I never plan on running steroids through my engine. I plan on loading it up with bolt ons for now. I would love to put a blower on it but that is far down the line for me.
So for further tuning options I should get the Xcal2.
As far as a power gain either programmer would be about the same for now right?
The on-device adjustments are more user-friendly on the Predator. You can always ESC out if you change your mind. With the Xcal2, if you say you want to load a program on your car, then go into changing some settings, but then decide to back out, there's no backing out. It will flash what you did. It's probably not a big deal to experienced users, but it can get confusing to newbies.
On-device datalogging is nice too. You can watch 5 items on the screen at the same time. If you selected more than 5, you just have to scroll. No need for a laptop.
I think the predator and the xcal 2 are both decent products. I think the xcal 2 is the product to have if you want to tune your own rig.
that being said I got a used diablo of ebay for my gearswap and if you are not going crazy and want to just do mild things. it is not as bad as some make it out.
I am buying a KB so the tuner was a intermediate step for me. I did not want lose any money on it. The diablo datalogs, and controls amost all parameters. so if you don't need all the function of the xcal 2 you may consider it. plust they are easy to find on ebay.
If all you have is a bolt on car and are not going to do heads or cams I would get a used predator. you can even get the hypertech or superchips but they usually go for aobut $175-200 and the diablo has way more features.
A dyno tune is not "the best PERIOD" road tuning and a wideband will get the tune closer, but yeah, a dyno tune will be closer than a mail order canned tune.