Hello all,

I might be tempted to buy VAG-COM one day, since my current car uses CAN and it's very unlikely I'll ever own a car older than my current car, I think that I might be better off getting the Micro-CAN version of VAG-COM.

However, I'm surprised that more people aren't talking about this version of the interface? Is there anything I need to know, are there any pitfalls with this interface?

It works out about £50 cheaper, doing a straight $->£ conversion from US prices. I've not seen anyone selling it here yet though...

Cheers,

Richard.

Should not be a problem, I guess a lot of people just bought the full version, but no reason why you cannot use the micro-CAN version instead for the reasons you mentioned yourself

Dont forget you need to add VAT and possibly import duty (i think you don't need to pay import duty on the cable tho') to the $ price.

Hello all,

I might be tempted to buy VAG-COM one day, since my current car uses CAN and it's very unlikely I'll ever own a car older than my current car, I think that I might be better off getting the Micro-CAN version of VAG-COM.

However, I'm surprised that more people aren't talking about this version of the interface? Is there anything I need to know, are there any pitfalls with this interface?

It works out about £50 cheaper, doing a straight $->£ conversion from US prices. I've not seen anyone selling it here yet though...

Cheers,

Richard.

Only thing to keep in mind is that the MicroCAN only supports the platforms based on the VW MKV Golf technology. Be sure to look at the World Spec Compatibility Chart for the cars that are supported as well as the MicroCAN Technical Page.

I'd expect going forward though for most if not all new vehicle platforms to support CAN (and then FlexRay, looking even further ahead, seeing as VW has involvement with that). I think backwards compatibility is the big advantage of the HEX cable, from what I've read? You're basically paying for two technologies in one cable, but if you are confident you'll not need the old stuff... (crosses fingers)

i have a micro can and no problems here, mainly use it on my mk2 octy

I'd expect going forward though for most if not all new vehicle platforms to support CAN (and then FlexRay, looking even further ahead, seeing as VW has involvement with that). I think backwards compatibility is the big advantage of the HEX cable, from what I've read? You're basically paying for two technologies in one cable, but if you are confident you'll not need the old stuff... (crosses fingers)

Well, you can cross your fingers but the technology in the MicroCAN does not now support all CAN based cars. It was designed as an enthusiast grade interface and it is not intended to support all CAN based VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda cars. As I said, please check that the cars that you want to work on are on the lists I provided.

Well, you can cross your fingers but the technology in the MicroCAN does not now support all CAN based cars. It was designed as an enthusiast grade interface and it is not intended to support all CAN based VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda cars. As I said, please check that the cars that you want to work on are on the lists I provided.

( I just noticed that you work for Ross-Tech, which obviously puts an entirely different slant on your posts...)

So the HEX cable supports all CAN based VAG cars then? What's the incompatibility issue between Micro-CAN and the newer CAN based cars?

Simply put, some are not supported by the MicroCAN and I am not going into the technical reasons as to why in email or in a public forum - nor would I discuss it on the phone. We consider it to be information that we do not wish to disclose. Suffice it to say it has to do with the hardware differences in the devices we supply and therefore the price difference in the product.

Yes, the HEX series covers all bases from roughly 1990 through current 2009 and as far as we know, all 2010 as well. It is the interface we recommend to professionals who plan to make a living fixing these cars. The MicroCAN is intended for enthusiasts who will occasionally use the interface to work on their own or their buddy's MKV based car.

bruce does the mirco can work on 07-08 audi a4's and vw passats?

Simply put, some are not supported by the MicroCAN and I am not going into the technical reasons as to why in email or in a public forum - nor would I discuss it on the phone. We consider it to be information that we do not wish to disclose. Suffice it to say it has to do with the hardware differences in the devices we supply and therefore the price difference in the product.

Yes, the HEX series covers all bases from roughly 1990 through current 2009 and as far as we know, all 2010 as well. It is the interface we recommend to professionals who plan to make a living fixing these cars. The MicroCAN is intended for enthusiasts who will occasionally use the interface to work on their own or their buddy's MKV based car.

Hardware differences, ok, thanks for the reply, that's all I needed to know really anyway.

I'm reading between the lines here and I expect the HEX series can run faster with more accurate bit-timing, I expect that's why it functions better with "difficult" ECUs (they are probably "difficult" because they are on the edge of the CAN timing spec?)... I'm not expecting you to verify this, I'm just thinking out aloud!

Just out if interest, if I bought a MicroCAN and wanted to upgrade to a HEX in a couple of years, is there any "trade in" type deal? Just wondering about future-proofing!

bruce does the mirco can work on 07-08 audi a4's and vw passats?

Passat yes. 07-08 A4 - requires both K-Lines and CAN. I know as I had a B7 A4 for 3 years and the reason I had it was that the electronics in it at the time were problematic for VAG-COM. We used it to sort the problems. Again, check the charts I posted earlier.

Just out if interest, if I bought a MicroCAN and wanted to upgrade to a HEX in a couple of years, is there any "trade in" type deal? Just wondering about future-proofing!

We don't have it listed in our web store! Ooops! I'll have to look into it but in principle, yes we normally provide for an upgrade path. It would be similar in price to the upgrade from a KEY series interface to a HEX series interface.

cheers bruce just looking at a passat this week and just wondered if a new lead would be required.