Scanner/code Reader On Ebay

[DGraham]

I found this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/U280-VW-Audi-O...QQcmdZViewItem


It says it can read and clear codes with code book.
Do you think it will be any good??

Anyone ever tried one? Is there any betterones without paying a fortune?

Thanks

[Boxfrog]

Hi - I bought the U281 - it read the codes ok but not all are supported or able to be cleared, I ended up buying a cable for 18quid downloaded the shareware version from ross tech and hey presto that found and cleared first time.

So I would recommend Laptop/Cable and Software for functionality - and software can be updated as things change

[bearthebruce]

Originally Posted by Boxfrog

- and software can be updated as things change

The versions that run on the aftermarket cables are not being updated. For full functionality on current software, one has to use a Ross-Tech dongle interface. There will be no product improvements to the older versions of VAG-COM. 311.2 and 409.1 have not been updated in 2 years. Version 607 is the current version and it has some very nice features such as advanced measuring blocks and the acceleration measurement. It now has over 9600 DTCs translated. The older versions may have half that many translations.

My point: if you want all that VAG-COM has to offer, consider getting a dongle interface with full activation.

-Bruce-
Ross-Tech, LLC

[WW_VRS]

I've got a proper one - works a treat, it's a USB one but it's not had any trouble

[freemansteve]

Originally Posted by Boxfrog

Hi - I bought the U281 - it read the codes ok but not all are supported or able to be cleared, I ended up buying a cable for 18quid downloaded the shareware version from ross tech and hey presto that found and cleared first time.

So I would recommend Laptop/Cable and Software for functionality - and software can be updated as things change

What do you mean by "not all codes are supported" ? Do you mean it fails to report certain error codes known to be active?

Can you list what codes it definaitely does detect and/or clear on your actual car? Like resetting the airbag warning for example?

Can you also let us know what car(s) you have succesfully connected it to ? Is it, for example, known to work on a 2005 Octavia-II 2.0 Tdi?

Finally, what is the "cable" you refer to? Is it separate from the U281, maybe like a CANBUS->PC serial port adapter, or what? And can you get them from sources other than Ebay?

Thanks
Steve

[Babs]

Originally Posted by Boxfrog

Hi - I bought the U281 - it read the codes ok but not all are supported or able to be cleared, I ended up buying a cable for 18quid downloaded the shareware version from ross tech and hey presto that found and cleared first time.

So I would recommend Laptop/Cable and Software for functionality - and software can be updated as things change

watch out! the walls have ears