So I bought a Hondata Flashpro last week and installed it. I imagine most flashpro/reflash info has been covered by this point, but I have been reading quite a bit on this forum; so I thought I should post and “give back” a bit even if its redundant.
Background: came to the RDX from several modded turbo Subarus, wanted something nicer (loved the Subaru product but they are pretty basic by design which is inherently good and bad) and didn’t plan to mess with the RDX. Saw mostly good things on the forum about the Hondata tune, though I noticed there’s at least one person not impressed with the company on the forum.
Decision to go with flashpro: From the Subaru experience, I know the benefits of even a good base tune over stock. So I was considering Reflash. I only really wanted/still only really want the base map. So I could have just gone with the reflash. However, the one reflash shop around me didn’t email me back and it wouldn’t have been convenient anyway. Didn’t really feel like mailing the ECU, I know it wouldn’t be that bad but didn’t feel like it. Also I pictured the following: reflash : $300 vs. flashpro: $700 minus $400 residual value = probably about the same $300. Not sure exactly what the resale is for a flashpro when/if I’m done with it but probably about $400? Obviously, that’s only when you’re completely done with it but it made sense to me.
Received my flashpro: bought from Heeltoe, prompt shipping, no issues, limited but good experience. This unboxing video is from a civic flashpro but it’s the same
Installation: As mentioned only got if for the base map. The installation was fine and simple enough but not completely smooth for me, so I’ll share a few points here. Point 1: you need a laptop/computer. My Subaru experience was using the Cobb accessport which is rather different with a screen and less dependence on a computer than the flashpro. Some things I read about the flashpro indicated that it could be used without a laptop. So I was thinking it would be like the Cobb accessport. The Cobb you could take out of the box, connect to the OBDII and it would walk you through install. Maybe there is some way the flashpro could be used straight out of the box without a computer, but I didn't see it. It definitely was made to be used with a laptop. I now think people meant that you can load stuff on the flashpro with a computer and then take it and load the program without a computer if you need to. This is probably an obvious point and not a big deal but wasn’t completely clear to me before purchase. Anyway point 2: The initial instructions kinda sucked. You get a paper that sort of points you in the direction of the website. You get a CD that I didn’t use at all because it seems more intuitive to download the latest flashpro manager from the website. They have some old videos but they don’t really say much about how it works. Anyway I figured it out with the help of these two videos
If anyone else is installing here’s what I did. It’s pretty easy but I honestly wasn’t sure from the included instructions.
1. Download/install flashpro manager to laptop
2. Connect flashpro to laptop
3. Connect flashpro to car still connected to laptop
4. Register flashpro and link flashpro to car – Hondata wants your info and vehicle VIN to make sure you only use it on one vehicle at a time (easy if access to WIFI while sitting in the car, a little extra effort if not)
5. Select tune program in flashpro manager
6. Load tune to ecu -you can do this from laptop if connected (better) or from flashpro if not connected to laptop
Result: I have the Hondata base map installed. I’m very happy with it. Positives: 1. Improved driveability – it’s simply a better tune than the factory one, less turbo lag, smoother, just better. 2. More power – not a shocker as that’s why you buy it but nice that it’s noticeable. Not mind blowing but noticeably more power. 3. I stopped thinking about buying it and now have more time. Negatives: only one and it might just be in my head – seems a little too thin or maxed out or something on the top end. This might just be in my head because I read that it gets power by being leaner than the factory tune or it might be true because it is. Regardless, when you’re on the top end it just seems like you’re at the limit vs. the stock tune which though less powerful like it was more comfortable or something like that. Not necessarily bad but personally kinda don’t like that. Can’t comment on MPGs yet as it has only been 3 days.
Surprises: None other than Bluetooth. Didn’t even know about this at the time and probably won’t use it much but seems kind of cool: http://www.hondata.com/mobile.html
Conclusion: I’m happy and would recommend it. It’s just plain better than the factory tune so far. Even though I still only plan to use the base tune, I’m still happy with my choice to just get the Flashpro vs. reflash. Though I still have $400 in the Flashpro vs $400 in my pocket with reflash, I’m pretty sure I could get that back if I sell it. Also nice to know that if I want to uninstall or go bigger I can do either. Hopefully reliability is consistent with what I’ve read.
Background: came to the RDX from several modded turbo Subarus, wanted something nicer (loved the Subaru product but they are pretty basic by design which is inherently good and bad) and didn’t plan to mess with the RDX. Saw mostly good things on the forum about the Hondata tune, though I noticed there’s at least one person not impressed with the company on the forum.
Decision to go with flashpro: From the Subaru experience, I know the benefits of even a good base tune over stock. So I was considering Reflash. I only really wanted/still only really want the base map. So I could have just gone with the reflash. However, the one reflash shop around me didn’t email me back and it wouldn’t have been convenient anyway. Didn’t really feel like mailing the ECU, I know it wouldn’t be that bad but didn’t feel like it. Also I pictured the following: reflash : $300 vs. flashpro: $700 minus $400 residual value = probably about the same $300. Not sure exactly what the resale is for a flashpro when/if I’m done with it but probably about $400? Obviously, that’s only when you’re completely done with it but it made sense to me.
Received my flashpro: bought from Heeltoe, prompt shipping, no issues, limited but good experience. This unboxing video is from a civic flashpro but it’s the same
Installation: As mentioned only got if for the base map. The installation was fine and simple enough but not completely smooth for me, so I’ll share a few points here. Point 1: you need a laptop/computer. My Subaru experience was using the Cobb accessport which is rather different with a screen and less dependence on a computer than the flashpro. Some things I read about the flashpro indicated that it could be used without a laptop. So I was thinking it would be like the Cobb accessport. The Cobb you could take out of the box, connect to the OBDII and it would walk you through install. Maybe there is some way the flashpro could be used straight out of the box without a computer, but I didn't see it. It definitely was made to be used with a laptop. I now think people meant that you can load stuff on the flashpro with a computer and then take it and load the program without a computer if you need to. This is probably an obvious point and not a big deal but wasn’t completely clear to me before purchase. Anyway point 2: The initial instructions kinda sucked. You get a paper that sort of points you in the direction of the website. You get a CD that I didn’t use at all because it seems more intuitive to download the latest flashpro manager from the website. They have some old videos but they don’t really say much about how it works. Anyway I figured it out with the help of these two videos
If anyone else is installing here’s what I did. It’s pretty easy but I honestly wasn’t sure from the included instructions.
1. Download/install flashpro manager to laptop
2. Connect flashpro to laptop
3. Connect flashpro to car still connected to laptop
4. Register flashpro and link flashpro to car – Hondata wants your info and vehicle VIN to make sure you only use it on one vehicle at a time (easy if access to WIFI while sitting in the car, a little extra effort if not)
5. Select tune program in flashpro manager
6. Load tune to ecu -you can do this from laptop if connected (better) or from flashpro if not connected to laptop
Result: I have the Hondata base map installed. I’m very happy with it. Positives: 1. Improved driveability – it’s simply a better tune than the factory one, less turbo lag, smoother, just better. 2. More power – not a shocker as that’s why you buy it but nice that it’s noticeable. Not mind blowing but noticeably more power. 3. I stopped thinking about buying it and now have more time. Negatives: only one and it might just be in my head – seems a little too thin or maxed out or something on the top end. This might just be in my head because I read that it gets power by being leaner than the factory tune or it might be true because it is. Regardless, when you’re on the top end it just seems like you’re at the limit vs. the stock tune which though less powerful like it was more comfortable or something like that. Not necessarily bad but personally kinda don’t like that. Can’t comment on MPGs yet as it has only been 3 days.
Surprises: None other than Bluetooth. Didn’t even know about this at the time and probably won’t use it much but seems kind of cool: http://www.hondata.com/mobile.html
Conclusion: I’m happy and would recommend it. It’s just plain better than the factory tune so far. Even though I still only plan to use the base tune, I’m still happy with my choice to just get the Flashpro vs. reflash. Though I still have $400 in the Flashpro vs $400 in my pocket with reflash, I’m pretty sure I could get that back if I sell it. Also nice to know that if I want to uninstall or go bigger I can do either. Hopefully reliability is consistent with what I’ve read.