Has anybody used the services of Carly?

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Germancars
Senior
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:25 pm

I have seen many advertisements on YouTube for Carly, a gadget that allegedly facilitates the unlocking of "hidden features."
A few years ago, I had the voice control feature of my 2012 3L A5 Cab unlocked. Audi has disabled this feature for unknown reasons.
If the product does not provide me with anything valuable, I am hesitant to pay £59 on it.
Since I currently own a diagnostic cable, my need mostly revolves on using it to access further functionalities.
craigstomer
Senior
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2022 2:20 pm

I have used Carly on a prior BMW vehicle. I purchased an authentic Carly Adapter for around £50 nine years ago, and the accompanying application cost a further £45. I use OBDeleven on my Audi, and the functionalities seem to be somewhat identical. In the past, applications were sold with a "lifetime" license, however more recently, purchases come with a one-year licence.

Both Carly and OBDeleven provide access to the car's capabilities, allowing users to turn them on or off. The choice between the two depends on the specific option you want to activate.
AudiFan2021
Moderator
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2021 4:15 pm

I have used Carly for an extended period of time on my van, as well as on other Audis. I think it to be of exceptional quality and very affordable considering the value it offers. They consistently provide new features, the most recent one I used is the battery monitoring option. I believe that the quality of a product or service is directly proportional to its price.
Germancars
Senior
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:25 pm

My expectation, at the very least, was to have the capability to control the roof from a distance. I have seen other discussions in the past, not necessarily on this platform, where users have discussed the ability to adjust the volume either by using certain button combinations on the remote control or by using the physical key.
Without any specified functions, it is difficult to determine the potential benefits or value that I might get from it.
craigstomer
Senior
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2022 2:20 pm

I understand. Only someone who owns a convertible can provide a response to that question, jokingly.

If you are in close proximity to me in the United Kingdom, specifically in the IG3 postcode area, and possess the knowledge and ability to enable a feature via OBDeleven, I extend an invitation for you to use my device for the purpose of activating that function. I fail to get the rationale for investing in an application just intended for a solitary purpose.
Germancars
Senior
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:25 pm

Thank you for your kind offer, however I regret to inform you that I am located around 100 miles north of your current location, making it impractical for me to accept. I have not yet used OBDeleven. I am indifferent to purchasing either that or Carly. However, I would appreciate knowing the capabilities of either option before making a purchase. Over the years, I have spent a significant amount of money, only to discover that the actual outcomes fall well short of the promised results.
If you can provide me with any insight about the capabilities of the OBD for my exceptional vehicle, I would really appreciate it.
By the way, I had my vehicle upgraded with the Stage 1 Revo treatment in March... it provided a significant increase in performance!
craigstomer
Senior
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2022 2:20 pm

The main purpose of buying these applications is to read problem codes and provide service. I am not in favour of the concept of paying a mechanic to decipher a code.
Replacing a battery enables the coding and registration of a new battery. Additionally, as Audi vehicles utilise electronic brakes for parking, the engine must be retracted before the brake pads can be changed. They were quite beneficial when I changed the rear disc/pads 6 months ago.

In addition to that, I have performed basic tasks such as receiving an audio notice when the alarm is activated. Enable Bluetooth and display battery level on the status bar. Additionally, I use OBDeleve on a monthly basis to assess the condition of the battery's health.
The needle sweep feature was activated by the prior owner upon starting. There is a website called OBDeleven that provides further information.

I trust that you are deriving pleasure from the first phase of enhancement. I chose to keep my vehicle in its original condition to avoid putting excessive strain on it and perhaps incurring the cost of replacing the clutch. My clutch is still the original one, even after surpassing 100,000 miles.
Germancars
Senior
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:25 pm

Thank you for the information.
I have no concerns about clutch wear or stress since the 3.0L diesel engine and gearbox are specifically engineered to handle almost twice the normal power output.
Given my current annual income of about 4-5k, it seems unlikely that I will achieve a total of 100k in the near future. The vehicle's odometer showed a mileage of 64,000 when I acquired it in February 2017, at an age of 4 years and 6 months. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 28,800.
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