1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Praise of the "MINI VCI"

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by bobodaclown, Jan 25, 2013.

  1. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    216
    72
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Hello all,
    I've had my Prius now for about 11 months. I've always been a DIY type of guy. I've been reading the forums here for a while, and really appreciate the help everyone provides. Thank you every one.

    My question now is why isn't there a sticky dedicated to the "MINI VCI" interface cable. It is the cable/software combination that most DIYers need for this vehicle.

    Yes it's a china clone, but what isn't made in china today?

    Need access to Tire Sensors, Need to bleed brakes, Want to modify light settings in the vehicle, add a key?

    It's not perfect you need 32 bit OS. (Windows XP) I have read other getting it working on Windows 7 using a Virtual Machine.

    Other forums seem to bring praise upon this little gadget. You can get it for less than $50. But here it's only mentioned at times, it seems as it's a dirty little secret.

    I'm not wanting to get banned or cause a commotion. If this is improper please delete this post, I just wanted to get what I thought was important information out there. I've ordered a cable and software and will provide an update in a few weeks.
     
    #1 bobodaclown, Jan 25, 2013
  2. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    1,146
    407
    5
    Location:
    Sydney Australia
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I got my miniVCI Xhorse working on my Windows 7(32bit OS) notebook several months ago, no problem. The miniVCI driver was seperate to the Techstream software and mine was on a seperate miniCD. Lately I managed to update my Techstream software to the latest version 7.10.030, it was easy. I just did a google search for "miniVCI Techstream download" and found a link to download the latest version of Techstream software which I downloaded and installed. The Techstream software for miniVCI is free.

    I was reading how some antivirus programs stop the miniVCI program from installing/working. My notebook uses AVG antivirus software and it was ok.
     
    #2 lopezjm2001, Jan 25, 2013
  3. Aquos

    Aquos Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    49
    18
    0
    Location:
    houston tx
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    not sure either no one talks about it.. I found this today. I think I will get this
     
    #3 Aquos, Jan 29, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,047
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is this illegal, black market or something?
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 29, 2013
  5. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    216
    72
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    More like gray market. They're (cable and driver) sold on Ebay and Amazon. Techstream software is older version offered as a download, possibly provided.
     
    #5 bobodaclown, Jan 29, 2013
  6. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    1,146
    407
    5
    Location:
    Sydney Australia
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    If the Chinese company was American then Techstream could sue this company for unauthorised use of the Techstream software. But this company is Chinese and they obviously have little respect for intellectual propierty rights. I also do not think that there is some sort of international agreement on intellectual propierty rights between the USA and China.
     
    #6 lopezjm2001, Jan 30, 2013
    NortTexSalv04Prius and dave77 like this.
  7. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    216
    72
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Mine came in today. Works great. No complaints.
     
    #7 bobodaclown, Feb 8, 2013
    Tbkilb01 likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)