VAG cables - look what I found

[h100vw]

Centre dash cubby hole, right at the back.

Gain

[brad]

So I have filled in an RMA form and hopefully will get my money back, though I am not holding my breath. I've also noticed the SKU has disappeared from their site, so it must be a problem product. Guess I deserve it hey!

I've had some problem items from Deal Extreme. The replacements were handled very professionally but you have to follow their instructions to the letter. Read very carefully.

I ordered one of those cables too. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Arctra]

Woo-hoo! It works.

The mistake I was making was I plugged the USB part of the cable in before I had plugged the other end into the Tiguan and turned the ignition on. After I did that the laptop recognised the cable and it was stable. I managed to get VCDS 804.0 working, but only in shareware mode. Still, better than nothing.

Now I need to figure out how to use the graphing app, and the logging so I can do some testing. Also need to see if it's possible to change any settings with the shareware version of the software only.

BTW, I got the CANBUS version of this cable as my Tiguan is CANBUS based. I don't know if it works on non-CANBUS cars.

[brad]

I got mine on Friday & tried it out yesterday.
To make it work the order is:
Install software
plug in USB connector
turn on ignition
plug in ODB connector
launch software.

This is where it comes unstuck.

Dealextreme listed a truckload of things that you could do with this cable except the supplied software hasn't been hacked.
Fair enough, but it appears that there is no longer two versions of VCDS (a shareware trial & a full functioning version) and the full function of the software is activated by a dongle within the cable. Again, fair enough.

Therefore, this cable doesn't appear to have the dongle & will never activate any VCDS software.

Or is there something I've misunderstood?

At the moment I'm thinking this cable is useless & I'd like to file a return with DX ASAP if that is the case.

[logger]

It is perfectly reasonble to expect the dongle won't have the activating dongle included as it is after all a knock off. You need to buy the real McCoy for that. But I reckon you could just buy the VCDS licence for $99 and then activate the software and then the cable will be very useful.

So the:
Pro's of this method are you get the system up and running for (whatever you paid for the lead say $40 + usd$100 for the licence) around AU$200 versus around AU$350+ to get the Ross-Tech ridgy dig unit. Saving yourself around $150.
Cons are that your software licence will not readily transfer between PCs down the track as it uses a digital fingerprinting method to combat piracy. I think you can actually move it, but it is going to problematic.

If you pony the extra moola for the genuine article as I have done PC transfer should be straight forward but you dont want to lose the lead....

[coastie]

One problem with this is that the cable is an illegal clone and Ross-Tech will not allow you to buy the license for $99 to run an illegal clone. The registration/ license number that comes with the cable is known to Ross Tech. They advise buying the $349 version. Mine runs the software on the CD however it is shareware only and 805 version. Also on my MkVI it does not recognise the CAN system only the K lines.

[logger]

Coastie I am happy to stand corrected, but that flies in the face of what their web site says about acitivation.

"VAG-COM generates a unique software Serial Number on each computer where it is installed. In order to to Activate VAG-COM, you must provide the Serial Number that VAG-COM shows on the computer on which you intend to use it!. You will find the serial number on the "About" screen of the program."

The way I understand it, you can buy their cable with the dongle and inbuilt registration capabilities or use any 3rd party Interfaces or dumb cable. If you had the right electronics know how you could even make your own.

If Brad can get his copy of the software to display a serial number once it is connected to his car then I would expect he can quote that serial and buy a licence to activate it.

As I have yet to receive my genuine dongle, when I open VCDS and go to "about" I see the message "please test on car to see serial number". I expect if I connect it to a car with any dumb cable that actaully works I should be able to see the serial number. Does yours show a serial number at this point?

I could easily be wrong here, but I don't think Brads dumb cable is illegal. What I imagine is illegal is pirating the software or using a cable that clones the activation capabilities of their Dongle.

[brad]

I could easily be wrong here, but I don't think Brads dumb cable is illegal. What I imagine is illegal is pirating the software or using a cable that clones the activation capabilities of their Dongle.

Interesting info logger. Thanks.

I'm sure coastie meant "not Ross-Tech approved" when he said "illegal".

[coastie]

I will print the response I got from Ross Tech when I went to buy the license below:


Santos Vega <Santos@ross-tech.com> to ##############, Helen O'Neill <Orders@ross-tech.com>
9 Sep

Peter,

We are unable to complete your order at this time. The serial number you provided is one to an illegal clone of our hardware/software. We are very sorry but we cannot process your order. We do not sell activations for cloned hex+can interfaces. Your order has been canceled.

A legitimate HEX-USB+CAN can be purchased for $349.00 plus shipping. This includes free updates and one year warranty.

Best Regards,
Santos

[logger]

Coastie, your email from then cetainly clarifies their position. So, I do indeed stand corrected. Seemingly their software can detect that the cable/interface you blokes have is knocking off some of their proprietry stuff.

There are probably other interface cables out there that do not do this, that they will sell activations for. No doubt the price point of the genuine (but 3rd party articles) will negate any benefit of going down that path. But good on them for protecting their intellectual rights and having software clever enough to spot the knock offs.

Would also be handy is Ross-tech placed a rider to make this clearer on their web site. As I expect quite a few people have unknowingly gone down 3rd party cable path only to be refused a licence.

I have actually ordered their Micro-CAN Interface although I am now querying with them if I should have gone for the more expensive HEX-USB+CAN Interface to take advantage of its higher polling rate. Hopefuly the $100 cheaper Micro-Can will meet my basic needs and save a few bucks.