Scan tools from ECS

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Mar 23, 2012 | 06:58 PM

prijedor

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Scan tools from ECS

I bought 2001 A4 quattro 2.8 about a month ago.Will be getting Bentley on Monday and wondering about these scan tools from ECS if they are good investment.
Has any of you guys used these:http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...ls/Scan_Tools/

Friend of mine has ACTRON OBD II scan tool and these seem very similar.
What is the difference between these ECS tools and Ross-Tech Vag-Com?
I am not sure that i can afford spending $350 on Vag-Com at this point.

Mar 23, 2012 | 09:15 PM

Oneplank

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The Vag-Com is awesome. Adaptation, output tests, measuring blocks, graphical output, I could go on and on. I not sure what the Actron units can do, but they certainly cannot match the display of a laptop.

Vag-Com software is updated regularly, and if the anything changes in the hardware (e.g. the development of CAN) Ross Tech has a upgrade program. Add on top of that a huge helpful user base and the answer is simple.

Save the money you would spend on the Actron and put it to a Vag-Com, because you are going to eventually upgrade to a Vag-Com anyway. If you are going to wrench on your Audi, you are going to need the right tools.

Mar 24, 2012 | 05:26 AM

mtroxel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by prijedor

I am not sure that i can afford spending $350 on Vag-Com at this point.

You can diagnose far more with a VAG-COM. I could go on and on about all the things it will tell you that OBD won't. And it's not necessarily $350. I got this interface for $71, and paid Ross Tech $99 to activate my VAG-COM.

http://www.obdtool.com/default1.asp

Mar 24, 2012 | 06:17 AM

Oneplank

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mtroxel

Just remember, if you upgrade to a newer vehicle (ca. 2006) with CAN architecture, you will need to buy a Vag-Com. The $170 spent is half the price of the genuine article.

Mar 24, 2012 | 08:15 AM

prijedor

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Thank you all for your inputs.I will definitelly be gettind OBD tool and soon after $99 Vag-com.Since i can't really carry laptop with me all the time i might also get V check scanner and keep it in the car.

Mar 24, 2012 | 08:21 AM

prijedor

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On emore thing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by prijedor

Will i be able to use this OBD tool when replacing ATF for checking temperature?
How precise will this tool be for pinpointing problems ?

Mar 24, 2012 | 12:58 PM

mtroxel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by prijedor

Will i be able to use this OBD tool when replacing ATF for checking temperature?

Yes, it will tell you the exact temp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prijedor

How precise will this tool be for pinpointing problems ?

For example:

You can see exact readings from your MAF. Or, not only does it tell you which ABS sensor is causing your problem, it will tell you the speed each wheel is turning.
You can reset service reminders, or reprogram it so the things don't come back on at all.