Cheap VAG COM cables- Any good?

[gib]

I was chating with James ( I will call about the alarm) about the ECU tools cable at the weekend, had 3 USB and they work OK except they don't have the over load protection on the K line as the serial units do. BE VERY CAREFULL when using them on I5 2.5TDi A6 93-96.

There is a minor but related side issue in the bundle software there are MS unsigned .exe files on the Merc/BMW drivers and there are some unsigned- unrecognised related to VAg-com. These can cause problems with some antivirus especialy if you ever go on to a work server. Not sure as i don't have the disc with me as to which version of 'software as a gift' gives the problems other wise just down load direct from Ross Tech.

[Knight Rider S4]

Yes I am seriously asking that question, but due to leaving my brain at home this morning I must appologise for the inanity of my query!

Is that you in the avatar......

[Animal Mother]

Is that you in the avatar......

MORE COW BELL!! Link

[spink]

[QUOTE=gib;264318]I was chating with James ( I will call about the alarm)

QUOTE]



about f*****g time as well

[S2 PTH]

Thats the problem, its for work. We are benchmarking a german plated 1.8T A3 FSI (and I tell you what the injector signals take you time to get your head around them- highside/lowside drivers, twin injection etc etc!)

Yeah, so it needs to be safe or else I'll get in trouble with ISD for wrecking the work server LOL


Phil

I was chating with James ( I will call about the alarm) about the ECU tools cable at the weekend, had 3 USB and they work OK except they don't have the over load protection on the K line as the serial units do. BE VERY CAREFULL when using them on I5 2.5TDi A6 93-96.

There is a minor but related side issue in the bundle software there are MS unsigned .exe files on the Merc/BMW drivers and there are some unsigned- unrecognised related to VAg-com. These can cause problems with some antivirus especialy if you ever go on to a work server. Not sure as i don't have the disc with me as to which version of 'software as a gift' gives the problems other wise just down load direct from Ross Tech.

[shark_90]

I've tried my hardest not to post in this thread.. but the cables you have are copies of Ross-Tech cabes and they're using really old versions of software.

VAG-COM is a fantastic product and worth every penny of the full list price. If you're going to use it then please please buy the proper product instead of these Chinese rip-offs. Uwe Ross is a really good guy as is Sebastian Stang at openobd.org and they both regularly come on the forums offering help and guidance. I really hate to see someone who's so personal with their service getting ripped off.

For comparison VAG-COM is currently on release 704.1, so these copy cables are some way behind.

I bet most if not all of you guys probably didn't even realise these cables were copies

[Animal Mother]

I bet most if not all of you guys probably didn't even realise these cables were copies

Surely Rosstech cables are an (expensive) American copy of the genuine VAG items. I doubt VAG buy their cables from Rosstech.

[newsh]

I got a cheap cable, it worked ok, with the old software but then I had clashes with other serial usb devices and had a couple of blue screens, something I've never ever had on this laptop before. I could be me trying to force the ports, however..

[spink]

Surely Rosstech cables are an (expensive) American copy of the genuine VAG items. I doubt VAG buy their cables from Rosstech.

Vagcom is actually a cheap version of genuine vag code readers. An equivalent Vag code reader will be several thousand quid.

[shark_90]

Surely Rosstech cables are an (expensive) American copy of the genuine VAG items. I doubt VAG buy their cables from Rosstech.

No, Audi use a specific tool to read OBDII DTC's from your car and interpret them in a way that a dealership monkey can understand them. I think from memory that machine is called a VAS1551/1552.

VAG-COM is a completely different piece of software that runs on a standard laptop which does the same job as the dealer tool, but in a different way. Ross-Tech develop their own cables and write their own software.

VAG-COM is very cheap in comparison to other code reading tools (there are many around, Snap-on do one) and it is also much better and more useable than most.

[EspenW]

Ross Tech has done VAG enthusiast a tremendous favour by creating VAG-COM, so I agree, buy the genuine item directly from them

[Jamo]

However that is not the purpose of this thread and your views whilst appreciated do deflect from the alternatives available.

To say it's a copy is unjustified, replica would be a better term.

[Animal Mother]

Why are certain cables associated with different releases of the software?
Surely a cable is a cable and will work regardless of the software version.
I mean, you don't have to upgrade your PC monitor cable each time you upgrade your graphics drivers!

[Jamo]

Why are certain cables associated with different releases of the software?
Surely a cable is a cable and will work regardless of the software version.
I mean, you don't have to upgrade your PC monitor cable each time you upgrade your graphics drivers!

Because the cables have hex chips in them and are not straight wire cables

[Bram]

buy them from ebay username 'alpha-bid',i have never had any problems with them.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZalpha-bid

The Alpha-bid dongle is not working for me. It works on an A4, but as soon as you put it on your S2 with the split cable for White and black plugs it does not receive any data from the car......