iOS VCDS App

[2DR Vette]

What's the consensus on the best iOS VCDS app/dongle? Carista? Wait for the new OBDEleven? Others?

Yes, I know, the best option is a Rosstech cable and VAGCOM, but I'm mostly only interested in a few simple tweaks (lighting and some cluster display things) and would rather not cough up a couple hundred, find a laptop and do long coding to make it all work...

[2DR Vette]

Man- crickets. So I'm guessing either nobody uses one, or everyone just goes and looks at the S4 forum, eh?

For those playing along at home, here are a few data points:

1- I did receive word that OBDEleven still does not have their Gen II ready. No ETA. That sucks.

2- There are many OBD2 reader/dongles that pair with apps to tune. Carista has both the app and dongle. Several others are out there (VPEEK, BlueDriver, etc.) Seems one can buy whatever dongle, and then find a suitable app, as they all communicate via the ELM327 protocol. Some additional googling will be necessary here as it appears there are different versions that certain dongles use, and some may be less full-featured than others (and/or incompatible with the apps).


I'll keep poking around unless anyone has experience with their app/dongle they would like to share.

BTW- Carista seems a bit spendy at $40/year for a subscription?? I'd have just bought the app and dongle already, but for that...

[SQive]

I went with the Ross-Tech pro dongle. Unlimited VIN's and free software updates.

[scottst]

I had been using my dad's old obdeleven for a while, for basic stuff. Not bad. But, the login expired yesterday so I'm looking for something new.

Could go fresh OBDEleven. But, am thinking about going Ross-tech. Had one of the old vag-coms for my early S4s.

Curious: any thoughts on the basic $199/$299 wired system vs the Hex-Net system that supports wireless and Mobile? Any gotchas w/the wireless setup other than the extra $$?

[SQive]

No idea. I just bought the pro version about four or five years ago. I've used it less than ten times.

[2DR Vette]

I went with the Ross-Tech pro dongle. Unlimited VIN's and free software updates.

Still requires a laptop though, no?

[SQive]

Still requires a laptop though, no?

Yes, of course. It adds to the power and features available. . .logging and such.

[djn876]

I've been using the 199 wired version with no complaints, I have no need for more than a could of VINs. Not sure what the free software update comment is about, my VCDS updates all the time so probably included with everything?

I just use a surface in tablet mode and stick it on the seat for logging or a Mac laptop running bootcamp. If you have RSNav or something the mobile one could be nice as you could run the app on there but I don't use it enough to spend the extra money on the non wired version. Most of the time the car just sits in the garage while I look at stuff.

[scottst]

I've been using the 199 wired version with no complaints, I have no need for more than a could of VINs. Not sure what the free software update comment is about, my VCDS updates all the time so probably included with everything?

I just use a surface in tablet mode and stick it on the seat for logging or a Mac laptop running bootcamp. If you have RSNav or something the mobile one could be nice as you could run the app on there but I don't use it enough to spend the extra money on the non wired version. Most of the time the car just sits in the garage while I look at stuff.

Exactly what I was thinking. I'll go grab the $199 version. I typically scan codes and then flip soundaktor on and off because I can't help fiddling.

[AFOURIA]

Tried to reply to your original message, but despite registering years ago, never tried to post until now.

I have used VCDS since 2000 on three of my previous Audis, but switched to OBDEleven with my current SQ5. VCDS is very useful, but for most people, including myself, it is just used to reprogram a few settings. If that is what you plan to use it for, cost wise, I would recommend the OBDEleven.

You mentioned iOS, which OBDEleven does not support, but you can just get a cheap android tablet, or even just a pre-paid cell phone (no need to get a plan) and use that exclusively with OBDEleven. It's also much easier than dragging a laptop out to the car.

[2DR Vette]

Tried to reply to your original message, but despite registering years ago, never tried to post until now.

I have used VCDS since 2000 on three of my previous Audis, but switched to OBDEleven with my current SQ5. VCDS is very useful, but for most people, including myself, it is just used to reprogram a few settings. If that is what you plan to use it for, cost wise, I would recommend the OBDEleven.

You mentioned iOS, which OBDEleven does not support, but you can just get a cheap android tablet, or even just a pre-paid cell phone (no need to get a plan) and use that exclusively with OBDEleven. It's also much easier than dragging a laptop out to the car.

This is more of what I'm after. I'd just like to tweak some settings (show gear in dash display when transmission in S, leave DRLs on when turn signal is used, use turning light/fog light, etc.)

Sounds like the only option to do something simple from my phone (not buying additional Android devices or a cheap tablet just for this) is Carista at the moment.

[Ditopr]

What year Q? I have a ‘14 and Carista doesn’t have the option to add gear in display. Just a heads up.


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[ILVTRANCE]

What year Q? I have a ‘14 and Carista doesn’t have the option to add gear in display. Just a heads up.


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yeah I can confirm this. My buddy turned that on with VCDS everything else I could enable using carista. I also wish carista told me the engine and transmission codes needed for tuners.

[mc_marto]

I thought OBDEleven was supposed to come out with a new dongle iOS soon.

I have Carista, but to me it seems kind of limited as to what it can do. The majority of the options were turned on already on my car. The only two things I enabled were convenience windows and the green menu.

I really hope the iOS version of OBDEleven comes out soon.


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