Vag-Com

[Shortbus]

I was going to buy a cable from rosstech, but they were going to charge me $60 for shipping, and I just couldn't stomach giving fed-ex that kind of money to ship a cable that weighs less than a pound, and rosstech wouldn't send it with anyone else, so they lost the sale. You can get them on ebay for about 20-30 bucks, but you have to get the software from rosstech, so i'm just wandering what the deal is with registering or using the free version of the software. Anyone got any insight how it all works? I don't really need the vag-com, but i'm a bit of tech-head, so its something that piqued my interest in being able to play with the cars computer

[The_Hawk]

I have both the genuine and the knock off cable.

For a MK3 or older, the free version of the Ross-Tech software can do about 90% of what you want.

For the newer vehicles, you're pretty much boned and need the genuine article.

Plan B: Get the VAG-Checker or similar hand held reader/scanner jobbie. From memory they are under $100.

[Tim]

Here is a listing from the ross-tech website indicating the differences between free vs registered vs genuine cable capability.
Ross-Tech: VCDS: Function Table

Maybe have a look through that and see what functions you are hoping to perform vs which sort of cars you can see yourself using it on.
You can do anything with a "yes" in the left column on the shareware version I believe.

If you do decide you need the genuine cable then there are local stockists of the cable of which Dub Addiction is one.

We sell the micro can for $299 inc GST or the Hex-usb+can for $395 inc GST.
Shipping is $11 via express post to anywhere in Australia.
Search Results : Dub Ad·dic·tion [duhb uh-dik-shuhn]