Lockin4u

Bottom line, you are going to need OEM diagnostic capabilities for the manufacturers, years and models you intend to service. That may mean OEM tools, a good J2534 device and appropriate software and/or subscriptions, or most likely a combination of both.
Aftermarket tools will cover some of those duties. But I certainly wouldn't want to step off into that abyss without the catch net of the proper OEM tools underneath me. Not to mention some solid training.

Keep it civil.

My post was not directed at you Ben. You would most likely be the recipient of such calls. It was more directed at the folks who bitch about the cost of something because they've seen the Chinese knockoff price on eBay but want the safety of buying it stateside.
Personally, I can't stand the tech calls about why something is not programming and find out they are using a $300 offshore programmer.

If the PCM came from a donor vehicle that was immobilizer equipped, you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle to create a running vehicle on your end. Nothing you can do to that PCM will revert it to non-transponder. Add the cost of transponder keys, labor, and programming, of course.
As an aside, I've had a couple of shops call me that have installed boneyard columns on non-transponder Chrysler vehicles. The replacement columns they sourced, came with SKIM modules from transponder equipped vehicles. They unwittingly made all the available connections and attempted to start the vehicle.
At that point, what was once a non-transponder PCM, was instantly and irreversibly transformed into an immobilizer PCM.
To any naysayers who may question the validity of these statements, I realize this may sound preposterous. But yes, it's entirely possible and completely factual. If still in doubt, I implore you to conduct your own field tests and report back here with your results.
Edit: When I said, "you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle". I meant that you will need the remainder of the immobilizer system components. Not necessarily those components directly from the PCM donor vehicle...

If the PCM came from a donor vehicle that was immobilizer equipped, you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle to create a running vehicle on your end. Nothing you can do to that PCM will revert it to non-transponder. Add the cost of transponder keys, labor, and programming, of course.
As an aside, I've had a couple of shops call me that have installed boneyard columns on non-transponder Chrysler vehicles. The replacement columns they sourced, came with SKIM modules from transponder equipped vehicles. They unwittingly made all the available connections and attempted to start the vehicle.
At that point, what was once a non-transponder PCM, was instantly and irreversibly transformed into an immobilizer PCM.
To any naysayers who may question the validity of these statements, I realize this may sound preposterous. But yes, it's entirely possible and completely factual. If still in doubt, I implore you to conduct your own field tests and report back here with your results.
Edit: When I said, "you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle". I meant that you will need the remainder of the immobilizer system components. Not necessarily those components directly from the PCM donor vehicle...

If the PCM came from a donor vehicle that was immobilizer equipped, you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle to create a running vehicle on your end. Nothing you can do to that PCM will revert it to non-transponder. Add the cost of transponder keys, labor, and programming, of course.
As an aside, I've had a couple of shops call me that have installed boneyard columns on non-transponder Chrysler vehicles. The replacement columns they sourced, came with SKIM modules from transponder equipped vehicles. They unwittingly made all the available connections and attempted to start the vehicle.
At that point, what was once a non-transponder PCM, was instantly and irreversibly transformed into an immobilizer PCM.
To any naysayers who may question the validity of these statements, I realize this may sound preposterous. But yes, it's entirely possible and completely factual. If still in doubt, I implore you to conduct your own field tests and report back here with your results.
Edit: When I said, "you will need all related immobilizer components from that donor vehicle". I meant that you will need the remainder of the immobilizer system components. Not necessarily those components directly from the PCM donor vehicle...

You need the micro pod 2 to do scan tool testing, bi directional controls, see live data, and other mechanical shop stuff.  The point of the video is that key programming can be done without the micro pod 2.

You can't go wrong with JBC.

It's not just yours. These aren't high end stations. I owned one for about 6 months until the matching hot air station crapped out. I replaced the hot air unit with a Xytronic LF-852D. It's been working very well for several years now.
I also purchased a JBC CD-1BB soldering station at the same time. I can honestly say that I had no idea what it was like to use a good solder station until I used the JBC unit. There is a marked difference that becomes instantly apparent when used the first time.
I have these mounted in the van and use them in the field for the bulk of my SMD rework.
I also have the same Xytronic hot air station as well as a Xytronic 988D soldering/desoldering station in the shop. I bought them as a package. While it seems to be a quality unit and it does hold temp better than the Aoyue, as well as having the added feature of the desoldering gun, it still does not compare to the JBC for soldering.
One of the features about the JBC unit that I like best, besides the stellar temperature retention, is the quick change, hot swappable, hands free tip change design. No waiting for the iron to cool down to change tips. 
One word about that though. Do not have the unit powered on and think you can get a tip, held in your hand, inserted before it burns the living crap out of your fingers... You won't. It heats that fast.
I also use a handheld Denon SC-7000Z desoldering tool in the van for through-hole devise removal.
http://www.howardelectronics.com/

You can't go wrong with JBC.

It's not just yours. These aren't high end stations. I owned one for about 6 months until the matching hot air station crapped out. I replaced the hot air unit with a Xytronic LF-852D. It's been working very well for several years now.
I also purchased a JBC CD-1BB soldering station at the same time. I can honestly say that I had no idea what it was like to use a good solder station until I used the JBC unit. There is a marked difference that becomes instantly apparent when used the first time.
I have these mounted in the van and use them in the field for the bulk of my SMD rework.
I also have the same Xytronic hot air station as well as a Xytronic 988D soldering/desoldering station in the shop. I bought them as a package. While it seems to be a quality unit and it does hold temp better than the Aoyue, as well as having the added feature of the desoldering gun, it still does not compare to the JBC for soldering.
One of the features about the JBC unit that I like best, besides the stellar temperature retention, is the quick change, hot swappable, hands free tip change design. No waiting for the iron to cool down to change tips. 
One word about that though. Do not have the unit powered on and think you can get a tip, held in your hand, inserted before it burns the living crap out of your fingers... You won't. It heats that fast.
I also use a handheld Denon SC-7000Z desoldering tool in the van for through-hole devise removal.
http://www.howardelectronics.com/

It's not just yours. These aren't high end stations. I owned one for about 6 months until the matching hot air station crapped out. I replaced the hot air unit with a Xytronic LF-852D. It's been working very well for several years now.
I also purchased a JBC CD-1BB soldering station at the same time. I can honestly say that I had no idea what it was like to use a good solder station until I used the JBC unit. There is a marked difference that becomes instantly apparent when used the first time.
I have these mounted in the van and use them in the field for the bulk of my SMD rework.
I also have the same Xytronic hot air station as well as a Xytronic 988D soldering/desoldering station in the shop. I bought them as a package. While it seems to be a quality unit and it does hold temp better than the Aoyue, as well as having the added feature of the desoldering gun, it still does not compare to the JBC for soldering.
One of the features about the JBC unit that I like best, besides the stellar temperature retention, is the quick change, hot swappable, hands free tip change design. No waiting for the iron to cool down to change tips. 
One word about that though. Do not have the unit powered on and think you can get a tip, held in your hand, inserted before it burns the living crap out of your fingers... You won't. It heats that fast.
I also use a handheld Denon SC-7000Z desoldering tool in the van for through-hole devise removal.
http://www.howardelectronics.com/

You can't go wrong with JBC.

You can't go wrong with JBC.