Porsche code reader opinions needed

[Johnny-5]

Hi I’m debating on the Durmetric enthusiast cable but debating if it’s even worth it? I currently have a decent Innova scanner that reads abs and srs as well as live data but isn’t specific like the Durametric unit. The enthusiast I’ll be limited to 3 vins which shouldn’t be a problem as I just have a 996 and 986. The Pro is around $600 or so not wanting to go that route as the only difference I can turn on cruise control with pro over the other. I’m unable to read or write so is it even worth me buying it over what I have now?
 

I see that they also have PIWIS units around $500 and if I’m not mistaken I could do more with those? ICarsoft is another I see people use. 
 

Wanted to know your thoughts on this. Thank you for your time. 

[Johnny-5]

No one has any experience with these?

[JFP in PA]

Search always your friend, as this has been covered many times.

 

Short of jumping $20,000 (first year lease) for a real PIWIS system (not the clone junk sold on the internet for cheap money), Durametric is about as good as it gets.  There are other options, all of which have their limitations as well. Several companies feature "Porsche" models, none of which have shown me very much; several require annual subscriptions, and then tell you that many of the so-called Porsche features will be released at a future date.

 

Out of the box, Durametric gets the job done, it isn't perfect, has perhaps 85% of the factory system functions, which time has proven are way more than enough for some people to get themselves in serious trouble.

[Johnny-5]

51 minutes ago, JFP in PA said:

Search always your friend, as this has been covered many times.

 

Short of jumping $20,000 (first year lease) for a real PIWIS system (not the clone junk sold on the internet for cheap money), Durametric is about as good as it gets.  There are other options, all of which have their limitations as well. Several companies feature "Porsche" models, none of which have shown me very much; several require annual subscriptions, and then tell you that many of the so-called Porsche features will be released at a future date.

 

Out of the box, Durametric gets the job done, it isn't perfect, has perhaps 85% of the factory system functions, which time has proven are way more than enough for some people to get themselves in serious trouble.

JFP thank you for the response. I searched a bit but couldn’t find what I was looking for. The PIWIS I was looking at was online for around $600 for the hardware and software which looks to be the real deal but I don’t know. It states Porsche PIWIS Tester II V18. Didn’t know they had imitations.  I’m not looking for subscription or yearly updates so I guess the Durametric might be the way to go for me. Do you happen to know if the Innova higher end handhelds are just as good as the Durametric or do you think Durametric is still the way to go? Just trying to see if it’s worth it for me to have another type of scanner specific to the Porsche?

[JFP in PA]

A PIWIS II is very old and is no longer supported by Porsche; it also will not work and several late model Porsche vehicles that came out long after the II was killed off, partially because it was being cloned.  The current system is the PIWIS IV, and the version level is somewhere in the 40's.

 

Unfortunately, unless you are willing to jump for several thousand dollars for a decent stand-alone device, plus a subscription for updates, be better off with the Durametric.

[Orient Express]

Along this discussion, what is a recommendation for a console for light duty on a 992?  I'm mainly looking for code reading and resetting the maintenance-minder messages.