within 21 days to proceed with this order.

If you still want the item(s) and are willing to wait indefinitely, please call Customer service at 1-800-444-3353. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by 12/25/2019, the item(s) will be cancelled and removed from your order.

I never called but my order has supposedly shipped a week or so after I got hat same e-mail.

 

[hunt4570]

I too have that Nitecore charger, it will do a multitude of rechargeable batteries. And fleabay is full of battery options.. I prefer the Tennergy line

 

[5030]

Anyone see or use the D cells you can plug into a USB port to recharge? Thought that was pretty spiffy.

 

[Fallon]

Anyone see or use the D cells you can plug into a USB port to recharge? Thought that was pretty spiffy.

Lithium based batteries run at a higher voltage than alkaline batteries. Which may be an issue for some devices. Lithium is a higher energy density than alkaline, but you probably loose any of the extra capacity to space for charging capacity & the connectors if not a lot more.

 

[5030]

I'm holding out for the HF portable transfer pump with as 20 volt Li-Ion pack. I have this feeling that it will appear as a 'New Bauer Tool' that HF is talking about coming soon. if it does, I'll be buying one. I have yet to find the smoke in any of the Bauer 20 volt cordless stuff I've purchased. So far so good and I've been using them pretty hard lately.