Folks, know some of you have a lot of experience with this. I would like to purchase vcds splitting the cost with a friend. I have a new vrs tsi,him a mk6 gtd golf and a mk7 gtd golf. Will the one cable fit all? Where is best place to buy a genuine product and any discount available for briskoda members?

Thanks

Yes. The latest VCDS USB Micro-CAN will cover all those vehicles (as long as the Mk 6 Golf is post-2004ish - sorry I don't know these things).

 

If you want to do older vehicles as well, you'll need the more expensive cable.

 

Gendan or Ilexia are your best UK sources for genuine cables. Not Ilexia you need to add VAT and they don't seem to have the CAN only cable (the cheaper one).

Whenever vcds is mentioned the more informed members refer to it as a "cable" to clear up my own confusion on this, when said item is referred to as a cable does that men a connecting cable and some electronic gadget that reads the information or just a cable that connects to a laptop? Plus assumedly some software? 

Cable and software, you need a windows laptop as well

 

I would recommend Gendan, used them for years. You can go with the Micro-USB or the HEX+CAN - the HEX+CAN has compatibility with older vehicles, but if you don't need that go with the micro-USB 

Thanks for the replies so far. Can the software be installed on more than one computer/laptop or is it licenced etc to one

As many as you like - the cable is the license

Thanks for the replies so far. Can the software be installed on more than one computer/laptop or is it licenced etc to one

The cable is the license (dongle). You can install the software on as many computers as you like. With only one cable, you can only use one copy at once.

Buy cable from reputable source (see above).

Download software from Ross Tech website.

Instal software on as many computers as you like (after all you can only use one cable & computer at a time).

Not sure how Ross Tech would feel about a cable being shared around lots of people under one license / support package, but that's between you and them and their T&C's.

...Not sure how Ross Tech would feel about a cable being shared around lots of people under one license / support package, but that's between you and them and their T&C's...

Only one person/company can register (for support), so it's not an issue provided the registered owner/company is the one that contacts them.

Cable ? Is it not bluetooth ?

Nope - the Micro-CAN and HEX+CAN are USB cables and the HEX-NET version is wi-fi, but that isn't released in the Uk yet.

Hmm what I really need is a conversion from VCDS instructions to VAG software instructions !

The cable is the license (dongle). You can install the software on as many computers as you like. With only one cable, you can only use one copy at once.

Now it makes sense...  (dongle) os the key word for me.

Couldn't comprehend how just a cable would cost so much.. thank you everyone.

 

how old a vehicle does hex+can deal with.

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html

With the right adapter, VAS can read cars as old as 1990, so I'm sure VCDS can do too. All Skoda models introduced since 1997 don't need an adapter.

With the right adapter, VAS can read cars as old as 1990, so I'm sure VCDS can do too. All Skoda models introduced since 1997 don't need an adapter.

As long as you buy the adapter for the HEX+CAN it can, the Micro-CAN USB is CANBUS only.