OpenPort 2.0, OBD2/USB, DSMLink cables

[talonalex92]

In short I want to know the differences between these cables. I had a lot of recent good experience from CeddyMod and would like to get more into it. The cable I had been using was from a buddy sourced from an APU1 from Moates.net. The problem was not being able to write anything to the ECU. We concluded that it wasnt co operating with the unit in passthru mode. He uses this cable in pair with HPTuners for his GM stuff. I was looking at the openport, its expensive and I dont want to wait to get it unless I have to. I saw the 'link cable on their site but there is no information on it. I searched here on both and no useful information from anyone. Also, I found another cable that is OBD2 to USB from a company my buddy works for called ECS Tuning. Its a VW/AUDI thing but they use it for their logging and such I guess. Is there any reason why the other two wouldnt work aside from the openport? Discuss and lets come to a conclusion to help tuners on a budget using CeddyMod, which by the way is a f'ing great program to use. Here is a link to the ECS cable.
Home Page > Search > Usb Obd2 > ES#6928 OBDII USB Diagnostic Cable - VT1A0003

 

[kahl23]

I'm not sure how much info you're going to find on the Link cable. It's proprietary because their software is not that hard to copy and pretty much anyone can socket an ECU, so the cable is the only way they can ensure that their product isn't stolen, and there have been issues with V2 being pirated, so now they basically sell you a cable for $600 and throw in a chip and software for free.

 

[talonalex92]

It's also the same reason the openport cables are so expensive. Software can be pirated. Unless someone reverse engineers the openport cables, (or someone lets loose the secret) no one will know.

The big thing is that one pin on the ecu needs to see 12volts. The 2.0 cable provides more current(?) than the 1.3U cable, and that's why it's the only one that works on the 98/99 ecu. The evo ecu (if I understand correctly) has a circuit built in that provides enough current.

That has nothing to do with the question at hand. Lets keep it on topic, I notice you chimed in on all the threads I read with things like this. I want to keep this as short and blunt as possible. No guessing. And if one pin @ the ecu needs 12 volts, thats just a jump wire away. To me the open port cable is just a box to convert obd2 to the micro usb, then a micro usb to standard. Does the cable that I show above do that same thing. Back to the topic...anyone?

 

[Ceddy]

The EcuFlash program authenticates the OP 2.0 cable, they are both made by the same person.

You will need to find another program to flash if you want to use another cable.

The OP 2.0 is a little pricey, but the money goes to support Colby of Tactrix, who made flashing of the Mitsubishi and Subaru available to the general public.

You have to support the people who figure the technology out, design the hardware, and make the defs and mods; if you don't they will stop doing it or keep everything secret and sell it at an exorbitant price.

 

[knochgoon24]

The evoscan cables also use a FTDI driver.

 

[Ceddy]

The EcuFlash software checks the the cables serial number.

So if you want to use Tactrix software you need the Tactrix cable.

EcuFlash started doing cable authentication after chinese knockoffs started popping up.
The big "secret" isn't the cable or software, but the kernel that is uploaded to the ecu and handles the flashing procedure.

The VAG 409.1 FTDI knockoffs can be had for $12 each, and make a great logging cable for the 2G, but won't flash.

The OP 2.0 price isn't that bad considering you basically get complete ems and logging system with it. And can flash any Mitsubishi or Subaru from 1998-2010.

Just a few years ago the big name tuning companys where charging $400 per flash, because no one else could do it. I wish EcuFlash and OpenPort was open source like their name implies, but you got give them credit for bring flashing to masses, helping the open source style of tuning that the evo flash crowd exemplify to be created.

 

[kahl23]

Openports cable schematic is distributed on the internet. ECMLink's not so much, but I would say they are more than likely extremely similar.

That's pretty much all I was getting at.