With all this talk of SOS batteries pretending to die, it looks like OBD can do what Carista can't, and rectify the pending issue. I'm just thinking is OBD a step up? More in depth features? £200 an odd for the pro version or buy a nice McDonald's for the family?!
Thanks @PhillH , have you had to buy many 'credits' for it?
I would agree, I have had mine a few years and it works well.
No mate, it came with credits but not used any and I had done previous customisation with Carista.
Nice foreign sounding chap has convinced me that OBD is a step and a half up from Carista. I think the Pro sub is the sweet spot with credits to fall back on if I get scared!
So it won't work with VAG DPF? Don't throw Carista away yet?!Yeah, many versions of OBDeleven come anyway bundled with some credits, especially the "pro" versions.
I have used once for the fun of it and it works. Now my DRLs happily turn off when my handbrake is set.
Of couse I could have done it directly coding.
Credits are relatively cheap but the set of changes you can do with them on your van is limited.
Note that (with the modern versions) you DO need a yealy subscription (i.e. "pro" or " premium") if you want to make changes ( i.e. coding) with it. Otherwise you are left with a simpler diagnostic tools like Carista and /or with the limited use credits.
On the other hand, once you know "where" (which bit or which adaptation) to modify, it is very powerful, it can do almost all VCDS can do in this context. All from your phone (that must be connected to the Internet all the time).
The dongle is very small and the new versions are so low power that they claim you can let it inside all the time.
I normally use VCDS coding instructions that I find on the web and they work just fine. Also the "passwords" or authorization codes for the committing the coding changes are automatically retrieved.
The main challenge is sometimes there is a mixed German/English translation that makes navigation difficult.
What it misses, IMHO:
-The powerful diagnostic interface of VCDS. The ability to collect and save (plot) live data is still limited.
-The great support that Ross Tech and the VCDS community forums have.
-It doesn't work with third party DPF monitoring softwares (as Carista does)
I don't 'need' one, but with the van getting older I do feel that something with the ability to dig deeper could well be useful in due course...I need to buy something for fault finding on a few little jobs I have lined up so was thinking along the same lines .
VCDS seems like the obvious choice but I don't have a laptop soooo maybe OBD11 ?
Is yours a 'want' or a 'need' Wayne ?
I have an old elm and an old carista neither of which dig deep enough to fault find on what i'm after .
Nope, for my experience, it doesn't work with VAG DPF.
With the various horror stories on here of DPF woe, I do like to keep my eye on what's going on in there, infuriates my travelling companions (daughters) constantly doing battle with screen use to change the radio station when adverts come on.Nope, for my experience, it doesn't work with VAG DPF.
If, with the time I also become DPF-aholic like a proper T6F member, then I will buy a cheap 20 euro dongle on Ebay just for it. I feel already the first symptoms, I did a "planned regen" on the highway a couple of weeks ago.
Note that I had 3 (maybe 4, not sure) cars with DPF before my T6 and I never ever cared once. Must be a VW stuff.
I'm paid up with Carista until next year! Do you not do the vag dpf thing?
