Pulsar Review: 2019 RAM 1500 Bighorn

[MBORO19RAM]

I just purchased a Pulsar unit and would like to give my feedback and review:

Pro's: The speedo correction is nice function.
Con's: I did have to lower my tire size from the tire manufacturer specs a little bit to get it spot on.

Pro's: MDS shut-off is a nice feature
Con's: It does not keep it off all the time like others have stated. I don't care for this so I go to manual mode with gear selector

Pro's: Throttle response is changed between modes which is nice. ECO = Lazy, Stock = Same, Tow = Med, Performance = Super touchy
Con's: None really

Pro's: Tow and Performance modes you can feel a difference in the mapping. Throttle response, timing (it will ping without good fuel), traction control (it spins tires easily in Performance mode). In ECO mode throttle is lazier and I am recording almost 1 mpg better but more time is needed to truly tell.
Con's: Really none here as all options are good IMO with a piggy back unit.

Pro's: Adjustability between modes is nice.
Con's: I can't make mine do this on the fly. I have to put the truck in park in order to switch modes. Not sure if this is in an update or if I am doing something wrong.
Update: Works on the fly now after figured it out. Really like that feature!

Final Verdict: It's an easy decision for me as it is a good purchase. The under $500 is a no brainer as I tend to blow more than that on other stuff not as cool.

Next step for me: In discussions with Jay Greene to custom tune. Will probably go with a separate PCM so that I can go back to Stock easily. I did this with my 2012 Challenger as at the time the security was an issue to tune and then later was handled easily. If I learned anything from my 2012 Challenger these guys will figure out how to work around it and the costs will go down as time goes by.

 

[ramirj2]

Nice! Got mine waiting for me on my garage.
Question about unlocked PCM.
Once you installed and unlock PCM it would work with whatever tuning device you chose?
As an example can I switch from a Diablosport to HP Tunners when they support Gen 5 without an issue?

 

[Solosnavy]

I just purchased a Pulsar unit and would like to give my feedback and review:

Pro's: The speedo correction is nice function.
Con's: I did have to lower my tire size from the tire manufacturer specs a little bit to get it spot on.

Pro's: MDS shut-off is a nice feature
Con's: It does not keep it off all the time like others have stated. I don't care for this so I go to manual mode with gear selector

Pro's: Throttle response is changed between modes which is nice. ECO = Lazy, Stock = Same, Tow = Med, Performance = Super touchy
Con's: None really

Pro's: Tow and Performance modes you can feel a difference in the mapping. Throttle response, timing (it will ping without good fuel), traction control (it spins tires easily in Performance mode). In ECO mode throttle is lazier and I am recording almost 1 mpg better but more time is needed to truly tell.
Con's: Really none here as all options are good IMO with a piggy back unit.

Pro's: Adjustability between modes is nice.
Con's: I can't make mine do this on the fly. I have to put the truck in park in order to switch modes. Not sure if this is in an update or if I am doing something wrong.
Update: Works on the fly now after figured it out. Really like that feature!

Final Verdict: It's an easy decision for me as it is a good purchase. The under $500 is a no brainer as I tend to blow more than that on other stuff not as cool.

Next step for me: In discussions with Jay Greene to custom tune. Will probably go with a separate PCM so that I can go back to Stock easily. I did this with my 2012 Challenger as at the time the security was an issue to tune and then later was handled easily. If I learned anything from my 2012 Challenger these guys will figure out how to work around it and the costs will go down as time goes by.

View attachment 32038

I know this a performance review but i noticed you went with the Katzskin leather upgrade do you mind posting a photo of that? and how you do you like it?

 

[MBORO19RAM]

I know this a performance review but i noticed you went with the Katzskin leather upgrade do you mind posting a photo of that? and how you do you like it?

Katzkin Mopar Leather Upgrade 2019 Bighorn

Had this installed right after purchasing truck. Not a lot of info out there on it but I do like the feel and fit. Nice upgrade to the Bighorn package.

5thgenrams.com

 

[Maddoggin]

So does the pulsar add anything to the top? Or only to throttle? Like any added hp/power between 70 and 100 mph?

 

[Cajun_]

I just purchased a Pulsar unit and would like to give my feedback and review:

Pro's: The speedo correction is nice function.
Con's: I did have to lower my tire size from the tire manufacturer specs a little bit to get it spot on.

Pro's: MDS shut-off is a nice feature
Con's: It does not keep it off all the time like others have stated. I don't care for this so I go to manual mode with gear selector

Pro's: Throttle response is changed between modes which is nice. ECO = Lazy, Stock = Same, Tow = Med, Performance = Super touchy
Con's: None really

Pro's: Tow and Performance modes you can feel a difference in the mapping. Throttle response, timing (it will ping without good fuel), traction control (it spins tires easily in Performance mode). In ECO mode throttle is lazier and I am recording almost 1 mpg better but more time is needed to truly tell.
Con's: Really none here as all options are good IMO with a piggy back unit.

Pro's: Adjustability between modes is nice.
Con's: I can't make mine do this on the fly. I have to put the truck in park in order to switch modes. Not sure if this is in an update or if I am doing something wrong.
Update: Works on the fly now after figured it out. Really like that feature!

Final Verdict: It's an easy decision for me as it is a good purchase. The under $500 is a no brainer as I tend to blow more than that on other stuff not as cool.

Next step for me: In discussions with Jay Greene to custom tune. Will probably go with a separate PCM so that I can go back to Stock easily. I did this with my 2012 Challenger as at the time the security was an issue to tune and then later was handled easily. If I learned anything from my 2012 Challenger these guys will figure out how to work around it and the costs will go down as time goes by.

View attachment 32038

what do you mean by it will ping without good fuel. Like a notification or problems with the engine?

 

[CMil527]

NICE REVIEW..APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK AS I'M CONSIDERING ONE MYSELF!

 

[canative]

"Con's: It does not keep it off all the time like others have stated. I don't care for this so I go to manual mode with gear selector". On mine, once I set it to performance MDS off, it will stay off.

 

[HSKR R/T]

what do you mean by it will ping without good fuel. Like a notification or problems with the engine?

Meaning the Pulsar requires premium fuel, says so right in the instructions. Advancing the timing makes it long on lower octanes. Not a problem with the engine, u less you if keep the directions and run cheap gas.

 

[CalgaryJohn87]

I just purchased a Pulsar unit and would like to give my feedback and review:

Pro's: The speedo correction is nice function.
Con's: I did have to lower my tire size from the tire manufacturer specs a little bit to get it spot on.

Pro's: MDS shut-off is a nice feature
Con's: It does not keep it off all the time like others have stated. I don't care for this so I go to manual mode with gear selector

Pro's: Throttle response is changed between modes which is nice. ECO = Lazy, Stock = Same, Tow = Med, Performance = Super touchy
Con's: None really

Pro's: Tow and Performance modes you can feel a difference in the mapping. Throttle response, timing (it will ping without good fuel), traction control (it spins tires easily in Performance mode). In ECO mode throttle is lazier and I am recording almost 1 mpg better but more time is needed to truly tell.
Con's: Really none here as all options are good IMO with a piggy back unit.

Pro's: Adjustability between modes is nice.
Con's: I can't make mine do this on the fly. I have to put the truck in park in order to switch modes. Not sure if this is in an update or if I am doing something wrong.
Update: Works on the fly now after figured it out. Really like that feature!

Final Verdict: It's an easy decision for me as it is a good purchase. The under $500 is a no brainer as I tend to blow more than that on other stuff not as cool.

Next step for me: In discussions with Jay Greene to custom tune. Will probably go with a separate PCM so that I can go back to Stock easily. I did this with my 2012 Challenger as at the time the security was an issue to tune and then later was handled easily. If I learned anything from my 2012 Challenger these guys will figure out how to work around it and the costs will go down as time goes by.

View attachment 32038

Did you wind up getting the Jay Greene Tune?

 

[Talon4U2NV]

Older post, but I wanted to add, I have a Pulsar as well. And it has no issues with keeping the MDS off or a glitch with parking brake/MDS. Granted mine is a newer unit and I did update it with the update cable when installed a few months back. May try updating the unit as there was a good bit of change. If you use a setting on my Pulsar, it now is like you have used the gear selection buttons to kill the MDS

 

[LiveWire]

Older post, but I wanted to add, I have a Pulsar as well. And it has no issues with keeping the MDS off or a glitch with parking brake/MDS. Granted mine is a newer unit and I did update it with the update cable when installed a few months back. May try updating the unit as there was a good bit of change. If you use a setting on my Pulsar, it now is like you have used the gear selection buttons to kill the MDS

Where did you find a list of changes? I installed mine on a 2022 back in march, plugged in the cable/laptop a few times. Showed no updates. I love the unit on my truck, but i cannot use the speedo correct as it disables all parking sensors (known issue)

 

[Talon4U2NV]

Never saw a list of the changes; just plugged her in and was notified it needed an update. Ran up date and has been working great.
Every 6 months or so I will check it just to see if there is any.

 

[LiveWire]

Never saw a list of the changes; just plugged her in and was notified it needed an update. Ran up date and has been working great.
Every 6 months or so I will check it just to see if there is any.

I just tried mine again, it says a update is available. Ill hit yes, then it will instantly say device up-to-date. But if I do it again, says "update available". I just sent diablo tech support a email.

 

[Talon4U2NV]

Odd, Do you know what the date is on the update. Like the date they posted it? Can not recall if they had that on the update program or not.

 

[LiveWire]

Attached is version mine shows.. before and after trying to update.

 

[Georgf]

How do you guys update Pulsar? It doesn't have any connection ports, what does the cable look like, is it for an obd2 port?

 

[HemiDude]

How do you guys update Pulsar? It doesn't have any connection ports, what does the cable look like, is it for an obd2 port?

Yes, the cable runs from the obd port to your laptop, where the update is accomplished.

 

[Georgf]

Yes, the cable runs from the obd port to your laptop, where the update is accomplished.

Thanks, will ask manufacturer for the cable, because my Pulsar was not updated since 2019.

 

[LiveWire]

Thanks, will ask manufacturer for the cable, because my Pulsar was not updated since 2019.

Its for sale on there site. Seems like it was $30-40