MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: jacobrownoly on April 28, 2015, 07:09:08 pm

Title: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on April 28, 2015, 07:09:08 pm
Hello, looking for some advice on logging my own mk5. I want to get into it but really dont wanna spend the money to get VAG. Anyone recommend a similar program thats cheaper/does the job?

Many thanks!
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 28, 2015, 07:45:18 pm
i got the vagcom off amazon for £30. full software and the lead. have a look see if its on there.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on April 28, 2015, 07:46:45 pm
i got the vagcom off amazon for £30. full software and the lead. have a look see if its on there.

Really? £30? Have u got a link?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 28, 2015, 07:52:09 pm
gone up in price since i got it a year or so ago.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00UXBIAYY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1430247065&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=vag+com&dpPl=1&dpID=51Bdpw%2Bq7cL&ref=plSrch
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on April 28, 2015, 08:38:26 pm
gone up in price since i got it a year or so ago.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00UXBIAYY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1430247065&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=vag+com&dpPl=1&dpID=51Bdpw%2Bq7cL&ref=plSrch

Can I change bits on my car with that vagcom like coding for cruise control led logs and other bits or is it simply fault code reader ? Also can you reset the faults and various other bits ?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 28, 2015, 08:42:43 pm
its the full software so can read and scan faults and clear them, can change all the settings available for your car and do all the data logging to.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on April 28, 2015, 08:55:53 pm
its the full software so can read and scan faults and clear them, can change all the settings available for your car and do all the data logging to.


So what is the difference between this £40 and the £350 on Ross tech website little confused here
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 28, 2015, 09:00:53 pm
nothing. mine even has a ross tech lead. and its the proper software. dont see why its costs 350 from them tbh. making alot of profit on them i guess.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on April 28, 2015, 09:12:12 pm
Always wanted one never wanted to pay over £300 for it well I'll order one and see how it is and if it says what you say it does  :happy2:
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 28, 2015, 09:27:48 pm
I'm interested in this too. Was looking at getting one of the £270 VCDS lead, but if this can do everything that the expensive lead does, I don't see the reason not to get this cheaper version?

I thought you were only able to change things with the expensive leads, I thought these cheaper leads were just basic fault reading only?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 28, 2015, 09:35:09 pm
the one that i got was a proper ross tech one. my cousins one was also a proper ross tech one that he got. not sure why ross tech sell them so expensive.

you can thank me later  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 28, 2015, 10:09:08 pm
Ordering one now!

Cheers mate
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on April 28, 2015, 10:21:05 pm
So you can actually properly data log the car....the same as VAG COM???


Sounds too good to be true at that price  :surprised:
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Degudodger on April 29, 2015, 06:26:38 am
its the full software so can read and scan faults and clear them, can change all the settings available for your car and do all the data logging to.


So what is the difference between this £40 and the £350 on Ross tech website little confused here
Tens of thousands of hours of research and development, support from the manufacturer, software updates. Not being ridiculed because you've bought a pirated version of VCDS. Confidence it's not going to damage your car. Do I go on :)
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 29, 2015, 07:45:06 am
ive had 2 software updates since i got it and hasnt f*cked the car at all.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 29, 2015, 08:07:22 am
Why would it f*ck up the car anyway if it's just a pirated copy of the software?

And why should I care about anybody's potential ridicule? Seems a strange thing to say.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on April 29, 2015, 05:03:35 pm
I personally feel more confident buying the £300 version rather than the £40 one. Seem strange that they would both be the same. Would hate for it to hurt my car too :(
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 29, 2015, 05:44:41 pm
Can't see how it would harm the car as you are still downloading the software from Ross Tech. Sounds like scaremongering to me so people don't buy the cheap option.

People are always buying the cheap £5/£10 scanners from China or using apps on Android and iPhones. Why are these any less likely to harm a car than the £40 version of the Ross Tech cable?

Well anyway mine has been ordered from Amazon and I've had notification that it has been posted out today, so I'll know soon enough how well it works.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 29, 2015, 05:51:01 pm
mines worked fine since ive got it. no problems with it had 2 updates from it. car hasnt gone bang and exploded so all good. you cant change your remap settings with it so dont see how its supposed to harm the car. id be more scared of the £1.99 china ones tbh.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Degudodger on April 29, 2015, 06:13:04 pm
I like the Torque app and cheap adapter you can get off eBay/Amazon. Ripped off copies of VCDS and the cheap Chinese leads off eBay - come on would you really trust pirated software puropsely ripped and reshelled to overcome dongle authentication.

I look at it this way. You've spent thousands on a car which you enjoy, are you really going to trust pirated software to make critical software changes to your car. Personally i wouldn't!

If you need stuff done, don't waste your money, just find a local member with VCDS and ask them to help you. Must of us charge very little or nothing. 
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on April 29, 2015, 07:14:45 pm
 can't see how cheap copy will effect your car by changing for example chirp on your car siren so hows that going to effect it maybe if you played with air flow r air or fuel maybe but otherwise cants see how maybe am being stupid lol
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Degudodger on April 29, 2015, 07:40:29 pm
The official Ross Tech VCDS software has gone through extensive development, testing and debugging to work specifically with the lead they provide. Who knows how the pirated version will work ,it might be fine but once the code has been compromised how do you know its not going to royaly f@ck things up when you do something in a certain sequence?

Yes its expensive BUT you honestly pay for what you get which is a tried and tested product from a manufacturer who have invested heavily in R&D. 
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 29, 2015, 07:51:56 pm
dont want one then dont buy it  :signLOL:

you cant change your map setting like a revo sps switch. only data log, clear codes off and simple settings like alarm chirp on or anti theft mode, lights stuff like that.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Degudodger on April 29, 2015, 07:57:27 pm
Don't need one - have a genuine one  :grin:
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 29, 2015, 08:34:43 pm
ive had 2 software updates since i got it and hasnt f*cked the car at all.

How do you find out about the software updates, when they're available?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 29, 2015, 08:39:54 pm
it tells you when you open the program that theres an update available when connect to internet. you can choose to ignor them tho if your only using it for your car.  just wont work on brand new cars until the updates done.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on April 29, 2015, 08:56:55 pm
it tells you when you open the program that theres an update available when connect to internet. you can choose to ignor them tho if your only using it for your car.  just wont work on brand new cars until the updates done.

I don't want to clear codes or change anything i just wanna data log the car, would the cheaper version be the best bet?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Ruggy on April 29, 2015, 09:14:56 pm
it tells you when you open the program that theres an update available when connect to internet. you can choose to ignor them tho if your only using it for your car.  just wont work on brand new cars until the updates done.

Ok, cheers
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on April 29, 2015, 09:17:10 pm
spending £300 seem abit expensive just to data log. but its up to you, im not telling you to by either but you have the choice.
mines worked absolutly fine for me with no problems. i know 3 others with the same one all they all work properly with no issues. proper ross tech lead and software to match.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on May 01, 2015, 11:41:48 pm
received it today works like a treat all under £50 brilliant piece of kit made by ross tech and even the equipment brilliant stuff
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on May 01, 2015, 11:44:28 pm
glad you like it. nice saving to  :happy2:
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on May 02, 2015, 07:28:05 am
cheers mate good find
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on May 02, 2015, 01:27:42 pm
received it today works like a treat all under £50 brilliant piece of kit made by ross tech and even the equipment brilliant stuff

So you would say it is worth it? Looking at buying this to log timing. I have the SPS for revo and want to log to see if i can run a higher timing, would I be able to do this with the software you just bought?

Many thanks
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: austengti on May 02, 2015, 08:11:09 pm

mines worked fine since ive got it. no problems with it had 2 updates from it. car hasnt gone bang and exploded so all good. you cant change your remap settings with it so dont see how its supposed to harm the car. id be more scared of the £1.99 china ones tbh.

Bought this bit of kit after seeing your recommendations, tried it for the first time tonight, and it's mint! Proper rosstech kit as you said.
How come you've managed to get updates from it though? The note that came with my kit said to set the software to do not check for updates?
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on May 02, 2015, 08:14:21 pm
i didnt do that bit  :signLOL:.
gotta make sure the update is matched to the number on the lead tho or it wont work. so probs best not to do them.
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: Kam88 on May 02, 2015, 10:25:59 pm
yeah i might try to do the update once i get bit more time on my day off but few months back member on here reset my airbag light and he paid over £300 for it fair to him was really nice of him to do it. This is the same kit as he had for a fraction of the price lol
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: samiul11 on June 08, 2015, 04:12:29 pm
Anyone know where i can pick this up from? Links not working...
Title: Re: Cheap data logging?
Post by: jacobrownoly on June 11, 2015, 02:27:23 pm
Anyone know where i can pick this up from? Links not working...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/VAGCOM-12-12-3a-Diagnostic-Cable-Skoda/dp/B00T4FLIZS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1434029133&sr=8-4&keywords=vagcom

This works great!