Which scanner is better?

[sifelicia]

Hi guys

I am thinking of getting a vag scanner for doing basic stuff, I don't have a good enough Laptop it seems to run vag-com with a lead so i was looking at these two or three.

Can someone tell me which is more suitable for a 2003/53 Fabia vRS

vag 5053

v-checker pro

v- Checker std

Thanks for any comments

[rwbaldwin]

I have a VAG 5053 and it does almost everything you might want. You should be able to get one for £70 or less.

I do still need/use VAG-Com.

[The Ors]

I have just purchased an Autel VAG405 from AutoTec Direct; the same site as your 1st choice.

I've used it on my 2002 Octavia RS & it works well. I would definitely recommend it. The service from this site was excellent as well; very helpful on the phone & the scanner arrived next day!

The scanner reads codes from several different modules & resets the service light but does not have the functionality of VAG-COM.

If you buy this, there is a more in depth version of the manual here:

HTH

[Interphase]

I was looking at the original scanners a while back, especially as they do adaptations - that's an extremely handy extra on top of the code reading functions. I have no doubt that they're nowhere near as good as the real thing, but I can't help thinking they'd be more than good enough. If you spring for one, let me know how it goes

[gwing]

I've just ordered one of the new Memotec u600 scanners from the same place and will give it a workout when it arrives.

If it does what it says on the tin it should pretty much do the same as vag-com I think, but without providing as helpfull an interface as the laptop software can (nor having the same quality of manuals). In any event it should do more than I would dare to do with it.

I was looking at the original scanners a while back, especially as they do adaptations - that's an extremely handy extra on top of the code reading functions. I have no doubt that they're nowhere near as good as the real thing, but I can't help thinking they'd be more than good enough. If you spring for one, let me know how it goes

[milesunder]

I've just ordered one of the new Memotec u600 scanners from the same place and will give it a workout when it arrives.

Have you had chance to test the u600 yet? Does it offer modification options?

I am looking to get one of these but want to make sure that it does what I need it to do.

[gwing]

By extreme coincidence this arrived just thirty seconds ago while I was typing a reply - so I haven't tested it yet.

Patience grasshopper

Have you had chance to test the u600 yet? Does it offer modification options?

I am looking to get one of these but want to make sure that it does what I need it to do.

[milesunder]

By extreme coincidence this arrived just thirty seconds ago while I was typing a reply - so I haven't tested it yet.

Patience grasshopper

I look forward to your review

[milesunder]

I look forward to your review

have you had a chance to test it yet?

[gwing]

have you had a chance to test it yet?

[gwing]

OK, better to write something quickly than a proper review that might never see the light of day I guess :yes:

In short it claims to emulate the VAG5053 and provide the full functionality of the dealer's VAG1552 and 1553 tools, and within the limits of my very limited knowledge seems to work as advertised on the tin. It provides a choice of either working in generic (almost useless) ODBC scanner mode or as a specialist VAG tool which is needed to talk to pretty much all of the controllers. In VAG mode it lists some 15 controllers/sections such as engine/abs/gearbox etc (sorry I haven't my notes of them all here, but there are more controllers supported than I have on my Octy) and for each of these there is then a menu that lets you display codes, reset codes, perform adaptations, run tests, reset service indicator etc. That doesn't mean all of the cars controllers support all of the functions however. So top marks on functionality I guess.

Physically it seems OK, a bit larger than I expected from the photos. Definitely much more robust than a laptop running diag software and fine for casual use - I would want something more robust however if it was going to be used as communal property in a busy garage. The display screen is made from ridiculously soft plastic and scratches easily. So OK on construction.

In ODBC mode there is a autoscan mode that picks up all faults (within the limits of the generoc ODBC stuff). However in VAG mode you have to scan/clear each of the (15 ish) controllers individually which is less convenient. However it doesn't take too long and generally you would be looking at a specific fault anyway. Maybe the genuine tools or VCDS provide a full autoscan. So pretty good on interface as it is simple, intuitive and responsive.

There is a brief manual provided, which if not extensive is refreshingly clearly written, apparently by a native English speaker and not one of those accursed multilingual jobbies saying nothing in 100 different languages. There is a downloadable DTC library plus a rudimentary online DTC checker available from the manufacturer although these are available from other sources as well and Memoscan is nothing like as good as VAG_COM for online support. There are downloadable firmware updates available for the device and it comes supplied with a second connector for linking to your PC for those updates - out of interest this is a standard serial connector not the USB connector as advertised but who cares? So documentation & support rates as OK, if not as good as VCDS.

In summary I'm very pleased with it. It looks a superb tool for keeping in the dash and having available all the time, does everything I expected and is a standalone legal solution. It appears to be the current state of the art in cheapo handheld scanners - until the next generation comes along next week :-)