Before diving in with the proper Ross Tech / VCDS cables and software, I thought I'd have a little look at what the system could be capable of but have come unstuck as I do not know what cable to buy to cover me for two cars.

KII / HEX / CAN / MICRO CAN / etc. are all foreign to me.

I'm intending to use VCDS-Lite initially and then register a copy if I get on with the software. If it can get me out of a few problems and shows potential to have long term benefits for me, I'll probably upgrade to a full version at some point with a Ross-Tech cable.

As a result of this, and having a 2003 Petrol Skoda Fabia and a 2007 Diesel Octavia II, I have become a little confused over which cable to get to work with both vehicles.

Can any one point me in the direction of a cheap(ish) cable to purchase (preferably from somewhere more reliable than the Bay) that will work with both these vehicles as well as VCDS-Lite as well as a registered version of VCDS? None of my portable computers have a serial port, so it would have to be USB.

If I pay to register VCDS, will I be able to upgrade to the full version in the future, or is this a new purchase? At this point I would be looking to purchase a Ross-Tech cable, so that side of it is not an issue.

Are the Gendan versions as reliable as the genuine Ross-Tech ones? I presume they use the same software, but that's only a guess.

Thanks.

I'm intending to use VCDS-Lite initially and then register a copy if I get on with the software. If it can get me out of a few problems and shows potential to have long term benefits for me, I'll probably upgrade to a full version at some point with a Ross-Tech cable.

As a result of this, and having a 2003 Petrol Skoda Fabia and a 2007 Diesel Octavia II, I have become a little confused over which cable to get to work with both vehicles.

The '07 Octavia uses CAN for diagnostics. You cannot use the VCDS-Lite product for that car. You can use it on the '03 Fabia.

If I pay to register VCDS, will I be able to upgrade to the full version in the future, or is this a new purchase? At this point I would be looking to purchase a Ross-Tech cable, so that side of it is not an issue.

If you register by buying a license for VCDS-Lite, then we will allow you to use the Outright upgrade program such that you never pay the license fee a second time. That is, you will pay $99 for the license for VCDS-Lite. When you are ready to upgrade to one of our dongle style interfaces, we will allow you a $100 credit towards that purchase.

Are the Gendan versions as reliable as the genuine Ross-Tech ones? I presume they use the same software, but that's only a guess.

Thanks.

Gendan sells an aftermarket KKL cable that is compatible with VCDS-Lite. All of their other products that work with the full VCDS are purchased direct from us and are Genuine Ross-Tech product.

Thank you for the info.

Which software version and cable type will I need if I am going to use it on both cars?

Your answer was very helpful, but I am now wondering if there is a one software / cable 'package' that will do what I want. Or is it just a question of diving straight in with the full version?

Is there a 'cheap' way to try it out before diving into the full package?

Thank you for the info.

Which software version and cable type will I need if I am going to use it on both cars?

Your answer was very helpful, but I am now wondering if there is a one software / cable 'package' that will do what I want. Or is it just a question of diving straight in with the full version?

Is there a 'cheap' way to try it out before diving into the full package?

Well, the "cheap" way is the full VCDS product. All other tools that can do what VCDS does costs 20 times what we charge for our full product. But .... I understood your point. You'd like to have something for free or for under $100 ...

You need the VCDS License with HEX-USB+CAN interface to do both your cars. You can check for yourself on our World Spec Compatibility Charts.

If you are just looking to do some tweaks, might I suggest you ask a buddy from this forum who is nearby to come and show VCDS to you? Then you can decide whether or not the price is worth the value.

Edited 11 February, 201115 yr by bearthebruce

Thanks again for the response. Now I have the answer I needed.

I am not looking for free or even less than $100, what I am looking for is a way to evaluate the product prior to committing larger sums of money ($349) to see if it is relatively easy to work with and sufficiently powerful enough to do what I need and your suggestion is a great one.

I have contacted the one person locally who has VCDS, and will await a response.

The next nearest person is quite a way off (unless I have missed someone from the list on this forum) but it would be worth making the trip if I could see the system in action.

Thanks again.

Thanks again for the response. Now I have the answer I needed.

I am not looking for free or even less than $100, what I am looking for is a way to evaluate the product prior to committing larger sums of money ($349) to see if it is relatively easy to work with and sufficiently powerful enough to do what I need and your suggestion is a great one.

I have contacted the one person locally who has VCDS, and will await a response.

The next nearest person is quite a way off (unless I have missed someone from the list on this forum) but it would be worth making the trip if I could see the system in action.

Thanks again.

In the mean time, you could take a look at the interactive manual on our website. The manual shows the typical screens in the product. The buttons on the screens are active and will take further into the product. Below the screens are a description of all that you see on that screen shot. May I suggest you explore this to see the product?

Haven't seen that on the website. Will have a look this weekend. Thanks.