ShadowZ28

Is there anywhere I can just buy the cable and not the software?

Thanks
Joe

Black02SS

iTrader: (36)

The software is basically a free download from their website. You are essiently paying for the cable. IMO, it is a great investment. I have had both EFI live pro and autotap. EFI live is 100x better and easier to use.

samz28

yah the autotap cable is used for efilive, the serial #'s are stored on the cable itself to associate a cable serial # to a version of software using your keycodes.

So buying a generic cable wouldn't really work that well under their distribution chain lol.

autotap in usa doesnt want you to use another cable at this time..

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I have an A-Tap cable I bought several years ago. I do not see any version # on it. Only Model AT-1. How do I find out a version # on this cable? Can I use this cable with any version of EFILive software?

Debian Dog

Probably be faster to log into the EFIlive site and ask.

samz28

just download efilive v6.3 beta from the site, and connect it to the car. the data screen will show your serial # and version #. You need the serial # to buy efilive ifyou choose to, and the version # makes a difference in features (ie no pro on V1)

there was a thread on this recently. Works great.

ShadowZ28

So what you are saying is even if I bought AutoTap I still wouldn't be able to use the EFILive Software and serial# that I already have for it because the the serial is encoded on the cable?

Joe

Black02SS

iTrader: (36)

Unless you have paid for EFI live, then no. They are 2 different softwares. EFI live just uses the cable from Autotap. That is why I sold my autotap and purchased efi live. Now you can upgrade your autotap to efi live I do belive. Check out www.efilive.com for more information.

ShadowZ28

I'm still confused. No I can't or no I can. I don't see the reason to have to buy AutoTap and than upgrade it to efi live if I already have a valid reg. Furthermore I don't understand, if they are two different pieces of software, why does the serial in the cable matter while running efi live?

Thanks
Joe

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I don't understand what I can or can't do with EFIlive with my cable either. I guess I'll just keep using A-Tap.

samz28

They are two separate programs. Each one you must buy. Because you have an ATAP cable does not give you the right to use efilive. It must be purchased for your atap cable to use (for more than 5 seconds).

So if you want to use efilive you gotta buy the software. They will ask for your serial # then sell you a key to activate it.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I'm not trying to say I have the right to use the efilive software without paying for it. I don't know if I have to buy a new cable to go with their software.

ShadowZ28

Yeah really I'm not saying I have the right to use it without buying it but I do have a valid serial for EFI Live but I don't have a cable that will work with it. The cable got lost and I need a new one I was just asking where to get a new AutoTap cable without having to rebuy the stupid software.

samz28

best to ask autotap folks. The dilemna is this:

What if you sold your efilive and autotap cable, how can you prove this didn't happen? Otherwise you could do just that, then buy a low cost cable and make $$?

I'm playing devils advocate as a software developer can you see what im coming at?

if the cable was broke that would be another thing, but they can't really invalidate the missing cable now can they?

ShadowZ28

You're absolutely right but I myself am a Systems Analyst and I too appreciate copyrights. I did loose my cable whether you believe it or not I can not find it. I was just wondering where to buy another. No hard feelings but people do loose things.

Joe

emarkay

IT DEPENDS on if you want bidirectional control.

The old (obsolete) AT V1 interface does NOT provide BiDi, and is much slower, while the V2 interface does. The V2 interface does have a serial number ID tag and can also be read electronically.

You CAN buy replacement if you have proof of purchase from B&B, for either as they are the manufacturers of Autotap, and the distributors of EFILive in the USA. If you will see the respective websites/manuals, you will see a VIA cable listed, which is also a B&B product.

Also remember all the above is for the INTERFACE unit. The actual OBDII to serial and serial to serial cables are available from MANY sources. The "Autotap cable" is actually 3 parts.

As for "making a low cost cable" - if it was possible it would be done. The adaptor is a communication protocal convertor, an optical isolator interface, and some other components in there...

For the record, EFILIve is coming out with a new adaptor, in prep for their new Flash Scan program. See www.efilive.com for more details.

Wyckedcamaro

iTrader: (2)

Check this out. I had Autotap EFI LIVE5 Pro and i sold it off.. I copied the CD and the registration numbers, product numbers ect. and emailed autotap. Got a cable from them for 19.95 but it doesnt work.
It dont even look like the same cable as I had before.

They claim that is the ONLY cable they have.. Nonesence.. my autotap worked once before, now it doesnt because of this damned generic cable!

~Steve~

samz28

yeah course i took apart mine when i got it. It's a small mcu , if you were hard up you could dump its code and steal it but they do deserve the $$ for the nice product. The V2 is fast i was really impressed with how much data it can log at once compared to other car products via obd-2.

my v2 connects at 115,200 baud.