Diagnostic tool. Creator C310+. Review

[ponchi101]

C310+
In the box:
Scanner (with connector cable attached permanently)
Carrying pouch
Small manual
Mini CD
Mini USB cable



Scanner.
Looks well built and solid. It has NO protective coating or rubber case, so it might be a bit fragile, but then again, you are not expected to bang this thing against anything. The carrying pouch should provide enough protection when moving it.
Good that it comes with a MINI USB cable (not a micro), because a lot of people no longer have those. It is the interface for the software update. The connection felt solid and during updating moved not at all.
The MANUAL is super basic, and it shows the initial steps. But surely there is more to it. This is a tool to play a little with.
The Mini CD comes with PDF copies of the manual, and the update software. Upon inspection, you can tell the software is from 2013, which makes little difference as you can upgrade from the web. The www.szcreator.com site gives you both the UPDATE tool and the latest CODE (V12.0), so the mini CD is just redundant.
Downloading these two is easy, and all tools will run in W10 (sorry, iPeople). It looks certain that it will also run in several iterations of Windows, including mostly likely 7, 8 and the new 11. You will need a RAR extractor as the BIN file that runs the scanner comes in that file (RAR) from the web. 7ZIP should open it, and that comes standard with Windows.
Update is just install the CREATORC100 update program (it must be universal for all CREATOR tools) and then click UPDATE, find the extracted BIN file, and press SAVE. Total time for update was about 3/4 hour. The software is so light and easy to download it makes little sense to keep it in your computer; if there are updates, updating will be easy to do again.

Last, the scanner comes with no batteries as it is powered by the car's battery, through the connection. Good and bad, as then it is useless on a car with a dead battery, but if you have a dead battery, you should start there first.

 

[ponchi101]

Working with it
The interface is very simple, so there is just a brief period of learning. Automatically or manually select your model, and then you can go through 3 submenus: Body, Chasis, Drive. Each one will lead you to sub menus where you can test components. After the machine detects codes, you go back and go to the CLEAR FAULT CODES menu and it will clear them all.
The system is also set for maintenance, so you can reset oil change intervals and the like.
As reported by Colb, the C310+ does have a DELETE TRANSPORT mode function, but then the message is that the module has not been developed. An odd issue as why put the function's label but not the function itself?


So, as far as what was in it for me, the C310+ underperformed because that was precisely what I needed to do. A HEATER/AC module says that the car is also in ECONOMY mode but resetting that function did not make the TRANSPORT MODE issue go away. I will send a second mail to CREATOR telling them to install the function but, in view that I already sent one a week ago (and Colb did too), the issue is either more problematic than we know or Creator's customer service dept is busy with other things.

 

[ponchi101]

Summary.
In retrospect, I would have bought a different, more advanced tool, but that is simply because this one did not do what I wanted. The C310+ does A LOT OF THINGS, and it will pay for itself: you can register batteries, reset oil intervals and one thing that is good is that I was able to scan my entire car and it showed just two fault codes; it seems my car is in pretty good condition.
However, the one area where this thing is great is this: if you are in the market to buy an used car, and you are bent on one in the list of cars serviced, paying US$56 for this tool so you can plug it into any potential purchase is a minimal investment. It could translate into not buying a clunker that looks good but really is not in good shape, so the money down may save you a ton later.
It is a good tool, and, again, will certainly pay fot itself shortly. I only wish Creator would install the TRANSPORT MODE CLEAR function, which is what I needed. But if this is in your price range, and you need to do do some basic maintenance in your car, this tool will do.

 

[Zulu4]

Thank you

 

[Vanne]

ive got this one too (among others) its a great little tool.did you ever hear back about adding in support for TRANSPORT MODE removal?
ive also used this thing a lot on my Z3.

 

[colb]

Good write up @ponchi101 clear and consise, still not had a reply from them re the missing Transport Function but would agree its a handy tool to have and so portable for carrying in the car for use anywhere As to Transport Mode I did use BMW Scanner 1.4 software on the laptop to clear Transport Mode successfully and reset iit to Normal which restored the systems that had been disabled by it going into Transport Mode. Usual cause for this is a bad battery that the car detects and closes down systems to save enough power so it will start.
I went online and updated my Creator using their included software, mine was shipped with version 11.9, it updated to version 12.1 which added the Battery Icon to the main menu screen but alas no change to the missing Transport mode function.

 

[Nathanio]

I need to clear an airbag light - seems like a sensible way of doing it and leaving it in the car for those just in case moments

 

[ponchi101]

I have not received anything from Szcreator regarding the TRANSPORT MODE function, either as a personal mail or a note in their website. I even went to the extent that, seeing that tool C410 has a V12.1 software (the C310+ is a t V12.0), I uploaded the 410 software in the C310 and checked if it would have the function. The software runs well in the C310+, but the same issue with the T. MODE remains (the sole difference I can tell in software is cosmetics). I reverted the C310+ to the original V12.0 version after that.
Since I bought the tool via Amazon (USA) I wrote a review there (basically copying my summary here) and roasted them just a tiny bit, to see if they can be pressured. There were at least two people asking whether the tool can clear T. MODE and I made it a point to make it clear it doesn't. Since I can edit my review, I will give them a couple of extra days and then will add an edit to it saying they have not contacted me, if they don't. By now, we know that at least Colb and I have written to them about the same problem, so they should reply.
It is clear that the solution for transport mode is the Scanner 1.4, which is even cheaper than the Creator. I ordered mine and will see how it works in my X3, before bringing it down here. Seems to me that the sole issue there will be that it claims it will only run in XP, which is a minor issue; just find an old notebook, load XP and run it. Will post you.
txs guys.

 

[ponchi101]

Final input here. As Colb reported, the C310+ update to software 12.1 DOES NOT correct the transport mode issue. So, it is clear that the manufacturers will not include that function.
You need, at a minimum, Scanner 1.4.

 

[ponchi101]

Update. Schenzen updated the software for the C310+. Latest version is 12.02.
I can't tell what is different from 12.01, so I guess it was internal tweaking. And yes, still unable to clear transport mode. Time for another nasty review in Amazon.

 

[colb]

I never had a reply from them either, BMW Scanner 1.4 resets Transport Mode ok so at least its to hand if I need it, have used it a couple of times on members cars to get them out of transport mode. Still a fan of the Creator 310+ as that got rid of an airbag light I had that all the other software failed to do, INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4.
Will update my Creator to 12.02 when I get a chance.

 

[ponchi101]

Oh, sure. It is still a very good tool, and it does a lot. My "nasty review" on Amazon was simply editing my previous review and writing the same thing as here. For the money, still very good to have it.
I actually tested the new 12.02 software by setting my Z to Transport mode WITH Scanner 1.4, and then trying to erase it with C310+. After it did not, I flipped it back with V1.4.

 

[chanlon1]

I received my c310+ which had software v12.02 already on it. I believe as of today, thats the latest version.
Going through the menus I did find Transport Mode.
What is Transport and should I try to delete it????

 

[TOMGREEN413]

I think I need to get myself one

 

[ponchi101]

I received my c310+ which had software v12.02 already on it. I believe as of today, thats the latest version.
Going through the menus I did find Transport Mode.
What is Transport and should I try to delete it????

Transport mode is the setting that BMW transports vehicles in; it disables a lot of functions to several units. When I started doing this research, it was because my A/C unit was not working. Colb here helped me get the info.
DO NOT delete transport mode; I don't know what that would do to the rest of the units. (although I think that with the Creator you cannot do it. It is something you simply set or reset.)
As far as I can check, indeed the latest software version is 12.02. That is the last one I checked.
And, if you set transport mode with your Creator, I am not sure if you can then reset to normal mode. It was the one thing that I was not completely pleased with the tool. I also have the BMW Scanner V1.4.0, and that can set them all up as you wish.

 

[colb]

Just an update regarding the Creator 310+ and Transport mode, still no change its in the menu but dosn't work still.
The go to software to reset Transport mode is still BMW Scanner1.4 on a Laptop. Software is cheap on ebay all you need is a Windows 7 or 10 laptop to run it.
However I did invest in a Launch Tablet scanner and this has the capability to actually delete Transport Mode from the car altogether. When its run it deletes Transport mode from all the module in the car that contain it. Once deleted it will never put the car into Transport mode when the car has low battery issues. Have deleted it from quite a few members cars since I acquired the scanner, there are no ill effects in doing so.

 

[Jollygiant]

However I did invest in a Launch Tablet scanner and this has the capability to actually delete Transport Mode from the car altogether. When its run it deletes Transport mode from all the module in the car that contain it. Once deleted it will never put the car into Transport mode when the car has low battery issues. Have deleted it from quite a few members cars since I acquired the scanner, there are no ill effects in doing so.

Sounds good, I need to invest in something as my Carly is about to run out

How about a full review and link please?

 

[colb]

The Launch Tablet Scanner I bought was the CRP919E has the ability to scan worldwide makes of cars not just BMW. It comes with 2years free updates, after that it requires a £150 fee for a 1year update service. Updates are released on a regular basis and the tablet will tell you when they are available. It updates using its wi-fi connection which is wireless. When you scan a car it produces a report and this can be emailed to whoever you want to send it to it also gets stored in the tablet for future reference. It is a bi-directional machine and can carry out loads of tests on individual modules in the car. Service reset function and reset functions for steering angle settings and of course airbag diagnostics and clearing codes. Capable of deleting Transport Mode as mentioned earlier. Current price for the tablet is £339 with the 2 years free updates. Link here
https://www.eobdtool.co.uk/wholesale/launch-x431-crp919e-diagnostic-tool.html

Mine is the cable version that plugs into the OBD socket on the car however you can get a Bluetooth version for slightly more money.