Tool Review: Matco Tools MDAutowave Waveform Viewer
The Matco Tools MDAutowave auto signal waveform viewer allows users to quickly and easily verify that signals and voltages are present in waveform format using a voltage/time scale, all without a scope and more detail than a DVOM. With this tool, users can view ignition systems, fuel injectors, mass air flow, oxygen sensor, throttle position sensor, crank and cam, wheel speed, pulse width modulated components and more. The MDAutowave automatically sets time and voltage scale with the auto-set feature, saves waveform snapshots to a 4GB SD card and perform accurate readings with sample rate of up to 1 million samples/second. The MDAutowave is battery-operated with a color LCD display.
The Review
Barry Hoyland, owner of Barry’s Auto Servide in Camarillo, Calif., reviewed the Matco Tools MDAutowave Waveform Viewer. About this tool’s ease-of-use he says, “Just turn it on and use the included test leads to connect to the component for testing.
Hoyland says that even though he had no prior experience with this tool, the waveform viewer is one of the easiest waveform tools he has ever used in terms of setup. “Being that there is not a library of saved waveforms on the tool, the boot-up process is much quicker.”
The MDAutowave Waveform Viewer came packaged in a protective case. It was “ready to use except for installing the battery, which was included in the package.”
In addition to the ease-of-use, Hoyland liked how quickly he was able to obtain waveforms. He says that the included manual “Has very easy-to-follow instructions including how to save and store waveforms.” He also says “The small size is an advantage as well as the quick start and set up time.”
Hoyland used the MDAutowave Waveform Viewer to observe a CAN data bus for activity, (as well as) fuel injector and fuel pump waveforms.
(For more detailed usage of the MDAutowave to observe CAN data bus activity, see the "Tool Briefing: CAN bus communication failure" article.)
To improve on this tool, Hoyland suggests a port to connect the tool to a larger screen, if necessary. He says, “The small screen is a minor setback, but not that difficult to use.” He also adds that he could see benefit if the MDAutowave could record directly to a tablet or a laptop.
On a scale of one to 10, Hoyland rates this tool a nine. He likes the ease of use and thinks “that it would be an excellent first waveform tool for technicians that are not experienced enough to need a full labscope but need to understand how to obtain and start using waveforms in their diagnostic processes.”
