MB Star C4 Plus DOIP vs Star C4 with ENET

[odaishisama]

If possible, I would like feedback on the comparison of MB Star C4 Plus with DOIP (Chinese clone) and MB Star C4 (non-doip) with ENET cable to confirm my current understanding. I already have a standard MB Star C4 clone, and instead of upgrading to the Plus version with DOIP, I am thinking of just buying the ENET cable.

As far as I understand, the advantage of Star C4 Plus with DOIP is that the same device can be used without problems if the Ethernet network settings are configured correctly using both 172.29.127.X and 169.254.155.X.

Whereas with a standard C4 with ENET, to get the same functionality without changing ethernet and reconfiguring the network adapter every time on the laptop, you would have to buy and use a USB-LAN adapter for the ENET cable, and choose which one to use for Xentry at startup. Is that correct?

But essentially either option will fully diagnose both old and new cars. Are there any other advantages or disadvantages to one system over the other that I may not be aware of?

Another area I'm a little unsure about is whether it's necessary to switch from XDOS to XPT for ENET? I read somewhere that some people mentioned problems in XDOS with ENET cables with reading/result issues in short tests, will XDOS support ENET for diagnostics in full in general or are these types of problems more likely to be related to certain user settings. And if these problems are common for short tests in XDOS, I'm guessing they're more likely to occur with both the MD Start C4 with DOIP and a separate ENET cable regardless?

I would appreciate any comments on the above. Thanks in advance.

 

[handygraphy]

Regarding the comparison between the MB Star C4 Plus with DOIP and the standard MB Star C4 with ENET cable, your understanding is mostly correct, but let me clarify a few points.

Star C4 Plus with DOIP:

As you mentioned, the key advantage of the MB Star C4 Plus with DOIP is its ability to handle both older and newer vehicles without any network reconfiguration. The device can work with two different subnets (172.29.127.X and 169.254.155.X) as long as the Ethernet network settings are configured correctly. This makes it convenient since you don’t need to change network configurations each time you switch between vehicles.

Standard MB Star C4 with ENET:

You are also correct that with a standard MB Star C4 (non-DOIP) and an ENET cable, you would need a USB-LAN adapter to switch between network settings, as it typically requires a different configuration for newer cars. When using ENET, the device is often limited to cars that don't require DOIP for diagnostics. This means, if you're working with newer models (which require DOIP), you'd either need to reconfigure your network adapter or use a separate setup with a USB-LAN adapter to connect without changing the settings every time. So yes, you'd need to choose which network to use at Xentry startup.

General Diagnosis Capabilities:

Both the MB Star C4 Plus with DOIP and the standard C4 with ENET will allow full diagnostics on both old and new cars. The difference lies mainly in how easy and seamless the process is when switching between newer and older models. DOIP-equipped tools like the C4 Plus can handle this more smoothly, while with the C4 and ENET setup, it’s more manual and requires switching configurations or hardware (USB-LAN).

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• C4 Plus with DOIP: The main advantage is the ability to easily handle both older and newer vehicles with minimal setup. It’s more future-proof and more convenient if you work with a variety of models. However, it is generally more expensive.
• Standard C4 with ENET: The ENET cable option is cheaper but less flexible, especially with newer vehicles that require DOIP. You’ll have to deal with network reconfigurations or additional adapters, which can be a bit cumbersome.

XDOS vs XPT with ENET:

Regarding the transition from XDOS to XPT for ENET cables, you’re right that there have been reports of issues with short tests in XDOS when using ENET cables, such as reading or result issues. XPT (XENTRY PassThru) generally offers better support for ENET cables and newer vehicles, so it’s recommended to use XPT for optimal results. If you're using XDOS, it may work for diagnostics, but there could be occasional issues, especially with certain vehicle models or functions, which could be due to user settings or incompatibility. If these issues are common in XDOS, they would likely be present in both the Star C4 with DOIP and ENET cable setups, as they are more related to how the software interfaces with the cable rather than the specific tool.

In summary:

• C4 Plus with DOIP is more flexible and convenient, especially for new models.
• C4 with ENET is cheaper but requires more manual adjustments, especially for newer cars.
• Switching to XPT is recommended if you're using an ENET cable to avoid issues with XDOS.

 

[odaishisama]

But it's not quite what I was looking for or hoping for.