Handhelds, Tuners And Tunes (confused)

[OK2013GT]

I know I have several posts about this, I'm trying to figure out how this works and the more research I do the more confused I seem to get.

So, if I get an SCT tuner can I get anyone's Tunes (AED, Lund, VMP, etc.) I believe if I get the nGuage I have to get Lund tunes only, correct me if I'm wrong. Also, if that's the case, why would someone limit themselves to one tuner?

Price? How much does a tune cost anyway? I'm seeing anywhere from $100-$200 for 1 tune!
If I buy the SCT does that include a tune? Do I need to buy the SCT from anywhere in particular? If I buy it from VMP does it come with his custom tune(s)?

I keep going back and forth on Bama, I like the simplicity of ordering the handheld device and tune from AM, then getting tunes for life, that seems like a great deal, however, the reviews I've done on them seem a little sketchy.

Right now it's between AED and VMP, with an SCT, not sure about the SCT livewire or the other X4.

My 5.0 is not a DD. It has the following mods in case you're wondering or want to provide advice which way to go.
I bought the car about 3 wks ago, has a full exhaust and JLT CAI. Since it has these mods I'm assuming it had a tune at some point. With that being said the car did not come with a handheld so I won't be able to put it back to "stock" before uploading a new tune when I get one, is that going to be an issue?

Thanks

 

[OK2013GT]

It's down to either the SCT X4 or the SCT Livewire, any recommendations or experiences between the two?

 

[SpartaPerformance]

I prefer the X4, seems more manageable IMO

 

[OK2013GT]

Looks like I'll be going the X4 route with VMP tunes.
Thanks everyone, well, Sparta for chiming in.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

 

[autorres]

My car is a 2012 GT with the Boss 302 Intake Manifold, 3.73 gears, JLT CAI, and Flowmaster Outlaw axle-back exhaust.

I currently have SCT SX4. I bought it from BAMA about 2 weeks ago. I have the 87 Octane Performance, 93 Octane Race, and 93 Octane Race (Ghost Cam) tunes. The car runs great!!! gas millage has improved significantly. Before the tune, it always had the CEL on, had a constant long term fuel ratio of 29.7%, and when I filled it up, it would read "212 miles to E". Now no CEL and when topped off it reads "346 miles to E". The car runs like a beast now with absolutely no issues.

After receiving the tuner, I loaded the tune and drove it for about 10 miles and then performed the idle, cruise, step, and WOT datalogs and sent them to BAMA so that they could fine tune the tunes. Still awaiting response. I currently have the Gost Cam tune all the time and it doesn't stall at all. And for the record....I have cats installed.

I highly recommend the SCT SX4. It's reliable. The only downside, if you use it for gauges and leave it connected, although the screen turns off after the engine is shut off, it continues to draw power and can drain the battery. It's a shame it has no OFF switch. I also recommend BAMA regardless any reviews. The tunes I got work great and you can't beat tunes for life. They also stand by their tunes and you are covered if their tunes cause the #8 cylinder failure.