Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
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Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
I have a 99 a4 1.8t, and i'm looking to get a usb vag-com, but I'm not sure about what interface to get. The current release of software (512.4) requires KEY and HEX, while the older software releases (311.2 / 409.1) support TWIN, MAX, UNI, ISO, and BI.
Of course I can just buy the KEY-USB interface and registered software for $249 right off ross-tech.com, but I was looking to save some money. What about the VAG-COM compatible usb interfaces on ebay that sell for around $30? They say they only support the older versions of VAG-COM (311.2 / 409.1), since they are not KEY or HEX.
What is different/better about the 512.4 release that requires the KEY or HEX interfaces? Is it really worth all the extra money spent when you can register the old software with the ebay cable for around $130?
Of course I can just buy the KEY-USB interface and registered software for $249 right off ross-tech.com, but I was looking to save some money. What about the VAG-COM compatible usb interfaces on ebay that sell for around $30? They say they only support the older versions of VAG-COM (311.2 / 409.1), since they are not KEY or HEX.
What is different/better about the 512.4 release that requires the KEY or HEX interfaces? Is it really worth all the extra money spent when you can register the old software with the ebay cable for around $130?
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
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RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
It is just a cable that can easily be remanufactured.
But what is this new "high tech" interface (HEX or KEY) that goes along with the new release. Is there a good reason to buy this newer software release and better interface, and spend about $120 more by doing so.
But what is this new "high tech" interface (HEX or KEY) that goes along with the new release. Is there a good reason to buy this newer software release and better interface, and spend about $120 more by doing so.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,133
From: New Orleans, La
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
lol i dont exactly know what they mean but i know there better, and the cable is hard to make right, many places try and **** it up, i have seen alot of guys happy with the ebay cable but i have seen more who hate it and go out and buy the real one cuz the ebay one craps out and only works once in a while
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 20
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
drewdq said: I'm looking to get a VAG-COM
I bought my '00 A4 6 weeks ago and it popped a CEL after 2 weeks, so I did some research online. I found www.obdtool.com and ordered their equipment for about $80 (includes cable, instructions, shareware CD). It works fine. To get full functionality (ability to mess with engine controls, etc.), you have to register the software for $99. Shareware allows you to analyze trouble codes and reset the Check Engine Light.
--Larry in PA
I bought my '00 A4 6 weeks ago and it popped a CEL after 2 weeks, so I did some research online. I found www.obdtool.com and ordered their equipment for about $80 (includes cable, instructions, shareware CD). It works fine. To get full functionality (ability to mess with engine controls, etc.), you have to register the software for $99. Shareware allows you to analyze trouble codes and reset the Check Engine Light.
--Larry in PA
4th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,078
From: Northern NJ USA
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
I bid $30 for this and paid $39.97 with shipping and ins. It reads all codes in hexidecimal. There is a book with over 700 codes included.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-AU...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-AU...spagenameZWDVW
Site Moderator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,664
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
Any version of Vag Com will work with any OBD connector... The full version software can be had for free with the right sort of "web searching".. Thats all Im going to say about it.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,927
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
correct drewdq, the new version of VAGcom requires the new interfaces. The new HEX or KEY interfaces have identifier chips in the cables themselves. So you cannot use the new software on an older cable, nor a new cable on older software. This also allows you to use the software on multiple computers without having to apply for the old-style "registration per computer" from rosstech. I'm so glad they got away from that deployment strategy.
With an old cable you are required to use an older version of the software.
With an old cable you are required to use an older version of the software.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,664
RE: Looking to get a VAG-COM - questions
ORIGINAL: brrman
correct drewdq, the new version of VAGcom requires the new interfaces. The new HEX or KEY interfaces have identifier chips in the cables themselves. So you cannot use the new software on an older cable, nor a new cable on older software. This also allows you to use the software on multiple computers without having to apply for the old-style "registration per computer" from rosstech. I'm so glad they got away from that deployment strategy.
With an old cable you are required to use an older version of the software.
correct drewdq, the new version of VAGcom requires the new interfaces. The new HEX or KEY interfaces have identifier chips in the cables themselves. So you cannot use the new software on an older cable, nor a new cable on older software. This also allows you to use the software on multiple computers without having to apply for the old-style "registration per computer" from rosstech. I'm so glad they got away from that deployment strategy.
With an old cable you are required to use an older version of the software.
