eBay can-bus Vag-coms... anybody had any luck with them?

[headshok2002]

Hey guys,

I own a genuine Ross-Tech vag but since moving up North, I've taken it and left my family with nothing to scan their many VWs and Audis. :P

I want to buy one to send their way that'll at least be capable of doing a full scan on the car. I am not worried about doing logs or anything like that... as I will need to teach them how to pull codes as it is. Haha

If anybody has had a good experience with a particular seller, please let me know! I ask because I've got a buddy who bought one off of eBay and he can't get it to work.

Thanks in advance!

[SleeperAvant]

I would also like to know.

[myth7676]

Ross-tech?

[cassdesigns]

ygpm

[headshok2002]

Ross-tech?

Heh, did you read my post?

CassDesigns:
Thanks man, I may go that route. I guess I was hoping to hear some of these 30-35 dollar cables would do the job, but I am thinking the can-bus stuff is more money--even for the knock offs.
I had found a place that was around 75-80 shipped but they use version 805. Was hoping to find cheaper, but we will see. It is what it is, and if I've got to spend more to get one that works well, then that's what I'll do. :)

[Stevelev]

I've used a cheapo ebay one as well as obdtools cables and they do work. That said, they are limited in what they can do and do not offer the user friendly lookup windows the Ross Tech provides. I'd suggest paying the price for a genuine Ross Tech (used if your lucky) to avoid challenges and issues - perhaps a few of your fam damily members can chip in on it ?

[CONTROL ONE]

My $10 ebay cable scans everything, clears everything and logs blocks 2-20.

[headshok2002]

My $10 ebay cable scans everything, clears everything and logs blocks 2-20.

I know! Bloody sucks but the can-bus cars are different. I don't think B5's were Can-Bus... B6+ is definitely can-bus.
CassDesign: Does yours use Ross-tech freeware software? Or some other software? Screenshots? :)

[headshok2002]

I've used a cheapo ebay one as well as obdtools cables and they do work. That said, they are limited in what they can do and do not offer the user friendly lookup windows the Ross Tech provides. I'd suggest paying the price for a genuine Ross Tech (used if your lucky) to avoid challenges and issues - perhaps a few of your fam damily members can chip in on it ?

Indeed... just a huge price difference. I already own one genuine ross-tech product... although I am looking at it now and I don't think it is can-bus, but it works on my B6. Now I'm really confused. Haha
But yeah, can-bus knock-offs are $75 - $110cad and the real deal from ross-tech is 349USD + shipping from USA so who knows what surprise fees.

[ed@mtl]

A friend of mine will be getting a bunch of cables with the 908 software. I already tested it and it works great.

PM me if you need more info.

[spidey9999]

Indeed... just a huge price difference. I already own one genuine ross-tech product... although I am looking at it now and I don't think it is can-bus, but it works on my B6. Now I'm really confused. Haha
But yeah, can-bus knock-offs are $75 - $110cad and the real deal from ross-tech is 349USD + shipping from USA so who knows what surprise fees.

Bought my genuine Ross-Tech dongle from Roseland Technical in Nova Scotia:
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/roseland/VAG-COM.htm
GST only, plus ExpressPost shipping included in his prices. Great guy to deal with.

[headshok2002]

A friend of mine will be getting a bunch of cables with the 908 software. I already tested it and it works great.

PM me if you need more info.

PM'd!

And good to know about Roseland Technical, Spidey. I actually forgot that Ross-tech had CDN retailers! Haha
Still going to try and find an aftermarket to save some cash, though... but we shall see. I do want to run genuine ross-tech software, but it sounds like I can do that with certain knock offs. Time will tell! I'll be sure to update this thread if I find one I like. :P

[audifirst]

I would recommend getting original that Ross-tech cable, they are number of resellers in Canada that have different pricing and if you saved up enough you will save yourself headache

The el-cheapo from ebay or other sites that sell now USB with 908 software , for can-bus cars have problems,
I had a customer who kept buying these usb cables from ebay, he went trough 5 different cables , some were not working or not making connection, kept disconnecting, then he found seller that had presumably latest USB cable with 908 software he bought it, connected to his car originally he wanted to change a code, he damaged the instrument cluster not because of the changing of the code but these cables don't have circuit protection like the original ross-tech cable has , somehow he said he was log in trying to do code change and the device stopped working for no reason when he pressed ok to confirm, then his cluster stopped working no power, and cable was bad.. later he was out of 1100 bucks had to get new cluster.
it might not happen to you, you basically taking a risk with these cables, they are mass produce to make a quick buck with BS warranties that don't exist ..

[ed@mtl]

I would recommend getting original that Ross-tech cable, they are number of resellers in Canada that have different pricing and if you saved up enough you will save yourself headache

The el-cheapo from ebay or other sites that sell now USB with 908 software , for can-bus cars have problems,
I had a customer who kept buying these usb cables from ebay, he went trough 5 different cables , some were not working or not making connection, kept disconnecting, then he found seller that had presumably latest USB cable with 908 software he bought it, connected to his car originally he wanted to change a code, he damaged the instrument cluster not because of the changing of the code but these cables don't have circuit protection like the original ross-tech cable has , somehow he said he was log in trying to do code change and the device stopped working for no reason when he pressed ok to confirm, then his cluster stopped working no power, and cable was bad.. later he was out of 1100 bucks had to get new cluster.
it might not happen to you, you basically taking a risk with these cables, they are mass produce to make a quick buck with BS warranties that don't exist ..

Yes, I recommend getting the original one as well. But if you know the right people and the right hardware and software, I would go for the aftermarket one. Enough has been said... Don't want to get in trouble from Rosstech.

[audifirst]

Yes, I recommend getting the original one as well. But if you know the right people and the right hardware and software, I would go for the aftermarket one. Enough has been said... Don't want to get in trouble from Rosstech.

I guess that is the risk you take, for me it is waste of money, I rather buy something that is legitimate, quality product, there is always updates available , and support behind the product. Now dollar is at par , the cables from ross-tech don't sound expensive.

[ed@mtl]

I guess that is the risk you take, for me it is waste of money, I rather buy something that is legitimate, quality product, there is always updates available , and support behind the product. Now dollar is at par , the cables from ross-tech don't sound expensive.

Your correct, the dollar is at par and it's best to purchase a real one. I would if I had the funds.

[1_8T_Dub_PimP]

In this case I don't see anything wrong with the OP buying a ebay cable if it works. He does already have the Ross-Tech so it's not like he's trying to cheat them out of money. He just needs another cable for limited capabilities. The ebay cable worked for me but I have an older B5. I bought the Ross tech full software and had an ebay cable. The only thing is that you have to have the driver for the cable and configure the port etc. There are some sites with the info, anyway it all became too complicated for me since I would have to do the same thing on my newer computer each time I upgraded so I ended up giving the cable to my brother and buying a Ross-Tech for myself.

[ed@mtl]

I say get a group buy going for the real Rosstech.

[headshok2002]

I say get a group buy going for the real Rosstech.

Would be interesting to see what kind of deal we could get. Hrm.

[headshok2002]

I say get a group buy going for the real Rosstech.

Would be interesting to see what kind of deal we could get. Hrm.

[ed@mtl]

Which Canadian retailer sells them?

[headshok2002]

I think H2sport sells them as does the place in the link above: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/roseland/VAG-COM.htm

[ed@mtl]

$395 for the HEX-USB-CAN. If we can get it for $350 that would be great. But then there's taxes and shipping, over $400 for sure.

[headshok2002]

Yeah... it's pretty pricey. Even at 300 I'd probably still buy a 90 dollar knock-off that does 95% of the same stuff... albeit maybe isn't as user friendly/upgradable.

We could test the waters and see what kind of deal might be had, though.

[ed@mtl]

Forget the groupbuy.

[ABanT]

4. I do not want the reduced pricing or sales conditions advertised on public forums, doing so
will possibly {SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1}jeopardize the whole transaction....

hmmmm....

I bought a knockoff from China. About $40 shipped to me if i remember correctly. 805+812 Software. I've used it on my B7, Golf mkv's, and a B8 S4 without any problems whatsoever.

[ed@mtl]

hmmmm....

I bought a knockoff from China. About $40 shipped to me if i remember correctly. 805+812 Software. I've used it on my B7, Golf mkv's, and a B8 S4 without any problems whatsoever.

Some of the newer codes will require the newer software to make changes, especially on the newer Audi models. I had the 805 and want to do the "wiper wipe out" and couldn't unless I upgrade the software and cable to the 908.

Also, I will no longer comment on any Rosstech/Vagcom threads from now on. Becareful, there's eyes everywhere. That is all.

[headshok2002]

Yar, I'd be down for a real deal if the price comes down! But yeah, just after the ability to clear codes so I don't need ross-tech software per se! I just want to know that my family can check out what's wrong with their cars whenever the CEL pops up. I'm 4+ hours away... and with four 1.8T's in the fam (not including mine or my girlfriend's) there's a lot of CEL's. Haha

:)