Mercedes Benz Star diagnosis newbie will always consider these 2 questions:
1) Choose Star C3/C4 or SD Connect 4?
2) Do I need to buy the laptop with the system?
3) Choose External HDD or Internal HDD (T30 or Dell format)?
MB Star C3 or SD Connect C4:
1. MB SD Connect Compact 4 is connected via LAN cable but not COM port as MB Star C3 multiplexer. Most modern laptops have not this COM port; also, used Laptop may have problem on COM port so that you would not communication well.
2. SD Connect C4 works perfect across many different laptops. Its both wireless and LAN. No need for super slow 9pin. And you can also ditch that slow hard drive and put in an SSD. You do have to watch out though. It is able to work on many different laptops (Alienware/Sager/Dell/Toshiba etc). And its still up and running fine after many years of constant use.
3. MB Star C3/old Star C4 will no longer work on new Mercedes models, but SD Connect will. The SD C4 is more up to date, SD C4 clone is faster.
4. The Star C3 got phased out in either the 3/15 or the 5/15 release. Star C3 multiplexer talks slowly and is error free.
Actually the SD C4 is better.
Do I need to buy the Dell D630 laptop together?
Some customer review will help explain this in depth.
1. Consisting of a dedicated laptop (with pre-installed and software) cables and multiplexer and do not use for anything else then this purpose, I would recommend.
2. I do not need install any software because this package offer includes Dell 630 in which the newest software XENTRY/DAS 2015.7 for MB SD C4 was pre-installed before delivery. When I get the SD C4, I directly use it. No need to activation. Very convenient!
3. I have and it’s worth every penny… just takes some time to get to learn how it works. Don’t get one with virtual image software (external hard drive), get an actual Dell D630 with original HDD and SD C4 unit.
4. Dell D630 laptop has strong compatibility comparing with other laptops. Lots of other clone diagnostic software can be/ or only be loaded on D630 laptop.
Internal hard drive or external hard drive:
What’s the difference between internal and external HDD, check below:
External hard drive features:
1) If laptop broke, you could just plug it into another machine.
2) It is a lot slower than running it from disk, because of VMware overhead. If you use it 2 or 3 times a year, a VM solution is perfectly fine.
3) Hangs off the machine and can be damaged as you move the laptop around. If you pick up the laptop, the USB drive unplugs, then it will fall to the ground and you’re cooked.
Internal Hard drive advantages:
1) Much faster, if you use it quite a bit then go External hard drive.
2) Internal hard drive has two format T30 for IBM T30 laptop and Dell format for Dell D630 laptop. IBM T30 format is quite old stuff and is out of date.
3) Internal is so much nicer because now I just have the multiplexer and laptop to carry to the car. Nothing to unplug or fall off.
NOTE:
The MB SD Connect + Dell D630 laptop bundle package comes with newest Dell D630 format HDD.
Either MB Star C3 or SD Connect will do Benz W222 with DoIT protocol.
For some special functions (Smart TAN Code calculation, FDOK Key Calculator, etc), you need to order special software program or get the Super MB Star top version.
We are not trying to persuade you buying these SDS multiplexers, but for education purpose.
This is from obd tool website technical support: Star C3 or SD Connect C4, Dell HDD or external HDD?
