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Diesel engines are some of the most costly ones to run. Fortunately, with modern, computer-controlled designs, using them to their full potential is easier than ever. The simplest way to do so is to use a plug-in tuner.
This article discusses a tuner that is known for its fast processing speed and an outstanding display: the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G. It comes from a reputable brand and has earned itself fame as one of the best performers on the market.
If you are looking to install a new engine programmer or replace your existing engine one, we suggest you give this unit a serious thought. Below we have reviewed it in great detail to sway you towards its direction. We also talk about why it is a useful product for heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles.
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MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G
PROS
CONS
Specs and Dimensions
Model: S2G
Weight: 1.68 pounds
Length: 6 inches
Width: 8 inches
Height: 6 inches
Screen Size: 4.3 inches
Screen Control: Touch Control
Trouble Codes: Read and Clear
Resolution 480 x 272 – 16.3 million colors
Micro SD card: Included
Firmware Updates: Free
Power Levels: 10
Exterior: Smooth
Color: Black
OBD2 adapter cable: Included
Mount: Not included
Main Features
It features an outstanding full touchscreen display
Layout and background can be changed
Capable of sounding caution alerts
Helps improve engine performance with its versatility
It is equipped with a twin CPU system
We really like the Smarty Touch for its amazing touchscreen interface. The 4.3-inch screen is full color with bright hues and a responsive interface. The crystal clear display is equipped on an aesthetic and ergonomic device that can be mounted easily with a suction mount.
Its appearance is further enhanced by the personalization options it offers. You can choose between four different layouts while adjusting the background to your preference as well.
The efficient device boasts a twin CPU system. This is very useful as one processor interacts with the display to ensure proper graphics and instantaneous response, while the other regulates and maintains the ECM.
It is also equipped with a safety alert system to help you maintain the engine performance within a healthy range. Whenever you fall back or exceed that range, the device will sound an audio alarm.
The versatile unit not only allows you to choose between ten performance levels but is also capable of diagnosing and troubleshooting engine problems.
Pros
MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G is a very useful product for its compatible vehicles. It has a number of features that truly make it a worthy purchase. Here’s why:
Touchscreen Interface is Very Easy to Use
This unit looks very sleek and stylish because of its touchscreen display. The four-inch screen features a back-lit, full-color display, which makes it very easy to read. It is very responsive and adheres to your slightest touch. Unlike other button-equipped models that sometimes become stuck and are very difficult to navigate, this device is as easy to use as any smartphone.
Allows You to Choose Between Different Display Modes
Upon startup, it shows four different layout designs to offer its user a choice of selecting the one he/she is more comfortable with. You can choose between a gauge layout of full analog counters (A), two different combinations of both digital and analog counters (B and C), and a completely digital one (D). Each layout shows up to six different gauge parameters that you can also customize to display the quantity you want to monitor.
One of the Fastest Working Tuners
Smarty Performance King has equipped its Smarty Touch with the fastest software: CaPTURE. This allows it to process, write, load, and display information without any delays. The fast start-up is proof of its speed. It only takes about four seconds to boot up. Furthermore, the screen refreshes very quickly, which allows you to observe the ECM readings in real-time without any delay. Downloading and updating this tuner is also a fast and time-saving task.
Equipped With a Safety Alarm System to Keep You Informed
One highly useful feature of this car tuner is its alert system. When you are setting the ECM ranges, it also allows you to set up an alarm limit. This is to maintain the health and performance of your engine in top condition.
Once you have set up the alarm range, it will closely monitor the statistics and sound an alarm when you reach or fall below the set limit. This feature is highly useful for both beginners and professionals as it allows them to take action before any big issue arises.
Offers a Choice Between Ten Different Power Levels
Unlike any other unit from any other brand, Smarty Touch offers not one or two but ten different power levels to facilitate its users. Additionally, it features a half-power mode, which drops the engine power to half. It is useful in situations when absolutely no smoke is desired. Some people may think of this as odd, but urban drivers know how useful it is.
Cons
We found Smarty Touch to be such an ideal product that we actually had to work very hard to find some cons. They are discussed below.
One of the Most Expensive Tuning Devices
Tuners have been around for years. With technological advancement, the engine programming technology has not only improved but is also now readily available. This means that the devices have also become more affordable, yet Smarty Touch is one of the costlier units. We can attribute a high price tag for a full color, touchscreen display, as well as fast and superior software. Despite that, at this price, not everyone can think of buying it for themselves.
Included Guide Lacks in the Update Department
While the directions to program and use the device are very detailed and easy to understand, the portion about updating the firmware is not clear at all. The confusing directions have led many users into believing that updating their Smarty Touch is one of the worst aspects of owning one.
When they had developed such a tricky procedure, they should have paid more attention to explaining it to their customers as well.
What is the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G Best For?
Every diesel vehicle owner knows the importance of having a high-performance programmer. MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G is one of the fastest and efficient tuners available on the market. Here is how it is useful for you:
ECM Customization
If you are a performance enthusiast, you will know that the factory-preset stock settings cannot cater to your demanding usage. Smarty Touch enables you to fiddle with and adjust these stock settings to customize the ECM settings according to your needs. It allows you to adjust the parameters within a suitable range as well as set an alarm when they are nearing either end of their limit.
Increasing Timing
The best features of Smarty Touch are its power levels. It allows you to choose how much power you want the engine to deliver, that, too, with the option of increasing the stock timing. You can choose the HP you want with or without the time increase to make the most of your driving experience.
Improving Fuel Efficiency
Smarty Touch is well-known for improving fuel efficiency. With it installed on your truck, you will notice that you are driving farther than you used to without it. The first power level also decreases the fuel flow and engine power to half and allows the vehicle to operate in a smokeless mode.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying a MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G?
MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G is one of the most advanced tuners available on the market. Such an impressive product needs some prior homework before you can start using it. Here are some things that you need to know before buying a MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G:
Price
The first thing you should know about Smarty Touch is that it lies on the costlier end of the price spectrum. Such a unit is not suitable for occasional use. It is great for drivers who often indulge in performance tasks such as towing or off-road drives. If you put your vehicle to such uses, it is definitely worth the money you are going to spend over it.
Brand
Smarty King Performance is an operative of MADS electronics. It has culminated its experience into producing quality car tuners for drivers around the US. Smarty Touch is one of their best-selling units. You should know about the manufacturer before you can entrust its product with your vehicle.
Compatibility
The second most important thing to know is your vehicle’s compatibility with this device. The Smarty Touch can tune Cummins loaded Rams from 1998.5 to 2018. If you own a vehicle that was produced during this time period, you can easily tune it with one of these.
Be sure to confirm this with your dealer too. An incompatible combination may end up damaging the engine.
Touchscreen Interface
Unlike other tuners, this device is equipped with a touchscreen interface, placing it much ahead in the competition. The four-inch screen is not only responsive and easy to monitor, but the full-color display also adds to its readability.
Updates
You should know that updating a Smarty Touch’s firmware needs a Windows-operated PC. You need to download different files, and sometimes the process can be a bit tricky. Be sure that you are up for it before you purchase the device for yourself.
Comparison Overview
Smarty Touch came after many predecessors, yet it is unique in its own way. Being one of the best and fastest programmers, it is often compared with other programming units from Smarty. Let’s see how it compares to some of the other considerable options.
Smarty Touch vs. MM3
Smarty boasts producing some of the best-selling car tuners. MM3 and Smarty Touch both fall in this category. At a glance, you might think them to be identical. However, that’s not entirely true.
Similarities
The MM3 is based on the same hardware platform as Smarty Touch. They both operate on the firmware installed on their SD cards. Also, the procedure to download the UCD files is also similar. Both power on quickly with each boasting a fast four-second power on. The download and updating speed of both is also very fast.
Differences
While they are really similar, the MM3 is designed for custom tuning. It does not have any files pre-installed. Everything is loaded at the time of purchase in accordance with the customer’s needs. On the other hand, Smarty Touch is ready to use with just a few configurations on the settings. This can be a reason why Smarty Touch costs more than MM3.
Smarty Jr vs. Smarty Touch
Smarty Jr is also a popular model from Smarty. It compares with the Smarty Touch quite well. Want to know how? Let’s see.
Similarities
Smarty Jr is a mini version of the Smarty Touch. Like the big version, it is also great at boosting HP and improving your engine's performance. Both devices utilize SD cards and run on the CaPTURE software.
Differences
Since Smarty Touch falls into the category of the more expensive tuners, Smarty Jr is certainly a more affordable option.
It offers only three power levels to choose from, while Smarty Touch is more versatile with ten power levels.
How to Update Smarty Touch
To make the most out of your engine's performance, you need to regularly update your Smarty Touch. The procedure is very simple. You just need a laptop or desktop PC; all the other accessories are included in the kit. Here is how to do it:
- Take the SD card out of the programmer and connect it to your computer.
- Open the Smarty resource website on your browser.
- Next, open the download bar and select Windows software.
- Here, download the file named 7-zip. After downloading, install it as well.
- Now go back to the download page and click on Smarty Touch.
- Open the Latest Smarty Touch update and download the file.
- Go to the file; press right click and choose 7-zip from the options.
- Select extract and let the processing finish. You will see a new folder.
- Open the SD card and delete everything from it except the folder named custom and any others that have the word LOG in them.
- Now open the new folder and copy everything except the custom folder.
- Paste the data on the SD card.
- Once done, eject and remove the SD card from the computer.
- Put it back into your programmer and turn it on.
- The programmer will detect the new firmware and update itself.
While the procedure is simple, the downloads may have you confused. Don’t worry, here is a video of the entire process to help you out.
How to Program a MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G
When you purchase a MADS Smarty Touch, the first thing you have to do is program it to tune your truck. Some resources may trick you into believing it is a complicated process, but if you look at the guide included in the package, it will dawn on you that programming it is not difficult at all. To facilitate you further, here is a step-by-step account describing the process:
- After turning in the device, the first thing you will notice is the A, B, C, and D icons on the top row. These represent different display layouts. You can choose a layout between an analog, digital, or different combinations of both to show the engine parameters.
- Once you have chosen your layout, click on different ranges to choose the parameters you want it to display. You can choose between temperature, RPM, speed, and pressure. Use arrows to navigate and then choose the category.
- Now you will see different parameters. Use the arrows to select.
- Inside, you can set range and alarm for that specific parameter.
- Once set, press ‘Return to Dashboard.’
- Adjust each parameter according to your needs.
- Afterward, press the three buttons on the top center of the screen to go to the main menu.
- Now select ECM.
- You will see two options DTC for diagnostic and troubleshooting codes and ECM. Hit 'ECM.'
- Go to customize tuning.
- The first option you will see will be the Power levels. Pick the level you need. You can always come back here to adjust power levels whenever you want.
- One by one, go through the entire list and adjust the settings according to your need.
- When done, press ‘Program.’
- You will be prompted with a battery condition message. Press 'Agree.'
- Let the programmer write the new settings on your vehicle computer.
- Now it will ask you to cycle the key between on and off. Do it and remember not to turn on the engine at any time during programming.
- When you turn the key to “on” for the last time, wait for a few seconds and then press exit.
Though we did try to simplify the procedure as much as possible, if you still find it difficult to follow, you can check out the video given below to help you.
Conclusion
Tuners are essential aftermarket products that every diesel vehicle owner should look into purchasing. If you have not used one yet, we suggest you get the Smarty Touch. With its fast and efficient programming, your vehicle will perform better than ever. And if you are interested in replacing your old one, Smarty Touch is still a great choice.
With the use of its power level tuning, you will be surprised that your vehicle is capable of so much. It is the culmination of about 40 years of experience working with electronics, so you can really trust it to cater to all your needs and requirements.
People Also Ask
Whether you are a beginner at engine tuning or have been doing it for a while, you will certainly find all the information we have provided above to be useful. However, we understand that the Smarty Touch is a big investment, so naturally, you will have some ambiguities clouding your mind. Below we have discussed some of the frequently asked questions about it to help clear your mind.
Is the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G Worth it?
From what we have read on multiple forums, users are actually happy with their MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G. It looks good and diagnoses problems or helps tune your truck effectively. It displays the commanded rail pressure and the actual rail pressure, which helps you change performance. So we can safely say that yes, it is worth it.
Was the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G Created?
MADS Electronics created the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G. It was first available in 2014 and is manufactured under the wing of Smarty Performance King. It was initially advertised to program Cummins-powered trucks. But the users also learned that this fast programmer could also work with other powerful engines such as Dodge Ram.
Is a MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G Hard to Use?
No, the MADS Smarty Touch Programmer S2G is not hard to use at all. Some people think so because of all the customization options. But let us assure you that, in fact, it is one of the fastest and user-friendly tuners that is designed to enhance and improve the overall performance of your truck. Besides, the comprehensive guide that comes with the device makes things a lot easier.
What is the PoD Setting in Smarty Touch?
The PoD is a special Power on Demand setting feature in Smarty Touch. It allows you to adjust the current tuner's power level while you are driving or parking the vehicle it is installed on. All you have to do is type in the percentage of power you want it to deliver from 0 to 9. The setting is useful when you want to lower the fuel while towing or when someone is borrowing your truck.
What Are the Smarty Touch Power Levels?
The Smarty Touch offers ten different power levels. These are basically different tunes that you can write over your truck’s PCM for better performance. You get to choose between power levels zero to nine, each with a different power gain.
- Number zero reduces the engine’s power by half for a smokeless operation.
- Number one adds 30 HP with an advance in timing overstock.
- Number two claims 60 HP increase with no advance in timing.
- Number three delivers 60 HP with the advancement in stock timing.
- Number four claims to add 90 HP with no additional time.
- Number five also offers 90 HP with some additional time.
- Number six is capable of adding 130 HP without having any effect on stock time.
- Number seven will add 130 HP along with some increase in timing.
- Number eight boasts a whopping 170 HP with no time advantage.
- Number nine is great as it adds 170 HP with a significant timing advantage over stock settings.
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