SDS... Trying to figure out which to buy
06-06-2014, 06:34 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
SDS... Trying to figure out which to buy
As many of you know I am slowly trying to gather bits and pieces together for a thorough PM of the car as she crosses the 80k mile mark. It occurred to me that it might be the time to invest in an SDS system. In addition to the diagnostics, I love having exploded diagrams of systems before I ever open the hood, parts catalog and numbers, all would be good to have as I start this effort. As I started researching these systems the prices vary widely. I have seen prices from $1200.00 to as low as $350.00. In reading posts here guys have talked about paying almost $2000.00. From what I can tell here are the differences between the listings. I need help from those who either own or use SDS to tell me if these differences matter and why. Otherwise, hard to make an intelligent suggestion.
C4 v. C3
C4 seems to be the latest version of the multiplexer but many are selling and using C3. What does C4 give you over C3? If I read the posts correctly the C4 has a wireless capability, either wi-fi or BT? Additionally, (a) Where exactly does the wireless feature come in, e.g. between the car and the gray box (mux, multiplexer) thus eliminating the dongles somehow or between the gray box and the laptop, and (b) how does this wireless feature make this tool easier or more efficient to use? Pros and Cons of each would be helpful.
Examples:
C3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Diagnostics-System-DAS-STAR-Xentry-/121356702703?hash=item1c416c53ef&item=121356702703&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr#viTabs_0
C4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MB-SD-Connect-C4-Mercedes-Benz-Star-Diagnose-Diagnostic-SDS-Version-03-2014-/161327856306?hash=item258fe3bab2&item=161327856306&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
Chinese clone v. "Real"
Seems like the clone systems give you more options, eg developers mode that the real system don't, is that true? Is there a quality of product difference, ie is the clone machine built crappily, flimsy materials etc or does it fall apart if you sneeze while holding it? Clones seem cheaper so what is the difference that accounts for the price difference? BTW what is up with having to make sure that the clone never connects to the internet? Does MBZ send the box a signal to kill it or something?
Example:
Chinese (HK) C4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-quality-MB-Star-SD-Connect-C4-SDS-with-latest-software-03-2014-for-Dell-630-/121167298384?pt=Wholesale_Lots&hash=item1c36223f50&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-quality-MB-Star-SD-Connect-C4-03-2014-SDS-with-Dell-630-Mercedes-Benz-Star-/111012044697?pt=Wholesale_Lots&hash=item19d8d55f99&vxp=mtr
C4 US seller (Same as above)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MB-SD-Connect-C4-Mercedes-Benz-Star-Diagnose-Diagnostic-SDS-Version-03-2014-/161327856306?hash=item258fe3bab2&item=161327856306&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
With or without a laptop
Many of these offer a package with the system on a hard drive already installed on a laptop. Others just tell you which laptop can take the HD that the software is loaded on. Is it worth it to get the laptop with it. I just rebuilt a 5+ yo IBM X60 Thinkpad laptop a few weeks ago as a fun project with my daughter. I could easily hunt up another to dedicate just for this purpose, the basics of what I need I can get off of ebay for $50 or less. Already have a builders version of Win 7 pro, add a couple gigs of memory and their sata HD and we should be kickin up some real sand for less than $300.00 to build up a dedicated laptop. That said many posters highlight the need to not let the laptop being used to control the SDS have connectivity to the Internet. Has this been a problem for anyone? If so why?
Thanks in advance.
C4 v. C3
C4 seems to be the latest version of the multiplexer but many are selling and using C3. What does C4 give you over C3? If I read the posts correctly the C4 has a wireless capability, either wi-fi or BT? Additionally, (a) Where exactly does the wireless feature come in, e.g. between the car and the gray box (mux, multiplexer) thus eliminating the dongles somehow or between the gray box and the laptop, and (b) how does this wireless feature make this tool easier or more efficient to use? Pros and Cons of each would be helpful.
Examples:
C3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Diagnostics-System-DAS-STAR-Xentry-/121356702703?hash=item1c416c53ef&item=121356702703&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr#viTabs_0
C4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MB-SD-Connect-C4-Mercedes-Benz-Star-Diagnose-Diagnostic-SDS-Version-03-2014-/161327856306?hash=item258fe3bab2&item=161327856306&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
Chinese clone v. "Real"
Seems like the clone systems give you more options, eg developers mode that the real system don't, is that true? Is there a quality of product difference, ie is the clone machine built crappily, flimsy materials etc or does it fall apart if you sneeze while holding it? Clones seem cheaper so what is the difference that accounts for the price difference? BTW what is up with having to make sure that the clone never connects to the internet? Does MBZ send the box a signal to kill it or something?
Example:
Chinese (HK) C4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-quality-MB-Star-SD-Connect-C4-SDS-with-latest-software-03-2014-for-Dell-630-/121167298384?pt=Wholesale_Lots&hash=item1c36223f50&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-quality-MB-Star-SD-Connect-C4-03-2014-SDS-with-Dell-630-Mercedes-Benz-Star-/111012044697?pt=Wholesale_Lots&hash=item19d8d55f99&vxp=mtr
C4 US seller (Same as above)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MB-SD-Connect-C4-Mercedes-Benz-Star-Diagnose-Diagnostic-SDS-Version-03-2014-/161327856306?hash=item258fe3bab2&item=161327856306&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
With or without a laptop
Many of these offer a package with the system on a hard drive already installed on a laptop. Others just tell you which laptop can take the HD that the software is loaded on. Is it worth it to get the laptop with it. I just rebuilt a 5+ yo IBM X60 Thinkpad laptop a few weeks ago as a fun project with my daughter. I could easily hunt up another to dedicate just for this purpose, the basics of what I need I can get off of ebay for $50 or less. Already have a builders version of Win 7 pro, add a couple gigs of memory and their sata HD and we should be kickin up some real sand for less than $300.00 to build up a dedicated laptop. That said many posters highlight the need to not let the laptop being used to control the SDS have connectivity to the Internet. Has this been a problem for anyone? If so why?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by City Rat; 06-07-2014 at 12:16 AM. Reason: Adding links and can type better from my desk than my smartphone on a moving train, lol.
06-07-2014, 12:18 AM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
119 views but not one SDS user with a few words of recommendation on what they use, if they like it, why and what to watch out for...thats not like you guys.
06-07-2014, 11:02 AM
#3
Senior Member
The dev mode is linked to MB key software according to me.
The C4 on DELL is much faster than the C3 on IBM (as in some workshop). It is very noticable.
Wireless is only WIFI and it's interesting to be able do diagnose around the car without a serial cable in the legs. You can also use the RJ45 cable instead of wifi if you prefer.
For me the best choice is the C4, however it is the choice I have done 2 years ago without any regret
The C4 on DELL is much faster than the C3 on IBM (as in some workshop). It is very noticable.
Wireless is only WIFI and it's interesting to be able do diagnose around the car without a serial cable in the legs. You can also use the RJ45 cable instead of wifi if you prefer.
For me the best choice is the C4, however it is the choice I have done 2 years ago without any regret
06-07-2014, 01:29 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Tex, thanks for the reply. So speaking about the C4 wifi option I guess that you plug the dongle and multiplexer to the diagnostic port under the hood it then communicates via wifi with the laptop which you can then read and work with wherever you are in or around the car, is that correct? Also does the system connect via the internet to MBZ? If so have you had any problems? Thanks
Last edited by City Rat; 06-07-2014 at 03:09 PM.
06-07-2014, 08:28 PM
#5
Senior Member
You are right about wifi and way to connect between multiplexer and laptop, but for CLK 209 the plug is under the steering wheel 
For Internet connexion with MB. It is possible to have it if you buy the device to MB with the service associated. If you have a Chinese clone, it is highly recommended to disable this functionality
The installation provided on HDD for laptop DELL 630 for example are not always very well done, from what I have read on the Internet. depending on your skills, it can be a good option to di the installation yourself.
For Internet connexion with MB. It is possible to have it if you buy the device to MB with the service associated. If you have a Chinese clone, it is highly recommended to disable this functionality
The installation provided on HDD for laptop DELL 630 for example are not always very well done, from what I have read on the Internet. depending on your skills, it can be a good option to di the installation yourself.
