DSMlink, why so much?

[Madcap]

We all know Dsmlink is the end all be all of all tuning options for our DSM's. Why is it so damn expensive? In reality all you are buying is a cable, an Eprom and software. You would think someone else would be able to come up with something cheaper. DSMchips is similar to a degree only there's no software to make your own changes.

 

[agentorange313]

Ecmlink was the first thing I bought for my car.

I am superglad I didnt waste it on a catback exhaust or new header etc. This software is amazing and lets do anything to your car. Plus its a great buy because it is the basics about tuning, if you don't know how your car is function in its current state then you shoudln't modify it. Learn how to tune with stock parts first. (if the car still has stock parts )

as far as it cost a lot of money, yea 600 can be a lot and with a new ecu or ecu conversion etc, you are looking at about 750. Still very cheap tuning software, and all the R&D that went into it is worth it. The ecmlink website really give detail about it.

I have a friend running a SAFC, and he isnt complaining, he says he is tuning just great, but then again that his opinion.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Well tuning has a lot of variables i look at what device i choose to tune with and pros and cons. I learned quickly when i got my turbo dsm. Now im learning more and more each year about my dsm.

 

[JusMX141]

not a good example.

Yes its a 5 cent dvd the game is on, but do you know how many people that are on a certain video game staff that needs to get paid for the time put in creating the game........just watch the credits after you beat the game.

What about the two years that went into creating ECMLink V3? If you could put a dollar value on two guys working late into the evenings every night to create a tuning platform then making it affordable enough that DSMers will buy it, what would it be?

While you're at it, what's your take on the $1,395.00 retail value of the AEM EMS?

 

[doctor_shock10]

what i dont understand is why even waste your on safc cause there what 200 bucks then you have to buy a plug and play wiring harness for it or have someone wire it up for you and how much is that? for another 100 bucks you have an awesome tunning device(dsmlink) that your not going to have to upgrade ever, unlike a safc.

 

[Rob10_99]

~~~~~~Originally Posted by Madcap View Post
~~~~~~Good example, Video Games are $60

not a good example.

Yes its a 5 cent dvd the game is on, but do you know how many people that are on a certain video game staff that needs to get paid for the time put in creating the game........just watch the credits after you beat the game.

I can see where you are coming from with the topic, but thats the way business works.

*edit* not trying to sound like a jerk.

that's exactly the same concept.

 

[RED95]

DSMlink is a superb tuning tool that includes an excellent Forum of friends, information and auctions. Any tuning questions or problems you may encounter are quickly adressed by the Owners and knowledgeable link users in that forum. There is a wealth of knowledge included with your link purchase. Absolutely worth every penny.

 

[clone]

I was in the boat of considering whether to buy a DSM link or go with an Apexi SAFC.

I didn't want the SAFC but DSMlink's price made me buy it....... I understand the arguement that DSMlink is the best solution on the market, I accept it fully but I'm setting up a 15 year old car that I paid $2500 to buy...... it needs another $4000.00 to be made excellent then I have to decide to either buy a DSMlink for another $600.00+ on top of the $6500 + I spent or save 50% or more by going SAFC.

I want a DSMlink..... I really do but I just can't fit it into my budget.... this is my personal situation I'm not making any recomendations for others but simply explaining my situation for any interested to consider.

I know some would dismiss this position as "speed costs money, if you can't afford it tough".....the car is 15 years old..... DSM link has been on the market how long, they have been upgrading DSM link over time but I personally believe the R&D costs were returned within 2 years of it's arrival on the market along with the minor tweaking costs.... I also understand the demands of the for profit market and don't disagree.

but all of that mess said while I wanted a DSMlink and I may one day get one (doubtful) I wound up getting an SAFC because it was a fraction of the cost..... DSMlink had a chance to get my money and had they priced it for $400.00 Canadian I would have bought it because at $400 it's within reach of one paycheque, it's a semi serious purchase that if poorly made has minimal risk but once you go over $500.00 you have to wonder what you'll be getting and if you are that serious about this car....... the car moves from toy to something more serious and needs to be justified....... and I've absolutely no doubt they would have made a goodly sum off that purchase.

they didn't and I got an SAFC instead..... I actually got a used one for cheap but it took me 1/2 hour to finally buy it because I wanted a DSMlink that badly.

now that I've got the SAFC I don't even think about DSMlink at all..... the SAFC has taken care of a problem and I've moved on to pricing out the new exhaust and then will move on to buying fuel injectors and then will continue to move on and on not looking back.

just some thoughts for those who believe we should be grateful at almost any price for DSMlink's existence.

 

[sonik619]

I don't know but I went with Ceddy ecuflash and evoscan.

Still trying to figure out how to use it though haha.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

I was in the boat of considering whether to buy a DSM link or go with an Apexi SAFC.

I didn't want the SAFC but DSMlink's price made me buy it....... I understand the arguement that DSMlink is the best solution on the market, I accept it fully but I'm setting up a 15 year old car that I paid $2500 to buy...... it needs another $4000.00 to be made excellent then I have to decide to either buy a DSMlink for another $600.00+ on top of the $6500 + I spent or save 50% or more by going SAFC.

I want a DSMlink..... I really do but I just can't fit it into my budget.... this is my personal situation I'm not making any recomendations for others but simply explaining my situation for any interested to consider.

I know some would dismiss this position as "speed costs money, if you can't afford it tough".....the car is 15 years old..... DSM link has been on the market how long, they have been upgrading DSM link over time but I personally believe the R&D costs were returned within 2 years of it's arrival on the market along with the minor tweaking costs.... I also understand the demands of the for profit market and don't disagree.

but all of that mess said while I wanted a DSMlink and I may one day get one (doubtful) I wound up getting an SAFC because it was a fraction of the cost..... DSMlink had a chance to get my money and had they priced it for $400.00 Canadian I would have bought it because at $400 it's within reach of one paycheque, it's a semi serious purchase that if poorly made has minimal risk but once you go over $500.00 you have to wonder what you'll be getting and if you are that serious about this car....... the car moves from toy to something more serious and needs to be justified....... and I've absolutely no doubt they would have made a goodly sum off that purchase.

they didn't and I got an SAFC instead..... I actually got a used one for cheap but it took me 1/2 hour to finally buy it because I wanted a DSMlink that badly.

now that I've got the SAFC I don't even think about DSMlink at all..... the SAFC has taken care of a problem and I've moved on to pricing out the new exhaust and then will move on to buying fuel injectors and then will continue to move on and on not looking back.

just some thoughts for those who believe we should be grateful at almost any price for DSMlink's existence.

WTF I'm still trying to figure this one out... So... you bought a SAFC instead of DSMlink? Who even considers a SAFC a tuning solution anymore?

 

[jm1080]

I'm just going to laugh at that. My god.... step by step guide on how to tune your car!

Hmmm... why do you think there isn't a step by step guide on tuning? Possibly... if ECMLink created a step by step instruction manual on how to tune it would hold them liable for how the car performs and if it will which most likely will go wrong.

If you're asking for comments and/or tuning guides post your log on ECMLink.

And I'm going to laugh at that...There are step by step guides on the wiki, but not for everything...There are many people on the forums who do not know how to tune at all, yet they buy the product and post on forums and not many people respond...Jeffsgst site explains everything nicely, but many people do not know about that guide, I know many people who have dsmlink and they don't know how to tune, so what is the point of them of buying it when they do not know how to tune. Yes there are little guides on the wiki, but people still do not understand the concept. There needs to be more guides like Jeffsgst to help those who have no clue on tuning.

And I'm not dissing the product so don't make it seem like it as I'm a satisfied customer thats still learning how to tune

Also forgot to add, they won't be held liable because they state in their site they are not responsible for anything you might do when tuning your vehicle.

 

[motomattxxx]

Also check out the maftpro, tons of great features.

 

[pneumo]

Most of the time with the other tuning options you have to pull your eprom everytime you want to make a change. ECMlink allows full tuning on the fly in your car while its running and moving unless using direct access which has to actually rewrite the ecu.

Sorry, that info is a little out of date. Hardly anyone burns chips anymore. Most 1G eprom tuners have switched to Tunerpro RT with Ostrich which lets you change anything in the chip on the fly, realtime, live editing, whatever you want to call it. There's no need to shut the car off, unlike dsmlink.

Like stated ECMlite should be out soon and should be around $345 and gives you fuel/timing control and speed density. Thats a great price.

should be... Wait and see what it really offers and how much it really cost. I have a feeling they won't give away all the best features for less money. After all, why would anyone pay for the full version if linklite is just as good?

 

[Rob10_99]

Lite should have just SD, fuel/timing and injector settings, logging, and very basic other features, and be sub $300.

 

[dsm-onster]

Well. Really. Truely. We've seen guys run 8seconds with dsmlink. . . Just a bit of directing of the thread. I like a competitive market and all.

 

[clone]

it's great that it's good for up to 8 seconds but if DSM link was only made for 8 second cars they'd be out of business and they'd cost 4 X as much.

like every market even the niche products survive off the mid range and low end buyers.

 

[dsm-onster]

It works fine for my 11sec car. And my 12 second FWD too. It's not like AEM ems. This isn't a pair of cams for an 800whp car. Please think. Don't just come up with some witty reply to dis the wisea$$.

When ECMTuning,Inc. goes out of business you have an arguement.

 

[clone]

So... you bought a SAFC instead of DSMlink? Who even considers a SAFC a tuning solution anymore?

yes and I do.

on a side note if the product is for sale and has been for sale going through several revisions in the process for this long that can only because ppl are buying it.

 

[dsm-onster]

Link is good enough for 8second passes. It's a one time purchase that grows with you.

I like the safc. It's nice and all. If you have a maf that doesn't crap out at 30lb/min like a 1g car or 4g61t

 

[JoeWagon]

$600 shouldn't even pay for the free advice that Tom and Dave have gladly given out for 10 years. I find it insulting that someone suggests that 10 years of R&D, the best product for 90% of DSMers, and personalized DSM advice (even if it isn't related to DSMLink, they help you) isn't worth $600.

buying an SAFC...

Haha, for 50% the price, you get 5% of the features, most of which are total ####ing hacks. Have you read up on how an AFC works?

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

There's no need to shut the car off, unlike dsmlink.

You don't shut the car off with DSMlink. Where did you get that from?

 

[Madcap]

With all the bitchin' and moanin' aside, these are the kind of debates that spur progess.

 

[Yngvar]

My car came with link and I was looking to switch over to dsmap before v3 came out because I wanted to run speed density. I would be switching if they had a better logging option or they might now I haven't looked into lately. I like the idea of having something different and have to think about it to make it work. The hole reasoning you mod a car is for the satisfaction that comes with the finished project and with out having to work at it you don't get that the same satisfaction. Why do you think that I kid that is handed a vette for is 16 bday has no respect for it? Like when I was read about swapping a 4 bolt rear end I told my gf I wish I could have done it on my car and she looks at me and goes why would you want to do the work if you don't have to.

 

[95gst16g]

You don't shut the car off with DSMlink. Where did you get that from?

When changing direct acess tables the ecu rewrites.When you turn off the key and turn it back on.

 

[dsm-onster]

My car came with link and I was looking to switch over to dsmap before v3 came out because I wanted to run speed density. I would be switching if they had a better logging option or they might now I haven't looked into lately. I like the idea of having something different and have to think about it to make it work. The hole reasoning you mod a car is for the satisfaction that comes with the finished project and with out having to work at it you don't get that the same satisfaction. Why do you think that I kid that is handed a vette for is 16 bday has no respect for it? Like when I was read about swapping a 4 bolt rear end I told my gf I wish I could have done it on my car and she looks at me and goes why would you want to do the work if you don't have to.

So do you still have dsmlink?

 

[Madcap]

Lite should have just SD, fuel/timing and injector settings, logging, and very basic other features, and be sub $300.

What would the R&D and manufacturing differences be between the Full Verison and Lite? The hardware would be identical. What would differ would be the number of features programmed to the Eprom and perhaps a lesser version of the software, right? Is it that costly to program every feature that a lesser version would be half the price?