what vag com cable and software to get?
07-16-2007, 08:28 AM
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what vag com cable and software to get?
I looked on Ebay for vag com cable and software and there are so many to choose from!!! Which one should I get? I have a 99 A6 and A8.
Thanks
Thanks
07-16-2007, 08:39 AM
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Ross-Tech's website will tell you what you need
to work with each vehicle. There's a chart on their website.
I wanted to be sure, so I called and talked to someone there, and he was very helpful. It is a bit more expensive, but I saved the difference in the first 2 weeks, checking codes and changing stuff on my 3 cars.
Ross-Tech, 2 thumbs up.
I wanted to be sure, so I called and talked to someone there, and he was very helpful. It is a bit more expensive, but I saved the difference in the first 2 weeks, checking codes and changing stuff on my 3 cars.
Ross-Tech, 2 thumbs up.
07-16-2007, 08:54 AM
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Just get the real deal. I've tried cheaper cables and wasn't satisfied.
Of the few reasons NOT to get a 3rd party cable:
1. Limited to older version of VAG-COM. Not necessarily an issue with older cars like ours but still.
2. No license within the cable itself, meaning you have to go through activation of the older VAG-COM license every time you need to move the software from PC to PC.
3. Intermittent communication during logging. My Autonostics cable I have works great when the engine's off but sometimes looses connection with the engine controller once I start the car. NO such issues with a Ross-Tech cable.
One of the great things about Ross-Tech is they do allow you the opportunity to try out the older software and not lose the investment you make in it. So . . . If you still feel inclined to save a little and want to try a cheap cable you can, knowing that the $99 software license fee for Ross-Tech's VAG-COM software does entitle you to an upgrade to a cable later on for $150 or so.
If you wind up like me however, you'll end up wasting $30 or so on a cheap cable that isn't as reliable as the real thing.
1. Limited to older version of VAG-COM. Not necessarily an issue with older cars like ours but still.
2. No license within the cable itself, meaning you have to go through activation of the older VAG-COM license every time you need to move the software from PC to PC.
3. Intermittent communication during logging. My Autonostics cable I have works great when the engine's off but sometimes looses connection with the engine controller once I start the car. NO such issues with a Ross-Tech cable.
One of the great things about Ross-Tech is they do allow you the opportunity to try out the older software and not lose the investment you make in it. So . . . If you still feel inclined to save a little and want to try a cheap cable you can, knowing that the $99 software license fee for Ross-Tech's VAG-COM software does entitle you to an upgrade to a cable later on for $150 or so.
If you wind up like me however, you'll end up wasting $30 or so on a cheap cable that isn't as reliable as the real thing.
07-16-2007, 08:58 AM
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I've been pretty happy with my "Shadetree" unit, (how appriate is THAT name?), but they now go under
the name of HPA motorsports after selling out last year. "Versatile Automotive Diagnostics" is the new owner. I use it with a Sony Clie PDA. Defintely less expensive and cumbersome than carryin a laptop around. Whole thing fits in a small camera bag in the trunk under my wheel tools. Slicker than synot.<ul><li><a href="http://versatileautomotivediagnostics.com">http://versatileautomotivediagnostics.com</a</li></ul>
