Shareware version; to register or not to register..?

Gyp · 14-08-2007, 00:18

I've got a cheapie USB OBD II interface from ebay (£6 + P&P), and have downloaded the Ross Tech shareware version and am happy playing (the Octy has an intermittent water temp sender problem apparently, the Furby's fine) which is all I need/want to do at the moment.

On the basis that it's significantly cheaper to get a full Ross Tech system directly via a group buy at some point than to register the shareware (with my pikey ebay interface) and then upgrade to a proper Ross Tech interface with the latest software in the future, would there be any advantage at this stage in registering/paying $99 for my software?

If registering my 409 shareware for $99 gave me full 704 functionality I'd whip my credit card out in an instant, but it doesn't. Is there an easy to understand table showing the difference between shareware 409 and paid for 409, so I can see if it's worth paying my $99 at this stage and sticking with 409, or if I should continue to run the shareware 409 until a timely group buy comes up?

bearthebruce · 14-08-2007, 01:47

Ross-Tech is a little insane. You see, when you buy a license from us, you never buy it again. That is you are customer for life. So, if you decided later to come back and buy a dongle interface from Ross-Tech (not through a group buy) you would get credit for the license you already own and you would be eligible to do an outright upgrade which takes $100 off the price of the dongle interface system. You pay $99 and we give you $100 off. Nice deal- huh?

In a group buy, we don't allow upgrades to be dealt with. Those can only be done in a direct purchase from Ross-Tech.

As to a comparison chart of 409 full version vs 409 shareware, it was posted nearly 3 years ago now. It has been superseded and no longer is posted. We don't keep archives of old release information about the shareware vs full out there.

- Bruce -
Ross-Tech, LLC

Joff · 14-08-2007, 01:49

Also with the $ being twice that of the £, you're getting a licensed version for only £50!

Gyp · 14-08-2007, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joff

Also with the $ being twice that of the £, you're getting a licensed version for only £50!

Oh, I'm completely with you there; it's a bit of a bargain. However, as the route of (doing the right thing and) registering the shareware and later upgrading to the full version is more expensive than buying the full version straight off through a group buy, I'm tempted to wait and go for a group buy (at the risk that there won't be one when I want one)

**VRStu** · 14-08-2007, 10:01

Group buys tend to be very few and far between with VAG-COM, in fact the current one is the only one I can ever recall seeing.

It's a great product and worth every penny. As your cars get a little older it will pay for itself time and time again in saved dealer diagnostic checks.

I also noticed on eBay the other day that someone is selling a VAG-COM Diag check for £20 a shot!!

Gyp · 14-08-2007, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

It's a great product and worth every penny. As your cars get a little older it will pay for itself time and time again in saved dealer diagnostic checks.

But of course I can do diags without registering...

Anyway, having gone out in the rain to attempt my first *change*, the limitations of the shareware version become all too clear!

Think what I'll do for now is to register the shareware, then upgrade to a proper Ross Tech device and software at a later date, probably if/when I get a CAN bus car.

I would go for the full version, but I want to play *now*. Not only that, the missus would kill me, what with me spending so much this month on cruise control and the like. I'm sure you understand

Gyp · 14-08-2007, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gyp

Think what I'll do for now is to register the shareware

Which I have now done...

<fx: sit's patienty looking at inbox>

ric04vrs · 14-08-2007, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gyp

Which I have now done...

<fx: sit's patienty looking at inbox>

are you still sitting patiently ?

Gyp · 14-08-2007, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric04vrs

are you still sitting patiently ?

Shhh, I'm busy playing

No, it came through and I've been out and fiddled with the cars so they both lock and unlock automagically.

All I need to work out now is how to get it to close the windows with the central locking and deliver a cup of tea to my bedside at 06.30 every day and I'll be a happy chap.

**VRStu** · 15-08-2007, 07:50

Does it feel good to have sooo much power at your finger tips????

WW_VRS · 15-08-2007, 07:53

Think your current avatar says it all Stu

**VRStu** · 15-08-2007, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by WW_VRS

Think your current avatar says it all Stu

Gyp · 15-08-2007, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

Does it feel good to have sooo much power at your finger tips????

I am a VAG-COMming god!

Actually it feels like the opportunity for Mr Cockup to come to town is ever-present

BTW, before I get too hung up on trying to get the windows to close with the central locking and/or be updownable from the keyfob, do you happen to know if that can be done on the Octy Mk1/Fabia? It looks like it might only be do-able on the Octy Mk2, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place.

**VRStu** · 15-08-2007, 10:03

You are right, it isn't supported on your cars without the addition of another control unit. I think there is a flash update device that may be able to do it.

14-08-2007, 00:18	#1
Gyp Briskodian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Glos. Posts: 350 Members Car: Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Shareware version; to register or not to register..? I've got a cheapie USB OBD II interface from ebay (£6 + P&P), and have downloaded the Ross Tech shareware version and am happy playing (the Octy has an intermittent water temp sender problem apparently, the Furby's fine) which is all I need/want to do at the moment. On the basis that it's significantly cheaper to get a full Ross Tech system directly via a group buy at some point than to register the shareware (with my pikey ebay interface) and then upgrade to a proper Ross Tech interface with the latest software in the future, would there be any advantage at this stage in registering/paying $99 for my software? If registering my 409 shareware for $99 gave me full 704 functionality I'd whip my credit card out in an instant, but it doesn't. Is there an easy to understand table showing the difference between shareware 409 and paid for 409, so I can see if it's worth paying my $99 at this stage and sticking with 409, or if I should continue to run the shareware 409 until a timely group buy comes up? __________________ -- Gyp 03 Octavia 1.9TDi Elegange Estate + cruise, towbar, Parrot and anti-jack 54 Fabia 1.2 12V Classic Hatch + cruise, momo strut brace, sunglass holder, Parrot, mp3 and anti-jack

14-08-2007, 01:47	#2
bearthebruce Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 62 Members Car: 2006 Audi A4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? Ross-Tech is a little insane. You see, when you buy a license from us, you never buy it again. That is you are customer for life. So, if you decided later to come back and buy a dongle interface from Ross-Tech (not through a group buy) you would get credit for the license you already own and you would be eligible to do an outright upgrade which takes $100 off the price of the dongle interface system. You pay $99 and we give you $100 off. Nice deal- huh? In a group buy, we don't allow upgrades to be dealt with. Those can only be done in a direct purchase from Ross-Tech. As to a comparison chart of 409 full version vs 409 shareware, it was posted nearly 3 years ago now. It has been superseded and no longer is posted. We don't keep archives of old release information about the shareware vs full out there. - Bruce - Ross-Tech, LLC

14-08-2007, 01:49	#3
Joff Dervlova Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cloud cuckoo land Posts: 1,184 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 59 Thanked 25 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? Also with the $ being twice that of the £, you're getting a licensed version for only £50! __________________ A kitten is killed every time you don't use the search

14-08-2007, 10:01	#5
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 21,119 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 195 Thanked 1,046 Times in 928 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? Group buys tend to be very few and far between with VAG-COM, in fact the current one is the only one I can ever recall seeing. It's a great product and worth every penny. As your cars get a little older it will pay for itself time and time again in saved dealer diagnostic checks. I also noticed on eBay the other day that someone is selling a VAG-COM Diag check for £20 a shot!! __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

15-08-2007, 07:50	#10
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 21,119 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 195 Thanked 1,046 Times in 928 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? Does it feel good to have sooo much power at your finger tips???? __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

15-08-2007, 07:53	#11
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,962 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 48 Thanked 92 Times in 82 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? Think your current avatar says it all Stu __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

15-08-2007, 10:03	#14
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 21,119 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 195 Thanked 1,046 Times in 928 Posts	Re: Shareware version; to register or not to register..? You are right, it isn't supported on your cars without the addition of another control unit. I think there is a flash update device that may be able to do it. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

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