VCDS or OBDEleven for Skoda / VAG's

[DV52]

^^^ I agree that it is never a bad thing to do as much research as possible before buying one of these two devices, but at some stage in the investigation you just need to make a choice - yes, as an "informed decision", but largely based on your gut-feel (ain't nothing wrong about gut-fee decisions - they are often correct)!

Choosing either device won't be a "wrong decision" as both have their advantages and disadvantages. Given the misgivings in your replies about cost and your dialogue with Adam, I suspect that your better route is OBD11 (as Adam recommends).

Better to just make a decision (and start your OBD love affair) than to prevaricate too long - life's too short not to have fun and the only value of money is when it is spent!

Don

[Nafe75]

I went OBDEleven first. It's only $100 and I figure it's a good starting point based on researching threads and mods etc. I'm not sure I'll need to make extensive changes using VCDS later as it's only a few tinkering things I want to play with on my cars. If I need to buy a cable later on, then I'm not losing much money on the OBDEleven I reckon.

[Zgarymclz]

Cold bulb check disable for LED

[QUOTE=DV52;1228340]its: If I may add to Adam's excellent advice - it's ostensibly a "value" decision IMHO.

Basically, it's a matter of making a decision about what aspect of these diagnostic devices that you value most (based on your understanding of your present needs - so there also an element of judgement regarding what your needs will be in the medium to long term)

As Adam says - there is absolutely no doubt that Ross Tech's product is the industry standard - and it has been the industry standard for some time. This is a professional tool, but don't let that label sway your decision - Uwe Ross has indicated that more of his sales are from enthusiasts (like you, and me), than from commercial workshops. But it's not inexpensive (albeit IMO, it's worth the extra expense) - so if you choose a VCDS product, you will be investing in a very, very good piece-of-kit! I've got both the older style HEX+CAN (not available now) and the newest HEX-NET and they both operate flawlessly (the HEX-NET speed is fantastic - it runs like a cut cat!). You can buy HEX -V2 as well which is basically the HEX-NET architecture without cable-less function (HEX-NET can use a WIFI link) and some other smarts - a good alternate for reducing cost. You can also buy unlimited VIN, or limited VIN versions of the HEX series cables to suit your future needs (and you can change these limitations later).

OBD11 is an entirely different way of using a diagnostic cable! Whereas the VCDS software has the complete database for your car's CAN network resident on your laptop - OBD11 downloads this database from a central website based on what the dongle reports about your car. This means that you MUST have a good ISP connection at the point of use - and the speed of this connection determines the quality of the experience! OBD11 also uses bluetooth, so there is a pairing process when first using the product. Another limitation of OBD11 is that it currently ONLY works on Android devices (which aren't expensive to buy- if you don't own a Tablet/mobile phone). BUT - OBD11 is a very inexpensive tool - even if you need to buy a new tablet/mobile phone. I've had an OBD11 dongle for some time and it's also quite good. It does stuff differently to VCDS (some better, some worse) and it also has one-click Apps which implement tweaks easily for new users - these cost "credits". Almost ALL VCDS instructions can be translated into OBD11 speak -so it's newer structure isn't a problem.


So- I guess that my suggestion would be to think about how you might use a diagnostic cable (both now and into the immediate future). If you are the type of person that might get-hooked onto CAN network stuff (as am I), then my advice is to take-the-plunge and invest in a HEX-V2 with limited VIN (you can update this later - if you need more VINs).

On the other hand, if you just want to dabble - then go the OBD11 route initially. Consider the additional cost if you eventually buy a VCDS tool as a training expense, but make sure that you have a good internet connection in your garage/workshop.

BUT - REGARDLESS OF WHAT DEVICE YOU BUY - DON'T UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE BUY A CLONE DEVICE. Those that do purchase fake cables are as complicit in IP theft as are the sellers of these devices!

Don

PS: I see that you live in Melbourne - if you want to see both devices in action , PM and we can arrange an introductory training class (I seem to do many of these -these days). I can sit you in front of my CAN-BUS test-bench. It's my "virtual" car - a type of "simulator" (see picture below). You can try both devices and you can attempt to make whatever changes that you like - without the fear of breaking anything .
[]
Hi I have fitted LED headlights. I want to stop the cold bulb check to get rid of the dash error light and error message. Will OBDeleven be good enough

[Zgarymclz]

Hi Don will OBDeleven allow me to disable cold bulb check for LED headlights. Eos 2007

[DV52]

Hi Don will OBDeleven allow me to disable cold bulb check for LED headlights. Eos 2007

not sure -I'm not familiar with MY07 Eos. Perhaps look on the OBD forum, or the Ross-Tech forum

Don

[Zgarymclz]

Eos my07

not sure -I'm not familiar with MY07 Eos. Perhaps look on the OBD forum, or the Ross-Tech forum

Don

I Don. The eos my07 is the same as a golf mkv

[DV52]

I Don. The eos my07 is the same as a golf mkv

Gary: Again, I'm not familiar with a EOS, but here's a long code screen from a 3C0-937-049 module - which I understand is fitted to Golf mk V vehicles (Google "3C0937049 MKV")



This screen shot comes from a VCDS device, but it doesn't matter - I've included it to confirm that the module enables user control of cold diagnosis

If your EOS has the same module - Byte 19, Bit 0 is the software switch for cold diagnosis on the low-beam lamps. The PRO version of OBD11 should be able to turn-off this function (simply flip the status of the Bit).

OBD11 calls this module "Central electrics" and it lives @ address hex09 on the CAN network

Don