I hate the "what's the best cam" threads as much as the next guy, and like anything I'm sure this is also a compromise on what features are available.

I am just getting started tuning and purchased a used MPVI. It came with a CD with VCM suite version 2.1.18, however I don't have a CD drive on my computer so I downloaded the oldest non-beta verion of VCM suite I could find (2.24.686) from a fellow member. My MPVI is currently on 116 firmware. I know I don't want to go past VCM suite version 4.0.x as my research shows that anything newer than that will update my firmware to 121 which worst case could brick my MPVI or lose some features and lower the resale value of the interface.

Being brand new to tuning I am trying to learn as much as I can from youtube tutorials. Some things that seem to stand out so far is my channel list/table display looks quite different, I can't seem to search for PIDs (and couldn't find the closed loop enabled PID), I can't tell what a "broadcast parameter" is, and the histogram layout in scanner looks a bit different. The only thing I have read regarding a benefit of VCM version 2.24.x is that you can potentially change the (hexadecimal?) file to change parameters that are not supported by HP tuners. I am not very techy and doubt that I would ever use that "benefit." Also I can't open files from HPTs repository as it states I need a newer version.

With that being said, am I missing out on any features in the 3.x or 4.0.x versions of VCM suite? I am just looking to tune my father's car (Hot cam, LT's, Fast 92, GM 85mm MAF...) and touch up the tune on my car (H/C/I) using an AEM X series 30-0300 wideband. I have read that there can be issues reading/writing tunes using different versions of VCM suite, so I want to choose one version and stick with it. I appreciate any recommendations!

 

I researched this a while back and here is where I landed. I advise everyone to do this but that's up to you. This is a hot button for some, including me. I think you can update to some lower 4.x versions and probably should just to get all the features etc.

Version 4.4.2 is rumored to be the one that will force firmware update to v121 on the MPVI device as far as I could see, I think that's right. If firmware update occurs, you won't have access to older versions of software that are able to (I guess) do Diesel stuff that EPA doesn't like. I don't do diesel stuff so I can't verify that but am incredibly annoyed that this secret update occurred.

I sorta standardized myself on version 4.2, it did NOT push the firmware update on my device, but there was some little bug or something where I was having problems pushing the config to the MPVI device for standalone logging when you push the button on the MPVI device with no laptop connected (pro version), I think I couldn't get a certain PID to be monitored that way or something with 4.2, don't really remember. But I believe I downgraded to the last version just before that if I recall, so that's probably the one you want.. I will be using that one forever on my current cars as it seemed stable.

Next new car I tune where I need a license I will be starting with a fresh MPVI2 because I don't trust HPT to not break my existing solution. I just don't trust them now and don't trust letting my HPT software interact with the Internet. If they were willing to break the Diesel options with a secret update they'd certainly break, say, rear O2 deletion or something else with another update. Also, if your MPVI device breaks, don't expect them to repair and send it back. Google that, nobody ever gets an MPVI back for repair. It's always swapped with an MPVI2 somehow, your licenses get transferred.

Hit youtube and search for Benchworkx Garage and HP Tuners Rollback for more details. Love the product, it's the best solution out there. I just hate the company now.

 

The Scanner vastly improved at some point. Not sure when. 2.24 was quite antiquated. I have 0 issues with 4.8.7. Stand alone logging works. We have never gotten stand alone to work on the MPVI2.
Anyway, if you use older rev's and try to help someone and theirs was read with a newer rev, you can't help. Probably not a big deal.
I'm with mk3cn4, i no longer even trust them to resync my MPVI1 to save the license info.........
Although adding credits hasn't been an issue.

 

Appreciate the input guys! My research so far is putting me in the same area. So far I have learned that once you upgrade to 3.0 or above the only 2.x version you can go back to is 2.24.1172 I think it was. Sounds like 3.0.x updated the firmware to 118 which also had issues with stand along data logging. Somewhere in the 3.0.x or 3.2 they fixed this and upgraded to firmware version 120.

I've been reading the old threads on hpt forum for the VCM 3.0 and 3.2 releases. 3.2 seemed to go over much smoother. Most of the complaints were people who had math and tables set up in 2.24 whicu didn't carry over in 3.2 as well as just having to get used to the layout. I have no experience with the program, nor do I have any funcstions set upbso neither concern seem to apply to my situation. I will read through 3.4, 3.6, and 4.0 as time allows.

I also asked a similar question over on the hpt forum and Bill didn't even push updating which surprised me. He said not much for GM gen 3 has been added in the past 10 years, so I wouldn't be missing out on much parameter wise stcking with 2.24.

Also agree on the trust comments. I had watched about half that youtube video, thats where I got to not go past version 4.0 to be safe. I've got my new never used MPVI pro from 2007 with 8 credits which is more than I should ever need. Just need to pick a version, stick with it, and stay offline.

 

I use two original MPVIs and one MPVI2 on a daily basis and I update to the latest beta every week as I routinely tune the latest vehicles and need the latest bug fixes and tables and no issues.

 

Good to know, your MPVIs must be on firmware version 121?

From my research VCM suite version 3.6.26 appeared to be pretty "stable" with minimal complaints. So I have downloaded that, set up a few graphs, and plan to try some data logging as soon as I get everything to get my new wideband installed.

 

I would assume whatever is the latest as it automatically gets updated whenever a new firmware version is available which hasn't happened for quite some time now as they are considered obsolete. They are no longer repairable as all original parts supplies have been exhausted but contrary to internet lore it's not going to magically brick itself because it's on the latest firmware or because you are running the latest software version.

 

Yep same here except I have all mpvi2's or 2+ but I update my software frequently. I usually stay one version back or wait a couple weeks to update all my devices but I still update them regularly. 99% of the time the updates are adding features or fixing bugs, I can only remember one time when an update made things worse and hpt quickly fixed it. I thick the internet is blowing what firmware and version of hpt your on way out of proportion, I tune everyday and dont ever remember even looking what firmware I was on or wish I hadnt updated my hpt.

 

Oh most definitely, and the guys who are doing all of the complaining about bricked interfaces were probably using the hacked software that is floating around and are mad they can't get away with it anymore since HPT decided to protect their IP.

 

I know we've gone round and round on this in other threads but I need to make this clear to those who are reading this new and are not aware.

Everyone is ALL FOR them protecting their IP. Me included. Love the product. Would hate to see some hacker/company steal their IP and put them out of business. As bad as I dislike and distrust the company, I will ABSOLUTELY be buying the product again on a future car most likely, because it's the best.

The problem is that they "protected their IP" in a super greedy underhanded way that screwed a lot of legit paying customers pretty badly, and now many of us won't trust them ever again.

You must not tune diesels. I don't either. But established customers who do (for legal reasons, like in boats and offroad tractors etc) have had FUNCTIONALITY secretly removed that they PAID FOR and were RELYING ON for their business or hobby.

All HPT had to do was list it in the release notes, or make it known before irreversibly secretly modifying the firmware in the MPVI1 that they were going to do this and I'd be OK with it.

If a future update removes the ability for you to delete rear O2 sensors, I'll be bringing this thread back from the dead and do the "I told you so". I'll still be tuning my 2 existing cars with my "update blocked" MPVI1-PRO however.

And on my next car I'll get a new MPVI2 and get it "standardized" for that car and will stop updates on it too (as long as their design allows me to do so in the future). That's the only way in my opinion to guarantee I can keep FEATURES I PAID FOR.

LATE EDIT: For the benefit of those who don't watch the video, the working theory is that HPT did this secret firmware "fix" is solely because a pirate version got out and was floating around. Nothing more. Their reputation in other business areas like licensing is evidence they are certainly capable of this type of underhanded tactic, and nobody has ever even hinted this is related to EPA or gov't or anything. Also, the firmware upgrade blocks versions right near the line of the pirated version allegedly based on the videos I've seen. Decide for yourself, but my opinion is they fundamentally screwed their customers in secret to block a pirate version.

 

You still just don't get it do you, they didn't just decide one day to get rid of a "feature" that you paid for, they didn't have an option. The alternative was shutting down and handing over their customer list to the EPA, guess what happens next...

 

I dont tune diesels anymore, I quit tuning diesels in 2011 after every phone call was for delete tunes. Thats not the direction I wanted my business to go in. Im sure at some point the ability to delete any emission item will be removed from all commercial tuning software in the US. When people get on youtube and facebook and post video after video of illegal deletes and advertise it, it was only a matter of time before the government got involved.
I look at it differently, you bought a device that comes with free software and free software updates, you didnt pay for features IMO. Software updates have added all kinds of features to the editor and scanner over the years 99% of the time making it better for free. This not only applies to HPT but almost everything electronic now days including your cell phone.
I agree with NicD that HPT probably had their hands tied, I highly doubt they removed anything by choice.

 

yeah its a double edged sword

 

I would tend to disagree, with HPT having to turn over a customer list, since most likely, they don't even have one. Most of their cables are sold through second party vendors and HPT tracks their cables by the serial number. They have no reason to know the user's actual name, if they don't have it, they can't give.

 

Ever buy credits from their website? They have your name, address, email and phone number. Your account is linked to the serial number on your box.

 

So let me get this thought right, they were smart enough to reverse engineer multiple operating systems the manufacturers built, but not smart enough to know who and where their customers are? OkayJust saying

 

I have 2 versions of VCM on 2 different laptops. With a new MPVI3 am I able to use with both versions or the device married to whatever version I start with or register my device with?