Inexpensive interface for newer CAN vehicles ?

[John Cody Forbes]

Agreed. Try an Autologic which is the ONLY tool with decent functionality on newer BMW (ok an ISTA works here too almost as well), Rover, and Jag. $10,000 for one make, $3500 for each additional make. Oh, and the $2000 yearly subscription fee for updates. 

VAG-Com is the best and by a huge margin the cheapest scan tool in it's class. There are generic OBDII laptop based solutions that are twice as much and have ZERO make-specific functionality (AutoEnginuity cones to mind).

-Cody (mobile)

On Feb 7, 2011, at 11:13 AM, "Mark Rosenkrantz" <speedracer.mark at gmail.com> wrote:

> The Bosch unit is megabucks but less than the 5000 series factory VAG tools.  If people think Uwe Ross's products are expensive, they really have no clue.  Even for GM products, there's nothing like VAG-COM for anywhere near the price point.  And I wish there was!
> 
> IMHO, Ross-tech is a HUGE help to the VAG community and should be supported.  
> Mark Rosenkrantz Typos sent from my BlackBerry.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Grant <glenahan at vfemail.net>
> Sender: quattro-bounces at audifans.com
> Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:33:33 
> To: <quattro at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: Inexpensive interface for newer CAN vehicles ?
> 
> I am not familiar with the Bosch unit. But all of them are copies or 
> alternatives to the actual factory tool (which may be made by Bosch, who 
> knows?) the VAG 1551 or 1552 diagnostic tools. They cost $thousands of 
> dollars.
> 
> VAG-COM is a copy written entirely by Ross-Tech. It runs on Windoze and 
> communicates via a USB dongle - several are available.
> 
> Most cheapie "readers" have three limitations. 1) they may not translate 
> codes.  2) they don't allow you to interact ( write)  3) they don't 
> allow you to interrogate memory locations and read blocks, logs etc. 
> VAG-COM does.
> 
> Grant
> 
> On 2/7/2011 9:59 AM, Hayes Myers wrote:
>> What's the diff between the Bosh reader and Vag com? MY mekanik has full
>> bosch (wireless unit ) unit... it's pretty neat but i couldn't begin to
>> compare... pricing is probably out of orbit
>> 
>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 9:47 AM, Tony Hoffman<auditony at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> 
>>> I bought one for $26 off ebay. Can't get it to work, tried three different
>>> computers and five or six cars. I'm no computer genius, but
>>> still......................
>>> 
>>> Spent the $350 on VAG-COM. It worked immediately. BTW, I"ve used VAG-COM in
>>> two diiferent shops before, so I'm familiar with it. The ebay program
>>> looked
>>> like a clone of it, but as mentioned, didn't work. Also, I tried VCDS lite,
>>> and still couldn't get it to work. It appears there is some sort of driver
>>> that is missing for the generic cable to interface with my PC's. Also
>>> haven't heard back from the seller in at least two weeks, but I'm sure
>>> that's not surprising to my fellow listers.
>>> 
>>> Oh, these are all XP machines.
>>> 
>>> Tony
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Message d'origine-----
>>> 
>>>> there are vag-com clones on ebay, btu i feel we should support ewe.
>>>> Plus, hsi work.
>>>> 
>>>> There are several code readers available all over from $40-80.  They
>>>> suffice and are easier to use, configure, etc than vag-com (which
>>>> requires using a PC)
>>>> 
>>>> There is also an iPhone app which i have not tried.
>>>> 
>>>> Grant
>>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> quattro mailing list
>>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
>>> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
>>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> quattro mailing list
>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
>> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information