VCDS - Or is it?

[ub7rm]

Whats the thoughts on this?

http://www.vag-diagnostics.com/index.html

My first thoughts is that its not genuine - but it looks as if they fully stand behind their product so it does seem to be legal 

[Garth]

Good price if it's the real thing 

[Hedge]

Definitely not kosher. Ross Tech don't tie their cables to a specific version. 

[Garth]

Definitely not kosher. Ross Tech don't tie their cables to a specific version. 

They certainly used to! I bought a cable off ross-tech a long time ago and it only worked with certain versions. When I tried to upgrade the software, I needed a new cable... which I never got in the end

[Hedge]

Not a Hex-can one they don't. Maybe you are referring to VCDS lite or 409 for the older cars which was Ross Tech allowing fake or copied cables to use a specific version only.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/index.html

[ub7rm]

After further reading I notice they say that you have to download the software from them - that you cant use the software you might download from Ross Tech directly.  This suggests to me they have taken the software and lead and changed it enough to make it their own to get around and patent / copyright issues ... but doesn't explain how they are still able to market it as VCDS.  Still puzzled about the legality of it.

[Poppa Dom]

Sounds like it the link should be reported to Ross-Tech if I am honest. One of Ross-Tech's distributor agreements is that they can only link back to the official download page for starters - linking to their own site suggests that the software package is a bit suspect. Quote from their site "Our cables are made to the exact same specification as the official Ross Tech cable, and work exactly the same giving you fully registered access to all modules and features of VCDS 908, 908.1, 912 Beta, and 10.6 software while being only a quarter of the price of the official cable!" IIRC the reason that Ross-Tech cables are so expensive is that they are not passive cables, they are active cables. the newer versions of the software check coding within the cable to ensure it is a legitimate product. I believe that updating new USB drivers also writes to the cable to ensure that counterfeits cannot be used. Bottom line is that all the money and time has been spent developing the software, the cable is only a small part of Ross-Tech's investment but the only way they make their business. Why should another company be profiteering off of another companies software R&D?
"

[Garth]

Why should another company be profiteering off of another companies software R&D?

What, like buying replica alloys or a fake rolex.... who does such things? 

Not saying it's right, it's just some people would rather pay less for something and are willing to buy knock off products if they cost less than the real thing. Not supporting them, I think it's wrong too 

[stealthwolf]

I'd stay away from anything non-legit when it comes to things like these. In the end, it's up to you. I'd never buy a set of reps wheels for my car for example.

[Garth]

I'd stay away from anything non-legit when it comes to things like these. In the end, it's up to you. I'd never buy a set of reps wheels for my car for example.

For software I have found that cheap stuff is just that, never as good as the legit as you say.

Rep wheels on the other hand, you certainly take your chances, you can get really good quality reps and really awful quality reps. If you're willing to take the risk, you might get a bargain... or you might just buy sh1te 

[Poppa Dom]

Sorry, I do have a bee in my bonnet over this one - people fail to understand that the reason this software (and other commercial software - e.g. Adobe)  is so expensive in the first place is because they are not selling as many units as they should, so prices go up to combat piracy and to ensure the company remains proftable. Trouble is that increased prices then promote further piracy, a vicious circle. If everyone bought original software in the first instance, they would be happier buying it as it would be reasonably priced due to higher volume sales. I used to be an independent software writer/developer, whose income was purely through sales revenue of software I wrote. Why should someone else be keeping money I have earnt. I don't think this is like replica wheels or watches at all as these cables are using the Ross-tech software. RANT OVER 

[stealthwolf]

^^^The software is free. It's the cable you pay the dough for.

For me, the issue with replica wheels is that your car is hugely dependent on the wheels. It's like buying sh*te or partworn tyres. The risk of safety/danger IMO outweighs the benefit of having them cheap.

[Poppa Dom]

The software is only free because you have bought the cable, that's the whole point. The cable is expensive as it is not only covering the cost of the physical cable but also the software development and the continual product development and support.

[S2 Ant]

It doesnt sound good anyway when you look at the site - yeh they offer full support, but there are no addresses or phone numbers, you can only contact them via a form on the website which sounds laughable straight away as well.

The domain is registered in Sweden and looking in to that a little futher and the hosting place hosts some other interesting things like porn sites.

Its someone selling dodgy chinese rubbish i can imagine, i can imagine if you google things more you'll find out chip info from the cable and that'll prove it as well

[Poppa Dom]

Email response from Ross-Tech:

Confirmed.   The product sold on that site is NOT legitimate.

Regards,

-Uwe-