Anyone found scanning software for Palm or PC that works with the Sensolutions cables? It seems most of the software I've seen requires a proprietary interface. I haven't seen any software that works with basic RS232 output from the Mono-com cable that works with MTH. Has anyone found something that works? It would be nice to be able to read and reset fault codes with the same cable....

 

Not all software needs a propietary interface - though the trend is there to prevent software piracy. One generic software program would be the one of Alex Peper (www.OBD-2.com). Please keep in mind that though it might be interesting to read the generic OBDII information, ultimately it is not even close to what a brand specific diagnostic software package can do.

Martin

 

Unfortunately that software does not work with the MONO-USB (just tried it)

 

Oh Andy, were is Ross Tech on getting me a system as cool as the VAG-COM.


I love that thing on my A6. It was great taking the car in and having the dealer tell that that I needed O2 sensors, and me asking them how a code for the MAF could possably be caused by an O2 sensor issues. Nothing but net.

 

I've seen photos of the BiM-COM... but its still "Coming Soon"... (I'd love one, as long as it will also work with the '07+ models too).

 

How could our software work with vehicles that do not exist yet? Do you have any MTH chips for the '07 models yet?

 

No, but they will. Although with BMW in charge, they might make it non-OBD-II programmable (like most BMW vehicles). Does Ross-Tech have plans on making the BiM-COM work with the next gen MINIs? Also does the BiM-COM work with the pre-/post-facelift MINIs, since they changed ECU's (EMS 2K -> EMS 5150)?

 

Again, how could our software work with vehicles that do not exist yet? We plan to make it work with cars as they become available but obviously have no way of knowing what's entailed until we get our hands on them.

 

2 unrelated questions. Do you have plans of making BiM-COM work with the new 07+ when they come out (not will it work out of the box right now)? You answered yes. By the way, pre-/post-facelift refers to this: 01-04 = EMS 2K, 05/06 = EMS 5150.

 

BMW may have changed the way your chiptuning program or files must work, but they do not seem to have not changed the way diagnostics work. So, the same prototype BiM-COM program works fine with all of the '05 MCS I've seen so far. For example:

2005 MCS:

BMW Part Number: 7527610
Hardware Number: 1
Software Number: G0
Manufacturer Number: 4
Manufacturer: Siemens
Coding Index: 3
Diagnostic Index: 34
Bus Index: 60


2003 MCS:

BMW Part Number: 7542310
Hardware Number: 1
Software Number: J1
Manufacturer Number: 4
Manufacturer: Siemens
Coding Index: 3
Diagnostic Index: 36
Bus Index: 60

 

Good to know! Any word on a release date?

 

See this page:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/faq_4.html#4.11

" Specification, functions, pricing, and release date information for the new product are not yet available. This FAQ entry will be kept updated with the latest information on the new product."

 

Andy,


As a VAG-COM user, i'll beta test the BIM-COM. Can I get a copy now.

 

I was looking into this option but I may be forced into getting a seperate kit for OBD-II scanning and data logging. I am looking at the digimoto package as that looks to be the best offer so far! So that means I will have to cables one for the MTH and one for the OBD-II software. Also I believe that car makers have to switch to CAN protocol very soon. I believe in the 2006 or 2007 models.

Garrett

 

Any updates on the BIM-COM software?

 

Evidently, it's more vaporware. There's supposedly a beta version out, but I haven't seen any reviews.

And Andy doesn't like to update anything. That link above hasn't changed in a long time...and on the Yahoo group, my question about the MINI was the last message posted since 9/11/05, and it still hasn't been answered.


Andy's stance "Specification, functions, pricing, and release date information for the new product are not yet available." is ridiculous because he keeps marketing it...without a product...something he jumps on vendors for doing.

 

Thanks for your wild mischaracterization of me and of the company that I work for. First of all, BiM-COM is still in development. It is not ready to be sold and I do not have a date when it will be ready. I'm sorry that's not much information for you, but would you rather have some made-up deadline that does not get met? Likewise, the specifications and pricing haven't been determined yet either, mostly since the product is not ready to be sold. Would you rather have some made-up specs and pricing that get changed at a later date, disappointing people along the way.

I don't recall giving any vendors a hard time about products that don't yet exist, unless they are hyped as "outperforming everything else" or the vendor is discouraging people from buying competing products so they can wait for the upcoming one. I haven't once done that, in fact, when people have asked for recommendations for generic OBD-II software, I have provided it.

If you have one of the serial interfaces that you use with MTH and want some inexpensive generic OBD-II software for it, contact this guy:

www.obd-2.com

Tell him you want the special version that works with the MTH interfaces. I believe it is under $100.

Feel free to find evidence of this "he keeps marketing it...without a product...something he jumps on vendors for doing."

 

The fact that it has been in "development" for, what, 2 years says something tho don't it.

I think "vaporware" is a very apt description.

I am REALLY interested in this product but have given up hope of ever seeing it available.

 

Ahh ye of little faith,
ya know the old saying,
good things come to those who wait,
the fact that it is taking 2 years to develop says to me that this will be the difinitive aftermarket software for BMW/MINI,
Just look at what VAG-Com can do and it is still being improved and developed.

 

The problem is, as I see it, that BiM-COM for the MINI (R50,R53) may not work with the next gen MINIs, making it obsolete before it ever gets released.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware

" The term implies deception, or at least a negligent degree of optimism; that is, it implies that the announcer knows that product development is in too early a stage to support responsible statements about its completion date, feature set, or even feasibility."

So, exactly how have I been deceiving anyone by saying that "Specification, functions, pricing, and release date information for the new product are not yet available."

VW/Audi have constantly changed their diagnostic protocols and hardware in cars and we have produced updates and upgrades along the way to keep our customers current:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/revisions.html

What you wrote makes as much sense as someone saying that since MTH software does not yet work with the turbo MINI's, therefore it's obsolete and shouldn't be purchased by customers with current MINI's.

 

I dont know how can they develop software for a car that dont even exist yet,
and when it does exist how much different can it be?
i'm sure it has to be on some sort of level as current BMW multiplexing technology unless they totally reinvent the wheel and that brings its own problems,
also I don't think it will be marketed for the Mini only or for future models it is after all BiM-COM and is being developed for all current BMW/MINI models,(eventually)
this will be for people who have older cars and want to troubleshoot or modify them, and im sure eventually the new models will be brought online also when they arrive.

 

I would call it vaporware if Ross was actually selling or asking for $$$ to develop it. He's not. He's simply answering a need people around here have. Someone says, "I'd like to do _ _ _ _ _ to my MINI, but need a better SW/HW package. Does one exist?" Ross says, "Yeah, we're working on one, but it's not ready yet."

Vaporware would be if he set a sale date, took money, and never refunded it, never shipped a product.

Will it see the light of day? Probably. When? I don't know.

He's reverse engineering a hidden specification on peoples personal vehicles. Not an easy task, especially since it's probably all trial and error. I'm kinda guessing here at this point.

I really think a lot of people are giving him a hard time over something that is very difficult to do. Yes, he talks about what he's working on, but if he didn't people would aimlessly search for a product that doesn't exist on the market. At least he's sharing some information.

John

 

Whatever..........
2 year old new product for a model that is going out of production.

 

I respectfully submit that your head is in a very different orafice that is very difficult to achive penetration of without lifetimes of Yoga! Why are you dumping on someone who is developing a product for a car brand you own? That's just **** (and that was a hint about the orafic previously mentioned).

You're posts are full of assumptions, about subjects that you have almost no facts to support. What's the deal? Isn't the season to be nice and friendly?

and obsolete as soon as the 07s come out? No one told me my car would stop working then.... But I guess I'm just out of the loop.

Matt