To connect your PC or laptop to a commercial truck, you need a communication adapter that interfaces between your laptop and the truck. These devices are often called RP1210 adapters, communication adapters, or datalink adapters. The most popular adapter in the market today is made by Nexiq, which is called the Nexiq USB Link 2. Our company, Diesel Laptops, has recently introduced our competing device called the DieselLink. This blog post serves to compare the DieselLink with the Nexiq USB Link 2.

Nexiq USB Link 2 Overview

The USB Link 2 is made by Nexiq, which is a company that is owned by Snap-On. Where Nexiq has done a fantastic job of becoming the factory standard tool for truck manufacturers. The new truck dealerships that sell the new trucks for Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, and many others are expressly told by their manufacturer to use the Nexiq USB Link 2. This has lead to fast adoption in the dealership world, and it has also been recommended by dealerships to their clients throughout the years.

Diesel Laptops DieselLink Overview

The DieselLink represents Diesel Laptops' first entry into the competitive communication adapter market. We realize that the Nexiq USB Link 2 is a great adapter, but we felt that we could create a competing tool that offers the end-user more benefits, yet functions at the same high level.

Kit Components

Let’s start by comparing what you receive with each adapter. The chart below shows you what is included with each initial kit purchase.

While the OBDII cable is often synonymous with automotive, the OBDII cable is needed in commercial trucks. They are used in Volvo Trucks that are 2013 and newer, Mack Trucks that are 2015 and newer, Isuzu, HINO, Nissan UD, Mitsubishi FUSO, Ford Trucks, GMC Truck, Chevrolet Trucks, and others. This cable from Nexiq doesn’t come with their initial kit and incurs an additional charge of $125.

Warranty Coverage

For warranty, the Nexiq USB Link 2 comes with a 12-month warranty. This only covers the adapter itself, not the cables. In order to process the warranty, you must fill out a form with Nexiq and then ship it off at your expense. Nexiq will then perform the repair, and ship it back. In our experience, this process takes 2-4 weeks to complete. After the 12-month period, you can still have Nexiq perform a repair on the adapter but they will charge you $325.

The Diesel Laptops DieselLink comes with a 24-month warranty. We also handle the warranty different than Nexiq. You simply contact our technical support department, and once they validate that the item has failed, we ship you a replacement with a UPS return label. You don’t have to wait for repairs, and deal with shipping costs. Diesel Laptops covers that for you.

Replacement Cables Cost

Nexiq has made the decision with their USB Link 2 to include security chips embedded in the cables themselves. They have done this as an anti-aftermarket measure so that aftermarket cables can not be used. However, the chips also give them the advantage of being able to be used in multiple situations. For example, they can use just one OBDII cable to do both automotive and heavy-duty OBDII. However, the pricing on the replacement cables is also very expensive.

Protocol Coverage

We are going to break this down into two types of coverage – Protocols and Software. This one is a bit more technical but let us compare the technical protocol coverage on both adapters.

Software Coverage

While trucks may run on different software protocols, as we have listed above, it really comes down to what software is compatible with each adapter. The short answer is virtually all of them, at least all the commonly used ones in the market.

* Will not work with Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge Trucks

Where Nexiq wins is with the HINO DXII software. HINO has hardcoded their software to only work with the Nexiq USB Link II. However, this is a very unpopular and expensive program that costs over $2,000 to purchase. Also, understand that you can still read Isuzu trucks using aftermarket software such as JPRO and PF-Diagnose.

Where the DieselLink adapter wins is with automotive coverage and the ability to use automotive OEM software from General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, and some others.

In terms of heavy truck commercial software applications, both tools are going to give you 100% coverage.

Summary

At the end of the day, we feel the Diesel Laptops DieselLink provides a better warranty, a better up-front cost, less expensive replacement parts, and provides an equal or better level of coverage. We back all of this up with a 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you purchase a Diesel Link, we want you to have the confidence that it works as well as advertised.

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