Users poll topic: Vident VAG301 OBD2 code reader or VCDS
Poll Vident VAG301 and reasons:
Vident VAG301 tag: handy, no require a laptop
VCDS tag: logging capability, very extensive wiki
I think VCDS definitely has the edge in terms of logging capability, but it’s certainly also handy to have a standalone device that doesn’t require a laptop.
The biggest advantage of VCDS is the very extensive wiki on the Ross-Tech site which has pretty much everything covered in a simple enough explanation. I can’t immediately find how good the documentation with this scanner is.
If all you want to do is read/delete codes and do some output tests I’m not sure there would be much be it in paying an extra $39.99 for VCDS so it could be worth a go.
If you want to make sure you can do everything and anything and never be stuck for functionality…that’s where you pay the extra.
Vident VAG301 tag: cheap
Aside from being cheaper, is being compact and self contained. Could keep it in the car all the time “just in case”.
Vident VAG301 tag: new device, meet user’s curious
The draw is $39.99 and it’s easy transported and kept in the car. Mine would likely stay with the car, so resale value doesn’t mean anything to me. I certainly don’t do everything on the cheap as a habit – I like to buy the best but I’m also a practical and curious hobbyist. If a new device has come out that seems to do everything the old one does at a fraction of the cost, it seems like a good idea to consider it.
Vident VAG301 can works with most 1996 and newer OBDII& CAN compliant VW, Audi. Skoda. Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.
language available: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,
Hungarian, Swedish
Poll VCDS and reasons:
- You also might want to look into the new Rosstech wifi dongle. I sold my cable and bought that because you can use it on any device with an Internet explorer. They also have an app created for smart phones. It works well and you can use it as wifi or as the cable version…so it’s basically a win win.
However, someone ask a question “How well would you say this works in comparison to the old school wired version + software? I bought the wired cable a few months ago and am curious if I messed up by not buying the wifi dongle. It’s not that big for me to hook up the laptop but opening an app on my iPhone which is already mounted in my car when I’m driving would definitely be way easier.”
- Mind if I interrupt this turd joust and give my first hand experience that’s somewhat relevant to the original topic?
At my collision repair shop we have used a few different scan tools over the years. For the most part we need a scan tool to read and clear airbag, ABS, and check engine codes. Besides suspension work related to accidents we do very little mechanical work. We don’t do much logging or diagnostic troubleshooting. I’ve owned a few different Audis over the last 9 years but when I started modding my S4 I was looking for something that could do more than the basic functions. I did some research and ended up buying the VCDS cable and software for myself and the shop. I was impressed with the ease of use and the amount of information available to help use and learn about the software.
Spend the extra money and avoid the hassle of being a guinea pig on an unknown tool. There are basically no downsides to the VCDS.
