Can anyone recommend a good alternative HEX-USB CAN Vag-Com cable supplier?

[TI317]

Unfortunately, our Audis don't have a blink code output capability.

Yes and no. I researched it and the OBDI cars can blink their codes. It is after 1995 that the blink feature seems to have gone south.

[karp]

Get real...where on any software manufacturers website are you going to find a "cracked" version? You can download a "shareware" trial version of versions 311.2 or 409.1 directly from Ross-Tech and from there you are able to use a third party serial->usb interface to access the ECM via the OBDII port.

If you would like to continue on with using the trial version (scan measuring blocks greater than 30 or read more than one code at a time) then you must purchase an activation key directly from Ross-Tech for $99. The moment you have used a third party key generator to bypass the $99 activation process, you have stolen from Ross-Tech.

I don't think he did anything wrong. He DID initially pay the $99 for the key. But his computer crashed or something and he lost it. (he said that in one of his posts.) Ross Tech decided to be dicks about it so he downloaded a hacked version. But really he already payed for it.
P.S. If he had not initially bought it, I would not side with him.

[texasboy21]

I don't think he did anything wrong. He DID initially pay the $99 for the key. But his computer crashed or something and he lost it. (he said that in one of his posts.) Ross Tech decided to be dicks about it so he downloaded a hacked version. But really he already payed for it.
P.S. If he had not initially bought it, I would not side with him.

yes thank you, and I did mention it earlier in this thread. I purchased the ross tech activation key to use with my alpha bid cable. Itunes crashed my computer so I called and told them what happened, it had been less than 4 moths since purchase, and they said sorry we dont support...blah blah blah. They would not give me another code, and said I must buy the cable. I told them I can get it for free by searching on Google and they said "good luck finding it" . So I downloaded an activation code generator and all was well from my end

Now lets quit talking about me and end the thread

[Dirty(30)v]

from my understanding is that Vag-com gives there software away for free or at least give most of its function away for free ( pls correct me if im wrong)... the software alone with everything that goes into costs a pretty penny, so i can understand why it cost 250 for the cable that cost 20 for them to make... they gotta get paid some how come on guys>>>>> and iff its 350 for the whole deal that pretty damn cheap considering all you have to is go to a show and walk around the parking lot asking people if they want there car vaged for a few bucks. bam you made your money back

Photoshop and final cut are also computer software programs>>> how do much they cost >>> and you dont even get a cable

[muttwagon]

so for someone considering either purchasing a Ross-Tech cable + software, or buying an alphabid cable + Ross-Tech software, putting aside moral opinions, what are the differences? does the genuine Ross-Tech cable offer more options? or does it simply come down to support from Ross-Tech in the event things go south?

again, opinions on "stealing" aside, why should a consumer buy the Ross-Tech cable?

[Dan@EuropaParts]

I still can't believe that everyone else's cable is crap and that my only viable solution is to spend$250 on a cable from Ross-Tech. That just doesn't feel right. I have no problem paying for a software license. I just think that their cable is overpriced.

With Ross-Tech, you pay for all the R&D and the software license. Cable itself is a small fraction of the cost. Personally, I think it's under-priced for a powerful diagnostic tool you are going to get. Plus, the cable is very well made. It will last you forever and will hold the eBay resale value much better than others. I recommend everyone getting the Ross-Tech cable if you they're going to stick to VAG cars in the future. Buy something else if you don't think you'll own an Audi or a VW again. Just my two cents.

[AudiOso]

I just want to disable the DSP for my Tiptronic and activate the paddle shifters on my steering wheel. Sheesh...

[vintagespin]

so just find someone locally who has one via the regional forums

[texasboy21]

I wish I had the real cable bc it will work with other peoples computers I believe

[diagnosticator]

so for someone considering either purchasing a Ross-Tech cable + software, or buying an alphabid cable + Ross-Tech software, putting aside moral opinions, what are the differences? does the genuine Ross-Tech cable offer more options? or does it simply come down to support from Ross-Tech in the event things go south?

again, opinions on "stealing" aside, why should a consumer buy the Ross-Tech cable?

The key difference is that the genuine Ross-Tech interface cable incorporates a built in dongle/license to activate use with the latest VCDS/VAG-COM software. Generic cables are limited to the earlier version 409 software in shareware mode, and even then, don't have all of the software functions available.

[diagnosticator]

Yes and no. I researched it and the OBDI cars can blink their codes. It is after 1995 that the blink feature seems to have gone south.

The B5 was intoduced in '95, so as I stated, our B6 A4s don't have a blink code output. Niether did the B5.

[awdjunkies]

Interesting thread.

[10spd]

With the $99 license and a non Ross Tech interface you can only load to 1 computer and only use it always on that computer only and no support on the phone, I believe. the Ross Tech Hex Can Dongle can be used on any computers which support the software. Also, you will get almost every Penny you paid for the full kits back on Ebay if you auction them.

The key difference is that the genuine Ross-Tech interface cable incorporates a built in dongle/license to activate use with the latest VCDS/VAG-COM software. Generic cables are limited to the earlier version 409 software in shareware mode, and even then, don't have all of the software functions available.

[Samsonite]

[hotleadsingergu]

With Ross-Tech, you pay for all the R&D and the software license. Cable itself is a small fraction of the cost. Personally, I think it's under-priced for a powerful diagnostic tool you are going to get. Plus, the cable is very well made. It will last you forever and will hold the eBay resale value much better than others. I recommend everyone getting the Ross-Tech cable if you they're going to stick to VAG cars in the future. Buy something else if you don't think you'll own an Audi or a VW again. Just my two cents.

Speaking as a developer...it is over-priced. Truthfully, there's some time needing to be spent to determine specific flags, but a *VAST* majority of the software is just memory reading and writing. They don't even do the research to figure out what options you can enable and disable, they just leave it up to consumers to experiment and find. That's the reason the VAG-COM thread within specific forums requires you to load up memory banks and save values for various things instead of just checking boxes.

I'm not saying it's not worth it, necessarily, I'm just saying that there's no reason for the price to be that high, except greed. They virtually unlimited supply, and acceptable demand...so the laws of economics would govern that it shouldn't be that much.

[imnuts]

Since you bumped the thread, there are a lot of things that go into the price. Support for the product, both software (updates) and phone/e-mail. There is also development and production costs, the latter of which is probably fairly minimal after development. I would guess though, that the biggest reason that the interfaces are priced the way they are is to prevent everyone from buying it. You don't want every Joe Schmoe buying it and breaking something, then spending hours on the phone fixing it for them. They probably price it specifically to avoid that while still making it attainable for people that want/need it.

Sent from my Nexus 6

[walky_talky20]

I wonder how much they really spend on support. The stuff works so darn well, I've used it on many, many models and only called them once. And it was actually just stupidity on my part (trying to do a procedure that was not possible on that engine code). I wonder why it isn't more money, actually. Your one purchase for $350 continues to become more useful every year because you get free updates for it to work with all the new models, all the coding helpers for those, measuring block labels, adaptation procedures, etc. They definitely have some R&D to keep up with all the changes, reverse engineering the VW factory tool behaviors and such.

Sure, at the base level it is just reading and writing, but the great part about their software is that it's easy, it works, and it interprets the data and helps you along the way. If you've ever used some of the BMW tools, you'll know how spoiled we are with VCDS.

[jschrauwen]

It seems some people are trying to instill some sort of moral code.
Like anything else, initial start-up fees may seem high which is understandable, but after years of availability, the cost factor "should" go down since we're not creating a new product any more but just keeping up with newer cars and their programming.
As mentioned years ago in the is thread, the laws of economics cannot be ignored.

So, is there a cheaper alternative?

[David3]

Sooo.... what cable should I buy for reasnable price??
Can somebody paste a link?

[jschrauwen]

Sooo.... what cable should I buy for reasnable price??
Can somebody paste a link?

I bought mine from here.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3541...6710699068121/

Perhaps you can ask Chris where he got his from. I suspect ebay. But if it works, who cares.

[Furly]

I'm Selling My Genuine Ross Tech vagcom cable For around $100 less than i paid for it earlier this year from rosstech. Send me a PM.

[OlivierA4]

the single most important thing you can buy for your car PRIOR to modding it is a good scan cable set up, people drop tons of cash on wheels and even big bucks on the car itself, 300-400$ is not the end of the world and with these cars it pays for itself the first time you need it. Get the best and simplest solution, it will save time and money in the long run. Either the ross tech or VAD are fairely good products, if you do not want to do all the advanced stuff and just want to read codes you can always go with a generic obd2 can bus scanner handheld unit but you will be limited to error codes only, although these can be found cheap, I keep one handy in all my cars I found one in a local tool supply shop for about 30$ea. but I only use them as a "broke down on the side of the road" tool.

Absolutely true. quality don't come with cheap and yes, R&D even reverse engineer DO cost a lot upfront.
I wonder if ROSS-TeCH ever think of lending/renting program such as you deposit $249 (lowest option) for 2 weeks of full usage. and the cost of first two weeks is $50 with 2x telephone support. return after two weeks get the deposit back less the $50. after two weeks rental, the rental cost will add to the initial rental cost at the rate of $25/week. if the customer decide to keep then the cost will be $249 + the first 2 weeks rental which is 249+50 = 299.00
done. :)

[jschrauwen]

I'm sorry, but $300 to $400 for an OBD II cable cannot be so high tech to warrant such a cost.
Companies that feel they have a monopoly on their products know they can stretch the reasonable cost factor relying on people who believe they're getting the best of the best regardless if it is or not.
If a duplicate grey market cable can provide one with all the necessary abilities to achieve their rudimentary objectives/goals (basic code reading and code changing), at a reasonable price point, then I don't think it's necessary to overly push the top of the line one or diminish the value of the cheaper costing one.
Just my $.02

[Furly]

I'm sorry, but $300 to $400 for an OBD II cable cannot be so high tech to warrant such a cost.
Companies that feel they have a monopoly on their products know they can stretch the reasonable cost factor relying on people who believe they're getting the best of the best regardless if it is or not.
If a duplicate grey market cable can provide one with all the necessary abilities to achieve their rudimentary objectives/goals (basic code reading and code changing), at a reasonable price point, then I don't think it's necessary to overly push the top of the line one or diminish the value of the cheaper costing one.
Just my $.02

it has the same capabilities basically as the dealership uses, every audi tuning and repair shop uses rosstech cables for diag etc... there are some regular OBD2 cables selling for the same. rosstech cable is a MUST HAVE for anyone that works on their own VAG car. if you can afford to own (not buy, but own) an audi, what's a couple hundred bucks for a cable that will pay for itself after a couple uses?

if you have a B6 you don't need the HEXCAN cable. thats only for canbus vehicles (usually 2008 and up, with the exception of some 2005+ cars like the A6 and some VWs)
you can get the KII USB which has all the same functions and costs less.

[texasboy21]

I'm sorry, but $300 to $400 for an OBD II cable cannot be so high tech to warrant such a cost.
Companies that feel they have a monopoly on their products know they can stretch the reasonable cost factor relying on people who believe they're getting the best of the best regardless if it is or not.
If a duplicate grey market cable can provide one with all the necessary abilities to achieve their rudimentary objectives/goals (basic code reading and code changing), at a reasonable price point, then I don't think it's necessary to overly push the top of the line one or diminish the value of the cheaper costing one.
Just my $.02

Its not the cable that youre paying for, its the software. Its funny how the people bashing RossTech's pricing dont have/use one. Its literally the BEST tool any Audi or B6 owner can have. FACT. You can be as clueless as it comes to mechanical know-how, but still diagnose and often times fix the car with the Ross Tech software. Additionally, many repairs cannot be completed without it (steering rack/steering angle sensor calibration for example). There is a reason indy shops and the dealers use it...

[blitz2190]

Its not the cable that youre paying for, its the software. Its funny how the people bashing RossTech's pricing dont have/use one. Its literally the BEST tool any Audi or B6 owner can have. FACT. You can be as clueless as it comes to mechanical know-how, but still diagnose and often times fix the car with the Ross Tech software. Additionally, many repairs cannot be completed without it (steering rack/steering angle sensor calibration for example). There is a reason indy shops and the dealers use it...

its also funny how people think you need the $300 dollar version. the $99 version works exactly the same on our cars with a k-line obd2 cable that cost $5. so for a grand total of $104 you have the same thing. the vag-com cable is really only a benifit on newer cars that are canbus only. the only downside of the generic cable version is the autoscan is slower.

also on a side note. the modis actually works better if you know how to use it. but thats a shop only scanner that no one is going to buy for themselves.

[texasboy21]

its also funny how people think you need the $300 dollar version. the $99 version works exactly the same on our cars with a k-line obd2 cable that cost $5. so for a grand total of $104 you have the same thing. the vag-com cable is really only a benifit on newer cars that are canbus only. the only downside of the generic cable version is the autoscan is slower.

That is true, there is a cheaper way to access the software. The problem with going that route is:
1) if the computer fails, is lost or stolen you are required to buy a new (second) license
2) You must have YOUR computer with you at all times to access the software (software is on the devise, not built into the cable) - additionally just one devise is licensed.
3) No support should you ever have issues connecting to the car, or walking through any of the procedures
4) The software is still limited compared to the full license (cable)

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/index.html

Limitations of VCDS-Lite compared to VCDS even if Fully Registered:
No Generic OBD-II
Won't work with CAN-Bus vehicles
Fewer fault code definitions and label files
No built-in Activation (you'll be limited to a single PC)
No Advanced Measuring Blocks
No Acceleration Measurement

You either buy the most helpful tool available, or not.

[blitz2190]

That is true, there is a cheaper way to access the software. The problem with going that route is:
1) if the computer fails, is lost or stolen you are required to buy a new (second) license
2) You must have YOUR computer with you at all times to access the software (software is on the devise, not built into the cable) - additionally just one devise is licensed.
3) No support should you ever have issues connecting to the car, or walking through any of the procedures
4) The software is still limited compared to the full license (cable)

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/index.html

Limitations of VCDS-Lite compared to VCDS even if Fully Registered:
No Generic OBD-II
Won't work with CAN-Bus vehicles
Fewer fault code definitions and label files
No built-in Activation (you'll be limited to a single PC)
No Advanced Measuring Blocks
No Acceleration Measurement

You either buy the most helpful tool available, or not.

1) if the computer fails, is lost or stolen you are required to buy a new (second) license
not true, they state you have a one time chance to move to another computer in the email i was sent.

2) You must have YOUR computer with you at all times to access the software (software is on the devise, not built into the cable) - additionally just one devise is licensed.
moot point as you will always need a computer to use it.

3) No support should you ever have issues connecting to the car, or walking through any of the procedures
not worth an extra $200 to me for a very rare instance

4) The software is still limited compared to the full license (cable)
as i said not for our cars, only if you plan on going to a can only car

and I use all the measuring blocks such as timing cam angle etc

for the b6 or older the 300+ dollar version is not worth it. but I will say getting the paid version definitely is.
I use the advance measuring blocks on mine, you have a one time use to move it to a new computer

and as stated this tool(99 or the full vagcom cable) is not the best. the modis is. let me explain why

I just recently had an incident with my airbag module, i left something unplugged and it tweaked. plugged everything in and tried to reset it with my vcdsm no dice. tried with an official cable at a friends foreign car shop, same result. used the expert mode on the modis and reset instantly. so by your advice we should spend $8k on the modis?

there is also now a hand held scanner build for vagcom cars that is $60 that has every single function of vcds including canbus, so would be an even better choice as no pc is ever needed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VAG401-A...25.m3641.l6368

the only reason their cable cost what it does is because until recently they were the only option, not the best the only. when you own a market you can set the price to what ever you want.

[userbob0001]

there is also now a hand held scanner build for vagcom cars that is $50 that has every single function of vcds, so would be an even better choice as no pc is ever needed.

I'd like to know more about this

[blitz2190]

I'd like to know more about this

edited with link. there is a thread about it in the b5 s4 section.

[userbob0001]

Thanks for the lead! I've been wanting something I can keep in the trunk

[jschrauwen]

the only reason their cable cost what it does is because until recently they were the only option, not the best the only. when you own a market you can set the price to what ever you want.

I believe I said the same, more or less.

[jschrauwen]

if you have a B6 you don't need the HEXCAN cable. thats only for canbus vehicles (usually 2008 and up, with the exception of some 2005+ cars like the A6 and some VWs)
you can get the KII USB which has all the same functions and costs less.

I have a '00 A4 b5 and a '08 A5 b8.

This is what I got for $70 to work for both.

[SJorge3442]

I have a '00 A4 b5 and a '08 A5 b8.

This is what I got for $70 to work for both.

This is straight up bootlegged software. The VCDS interface is only sold to be used with their cables. Using any other cables is blatant piracy. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

[blitz2190]

This is straight up bootlegged software. The VCDS interface is only sold to be used with their cables. Using any other cables is blatant piracy. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

That's incorrect, you can use a cheap cable or any USB obd2 with the $99 version, if he meant software and cable for 70 then that would be bootlegged

[jschrauwen]

It seems there are some taking great exceptions to alternatives to the Ross-Tech.

Perhaps if we remind ourselves of this thread's title - "Can anyone recommend a good alternative HEX-USB CAN Vag-Com cable supplier?", then perhaps some may not get too excited about these alternatives.

[Furly]

damn i hate to say this but you guys are some cheap asses.

it really raises my eyebrow when an audi "enthusiast" is too cheap to buy a $200 cable/software that is easily the best investment in audi ownership period.

[blitz2190]

damn i hate to say this but you guys are some cheap asses.

it really raises my eyebrow when an audi "enthusiast" is too cheap to buy a $200 cable/software that is easily the best investment in audi ownership period.

And your one of those who criticizes anyone who doesn't pay what you pay, talking down to someone because they were smarter with there money that you is just an asshat thing to do, Imy glad I bought the cheaper version that does the exact same thing. You know where I put that extra 200. Oem parts were price actually matters.

Spending money for the sake of spending money is ignorant.

[Okedokey]

Run the software in a VM with Windows XP. Clone the HDD to a USB and run it as a standalone OS. You can boot it from ANY machine and it will work.

[jschrauwen]

damn i hate to say this but you guys are some cheap asses.

it really raises my eyebrow when an audi "enthusiast" is too cheap to buy a $200 cable/software that is easily the best investment in audi ownership period.

If it were that inexpensive, I "may" have considered it.
But it seems that's not what I would have to pay. Try $440.00
http://www.roselandtech.ca/VCDS.htm