[Yonder]

Hey there!

I have a Skoda Superb 3 from 2016 and I'm looking to do just a little coding (activating a few assistants) and perhaps do an update of the radar/camera component. I'm only after doing this on my car - and I don't care about being able to do this in 5 years.

What is the minimal / cheapest hardware, software I need?

VCDS I got a HEX-V2 from Aliexpress incl software - worked perfectly for my use (just enabling dev mode and some more)

I heard I probably need a vas5054 dongle, but there a few follow up questions:

* What software should I use? There are multiple versions of ODIS, VCP, gecko.
* What is passthrough?
* What chipset on the dongle (obviously clone) whould I go for?

Again - this is for an older car, I don't care about having online access or even updates in the future, I want an interface that is cheap and works, with software that can do the above.

Again I am very new to this area, please guide me.

[DasXardas]

For easy to use and easy coding/diag you can use
VCDS and HEX-V2 cable.

For advanced coding or online flashing you can use
ODIS-Service or VCP. VCP is expensive for "home" usage, but I think that you cannot do online flashing with 5054a clone head.

If you want offline flashing you can use
ODIS-Engineering with VAS5054a clone head, but you also need to download firmware files, and you cannot do a parameterization (I think). Also VAS 5054A is (still working with passthrough mode) but old and nobody knows, how long it'll be working. Latest version with support VAS5054A is ODIS-Service 6.2.0 and ODIS-Engineering 12.2. You can use newer version (I'm using ODIS-S 11 and ODIS-E 14.1.0 in passthrough mode), but there are some limitations. I'm not sure about VCP head for offline flashing.

For VAS head you need to buy one with OKI chip (more expensive models).
So simply depends what you're looking for. If you only need some diag and "home" coding, buy a VCDS and HEX-V2 and for flashing find a guy, who can do that and have some experience, because if you fail, you can damage your car.

[Yonder]

Thanks, not sure, but offline flashing would suffice for me. I don't think I'll do any parameterization afaik. Is there any benefit to online flashing? Flashfiles seem to be very available.
So would I need both ODIS service and ODIS engineering?

I haven't been able to find anybody where I live that does this (south of Sweden), and hence I've started my learning adventure. I'm not going to buy the first thing and start flashing without trying to understand this properly first, hence this first post

I'll gladly take any pointers or resources that can me help me understand more.

[DasXardas]

Thanks, not sure, but offline flashing would suffice for me. I don't think I'll do any parameterization afaik. Is there any benefit to online flashing? Flashfiles seem to be very available.
So would I need both ODIS service and ODIS engineering?

I haven't been able to find anybody where I live that does this (south of Sweden), and hence I've started my learning adventure. I'm not going to buy the first thing and start flashing without trying to understand this properly first, hence this first post

I'll gladly take any pointers or resources that can me help me understand more.

If you want to have an offline flashing option you will need ODIS-Engineering. Basically, ODIS-E can do the same job as ODIS-Service but has a few more features like offline flashing.

[Diagmaister]

Vcds odis and vcp best for coding in my opionion

[pupu144]

I've heard of a new magic cheap device called GoDiag GD101.
Apparantely, it can work as a J2534 device. There are not much reviews, but people are really reporting it working with most J2534 compatible OEM software (don't know how true is that).
And it can be had for as low as under 20 EUR now - which is like 1/5 of good VAS5054a clone price..

I wouldn't risk flashing (updating) modules with it, but if it works - it would be the perfect solution for you to use with ODIS S/E.

P.S. I am not affiliated with the manufacturer of this device, of course..

[Yonder]

I've heard of a new magic cheap device called GoDiag GD101.
Apparantely, it can work as a J2534 device. There are not much reviews, but people are really reporting it working with most J2534 compatible OEM software (don't know how true is that).
And it can be had for as low as under 20 EUR now - which is like 1/5 of good VAS5054a clone price..

I wouldn't risk flashing (updating) modules with it, but if it works - it would be the perfect solution for you to use with ODIS S/E.

P.S. I am not affiliated with the manufacturer of this device, of course..

This is of course very insteresting. I've seen this J2534 before - what is this?

I don't see 100EUR as too much, so a good VAS5054a clone would be ok. 20 EUR is incredible, I like new magic cheap devices. Then again as you say - would one dare to flash modules with it?

[autocar15]

Search a good clone from VAS6154A i think its the best cheap solution for you.

[Yonder]

Search a good clone from VAS6154A i think its the best cheap solution for you.

Thanks. Why VAS6154A (vs VAS5054A)? Regarding licenses I'm guessing offline work is the way to go. Any pointers on how to identify a "good clone"?

---

Looking at the most active threads on this forum:

ODIS-Service 7.2.1 Postsetup 3150 (test)
ODIS-Engineering 12.2 Postsetup 980 (test)
ODIS Service 23.0.1 + Activations
Odis Engineering 14.1.0 + Activations
-VAS5054-PassThru-Drivers-@-64bit-

Is there a reason there are so many active versions? Is it because not all are compatible with all hardware?
Again with the passthru, what is this?
What about licenses and activations - any explanation for a newbie?

[pupu144]

Is there a reason there are so many active versions? Is it because not all are compatible with all hardware?
Again with the passthru, what is this?
What about licenses and activations - any explanation for a newbie?

Because of legacy reasons:
S 6.2.0 / E 12.1 is last for 5054 (official support) and x86 OS.
S 7.2.1 / E 14.1 can work with 5054 with modified driver, but require x64 OS.

Anything newer require to use passthru driver for 5054, which brings some minor drawbacks in comparison with native driver support.

S 6.2.0 / S 7.2.1 / E 12.1 are freely available and doesn't require asking license keys from members (who usually set some minimal requirements for forum activity).

As for clones and what to buy - I believe I saw people recommending VNCI 6154 device on this forum..