Toolbox Topics: Bringing diagnostics and hand tools together | An interview with Pico Technology

In this video, PTEN Editor-in-Chief Nadine Battah speaks with Justin Morgan, automotive technical specialist for Pico Technology, about how advanced diagnostics fit alongside traditional hand tools in today’s shops, essential accessories for technicians, and what the future looks like as diagnostics and hands-on tools continue to work together.

Highlights in this video:

1:26 – Oscilloscopes as a Complement to Hand Tools

How Pico oscilloscopes help technicians pinpoint issues before disassembly, saving time and reducing guesswork

2:53 – Everyday Shop Integration
Examples of using scopes and data loggers for mechanical and electrical diagnostics, plus the importance of efficiency in shop operations

5:17 – Essential Accessories

Probes, test leads, clamps, and meters that maximize the effectiveness of Pico tools in the shop

7:58 – Hybrid & EV Readiness
Insulation testers, high-voltage probes, and the growing need for EV-specific diagnostic tools

9:14 – Evolution of Shop Toolkits
Pico’s journey from 1991 to present: pioneering USB scopes, WPS500, NVH diagnostics, and PicoScope 7

11:59 – The Future of Diagnostics
Why diagnostics must come first, and how electronic tools will always work hand-in-hand with mechanical tools

15:00 – Industry-Specific Kits
Tailored kits for off-highway, diesel, and marine sectors; innovations in waveform libraries and guided tests

17:06 – Wrap Up
Key takeaways: combining diagnostic equipment with hand tools keeps shops efficient and ahead of the curve