VIDA DICE, which one to buy?

[xHeart]

PS: here is an authentic unit (not my photo or unit):

[...]

A8316 is SD slot, where EZUZRiO is a Bluetooth connection I believe.

[Vchef]

PS: here is an authentic unit (not my photo or unit):
[...]

A8316 is SD slot, where EZUZRiO is a Bluetooth connection I believe.

My colleague bought dice from ebay which looks like the same as this one except it does not have these connections and it had better wires and case than mine also mine was with blue board

[cn90]

It took me 3 months to figure out all the DiCE and VIDA thingy!!!

The bottom line is:

1. DiCE: I got lucky, there are so many sellers selling DiCE, I bought from a person in California based on good review, it costs a little more ($150) than the seller from China ($110). But if you buy it from this seller (2013A version) it is warranted to work!
The inside circuit board of the DiCE sold by this seller is very close to Volvo SETEK AB circuit board.
If you buy an older DiCE version from 2011, you will almost certainly run into issues with 2013A VIDA laptop, unless you mess around with firmware update (another nightmare).
Been there done that!

2. The VIDA laptop: it was a nightmare to set it up. Hours and hours and hours.
I finally bought one that is "Plug and Play".

So, if you buy the DiCE from that particular seller and get the "Plug and Play" laptop, I can assure you with 100% certainty that it would work.

No fuss, no time wasted.

So if you don't want any headache, PM me for detail.

[xHeart]

It took me 3 months to figure out all the DiCE and VIDA thingy!!!

The bottom line is:

1. DiCE: I got lucky, there are so many sellers selling DiCE, I bought from a person in California based on good review, it costs a little more ($150) than the seller from China ($110). But if you buy it from this seller (2013A version) it is warranted to work!
The inside circuit board of the DiCE sold by this seller is very close to Volvo SETEK AB circuit board.
If you buy an older DiCE version from 2011, you will almost certainly run into issues with 2013A VIDA laptop, unless you mess around with firmware update (another nightmare).
Been there done that!

2. The VIDA laptop: it was a nightmare to set it up. Hours and hours and hours.
I finally bought one that is "Plug and Play".

So, if you buy the DiCE from that particular seller and get the "Plug and Play" laptop, I can assure you with 100% certainty that it would work.

No fuss, no time wasted.

So if you don't want any headache, PM me for detail.

Good to know cn90.
My DiCE is 2010, it works effortlessly with VIDA 2014A.
What is your approach for supplying power to the DiCE from the AC 110v source, like plugging it into a home wall outlet?

[cn90]

..What is your approach for supplying power to the DiCE from the AC 110v source, like plugging it into a home wall outlet?

Oh,

I simply plug the DiCE into the laptop's USB port and the other end (OBD-II connector) to the car.
Then turn the key to position II.

[Vchef]

I will share my experience about buying from Aliexpress. Wanted to buy DiCE for my brother searched for good quality item. So bought from seller with 5 stars, feedback ~99%, orders >50. Had not looked at cheapest one with shipping it was ~120$. Seller put good item photos with green board as in this forum so I was expected good quality item. So it arrived after 40days, had to pay VAT and custom taxes +40$. An guest what??!!? got crappy unit with blue board, case made from super cheap materials , wires looked like plastic. Asked seller WTF??? He asked for clues so provided board pictures, he explained that this is not his fault that warehouse ships what they have in stock!!! after 2 weeks of negotiation seller offered me 6$ refund!!! Have escalated to Aliexpress support but do not expect much. Waste of 160$. I will never buy expensive things from Aliexpress if this would happen on ebay I would got full refund with no problems and ebay filters these layers quite well. So buying from Aliexpress like playing lottery and paying more does not guaranty you nothing... if seller shows pictures of good item it does not mean that you get it...

[precopster]

I just topped 203 transactions through AliExpress for both car stuff (mostly car scanners from Shenzhen Zeuss including Vida/Dice) and printer parts.

Take a good look at the policies of AliExpress. They have a really good return policy. When purchasing from AliExpress NEVER choose "Confirm goods received" unless they have been checked for authenticity and quality.

The sellers won't receive payment from AliExpress if you don't check that option so hold out until everything is checked. If goods are not officially received this is the time to negotiate.

In one situation I purchased four generic Bosch alternator regulators from a seller that refused to acknowledge they were faulty. It could have been a language barrier problem with the seller at first. I left the regulators sitting around for 6 months before using them and had already pressed "Confirm goods received"

I posted a damming report here on MVS in the suppliers section about the transaction, then sent the supplier a link to the post. Within 4 weeks there were 4 new regulators sitting in my mailbox (I couldn't negotiate a refund) so I have 4 great door stoppers. The seller pleaded that I remove the post. It still stands.

P.S Shenzhen Zeuss sell all their car scanners with a 5-7 day DHL service with tracking info.

[Vchef]

I think Ali support will offer return of item. At the moment I have payed 160$, if I will choose refund I will get back my 120$ plus I have to pay shipping costs back to seller It will be 15-20$. So I lose 60$ seller loses few $$ because China subsidizing international shipping... I'm not happy at all:( it is not my fault that seller ships randomly. The Item still works but do not know for how long and quality is terrible...

[precopster]

My thoughts on Vida/Dice is either buy fron eBay (more feedback) or buy at the cheapest possible price from Ali seller with good feedback.

Any chance of throwing up some photos of your unit? Also which seller in particular did you buy from? This could help other buyers here from MVS to steer clear.

[Vchef]

I will show seller when dispute will be over.
Picture of item Quality are terrible everything feels very cheap from parts soldered to wires and case. Parts looks like used somewhere else before or refurbished. Cables are very stiff.
The speed of Chinese work:
Bought item on 2014-11-03
Arrived on 2014-12-15
Opened dispute with ali support 2014-12-15
Support still "working on it" 2015-02-12