opinions on dball vs idatalink

Need an opinion from you guys. I have a couple remote starts to install in the next week or so. 2006 PT Cruiser and 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Was looking into using the DBAll2 for both, and buying the KLoader2 to flash the firmware. Looking at the IDatalink modules and it seems they come flashed already. Can someone give me pros and cons for both? Ill be installing a Prestige APS678A in the Jeep. haven't bought one for the PT Cruiser yet. But was looking at the Avital 4103.

Thanks in advance everyone

Only the orange box iDatalink Solo series comes pre-flashed.  The green box Multi series comes flashed with something
else ( usually CH4 ).  You need CH5 and CH6 for the cars you mentioned.  You would need an ADS USB cable and authorized
access to flash the iDatalink modules.   That being said, I have used the iDatalink CH5 and CH6 firmware a bunch and had
zero issues. 

Here is a link to a Pictorial on the Jeep G.C. using an iDatalink module and a newer style Prestige R/S unit ( one of my favorite
vehicles to do )  :  https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=137527

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Soldering is fun!

So is it even possible for a DIY to use either one of these since you need access to flash them? will the DBall2 work on these also? It looked like on the directed site, that as long as you had the module to plug in the computer. You could flash the firmware.

+1 with kreg. Having experience with both, I prefer to use the idatalink pieces over the dball. Have yet to have a comeback for any bypass related issues. I find the dball they advertise that it does "this and that," however you end up finding yourself making analogue connections. If idatalink lists that it works, it works. Just mytake.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

Yes, with XPressKit ( DEI ) modules, all you need is the XKLoader2 cable and a PC with internet access to flash the bypass module.  However, any flash that is marked Key2Go, you must be an authorized Directed dealer to do the Key2Go cloning process.  Neither of your two vehicles need Key2Go.  

Remember that there is a third bypass module company, and an excellent one at that.  Fortin has their own FlashLink USB cable but access is not restricted.   https://fortin.ca/en/

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Soldering is fun!

How would i go about getting the idatalink flashed if im not an authorized dealer?

There are "online" sellers that will flash the module you purchase from them with the requested firmware prior to shipment.

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Soldering is fun!

you can make an account on idata and flash anything you need. being a diyer will limit you to current publicly availabl firmwares. For authoruzed dealers we simply get access to custom firmware if required, and pre-release firmwares. Just for example toyota use a new encryption on their keys. They wrote a firmware for convenience features, which was available for installers weeks before it was announced on the main page

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

On my bypass shelf I have all three DBall, Idatalink, and a few Fortin pieces for good measure. Primarily I use Idatalink, but on days like yesterday when their server crashed I hAve DBall2's so I'm not left with 6 cars to do and no bypasses. As an installer I think that the brand you are most comfortable with is the best, but for the most part they all do the same thing. As a do-it-yourself 'er I would likely go with Fortin...preloaded no downloaded software to worry about, easy printable guide...but a bit fickle to program. Choice is yours...but in the end be safe and for the love of God solder all your connections!

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Solder, tape, repeat!

Good I give a like and a X 2 to shark and Ted's posts?

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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

Appreciate all the information everyone.