I plan to buy the software offered over the web and want to know if anyone is using either one of these.
ROSS-TECH vs. OBDTOOL
$229 vs. $71
PROS AND CON
Anyone

I have your answer...

ross-tech sells you the complete package. Obd adapter and fully registered software.

Obdtool.com sells just the adapter and the free version of ross-tech's software. If you want to do use the advance features of ross-tech's software you must register it ($99 bucks). With the shareware version it will not tell you the meaning of all codes you download.

If you go with the obdtool route and then pay to register your software, ross-tech will not offer any techical support if you have any configuration problems.

After buying the obdtool, I would have chosen to go for the ross-tech package now (they have some good deals on USB dongles).

On a side note, my laptop did not have a serial port so I bought a usb to serial connector. It gave me tons of problems and rarely worked right. I ende dup buying a pcmcia to serial adapter and havnt had any problems since.

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2004 VW Touareg
2005.5 Audi A4
1997 Audi A4

Ross tech does not recomend usb to serial adapters for that reason...

also all the conectors that rosstech sells are dongles now I beleive meaning no more registration you can plug it into any pc or laptop with the software and get the full use of it

BTW I have ROSS-TECHs vagcom

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Go with Ross-Tech.

I upgraded my ISO cable from Ross-Tech to the the KEY-USB version recently. Now I don;t have to register my software at all - I'm able to install it on any computer as long I use that cable.

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2000 Audi A4 avant 1.8tq (GIAC)

ALL MY AUDI PICS

DARN! I just ordered the OBDTOOL! Oh well, I hope it worked out.

[sm=icon_beat.gif]

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I'm sure you'll be fine with the obdtool. I have no problems with mine.

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2004 VW Touareg
2005.5 Audi A4
1997 Audi A4

What about the other options out there, such as www.Shadetreesoftware.com and Vag-Check? Anyone use either of these?
Shadetree requires the use of a Palm OS device, and your code is basically married to that device. If you get a new Palm, the software will no longer work, which really sucks. The Vag-Check utilizes a Pocket PC platform, but you're on your own as far as getting a cable. Vag-Check is free to download for the time being. Shadetree package is nearly $300.

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1997 A4 1.8T Quattro, automatic

I may be e-mailing you Jestnomen if I run into any problem.

sure no problem, glad to help.

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2004 VW Touareg
2005.5 Audi A4
1997 Audi A4