Tool Review: Hunter Engineering ADASLink®

A: This is a new product to address wheel alignment and ADAS calibration requirements. The tool coupled with the latest Hunter Engineering Hawkeye Elite wheel alignment system does a remarkable job of not only handing off the ADAS calibration procedure to the scan tool/ADAS calibration equipment but also produces a comprehensive report that documents what was done to the vehicle and why.   

A: Once the alignment machine is properly tied to the ADASLink tablet, all you need to do is follow the instructions provided, but you still need to have access to service information systems so you can carry out specific procedures called out within the workflow by the ADASLink.   

A: The tablet is the Bosch ADS625x coupled with a wireless VCI. It comes with a nice docking station that hosts and charges the tablet and VCI.  

A: I love the fact that the Hunter alignment machine sends a procedures requirement list to the ADAS link tool, and when the tech hits the “Requested Procedures List” on the ADASLink, it provides a list of vehicles to connect to in order to carry out the ADAS calibration procedures. Once that’s done, the Hunter Aligner automatically couples the alignment report with the ADAS calibration documentation and the DTC pre-post scan report. Additionally, we use Shop-Ware shop management software and when you have the VCI tied to your system, pre- and post-scan information flow right into the notes section of the repair order automatically. This is a very cool time-saving feature, especially because we perform a full health scan check on pretty much every vehicle that comes into the shop.  

A: While in certain modes within the scan tool, I found a screenshot button to be very helpful so that I can help train fellow technicians, but some screens don’t have that screenshot button. Also, on the calibration success screen, it would be nice to have the time, date, and VIN so that any screenshots taken could carry better context

A: We used this on a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to perform the radar and windshield camera dynamic calibration. Once the alignment was complete, we road-tested the vehicle as instructed by the tool and carried out the dynamic calibration. Once we returned to the shop, we performed the post-scan and after the results were uploaded, the wheel alignment machine was ready to produce the report.  

A: I give it a 9.5. This tool coupled with a compatible Hunter Alignment machine and the DAS3000 ADAS calibration station should be able to properly calibrate most ADAS systems found in the market. For cases where a dynamic is only required, the tablet can ride along with the technician which will provide instructions and feedback during the drive. Since this is a software-driven tool, I trust that it will improve with time making the tool even more intuitive.