Hiya - I couldn’t find a discussion through search comparing against each other, what would people recommend? I’d like to unlock features but want, one the car leaves warranty, to complete as many repairs/maintenance as possible. 
 

Carly seems cheaper, a one off payment unlocking all VAG whereas Obdeleven looks to be more subscription service, should you want to do more unlocking over the initial year, BUT is VAG approved (???)?

 

Thoughts? What are others using?

 

Cheers Chris

I don't think any of them are. Even VCDS for laptops (I maybe wrong on that).

 

Because simply you by rights shouldn't be altering any parameters yourself as it could invalidate any warranty that you may have 

 

And if you do get one then make sure that you backup all of the settings before you do anything. 

Edited 25 August, 20241 yr by TheWanderer

OBDEleven is officially licensed by VAG. 

call me a cynical , bitter , twisted old barsteward but doesn't the highlighted phrase simply translate as " we've paid VAG some money so they don't sue us" ?

The PRO VAG and ULTIMATE VAG plans offer advanced features for more experienced auto enthusiasts and Volkswagen Group (VAG) professionals. As an officially licensed third-party tool, OBDeleven lets users access SFD-locked features and modify their vehicles to the fullest. These subscriptions include extensive coding and adaptation capabilities. 

37 minutes ago, darkmatterink said:

OBDEleven is officially licensed by VAG. 

It is, but does that make it better than Carly though? Or, as Winston_woof eloquently puts it - is this just a reason to charge more, yearly?

 

26 minutes ago, Winston_Woof said:

call me a cynical , bitter , twisted old barsteward but doesn't the highlighted phrase simply translate as " we've paid VAG some money so they don't sue us" ?

The PRO VAG and ULTIMATE VAG plans offer advanced features for more experienced auto enthusiasts and Volkswagen Group (VAG) professionals. As an officially licensed third-party tool, OBDeleven lets users access SFD-locked features and modify their vehicles to the fullest. These subscriptions include extensive coding and adaptation capabilities. 

 

58 minutes ago, darkmatterink said:

OBDEleven is officially licensed by VAG. 

 

Thank you for correcting me. 👍

20 hours ago, Dodgyracer said:

It is, but does that make it better than Carly though? Or, as Winston_woof eloquently puts it - is this just a reason to charge more, yearly?

 

 

While both Carly and OBDeleven are viable options, OBDeleven is often favored by enthusiasts and professionals due to its wider range of features, deeper customisation options, and most importantly active community support. Their forum is very active and specific to each car. Even the OBDEleven team responds quiet well over emails.  OBDEleven app on iOS is also easy to use. Especially the one click apps with nice details about what the codes are going to do. As for the subscriptions, it  is really is up to you on what you are planning to achieve with the diagnostic tool. 
Disclaimer: I have only used OBDEleven and i'm basing my answers based on some research that I did when was about to purchase the tools. 

5 hours ago, darkmatterink said:

While both Carly and OBDeleven are viable options, OBDeleven is often favored by enthusiasts and professionals due to its wider range of features, deeper customisation options, and most importantly active community support. Their forum is very active and specific to each car. Even the OBDEleven team responds quiet well over emails.  OBDEleven app on iOS is also easy to use. Especially the one click apps with nice details about what the codes are going to do. As for the subscriptions, it  is really is up to you on what you are planning to achieve with the diagnostic tool. 
Disclaimer: I have only used OBDEleven and i'm basing my answers based on some research that I did when was about to purchase the tools. 

Thanks for the feedback, it’s much appreciated! Have you continued your subscriptions? I think I’d get to a point where I’d made the changes I needed/wanted to and wouldn’t need the coding element anymore, are there more unlocking elements released throughout the months/years?

Only OBDEleven and carista (for the cheaper phone based apps) have the SFD unlock allowed by VAG - one of those two is what you want, and for my money it’s OBDEleven