MB STAR C3 or C4 ? [Sitemap]

DB_member

12th April, 2011, 06:21 AM

Need info witch one its better to buy
C3 or C4?

Assuming you mean the Chinese C4, then the answer is "C3". But even there, not all C3 tools are the same, not at all. Search the forum for info on how to identify a good tool.

alex1986

12th April, 2011, 01:33 PM

Usually c3 hardware have the high quality . c4 cover more models

koziolek

12th April, 2011, 02:31 PM

can You recomand me a good chinese seller
and still need more info witch one to buy C3 or C4?

LazurLZR

12th April, 2011, 04:16 PM

C3 is better quality,
In my opinion

koziolek

12th April, 2011, 06:44 PM

any more info?

Room

12th April, 2011, 08:59 PM

The last CAESAR made by ACTIA is D3.
You may buy china C3 or C4 as you wish.
They are the same.
Both of then need to replace pic12ce519.
- C3 to change serial for not stolen (for Xentry)
- C4 to change part for D3 ( china C4 has part D4)

koziolek

13th April, 2011, 12:38 AM

so C3 and C4 work the same way ,they cover the same models
am I right?

cocutanu

13th April, 2011, 12:50 AM

They are the same ...don't worry :)

cocutanu

13th April, 2011, 12:59 AM

koziolek

13th April, 2011, 01:36 AM

what do You mean I'm kind of green in this matter

cocutanu

13th April, 2011, 03:05 AM

The question was addressed to Room which seems to know some subtle things about this muxes. I heard about those changes too but I wonder if any changes must be made to firmwares too. Some russian sites states this changes too while others are saying that mixing this things will made the muxes unusable. Based on what he said C3 = D3 and C4 = D4 (actually D3 and D4 reffer to an parameter readed with Caesar test from inside the mux related to a so called Authorization Level). How this parameter is affecting the mux functionality is still unclear (at least for me)
Regards

DB_member

13th April, 2011, 09:36 AM

They are the same ...don't worry :)

You mean by functionality I assume. By reliability the two are not the same (unless one buys the low quality C3 clone).

DB_member

13th April, 2011, 09:40 AM

C3 is better quality, buy from obdauto.com (370$)
In my opinion

I bet you cannot get a high quality C3 with that price (or does it come with very high delivery costs to compensate the advertised price?).

Can you post photos from your mux if you have one from this shop (I guess you know which parts are of interest since you are advertising this product)?

cocutanu

13th April, 2011, 09:52 AM

You mean by functionality I assume. By reliability the two are not the same (unless one buys the low quality C3 clone).
Correct...sorry I didn't mentioned this before

koziolek

13th April, 2011, 04:55 PM

So final ....if I buy C3 I will be OK
please correct me if I'm wrong

DB_member

13th April, 2011, 05:21 PM

So final ....if I buy C3 I will be OK
please correct me if I'm wrong

I would say "wrong". You are not OK unless you buy a good C3, they are not all the same!

Did you spend any time at this forum to search for info about the differences between different C3 (and C4) products?

koziolek

13th April, 2011, 07:09 PM

OK so please can someone guide me witch Chinese seller
is good to buy this thing

Room

13th April, 2011, 10:10 PM

What about the firmware ? No changes at all ? (amd29F080 chip)

Flash amd29F080 is being program by DAS Software.
You can unsoldered it, erase with any programmer and soldered back. Your CAESAR will work. CAESAR CPU is configurated in boot mode, so different firmware is loaded for different car types any time when you change type.

cocutanu

13th April, 2011, 11:36 PM

Flash amd29F080 is beeing program by DAS Software.
You can unsoldered it, erase with any programmer and soldered back. Your CAESAR will work. CAESAR CPU is configurated in boot mode, so different firmware is loaded for different bodies any time when you change body.
Thanks for your reply. It is good to know.
Are any other IC's which must be programmed separately or onboard ?
And what means "body" in your post ? Do you mean different "muxes" ? If this is the case where is the info stored which determine the type of "body" for DAS to let this program amd29F080 accordingly to the founded "body" ?
Or maybe you wanna say "body" = "different car types" ?
Sorry , a little confused here.
Regards

A little note : it was just suggested to me...if any answer for my post please answer this by PM cause it is a very sensitive information and as you know...they are everywhere !!!

impactops

14th April, 2011, 12:01 AM

A little note : it was just suggested to me...if any answer for my post please answer this by PM cause it is a very sensitive information and as you know...they are everywhere !!!

Who has suggested to you?

cocutanu

14th April, 2011, 12:12 AM

I don't think it is your bussiness to find out this. Just watch your sheeps and be relaxed.

impactops

14th April, 2011, 12:20 AM

I Don't think it is your's to tell me that it is not my business

If you wanted it to remain private you then you should asked the question in private.To advise that it should remain private after there is a possible solution it could only mean one thing.

Besides you have the wonderful forum across the road that could hep you

Room

14th April, 2011, 12:51 AM

"body" = "different car types" ?

I mean different car types, of course.

Only 2 IC must be programmed separately :
pic12ce519 and ispLSI1016

Room

14th April, 2011, 01:20 AM

C3 = D3 and C4 = D4
How this parameter is affecting the mux functionality is still unclear (at least for me)

Error CAL872 will be present on C4, you must do FIX.
If anything else is not working properly, I don't know.
I use genuine CAESAR.

With Part D3 Software work correctly.
If your SD work as COMPACT4 or COMPACT3W you can see "Lock" in tray.
When software working with CAESAR it switched to the closed state.

koziolek

14th April, 2011, 03:37 AM

does someone have good experience with this seller ?
Master Automobile Technology co.,ltd (http://www.chinamaster88.com/products_show.asp?item_id=4)

DB_member

14th April, 2011, 06:02 AM

does someone have good experience with this seller ?
Master Automobile Technology co.,ltd (http://www.chinamaster88.com/products_show.asp?item_id=4)

I don't know about the shop but the product from your link is clearly the low quality clone. If you try to find a good shop on your own, I would suggest (at least the second time) to do some homework and learn the differences from other threads on this same topic at this same forum.

koziolek

14th April, 2011, 02:33 PM

How can You tell its a low quality?
its not even open.

DB_member

14th April, 2011, 03:10 PM

How can You tell its a low quality?
its not even open.

I'm sure I'm not the only one here who can see the difference in this case. It is not always possible to see from outside. If you get familiar with the different options, you'll find out how this can be recognised. A bit of homework needed, not necessary to spend a lot of money and purchase many low quality tools, just homework.

koziolek

14th April, 2011, 08:38 PM

So You all guys forgot where you bought Your C3 from ?
I need Your help dont wona buy twice

DB_member

15th April, 2011, 06:25 AM

So You all guys forgot where you bought Your C3 from ?
I need Your help dont wona buy twice

Excuse me, you know we all did not forget and you do know that. If you want more options, you should ask for more proposals for good shops in addition to the ones you already got.

lingnoi

15th April, 2011, 06:57 AM

DB_member

15th April, 2011, 08:47 AM

I think he did ask...

With Chinese sellers the odds are just stacked against you. The failure rates are sky high but these guys know fully well that you very likely paid import duties and then there will be additional costs to send back the faulty items so a good share of buyers will not bother and write it off as experience.

My advice is to try and find a more local seller i.e. EU-based for us European etc.

I will be getting a set from a UK based seller and once I have received and tested it will report back with a recommendation (good or bad) on that seller.

Regards, L

You think it is better to pay twice the price (or more) for the product that the European seller purchased from China and then save 50 Euros from delivery for warranty fix?

Unfortunately any electronic device may fail and never know if it happens to you but a good tool really should not fail during the warranty period. If you do your homework, you will find (in practise) the same product from a Chinese shop as the European shop is selling, just the price is different. Homework is the key, price does not guarantee a good product, you have to figure out which shop is safe.

wsc

15th April, 2011, 09:25 AM

How can You tell its a low quality?
its not even open.

Look the cables rs232 to 485,this cable will not work with Original Mux,thats why the Protocol for rs232 is inside the Mux
I am right?

lingnoi

15th April, 2011, 02:55 PM

In the end the compact3 available from any seller all come from China.

Personally, I am willing to pay some extra money for a seller where there are no language barriers, no customs issues and some common business ethics.

Regards, L

wsc

15th April, 2011, 03:43 PM

DB_member

15th April, 2011, 04:55 PM

I do not know mate
Maybe you are right,but i think that there is and non Chinese Muxes

The original tools get their parts like the circuit boards directly from China, guess how they figured out how to produce these.
Even if someone produced these in Europe or the US, they would certainly order circuit boards from China. If you trust them being able to produce the circuit boards, assembled, I guess you can trust them being able to put those to the box and fix the screws?

Language barriers do not concern all Chinese shops, customs issues and support may be an argument to pay extra locally, specifically if one cannot handle the SW (which should not be an issue for DK members).

There are far more Chinese shops that sell crap even if they advertise their products being the best but there are also many European sellers who cheat equally when the order parts from China and advertise their tools being made in Europe.

lingnoi

15th April, 2011, 06:35 PM

True but I think that reputation plays a greater role with European sellers both for seller and buyer. In my experience the Chinese just dont care at all.

L

bos1971

15th April, 2011, 08:59 PM

Hello,

Can you install Mercedes DAS Xentry on Windows 7 laptop?

if not, can you use vmware MB Xentry on Windows7?

if yes, have somebody link for me of vmware version, PM please?

thank you

DB_member

16th April, 2011, 12:34 PM

Hello,

Can you install Mercedes DAS Xentry on Windows 7 laptop?

if not, can you use vmware MB Xentry on Windows7?

if yes, have somebody link for me of vmware version, PM please?

thank you

This thread is a bout C3 multiplexers against C4 multiplexers, you should place your question on a new thread.

Forget Windows7 for DAS and Xentry, why on earth are you after additional challenges for DAS/Xentry installation?

You can install DAS and Xentry on XP running as a virtual machine on a Wndows7 computer. The same installation DVDs are good for this (I assume you are not after downloading a complete virtual machine image).

lingnoi

16th April, 2011, 01:07 PM

I held a genuine Compact4 in my hands last night and after that experience I do not ever want to mess with that cloned junk again...

L

DB_member

16th April, 2011, 04:10 PM

I held a genuine Compact4 in my hands last night and after that experience I do not ever want to mess with that cloned junk again...

L

I did not know that so rich people spend time here. Or do you mean you prefer to stay away of these diagnosis tools completely?

For many MB owners, renting SDS for 3 years (minimum period) costs more than their car.

Remember, not all clones are junk.

bos1971

16th April, 2011, 08:25 PM

This thread is a bout C3 multiplexers against C4 multiplexers, you should place your question on a new thread.

Forget Windows7 for DAS and Xentry, why on earth are you after additional challenges for DAS/Xentry installation?

You can install DAS and Xentry on XP running as a virtual machine on a Wndows7 computer. The same installation DVDs are good for this (I assume you are not after downloading a complete virtual machine image).

have you vmware version of Xentry?

lingnoi

16th April, 2011, 09:00 PM

I did not know that so rich people spend time here. Or do you mean you prefer to stay away of these diagnosis tools completely?

For many MB owners, renting SDS for 3 years (minimum period) costs more than their car.

Remember, not all clones are junk.

I do not own the Compact 4 but I do own my car.

Anyway, for us non-commercial users clone equipment will have to do but it was nice to see what the big boys get tp pplay with...

L

cocutanu

16th April, 2011, 09:29 PM

Look the cables rs232 to 485,this cable will not work with Original Mux,thats why the Protocol for rs232 is inside the Mux
I am right?

Sorry guys but in the end what's the problem because that mux has rs-232 comunication inside ? Why this makes that a low quality mux ? Because as many of us , when we buy this muxes we are using them in 99% cases with laptops (serial comm port). So 485 it's somehow useless. I think it is a little bit exagerated...those muxes can be great too ...the glitches are somewhere else (PCB designs , crappy relaays , wrong components placed , low quality voltage regulators , poor soldering points , a lot of debris inside , bad firmwares loaded aso)
And BTW...not all PCB's are China made..this is 100% real...some of them are designed and manufactured in Germany , others (ELBASA) are made in Spain , a ton of these are made in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Russia for example).
Regards

lingnoi

17th April, 2011, 08:48 AM

Sorry guys but in the end what's the problem because that mux has rs-232 comunication inside ? Why this makes that a low quality mux ? Because as many of us , when we buy this muxes we are using them in 99% cases with laptops (serial comm port). So 485 it's somehow useless. I think it is a little bit exagerated...those muxes can be great too ...the glitches are somewhere else (PCB designs , crappy relaays , wrong components placed , low quality voltage regulators , poor soldering points , a lot of debris inside , bad firmwares loaded aso)
And BTW...not all PCB's are China made..this is 100% real...some of them are designed and manufactured in Germany , others (ELBASA) are made in Spain , a ton of these are made in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Russia for example).
Regards

That's some good info right there. Now the remaining question is who sells what and what is a reasonable price?

L

DB_member

17th April, 2011, 10:30 AM

Sorry guys but in the end what's the problem because that mux has rs-232 comunication inside ? Why this makes that a low quality mux ? Because as many of us , when we buy this muxes we are using them in 99% cases with laptops (serial comm port). So 485 it's somehow useless. I think it is a little bit exagerated...those muxes can be great too ...the glitches are somewhere else (PCB designs , crappy relaays , wrong components placed , low quality voltage regulators , poor soldering points , a lot of debris inside , bad firmwares loaded aso)
And BTW...not all PCB's are China made..this is 100% real...some of them are designed and manufactured in Germany , others (ELBASA) are made in Spain , a ton of these are made in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Russia for example).
Regards

You must know this better than I do but the lack of RS232/RS485 converter as such is no issue in my opinion but the problem is that those multiplexers that do not have the converter, have a completely different circuit board. The circuit board would not have to be the same but the wiring diagram should be the same (excluding the conversion back to RS232 that is not needed). Unfortunately the "C4 type of multiplexer circuit boards" are not built using the correct wiring diagram.

truck tec

19th April, 2011, 08:16 AM

my friend they are bulishit i i did business with them befor even i went to china they are sutch liear

truck tec

26th May, 2011, 06:09 PM

THER MULATIPLEXER IS BULLSHIT I TRIED BEFOR

Bazil_mb

26th May, 2011, 07:45 PM

Hi,
I have bought from over 10 suppliers, a lot of diagnostic interface. C3 Star Diagnosis is more reliable than C4. The best products were obdautoscan diagnostic interfaces.

Wolfpack

27th May, 2011, 01:53 AM

When i bought my c3 mux from china it didn't work but i returned it and they sent another one that has been working flawless ever since. The only problem i had was 232 to 485 cable. even thou it worked i had problems with das not seeing me turn the key off when clearing codes and so on. So i went and bought another 232 to 485 cable but this cable had the little box with in the cable. the one that came with the mux didn't. Now everything works great.