Which VAG-COM to buy?

[Gondi Stylez]

Want to purchase one for my carputer!

Which one would you guys recommend? Also, can I have it run 24/7?

According to Ross-Tech any of these will work! I'm leaning towards the HEX-COM+CAN (USB) or the KEY-USB (USB) due to ease of connectivity. What is the difference between them though?

HEX-USB+CAN (USB)
HEX-COM+CAN (Serial)
KEY-USB (USB)
KEY-COM (Serial)

[dirtybrd]

PM Shawn, A4RingedONE8T, he has it.

[Gondi Stylez]

PM Shawn, A4RingedONE8T, he has it.

Thanks. I'll lead him to the thread!

[A4ringedONE8T]

Our platform doesnt have to have the CAN so thats not necessary. Regarding serial or USB, I would go with a serial cable for two reasons, they are cheaper and they will also run lemmiwinks (USB wont). Any carputer should have at least one serial connection on the back of the motherboard.

FYI, I took my carputer out awhile ago, it was too hard transfering info between it and my laptop, was easier to just throw the laptop in the seat when I needed it. If there is anything you need to get yours up and running, let me know, I still have all the pieces to mine stuck in the closet.

[Gondi Stylez]

Our platform doesnt have to have the CAN so thats not necessary. Regarding serial or USB, I would go with a serial cable for two reasons, they are cheaper and they will also run lemmiwinks (USB wont). Any carputer should have at least one serial connection on the back of the motherboard.

FYI, I took my carputer out awhile ago, it was too hard transfering info between it and my laptop, was easier to just throw the laptop in the seat when I needed it. If there is anything you need to get yours up and running, let me know, I still have all the pieces to mine stuck in the closet.

Thanks Shawn!

So you would recommend the KEY-COM (serial) then? Can VAG-COM be running all the time? Or does it only work as you open the app? Any other reasons you didn't like your carputer?

My carputer specs:
2GHz
1-2GB RAM
80-120 GB Internal HD
250 GB External HD
Bluetooth
GPS
Sirius
Vag-Com
Wi-Fi
DVD etc.
7" Touchscreen

[A4ringedONE8T]

haha, you'll hate it too after about 2 months. 7" screen is worthless, things aren't big enough to see without staring at the screen (really safe for driving). Lack of a mouse sucks, even with touchscreen as everything (the icons) are tiny. With a decent frontend they are ok, still are more pain then its worth on a small screen. You will have to open vagcom everytime the computer starts, you can keep the cable plugged in all the time though.

You'll find out after you get it in, but within 3-4 months, yours will be in the closet as well

[A4ringedONE8T]

And I forgot to add, they are about as unstable as you can imagine with heat, especially if they are hidden away (mine was in the glovebox). If it was over a certain temp it wouldnt boot up, if it got too hot when it was running, it would freeze all the time. Bumpy roads completely F them up, especially if its trying to load or run something when its jar'd. Be sure you put a reset button and a main power switch underneath the steering wheel somewhere in that cubby, you will need to get to them fairly often

[A4ringedONE8T]

And dont forget a third switch to change it from ign to direct battery power, the last thing you'll want to deal with is it shutting down/restarting when you get out of the car for 2 min to run in somewhere

Have I changed your mind yet?

[Gondi Stylez]

Woah, that was pretty intense!

I'm guessing you hate these things now? I was debating between RNS-E and this for a while (with the AVIC-F90) in the mix for a bit, but since my friend builds these figured why not give it a try?

What did you end up getting? RNS-E?

Heat should be okay as it will be behind my back seat (just the HD, USBs and DVD drive will be in the glovebox). How long was start up time? Would you do anything different? or would that mean not doing it to start?

What is the shut down/turn on procedure? No need to turn off computer before shutting car off and <30sec boot time with all specs, etc remembered? If I tie it into my ignition it will do as my OEM deck will?

I wouldn't say you've changed my mind but I am seconding guessing now, haha?!?!

[A4ringedONE8T]

Woah, that was pretty intense!

I'm guessing you hate these things now? I was debating between RNS-E and this for a while (with the AVIC-F90) in the mix for a bit, but since my friend builds these figured why not give it a try?

What did you end up getting? RNS-E?

Heat should be okay as it will be behind my back seat (just the HD, USBs and DVD drive will be in the glovebox). How long was start up time? Would you do anything different? or would that mean not doing it to start?

What is the shut down/turn on procedure? No need to turn off computer before shutting car off and <30sec boot time with all specs, etc remembered? If I tie it into my ignition it will do as my OEM deck will?

I wouldn't say you've changed my mind but I am seconding guessing now, haha?!?!

Yes, Ill never have one ever again. I went back to my Alpine IVA-D310 that I had in the car prior to the carputer.

You need a power supply card/board with an integrated on/off controller. Its a seperate power board that will go inside the carputer housing. It will automatically turn the computer on when you start the car, when you turn the key off, it will power it long enough for the computer to do the typical "shut down" itself, then go off. You cant tie in directly to the ignition, it wont turn out without a trigger source + power and when you turn the ign off, it will just kill the computer (like unplugging it from the wall). And you wont want to manually turn it on/off directly wiring it either

Unless you love computers and F'ing with them all the time, I would highly suggest against it. Its a great idea but it definitely didnt work out like I was expecting

[A4ringedONE8T]

If you havent picked a power source/card yet, I had a M2-ATX, its one of the better and more recommend ones available