Well IMO I would go with link, I hear it's easier to Lear on. Not sure of your capabilities, but I am new to tuning and I use ECU flash and EVO scan on my 98. So it's basically free if your 98-99, price leads me to that. Now because I'm learning how to tune on this, I would like to learn on link. Little bit more help threads on that.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/dsmlink-ecmlink-vs-evo-8-ecu-evoscan-ecuflash.387018/

Post number 8 from infiniteGSX is good.

thanks for the link, found lots of useful info there.
i have tuned 4 different ems & worked in test lab so i got some experience of it.
from what lucas english wrote about ecu flash the sd wasn´t in perfect working order at the time (2011) maybe it is now? and it seemed like link got better support?

The key is logging. Evoscan is nice but links built in logging is faster and the gui with all the features is awesome.

Past link, 2g flash, evo8 rom on lancer ecu user. (Also big into reverse engineering Subaru ecus, program them)

I have an Evo 8 ecu and ecu flash. It's 1/4 the cost, you have support on here and from the evo guys if needed. Personally I didn't want to spend a ton of money on an old ecu. I've heard link is easier, but wasn't worth the extra $400 to me.

I don't know about the evo ecu but, I couldn't get ecuflash to work on my 99 black box. I have 2 that are in good working condition and neither would flash. Evoscan would log but flash wouldn't work. I was in contact with tactrix, emailed them my error logs they couldn't figure it out had me try a few things, still didn't work. Never heard from them again. Switched to link, was running in 5 minutes. 6-7 months go by tactrix support emails me asking if I ever got it working. I politely told them yes with another product.

Thanks for the input guys.
What is "gui"?
I think link is really cheap compared to other stand alone systems, but on the other hand ecu flash is even cheaper.
What would i miss if i go with ecu flash?

I don't think your capability is limited with either setup; It's simply using a system design specifically for DSM's or more of an open source (evo's, wrx, etc.) The "gui" (graphical user interface) is what you see in the program. It's the visual aspect of the software, the buttons you push, etc. People attribute some of the ease of use to the "gui".

DSMLink is VERY user friendly. As you know, ECU Flash requires you to flash the ECU to make any changes. Using the cords needed for this setup can be a little finicky. I have successfully used both, but end up back at DSMLink. DSMLink also allows for instant changes on the fly. There is an entire forum of information from the manufacturer. The biggest issue I had with flashing the ECU was correctly installing the needed software. It is not a simple as "click to install". I am not a computer software engineer by any stretch of the word, but feel I know more than the "average" user.

2gmitsueclipse said:

DSMLink is VERY user friendly. As you know, ECU Flash requires you to flash the ECU to make any changes. Using the cords needed for this setup can be a little finicky. I have successfully used both, but end up back at DSMLink. DSMLink also allows for instant changes on the fly. There is an entire forum of information from the manufacturer. The biggest issue I had with flashing the ECU was correctly installing the needed software. It is not a simple as "click to install". I am not a computer software engineer by any stretch of the word, but feel I know more than the "average" user.

Click to expand...

Responding to highlighted sentence, mostly true, however there are things like DA tables and such where you still need to "flash" the ECMLink chip which requires engine off, key on. The only tuning solution that offers 100% tuning and instant changes on the fly, is the Moates Ostrich 2.0. You'll never have to turn the engine off and key on just to update DA tables or any setting really.

Thank you all for explaining, i guess now i'll just have to decide how much it's worth to go the easy way