Should I go for the Actron CP9125, Actron CP9550, or the Actron CP9575?

[arjun90]

Should I go for the Actron CP9575 or OTC 3109N (has graphing, not sure how reliable though))? The prices are enthralling on Amazon, I wanted to know if anyone might have some feedback on these scanners. Thanks

Also, not sure if the live engine data would be reliable on these scanners. The CP9550 displays freeze-frame data, which may be more than sufficient. Please shed some light on this as well, thank you.

The vehicle is due for inspection this month, the sooner I get to the core of the problem, the quicker I can make the necessary repairs.

[julex]

Should I go for the Actron CP9575 or OTC 3109N (has graphing, not sure how reliable though))? The prices are enthralling on Amazon, I wanted to know if anyone might have some feedback on these scanners. Thanks

Also, not sure if the live engine data would be reliable on these scanners. The CP9550 displays freeze-frame data, which may be more than sufficient. Please shed some light on this as well, thank you.

The vehicle is due for inspection this month, the sooner I get to the core of the problem, the quicker I can make the necessary repairs.

Useless since these are OBD2 only scanners. You need VAG scanner for C5 platform whose OBD2 support is very very basic. Get XTool VAG401.

[arjun90]

I don't seem to understand
The Actron Scanners contains the functions to clear the codes, generate freeze-frame data, and also steam live engine data. Also, the OTC Scanner has the ability to graph. Is there something missing from these scanner tools which the XTool has?

The XTool VAG401 has sketchy reviews (as per Amazon).

Please let me know, thanks.

Useless since these are OBD2 only scanners. You need VAG scanner for C5 platform whose OBD2 support is very very basic. Get XTool VAG401.

[julex]

C5 platform has a very poor obd2 support, ECU/modules LITERALLY don't expose almost anything over standard OBD2 interface. What's all the bells and whistles good for if you can only access like 10 metrics (out of hundreds available on VAG specific scanners).

If you want real flexibility, just buy VCDS from ross-tech.com, this is the ultimate tool for supporting your VW/Audi vehicles. Nothing else comes close in flexibility although you will need either laptop or with mobile version a phone. Very close second is Xtool VAG401 which I use in parallel with VCDS. Obvious advantage of VAG401 is that it is a stand alone (power from OBD2 port) and sturdy thing that I just toss around. It works, well at that.

VAG401 can do pretty much all the VCDS can. Just yesterday I used VAG401 to check my fuel trims, verify that my ABS pressure sensor functions properly, initiated ESP pump bleeding and initiated ABS calibration procedure. No other tool but VCDS/Dealer tool for thousands of dollars/VAG401 will allow you to do that. When you read workshop manuals and have step by step instructions on how to do stuff with dealer scanner, this is literally what you see on VAG401 as well. Recoding modules, output tests, measuring blocks, fault codes, you name it, it does it.

Forget OBD2 generic scanners for anything but reading out fault codes and resetting these. It does it poorly at that since most VAG fault codes are very specific when reading with vag scanner but are generalized when transcribed to obd2 fault P code.

VAG401 gets frequent software updates and newest one from about 1-2months ago really updated the thing to new level.


Cheers.

[arjun90]

Thank you Julex, how does the graphing function work on the generic scanners, is it helpful, or just a gimmick? Since I don't plan on shelling out $250 on a VAGCOM Cable for VCDS just yet, does the VAG401 output graphs?

Just to make we're on the same page, are you referring to this scanner,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG401-VW-AU...383715&vxp=mtr

Lastly, is this cable a cheaper alternative for the Ross-tech VCDS Cable?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG-COM-USB-...092069&vxp=mtr

C5 platform has a very poor obd2 support, ECU/modules LITERALLY don't expose almost anything over standard OBD2 interface. What's all the bells and whistles good for if you can only access like 10 metrics (out of hundreds available on VAG specific scanners).

If you want real flexibility, just buy VCDS from ross-tech.com, this is the ultimate tool for supporting your VW/Audi vehicles. Nothing else comes close in flexibility although you will need either laptop or with mobile version a phone. Very close second is Xtool VAG401 which I use in parallel with VCDS. Obvious advantage of VAG401 is that it is a stand alone (power from OBD2 port) and sturdy thing that I just toss around. It works, well at that.

VAG401 can do pretty much all the VCDS can. Just yesterday I used VAG401 to check my fuel trims, verify that my ABS pressure sensor functions properly, initiated ESP pump bleeding and initiated ABS calibration procedure. No other tool but VCDS/Dealer tool for thousands of dollars/VAG401 will allow you to do that. When you read workshop manuals and have step by step instructions on how to do stuff with dealer scanner, this is literally what you see on VAG401 as well. Recoding modules, output tests, measuring blocks, fault codes, you name it, it does it.

Forget OBD2 generic scanners for anything but reading out fault codes and resetting these. It does it poorly at that since most VAG fault codes are very specific when reading with vag scanner but are generalized when transcribed to obd2 fault P code.

VAG401 gets frequent software updates and newest one from about 1-2months ago really updated the thing to new level.


Cheers.

[julex]

Thank you Julex, how does the graphing function work on the generic scanners, is it helpful, or just a gimmick?

Might be ok on modern car (C5 is not). Modern ECUs support much more over obd2 so there is actually something to graph.

Since I don't plan on shelling out $250 on a VAGCOM Cable for VCDS just yet, does the VAG401 output graphs?

No.

Just to make we're on the same page, are you referring to this scanner,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG401-VW-AU...383715&vxp=mtr

Yes

Lastly, is this cable a cheaper alternative for the Ross-tech VCDS Cable?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG-COM-USB-...092069&vxp=mtr

Knock off, e.g. works only with trial version of Ross-TEch/VCDS software. Very very limited. The latest FULL version of VCDS that you can purchase ($99) to work with that cable is OLD OLD OLD version from like 10 years ago. Any other, read newer, version of VCDS requires original cable with encryption chip etc.

If you go Xtool way, send them $58 offer and they will accept.

[arjun90]

Is there an option to, perform monitor O2 Sensor tests and Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Test. Also, is there an option to Auto-scan the entire system, do would I need to manually scan each component?

Might be ok on modern car (C5 is not). Modern ECUs support much more over obd2 so there is actually something to graph.


No.


Yes



Knock off, e.g. works only with trial version of Ross-TEch/VCDS software. Very very limited. The latest FULL version of VCDS that you can purchase ($99) to work with that cable is OLD OLD OLD version from like 10 years ago. Any other, read newer, version of VCDS requires original cable with encryption chip etc.

If you go Xtool way, send them $58 offer and they will accept.

[julex]

I don't think Xtool has auto scan whole system (pointless feature except maybe for when you buy a car I guess), everything else can be scanned/viewed via vag blocks. Again, if you want real flexibility and do everything (like full system scan and readiness readouts), get VCDS. If you want what audi dealer tool does (which VCDS is modeled on and slightly expanded upon), get VAG401.

[arjun90]

Thanks, I'll be able to perform O2 Sensor tests and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Test via the VAG401, right?
I need to make sure each O2 sensor is working. Also, some generic scanners have the TPS test function, I'm sure this function is available in the VAG401 too, right?

Thanks again.

I don't think Xtool has auto scan whole system (pointless feature except maybe for when you buy a car I guess), everything else can be scanned/viewed via vag blocks. Again, if you want real flexibility and do everything (like full system scan and readiness readouts), get VCDS. If you want what audi dealer tool does (which VCDS is modeled on and slightly expanded upon), get VAG401.

[julex]

Thanks, I'll be able to perform O2 Sensor tests and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Test via the VAG401, right?
I need to make sure each O2 sensor is working. Also, some generic scanners have the TPS test function, I'm sure this function is available in the VAG401 too, right?

Thanks again.

I don't know how to explain this to you... Let's try. While generic obd 2 scanners only access obd2 exposed interfaces (up to manufacturers how elaborate they can get) delaer tool, VCDS and VAG401 utilize VAG (VW and Audi) specific interface which allow these tools to access anything you can possibly imagine in each controller. You can access the ECU and change presets, access any of 100+ measuring blocks (each exposes up to 4 distinct metrics), tell controller to run output tests (in case of ECU it will run throttle plate test, N75, N80, N249, etc, etc, whatever the ECU has), you can do basic settings, coding (say you want to change how alarm system unlocks door, one click on remote to open all, or first driver door and second all). This is all accessed using generic VAG interface which makes it compatible with any VAg controller in the car.

The catch is that most of stuff won't be labeled, just like dealer tool, you'd need shop manual to tell you what to do and what values mean (that's available )...or simply access Ross-tech.com (VCDS) website, it is a trove of information since they have easy to follow documentation that covers majority of common items.

Yes, of course you will be able to access and view O2 sensor activity and TPS, that's one of the measuring blocks in ECU.

[arjun90]

Awesome Explanation Julex, greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much. I came across someone on the forum saying this scanner gets frequent updates, should be a good tool for the long run as well.

I don't know how to explain this to you... Let's try. While generic obd 2 scanners only access obd2 exposed interfaces (up to manufacturers how elaborate they can get) delaer tool, VCDS and VAG401 utilize VAG (VW and Audi) specific interface which allow these tools to access anything you can possibly imagine in each controller. You can access the ECU and change presets, access any of 100+ measuring blocks (each exposes up to 4 distinct metrics), tell controller to run output tests (in case of ECU it will run throttle plate test, N75, N80, N249, etc, etc, whatever the ECU has), you can do basic settings, coding (say you want to change how alarm system unlocks door, one click on remote to open all, or first driver door and second all). This is all accessed using generic VAG interface which makes it compatible with any VAg controller in the car.

The catch is that most of stuff won't be labeled, just like dealer tool, you'd need shop manual to tell you what to do and what values mean (that's available )...or simply access Ross-tech.com (VCDS) website, it is a trove of information since they have easy to follow documentation that covers majority of common items.

Yes, of course you will be able to access and view O2 sensor activity and TPS, that's one of the measuring blocks in ECU.