I thought VAG-COM was expensive?

[SLWRTHNU]

Disclaimer, I searched for "VAG-COM" before posting this but there are way too many results so figured I'd start a new thread and ask.


A little bit ago, I was looking into getting the whole VGDS setup. Instead, I went with Carista because it was cheaper. Now that I'm a little sick of Carista, I started looking at my other options. I thought VAG-COM would run me about $1,000 but now looking on Amazon, what's stopping me from picking up a $40 cable and downloading the software (which I can't tell if it's free or not but I can't find a price)? Seems like a much better option.

If needed, I have a 2011 A4 Avant and looking to do basic stuff like fix the warning lights from switching to an LED bulb, or reset my service light, or change my brakes kind of thing. No engine tuning or anything like that.

[Smac770]

The term "VAG-COM" only correctly refers to the old name of VCDS (which stands for VAG-COM Diagnostic System, I believe) which is made by Ross-Tech and requires their OBD cable to operate.

on the name change:
Release 805 posted 29 May 2008
New Product Name: VAG-COM is now VCDS®.

So as "VAG-COM" has been an obsolete name for over 12 years, let's stick to currently valid names, like VCDS.


VCDS is free to download and install; it just doesn't work unless you have a cable from Ross-Tech. (I believe there's VCDS Lite which works with generic cables, but I have no concern for less than should be solutions). And the cables have never been "expensive", https://store.ross-tech.com/shop/cat/vcds/ic/ They have their Pro kits, https://store.ross-tech.com/shop/cat/vcds/p/ , but that's a shop level product vs the personal owner level product.

There is also "VAG COM Pro", aka VCP, which is a totally different product by a different company. While more expensive than a Ross-Tech cable/VCDS, it's still not four digits. It does have some higher end operations abilities involving eeprom work from what I can see. But VCDS gets what I need done, and its known and has an active forum and manufacturer, so good enough for me.

Maybe you were thinking of Chinese knock offs of the Audi dealership tool, VAS 5052A, which is as expensive as you would expect of something with a car manufacturer logo on it. Though looks like https://audi.snapon.com/SpecialTools...temId=60970162 is the current dealership platform for diag purposes.


So VCDS, free software by Ross-Tech which requires Ross-Tech's not free OBD cable. Runs on Windows, so you need a Windows laptop to make it useful. If instead you have an Android tablet, OBDeleven does exist (https://obdeleven.com/en/products-page). Not as good as VCDS, imo, but it's half the "initial" cost (it nickels and dimes you for a lot of operations) if you have Android already on hand. If all you have is iOS, you're pretty much SoL (until OBD11 brings its iOS port up to par). But as you've no doubt seen, these are the two the community will regularly reference as its what is out there for private owners just trying to take care of their vehicle: VCDS and OBD11.

I've never seen any good log post from a Carista that gave me a feel it belongs alongside VCDS and OBD11. Instead it's just another generic scan tool, imo.

[Theiceman]

slap down your 200 bucks and pick up a cable from Hugh at eurpoaparts and be done ... then you can do up to 3 vins , be perfectly legal and get full support and upgrades from the ross tech site... its a no brainer .. i picked up the 10 vin one for 100 bucks more and help out friends where i can.

[morris39]

You might also note that VCDS is not just a "cable" , it's an interface or dongle which contains a licence key in order to access the software on the PC. The cable in fact attaches to the dongle and can be replaced with a compatible printer cable,
Motivation for deliberate misuse of words interests me. Looking forward to flames re pedantics but don't expect reasons to misuse.

[Grouch]

If shit ever hits the fan and you really need to diagnose some issues, you're not going find help on the Ross-Tech forums. They will know you're using a pirated copy of VCDS and no name cable once you post your scans.

If you only really need to do basic stuff and want to save some money, then go with OBD11. But they're still about 100+ bucks so you might as well fork over 100 more and get the cable, in my personal opinion. Whatever floats your boat.

[rcprato]

I’ve had Ross-Tech cables since they were RS-232 connection to my computer and has always been one of the most valuable tools in my toolbox, it’s a personal choice but if you go with VCDS, Ross-Tech is worth the cost


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[hardfive]

If shit ever hits the fan and you really need to diagnose some issues, you're not going find help on the Ross-Tech forums. They will know you're using a pirated copy of VCDS and no name cable once you post your scans.

If you only really need to do basic stuff and want to save some money, then go with OBD11. But they're still about 100+ bucks so you might as well fork over 100 more and get the cable, in my personal opinion. Whatever floats your boat.

ross tech wont even let you register on their forumns with a knock off cable iirc.

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[Grouch]

ross tech wont even let you register on their forumns with a knock off cable iirc.

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Guessing they got more strict over the years. They helped me figure out my rear view camera issue when I first bought my car, using my friends cable.

[hardfive]

Yup they did. Can only post in the new member area which will likely get minimal/if any help if needed. From their forumns

If your status is something other than a "Verified" user, that means we could not find you in our customer records when you joined the forum. This could be due to one of following:

1) You didn't give us enough information. Perhaps you didn't provide a serial number, or maybe you're using a different e-mail address than when you bought your system. If you bought your system directly from Ross-Tech, you should be in our records. In that case, please PM me and I'll look into it.

2) You bought your VCDS system from one of our resellers and you haven't registered the product with Ross-Tech yet. In that case you are not in our customer records, and can't get verified until after you do register.
If you have one of our older interfaces (anything other than a HEX-NET or HEX-V2) then please fill out this form -- it's free! Also, please put "Please check my forum status" in the 'Notes or Special Instructions' field of the form.
If you have a HEX-NET, please register it as described in the video in this post.
If you have a HEX-V2, please register it as described in the video in this post.
3) You bought a second-hand system and aren't eligible for support. You can still post in the New User section of the forum, but you won't get posting access to most of the rest of the forum unless/until you elect to transfer ownership of that system into your name. You can do that here at a cost of $99.

4) You bought an illegally pirated VCDS system. In that case, you're not really welcome here unless/until you decide to buy a real one. :thanks:

[flowhigh]

3) You bought a second-hand system and aren't eligible for support. You can still post in the New User section of the forum, but you won't get posting access to most of the rest of the forum unless/until you elect to transfer ownership of that system into your name. You can do that here at a cost of $99[/B]

You gotta be kidding me, that's just a desperate money grab. Shameless

[EvolutionArmory]

You gotta be kidding me, that's just a desperate money grab. Shameless

Ross Tech changed how easy people can diagnose these cars forever. Between the software, their wiki page and their technical support, you can figure anything out. They need to get paid for this.

If everyone just buys a cheap Chinese cable and downloads the lite version and gets free access to their support forum, guess what happens to Ross Tech? They close and we’re all screwed.

Without Ross Tech there would be no OBD 11, Carista or a lot of other cheaper and quite frankly shittier options.

[SLWRTHNU]

Wow, tons of amazing information. Thank you all so much. I'll definitely be spending the money on the real deal. The few bucks I'd save in buying a knock-off is not worth the headache.

[flowhigh]

Ross Tech changed how easy people can diagnose these cars forever. Between the software, their wiki page and their technical support, you can figure anything out. They need to get paid for this.

If everyone just buys a cheap Chinese cable and downloads the lite version and gets free access to their support forum, guess what happens to Ross Tech? They close and weÂ’re all screwed.

Without Ross Tech there would be no OBD 11, Carista or a lot of other cheaper and quite frankly shittier options.

That's going overboard. Vcds isn't all that based on my experience with what it is now on the newer platform compared to its capabilities with the several previous before. On my B8.5 that's filled to the brim with the newer modules it's pretty weak and not much better than Carista and Karlye app - both very decent for the money. I've had three of their cables and unfortunately just bought the Hexv2 to find it is no better than my hexcan for my B8.5 and not even half the tool it was on my 5 and 7. Most people don't need or know what to do with the readings beyond regular fault codes. And it definitely does not mean that you're going to be able to diagnose your car at all just because you can scan it.

There's actually the real deal that's put's VCDS to shame and most are not going to be willing to pay for it. I'm considering it based on my plans to stay with Audi and their continuously self destructing cars. My priorities are trumping being able to do my own work no matter how much I hate the dealer service. If you do your own scan and can't solve the issue, guess what you're still gonna pay the shop a buck for their diagnostic.

Quite frankly vagcom isn't all that no matter how much you're a fan.

[EvolutionArmory]

It’s made me thousands of dollars and saved me thousands of dollars in the 15 years I’ve been using it. It’s made me more money than any tool in my tool box.

It isn’t as useful on some of the newer platforms, that’s true. Not having measured value blocks on a B8 ECU sucks.

If it wasn’t for Ross Tech, there would have been nothing for all these other companies to steal from.

And it is all that....if you take the time to learn how to log, graph, and learn what the actual values you’re reading with it are suppose to mean. I mean, you don’t just plug it in and it tells you what’s wrong with your car. You still have to know how to fix cars 🤣🤣

But again, you are right about one thing. It isn’t as in depth with B8 and B9 cars as it is with B5, 6 and 7 cars.


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[Nano909]

Only cheap plebeians think that the best investment we can make on an Audi by buying a $199 cable is expensive. They should be "driving" a bicycle.

[flowhigh]

Only cheap plebeians think that the best investment we can make on an Audi by buying a $199 cable is expensive. They should be "driving" a bicycle.

The same thing can be said about people that have every bolt on in the world in homage to the real thing but never perform like it and can't shell out the dough to buy the real thing let alone new. Kind of relative to buying knock-ff cables as opposed to the real if that's what this threads about, just one's deemed "acceptable" by the righteous. As already seen here two-hundred dollars is considerable money for many guys and having to buy copies maybe only option they see for their situation. Most of the guys that visit this forum are second even third or more owners of their cars and can't fly a even new A3 financially.

Market places will always have rosstechs out there to cheer for regardless.

[Nano909]

The same thing can be said about people that have every bolt on in the world in homage to the real thing but never perform like it and can't shell out the dough to buy the real thing let alone new. Kind of relative to buying knock-ff cables as opposed to the real if that's what this threads about, just one's deemed "acceptable" by the righteous. As already seen here two-hundred dollars is considerable money for many guys and having to buy copies maybe only option they see for their situation. Most of the guys that visit this forum are second even third or more owners of their cars and can't fly a even new A3 financially.

Market places will always have rosstechs out there to cheer for regardless.

Most name brand bolt ons cost more than the 3 VIN Ross Tech cable, so not sure what you're implying .

[Theiceman]

The same thing can be said about people that have every bolt on in the world in homage to the real thing but never perform like it and can't shell out the dough to buy the real thing let alone new. Kind of relative to buying knock-ff cables as opposed to the real if that's what this threads about, just one's deemed "acceptable" by the righteous. As already seen here two-hundred dollars is considerable money for many guys and having to buy copies maybe only option they see for their situation. Most of the guys that visit this forum are second even third or more owners of their cars and can't fly a even new A3 financially.

Market places will always have rosstechs out there to cheer for regardless.

Yeah some of us dont support theft, so yeah, there is always that..

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[flowhigh]

Most name brand bolt ons cost more than the 3 VIN Ross Tech cable, so not sure what you're implying .

Shitt, why stop there. Just get the badge as well, think about it.

[flowhigh]

Yeah some of us dont support theft, so yeah, there is always that..

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Truth is people are gonna do what ever the fuck they want to do regardless of what do-good, know-it-alls think is best for them.

[jfo]

Truth is people are gonna do what ever the fuck they want to do regardless of what do-good, know-it-alls think is best for them.

So, you're saying intellectual property theft by China is OK and it's OK to support this theft as long as you don't feel justified paying the cost of the original? Just leave the more expensive original stuff for the "do-gooders"?

[flowhigh]

So, you're saying intellectual property theft by China is OK and it's OK to support this theft as long as you don't feel justified paying the cost of the original? Just leave the more expensive original stuff for the "do-gooders"?

Says the one driving a front wheel drive. The more expensive stuff.. you sound like a kid.

[Mars2]

It’s made me thousands of dollars and saved me thousands of dollars in the 15 years I’ve been using it. It’s made me more money than any tool in my tool box.

It isn’t as useful on some of the newer platforms, that’s true. Not having measured value blocks on a B8 ECU sucks.

If it wasn’t for Ross Tech, there would have been nothing for all these other companies to steal from.

And it is all that....if you take the time to learn how to log, graph, and learn what the actual values you’re reading with it are suppose to mean. I mean, you don’t just plug it in and it tells you what’s wrong with your car. You still have to know how to fix cars 🤣🤣

But again, you are right about one thing. It isn’t as in depth with B8 and B9 cars as it is with B5, 6 and 7 cars.


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That is the biggest BS I have read.

They just change the name instead of having number for each measuring block now they have Name that most of time say's what it's doing. Like" specified boost" or " actual boost"
So it's even easier to remember. Then when you want to find them in the search window I can just type Boost and it will give me all the block with boost in the name. What do you want more?
Then it does exactly the same as it was doing the old measuring block with number's. you can still log anything you want.

But it's true some are difficult to find like N75 duty is "Charge pressCTRL:spec value". But google is your friend.

[jfo]

Says the one driving a front wheel drive. The more expensive stuff.. you sound like a kid.

FWD? Nope. And I'm probably old enough to be your father. I guess you are OK with theft
of IP then?

[EvolutionArmory]

That is the biggest BS I have read.

They just change the name instead of having number for each measuring block now they have Name that most of time say's what it's doing. Like" specified boost" or " actual boost"
So it's even easier to remember. Then when you want to find them in the search window I can just type Boost and it will give me all the block with boost in the name. What do you want more?
Then it does exactly the same as it was doing the old measuring block with number's. you can still log anything you want.

But it's true some are difficult to find like N75 duty is "Charge pressCTRL:spec value". But google is your friend.

That’s what I’m saying. You can’t use measuring blocks and scroll through the numbers. There is list on Ross Tech’s site that tells you which block is for what that anyone with a 5, 6 or 7 can just reference. Now you have to search for it. Maybe I should have said it’s just a little harder to use.

For instance, I can just log block 003 and get RPM, throttle position, timing advance and MAF and it’s the same for all 3 previous generations from the B8

Or if I want to log RPM, MAF, timing advance, boost actual and requested and N75, all I have to do is log blocks 003, 115 and 119 and I get all of it.

For you, you have to search for all that info and click it’s box. If I told you right now to go log blocks 003, 020 and 120 you’d tell me “what the hell are you talking about?”

Anyone with a B5-B7 would know what I mean.

Did I explain that better this time?


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[Nano909]

Says the one driving a front wheel drive. The more expensive stuff.. you sound like a kid.

Guy wrecked you with a valid argument and that BS is all you can come up with? Quit while you're behind, kid.

[flowhigh]

Guy wrecked you with a valid argument and that BS is all you can come up with? Quit while you're behind, kid.

He didn't wreck me. And yes, the front wheel drive says it all. It's cool in your book maybe....Kid.

[Theiceman]

Truth is people are gonna do what ever the fuck they want to do regardless of what do-good, know-it-alls think is best for them.

Thats where the term integrity comes from, and what makes a man. Parents should have taught you that. We are all fully aware where you cone down on integrity.
But i guess it takes all kinds to make the world go around.
Knock yourself out..

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[flowhigh]

FWD? Nope. And I'm probably old enough to be your father. I guess you are OK with theft
of IP then?

Honestly, I could care less. If that's what you want to hear.

[Nano909]

He didn't wreck me. And yes, the front wheel drive says it all. It's cool in your book maybe....Kid.

He wrecked the hell out of you and debunked your "FWD" comment as well in his reply. Can't you read?

[flowhigh]

Thats where the term integrity comes from, and what makes a man. Parents should have taught you that. We are all fully aware where you cone down on integrity.
But i guess it takes all kinds to make the world go around.
Knock yourself out..

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I don't base an Audi forum on the state of one's moral well being in society. And I'm definitely not going to feel better about myself because I have a cable and the other guy that may not be able to afford one has a knock-off, let alone tell him like I know what's best for him and everyone else.

[flowhigh]

He wrecked the hell out of you and debunked your "FWD" comment as well in his reply. Can't you read?

Yeah, I'm still trying to read the wall of bolt on's you have on your banner. Are you sponsored by those companies? How fast is your quarter mile?

[Nano909]

Yeah, I'm still trying to read the wall of bolt on's you have on your banner. Are you sponsored by those companies? How fast is your quarter mile?

Going off topic because you've ran out of rebuttals? Not that you had any to begin with seeing as you got wrecked early on.

[flowhigh]

Going off topic because you've ran out of rebuttals? Not that you had any to begin with seeing as you got wrecked early on.

Avoid it all you want. You'll never have a REAL rs..Seriously get the badge.

[Nano909]

Avoid it all you want. You'll never have a REAL rs..Seriously get the badge.

I should just steal one, I'm sure you'll be perfectly okay with that. Glad you proved my point

[flowhigh]

That’s what I’m saying. You can’t use measuring blocks and scroll through the numbers. There is list on Ross Tech’s site that tells you which block is for what that anyone with a 5, 6 or 7 can just reference. Now you h....

Don't bother. It's the typical sycophantic social media trap that arising. Not everyone has the same experience as we do and that scares them.

[flowhigh]

I should just steal one, I'm sure you'll be perfectly okay with that. Glad you proved my point

Go ahead. As I said I could care less, but it would be kinda funny if you did.

[Nano909]

Go ahead. As I said I could care less, but it would be kinda funny if you did.

You could care less, meaning you do care.