DP Tuner vs. PHP Hydra

[Bearded7point3pilot]

Who runs what? From what I've read I get mixed reviews. Seems like a me most guys running these tuners swear by them, which basically puts me no closer to making a decision. I like the DP just because so many 7.3 guys recommend it. But when I search PHP's reviews they get a lot of great publicity also. The PHP comes preloaded which is nice but odds are I won't use 1/3 of the tunes it comes with. The DP is what I consider the more "custom" option but being a stock truck, how "custom" would the tunes need to be? There's just a big difference in $395 and $600+. Cost isn't the issue, I'd just prefer to save the cash if it's not going to be a dramatic difference in performance or reliability


01 7.3 F250
4" Diamond Eye exhaust
"Tymar" Intake
EGT, Trans Temp, Boost

 

[joe d]

Im not sure if dp tunes for the hydra. But most of the tuners out there will burn and send ypu files for the hydra imo unless you know dp will work for you then go with the hydra so much more out there as far as tunners and tunes with that being said i have heard nothing but great things about dp allmost to the point where i wanna buy one of there chips just so i can run there tunes.. Good luck.

 

[Bluke]

Hydra all the way. Everyone will tune for the hydra besides dp. The Dp tuner is only dp and I believe dynoproven.

With the hydra you can have tunes from each tuner on it at the same time. Plus if you ever upgrade injectors you can just have the tunes emailed to you.

Another big plus is if you sell the truck or want the hydra in another vehicle just pull it and hook it to the computer and upload the correct tunes for the new truck and your done.

 

[PSD POWER007]

If Jody will still write tunes for a TS style chip, those will work on the Hydra.

 

[Bluke]

I was told by Justin from Dp that they will no longer email ts tunes.

 

[superpsd]

I use the Hydra and Minotaur software. The extension cable is a plus to get. The back side of the plug needs a little filling however so the chip can slide in with the cable attached.

 

[sqrlgtr]

I'm in the same boat as the op is in.I currently running a ts chip with bdp tunes from 2009 and have no complaints.been looking hard at the hydra and php also but also looking at just buying a blank chip and sending it to dp or twildman for a burn (that way I would have 2 chips no waiting on turn around for reburn).I've seen them for $139 on internet not to bad imo.thought about seeing if tw could come close to that $ for his plus $ for custom tunes.I would rather buy all at same place.imho if your running a pretty much stock rig you wouldn't need all those extra tunes..

 

[CarportMechanic]

I'm in the same boat as the op is in.I currently running a ts chip with bdp tunes from 2009 and have no complaints.been looking hard at the hydra and php also but also looking at just buying a blank chip and sending it to dp or twildman for a burn (that way I would have 2 chips no waiting on turn around for reburn).I've seen them for $139 on internet not to bad imo.thought about seeing if tw could come close to that $ for his plus $ for custom tunes.I would rather buy all at same place.imho if your running a pretty much stock rig you wouldn't need all those extra tunes..

Just questioning your reasoning a bit.

You purchased your current chip for lets say $200, on the cheap end.
Might purchase another chip to alleviate the wait time for $140. Not including tunes.....
Total spent $340. Not far from a Hydra.

Even if you have 2 chips, your still waiting for that second chip to come back so you can test your new tunes. When I have tweaks to make I want the tune ASAP.

With a Hydra all your waiting on is the email. Ive had tunes come back within 30 minutes and up to about 3 days. All still faster than USPS, And cheaper.

 

[rsater1]

^^ I second the hydra.cant go wrong

 

[sqrlgtr]

Just questioning your reasoning a bit.

You purchased your current chip for lets say $200, on the cheap end.
Might purchase another chip to alleviate the wait time for $140. Not including tunes.....
Total spent $340. Not far from a Hydra.

Even if you have 2 chips, your still waiting for that second chip to come back so you can test your new tunes. When I have tweaks to make I want the tune ASAP.

With a Hydra all your waiting on is the email. Ive had tunes come back within 30 minutes and up to about 3 days. All still faster than USPS, And cheaper.

Yeah i can see your point,but I'd have to buy a lap top too.probally need one anyway?? really ain't got nothing set in stone..I kinda like the old rotary switch to idk..

 

[Skill_Kills]

I have a DP F6 in my 02 and really like it. I havent had to update it yet but it seems like itd be easy with my laptop and email. I use my 80 econ tune for 95% of what i do, even towing my 5er and boat combo.
I also have a DP F8 in my 53 with dynoproven tunes. seems to be nice so far

from the trucks ive driven, I wouldnt trade my DP tunes. Love the drivability but i havent tried PHP yet either. I dont think you can go wrong either way

 

[Skill_Kills]

i like the rotary switch on my F8, I believe the F8 and new F6v2 have a lot more options for tunes and what you can put on it too

 

[Layson]

I'm in the same boat as the op is in.I currently running a ts chip with bdp tunes from 2009 and have no complaints.been looking hard at the hydra and php also but also looking at just buying a blank chip and sending it to dp or twildman for a burn (that way I would have 2 chips no waiting on turn around for reburn).I've seen them for $139 on internet not to bad imo.thought about seeing if tw could come close to that $ for his plus $ for custom tunes.I would rather buy all at same place.imho if your running a pretty much stock rig you wouldn't need all those extra tunes..

I am right there with you. I am not like some of these people who change tunes like their underwear....

I have an extra chip, I picked up a burner years ago pre-hydra....funny thing about the burner is everyone else has used it but me....LOL.

Here is my thought too... you get the new setup... then all of a sudden another better setup comes out. I think it would have to be a pretty good deal for me to jump on the hydra bandwagon. If I didn't already have all the other stuff then I would probably go that route.

The stupid rotary chip works great for me too...

 

[superpsd]

So much nicer not having to pull a chip to change a tune...

 

[Layson]

It is so nice to have tuning you don't have to change all the time.

 

[sqrlgtr]

I've really not even thought about changing any tunes till here lately and that's just because I was going to upgrade my hpop.May not change tunes after that if the ol,girl don't need it.I guess its just a matter of opinion if you like one better than another.I just like the simplicity of the ol rotary switch.I hadn't even thought about burning them myself.seems like somebody around here use to have one them thangs.:lookaround:

 

[cbf9703]

It is so nice to have tuning you don't have to change all the time.

Agreed. Once I got tunes I liked, I've run those for years... No need to change. I rarely turn my chip knob unless I'm throwing it in the no start tune or don't like the shift points running around town in the last tune I towed with. 90% of the time I'm in the same program. I honestly like the tactile feel of the chip knob, but that's personal preference.

So much nicer not having to pull a chip to change a tune...

Didn't you just get Minotaur and that set up here recently when Charlie was sick and all about his tuning thread?

With your set up why were you pulling chips and changing tunes all the time before anyway?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[superpsd]

I never had to pull a chip multiple times but once is enough. I've had minotaur for over a year now I bought it with my Hydra. I had the TS chip before the Hydra with PHP tunes. Granted in a Super duty you don't have to pull the ebrake asssembly to access the chip. It is just nice to plug in a usb cable and load a tune in seconds.

If you build what your going to run you do only need one tune but if your making changes along the way sometimes you need a different tune.

 

[sqrlgtr]

Best i remember it wouldn't that big of a deal to install chip,took longer to mount switch than anything but that was back in 09.I probably turn my knob more in the winter than any other time going back to stock setting for slippery roads.sometimes I will leave in stock tune for a day are two just so I can get that big power feel again when i switch back lol.I usually run my tow tune 90% of the time but it's nice to have those others especially the hot one!getting back to original op?idk which is better but don't think any one of mentioned would be to bad.still like my knob....

 

[Justin@DP-Tuner]

If anyone has any specific questions about our chips or tunes, I would be happy to help you out. You can contact me on here via PM, through e-mail, or even give me a call.

To clear a couple things up I see posted in here... The new F6 is open source so anyone can tune on it. The F5 can still only be tuned by us.

Also, as far as TS chips go... We do reburn them with our tunes. We just do not e-mail tunes for them. You can check out the TS reburn options here... http://www.dp-tuner.com/ford-powers...tuning/chip-switches-misc/ts-chip-reburn.html