VAG-COM interface type

[XCman]

Apologizing in advance if this has been talked about before. The search function on this site always returns no results for me. And after digging 6pages into each of the technical forums searching for VAG-COM related stuff and found nothing I posted this thread.

Income tax check came back and I'm looking at getting a VAG-COM. What I'm curious about is what interface to buy?

KEY-USB or HEX+CAN?

From what I have read on the website all I need is KEY-USB but it's missing some features that the more expensive HEX+CAN has.

Both work on NB's. So what I'm wondering is what have fellow Org'ers bought? And have you ever ran into a need to have the HEX+CAN interface?

Thanks for your time,

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by XCman

Apologizing in advance if this has been talked about before. The search function on this site always returns no results for me. And after digging 6pages into each of the technical forums searching for VAG-COM related stuff and found nothing I posted this thread.

Income tax check came back and I'm looking at getting a VAG-COM. What I'm curious about is what interface to buy?

KEY-USB or HEX+CAN?

From what I have read on the website all I need is KEY-USB but it's missing some features that the more expensive HEX+CAN has.

Both work on NB's. So what I'm wondering is what have fellow Org'ers bought? And have you ever ran into a need to have the HEX+CAN interface?

Thanks for your time,

I don't believe you need CAN for an 02, but maybe I'm wrong. You can always grab a nice cheap cable off ebay and try it out for now if you need a quick, cheap alternative. They do work as advertised and you can use an older version of VAG-COM shareware as long as you like. Then when you want the full version, you can spend the bigger bucks and resell the cheaper cable on ebay for what you paid. The only difference is non-drivetrain stuff like airbags and antilocks aren't covered.

[NeedMoreHP]

I recently purchased one with the advice of another forum member. I ordered the Geniscan GS200 from Autel. (www.auteltech.com) Paid 70 bucks and got it in 3 days! Cleared all my SRS codes without an issue. Hope that helps!

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by XCman

Apologizing in advance if this has been talked about before. The search function on this site always returns no results for me. And after digging 6pages into each of the technical forums searching for VAG-COM related stuff and found nothing I posted this thread.

Income tax check came back and I'm looking at getting a VAG-COM. What I'm curious about is what interface to buy?

KEY-USB or HEX+CAN?

From what I have read on the website all I need is KEY-USB but it's missing some features that the more expensive HEX+CAN has.

Both work on NB's. So what I'm wondering is what have fellow Org'ers bought? And have you ever ran into a need to have the HEX+CAN interface?

Thanks for your time,

Email Ross-Tech and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[mdntblu]

I have an ABS Light on in my 1999 NB and want to figure out what to fix. What would be the best solution for this problem?

[btb]

You will need CAN if you have Mk5 platform (i.e. new GTI and cars listed here http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/canbus.html). New beetle is Mk4 platform and does not have CAN interface. Hence, you either need key-usb (plug into any usb port) or key-com (if you want to use serial DB-9 port). Hoever, if you want finer sampling in measuring blocks in cars with KWP-2000 ECU (2001 and up), you might cconsider HEX interface. Here's the summary http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/interfaces.html

[pencilneck]

The KEY-USB is $249 + shipping and will work on on VWs up from the mk2 platform (1989 Cali emmisions Jetta with 2X2 adapter) up to mk4 platform (which is what the Beetle is).

The KEY-USB cable is sort of a dumb cable, in that the software does the heavy lifting (for lack of better terms). This means that the data rates are going to be slower using a KEY cable. But as far as reading data, you will get all of the same info.

The HEX-USB+CAN is $350 + shipping and works on all VWs up to the current models on the show room floor right now. This is a smart cable, in that there is extra hardware in this cable that handles the heavy lifting (again, for lack of better term). With the HEX cable, you get faster data rates. For example, with my car using a HEX-USB+CAN, I was able to get 32 sample per second from my ECM, where as the KEY cable would only get about 3.5 samples per second from the ECM.

Do I really need 32 samples per second... no. 3.5 per second will be just fine.

The HEX cable also supports some OBD II, so you can put OBD II info from a Volvo or Jeep (I've done both). And the HEX can do 0-60 speed times... think of this as a step up from the butt dyno. The KEY-USB doesn't support these features due to lack of hardware.

Long and short of it, if you own a NB, don't have a mk5 or B6 VW, then you can get the KEY-USB. Or for an extra $100, you get the deluxe butt dyno feature and generic OBD II support that will work on most imports (but not Ford or GM as far as I know).

KEY = home user
HEX = earns living slinging wrenches

Note that prices above include full version of software since the Ross Tech cables unlock the software when they are plugged up.

Give the guys at Ross Tech a call, ask for a couple of extra velcro strappie things when you order.

[/another long winded post]

[XCman]

very informative Pencilneck. I would be interested in Dynoing the car later on when I have the time and money to chip my car.

Though I am not as car literate as some on here. I am technically inclined. I am a Computer tech and understand computer and electronics side of cars forwards and backwards. Hence why I want to save myself some money by diagnosing my car myself. it's just when I got to Ross-tech. I get a little lost with some of the Car talk lingo.

My question for you is, does a butt dyno enable you to Dyno your car while you are driving it from inside the car? I neither have the means, nor know of a place I can take it to to have the car dynoed. Plus from places I have seen that do dyno it's quite expensive. It would please me to know end to use some of these realtime features as digital guages in my car! It's the Tech nut in me! whether this is possible is not the point of this discussion. Just a idea I have floating around.

I mainly want this as a tool to fix my car, and to detect the VW specific codes that generic scanners can't read. like my cars door sensor that doesn't work quite right. Not something to setoff an engine light, but I'd like to be able to sit in my car without my bug locking me in because it thinks the door never opened LOL.

[pencilneck]

Should first off point out that VAG COM is now known as VCDS, Ross Tech released a new beta in the last 24 hours.

So, with the HEX cables, you can use the "Automatic Acceleration Measurements -- Performance Calculator" feature in VCDS. It is a big step up from the butt dyno... I'm sure some math nerd could figure out X weight, Y distance = Z HP/Torque and such from the info you get from VCDS... not me.

Anyway, here is the info about this feature at Ross Tech:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/tou...l#acceleration

Where this feature can really come in handy is if you start doing some minor tweaks to the car, you can do a few runs before and after to see if the numbers show any improvement.

IMHO, the HEX-USB+CAN is really the best bet. For $350 you get the top of line interface that supports the extra features of VCDS. If you use it to fix 3 simple problems, then it has it pretty much paid for itself. As I like to say, if you have friends with VW or Audis, that cable will pay for itself in beer and pizza within 6 months.