OVtune vs pedal commander

Purchased the 2019 trd sport and find it very sluggish and searching for gears in speeds 0-35. I’ve heard good things about OV Tune but I am a complete novice and struggle understanding how to purchase the software. I’ve also recently learned about the pedal commander and that also looks promising. Is OV software available for purchase for first time buyers? Covid-19 seems to have impacted what they sell but I’m not sure. Thank you all very much, Travis

 

OVTune/VFTuner is the better investment, pedal commander is a bandaid fix.

OVTune is now transitioning off to VFTuner, so it is better to invest in that.
VFTuner gives you sample tunes as a base, and you can simply use those. If you want, you can fIne tune settIngs to your liking.

There are also tune packs for VFTuner which are based off OVTune's flash tunes, unsure how those will work though.

 

Like what @Rainoffire said, your best fix for the issue would be the OVTune/VFTuner.
All pedal commander is; is reducing the delay between pressing the pedal to actually accelerating.
OVTune corrects that delay plus the shift points (so less hunting).

Now if its cause you have big tires and a ton of weight on the truck then you may need to re-gear.

 

With this new vftune. Do you need special TSB updates or is it plug and play on any vehicle that year corresponds with the tune

 

Not sure since I don't have it. Maybe @OVTune can chime in.

 

I’m interested, but overturned by the fact I need Toyota to flash my ECU to use a tune.. if that’s the case it really
Makes no sense. Lol

 

Same boat.
I just re-geared due to an increase in weight and to me, it doesn't feel like it hunts for gears anymore. My only issue left is the delay in acceleration, but the increased torque made it tolerable now so I may just do the bandaid fix and get pedal commander down the road.
Bandaids can be removed at any time without all the mumbo jumbo.

 

VFTuner is plug and play for the most part.
Just stick the ODB2 and tune away.

If you got the lastest TSB, that would be best.
You can get it at the dealer or do it yourself.
But you can run it on an prior ECU build, I think something like 2016 stock OG ECU build is not recommended.

For VFTuner, you buy the ability to run tunes on an ECU build of your choosing. Additional ECU builds are + charges.

EX. my ECU is 04B04, if I purchase VFTuner for my ECU build, then I can also tune any other truck with that same ECU build.

Also, if you don't like it, you can always reflash back to stock.
Toyota can't see if you have flashed the ECU with a tune.

 

I’ve asked Toyota to flash, they are dicks about it. I’ve got a 2017, is that 2.0 release that we’ve been waiting on out? And would that work?

 

They’re not comparable.

One completely changes the stock ECU

One is a Chinese part that goes between your foot and the ECU and makes it so you don’t have to press the throttle so hard.

 

Is VFTuner worth it if you have an MT?

 

2.0 is an OVTune Flash.
VFTuner is a tweakable tuning software.

OVTune is transitioning to VFTuner, then sometime later OVTune Flash Tool will be phased out.

The premade OVTune flash tunes will come to VFTuner as Tune packs, and maybe community tune packs.
VFTuner also comes with base tunes already that you can tweak to your liking.

VFTuner does not require a TSB ECU update, but it is recommended BEFORE you select the ECU build number you want to unlock.


Things may change or my info is outdated, so please follow the VFTuner thread for more info.

 

Yes, lots of positive reviews on the MT OVTune Flash side.
Better engine response, low end torque, smooth power band, no vtech-effect at 3.5~4k rpm.

 

Ummmm... If its strictly to fix the issue of delay of the pedal, then yes they are somewhat comparable.
Our trucks are throttle by wire. That little actuator attached to our pedal sends a signal to the ECU. The pedal commander captures that signal and boosts it. Your ECU then reads it and based on programming, it opens the throttle up.
Guess what the OVTune does? Just changes the parameters of the programming based on the signal sent by the pedal. The theory is the same just different execution (one changes the voltage, the other changes the action based on the voltage).

Here is my take:
What's great and pedal commander can't beat OVTune in is the shift points, Torque management, powerband, etc. since you are now getting into the actual program and changing parameters.
Some are satisfied with the current shift points (more so after regear) and just want it to be more responsive and less complicated. The easiest and cheaper way is the pedal commander.

HOWEVER, if you were doing a dollar to value comparison; the OVTune/VFTuner is definitely worth it. Just more complicated and may not be as foolproof as a pedal commander, but it's definitely worth it dollar to value-wise.

Took me a while to dig it up, but here is a link a video that tested the voltages being sent out if you care to watch it:
https://www.krawlzone.tv/how-do-pedal-commanders-work/

 

I know how it works. But you can do the same thing as it if you push down harder on the pedal and adjust how you use your foot.

 

They are comparable just like if you want to go from the house to the store 3 miles away and can walk or drive. Both will get you there but one offers so much more than the other.
If you're happy with the performance of the truck and don't feel that you have any issues with the shifting then the pedal commander is the better option cause it's cheaper and fixes what you need, no frills.
If you feel the trans is bipolar and/or want more performance and better gas mileage then you'd get OV.
Older ECUs will be supported by the VF tuner when the files release very soon but also keep in mind that updating to a newer ECU seems to offer a bunch of improvements to driveability regardless if you install OV or not so it's HIGHLY recommended. You don't NEED Toyota to update to the latest ECU, go look at (I believe) @tonered or @lapoltba profiles as I believe they both link up tutorials on how to update ECUs with Techstream and also all required links required to do it. Real easy to do, just need a Tactrix cable which you'd need for OV anyway.
MTs seem to also benefit a bit from the OVtune and they have all been quite happy with their 2.0 release from OV. Other options to make the MT more driveable is doing the accumulator delete mod. Cheap to do. There is a thread somewhere on here showing how to do that also.

 

Just do both...

 

Don't know if you are joking/being sarcastic...
OP DON'T DO BOTH.

 

I have the Pedal Commander and it works as advertised. You pick how responsive you want your truck to act. It’s plug and play takes less then 5 minutes to install or uninstall no flashing nothing for a Toyota tech to pick up on. My auto transmission works fine I just wanted to be able to select how the truck acts PC is perfect for this. If you want to go all techy with multiple maps and be able to have more control over multiple things then OV Tune is for you.

 

I just put on bigger tires today and immediately noticed the difference in drivability. Doesn’t have quite the acceleration before the change. I want to do something but I am finding myself going down the rabbit hole already. Only had the truck a week...