Announcing Pre-Orders for VCM Suite 2.1 and MPVI (USB)!!

[Chris@HPTuners]

Announcing Pre-Orders for HP Tuners VCM Suite v2.1 and new MPVI interfaces!!

HP Tuners is pleased to announce that we are now taking pre-orders for VCM Suite v2.1 and MPVI interfaces. The v2.1 release is very significant and includes the following new features:

• MPVI interface
• New software delivery and application key based license system
• New credit based vehicle licensing system
• GM GenIV V8 vehicle support (LS2/LS7)

Once again we would like to thank all our valued customers, forum moderators and contributors who help us continue to innovate and deliver new features to the tuning market. We hope you enjoy using VCM Suite as much as we enjoy making it!


Major New Features of VCM Suite v2.1

MPVI Interface
The eagerly awaited MPVI Interface is finally here! This second generation hardware from HP Tuners raises the bar on cross platform vehicle tuning, licensing flexibility and user features. The brainchild of our in-house hardware expert, Ken Cannata, the MPVI sets a solid foundation platform for HP Tuners over the forthcoming years. The MPVI interface enables HP Tuners to expand the existing GM platform support with the addition of the GenIV V8 (LS2/LS7) vehicles and also lays the foundation for upcoming Ford and Dodge tuning solutions. "We have some major plans to execute in 2006 and the MPVI is critical in our ability to achieve our goals. I'm confident the MPVI and the new features it enables will make it a popular choice for new and existing customers", said Ken.


The MPVI interface comes in two types, the MPVI Standard and the MPVI Pro with Enhanced I/O and data logging capabilities. The feature set is as follows:

• USB 2.0 interface
• GM (VPW/CAN), Ford and Dodge communications protocols
• 4 Analog Inputs (MPVI Pro only)
• 2 Switched Outputs (MPVI Pro only)
• Data logging (MPVI Pro only - future software release)

Application Key Based Software
VCM Suite 2.1 incorporates a new application key based software licensing system. This means that additonal capabilities can be enabled in the software by simply purchasing the feature and obtaining a new application key to enter into VCM Suite. No more downloads for license additions! Internally, this new structure helps us deliver new features and bug fixes faster to the end user. It also allows for a much more automated and personalized experience when purchasing new features or considering purchase options.

Additionally, when combined with the new credit based license system, this new structure delivers great flexibility and freedom when it comes to licensing vehicles. No more upfront decisions, more options to suit business situations, faster new license additions and less uncertainty takes the guesswork out of getting the best value for your money.

Licensing Credit System
VCM Suite 2.1 and the MPVI interface combine to provide the industry's most flexible vehicle licensing system. Customers can now choose to license vehicles in the most convenient or cost effective way to suit almost every situation. The new "credit" based system is very flexible and current options can include Single Vehicle License, Year/Model License, Bundled Packages, VCM Enhancements and can be expanded at any time. Here's how it works...

The customer purchases a VCM Suite GM base package that ships with either MPVI Std or Pro, the software is licensed for an initial 8 GM "HPT Credits". At this point the customer doesn't have to specify the vehicle type or license type; they have 8 GM credits to use as they wish. They install the software and drivers, connect up to the vehicle and attempt to read the vehicle calibration. The software will prompt them with a message saying the vehicle they are connected to is unlicensed and presents them with a menu of how they can use their existing credits to license this particular vehicle. The user chooses the option that best suits their circumstance, the appropriate amount of credits are "used" and the vehicle is now licensed. Customers can purchase additional credits at anytime via the internet and add them to their VCM Suite software via a simple process. In future, Ford and Dodge credits will also be available.

Single Vehicle Licenses also complement the existing Year/Model and Tunershop Package licensing methods. This option allows customers to choose to license a single vehicle if that best suits their circumstance. For example a weekend or track tuner may opt for Year/Model licenses for popular models and keep a few credits spare for other less common vehicles that can be licensed using the Single Vehicle option.

Customers have complete control over when and how they choose to license different vehicles and also how they manage their credits. The base packages include 8 GM credits that, for example, could be used to license four single LS1 vehicles or two LS2 vehicles or other combination. Once credits are used they are permanently stored by the software and cannot be modified.

For more details of the credit system please see the Credit System FAQ.

Existing customers will be able to upgrade from their Serial interfaces to the MPVI and transfer existing licenses to the MPVI.

GM GenIV (LS2/LS7) support
With VCM Suite 2.1 and MPVI it gives us great pleasure to announce public release of GenIV V8 vehicle tuning! VCM Suite is the only package available that provides comprehensive tuning and scanning capabilities for the GenIV engines in a single integrated software package. No guessing what the impact of the tune are on critical parameters such as knock, injector duty cycle and commanded fueling. Also, included is comprehensive support for the Transmission Control Module (TCM) which is a separate controller for the GenIV vehicles. Lightning fast reads and write speeds with no hardware bottlenecks are the norm for HP Tuners, write the PCM and TCM calibration in only 30 seconds!!

Only HP Tuners VCM Suite gives you the power to tune and scan GenIII, GenIV and V6 vehicles from a single integrated software package using a single interface. With upcoming release of I4, I5, I6 and Duramax tuning in the GM stable, combined with Ford and Dodge tuning coming soon, your investment in HP Tuners is well protected.

Availability
We are now taking pre-orders for new purchases and upgrades to Gen IV V8 (LS2/LS7) support only. We expect first shipment to be 15th Feb, 2006.

Upgrades for existing customers who do not require Gen IV V8 (LS2/LS7) support will be allowed after 1st March, 2006. We are staging the release to manage the administrative load and give priority to those wanting LS2/LS7 support.

Pricing
Base Packages
VCM Suite GM Std - $499
VCM Suite GM Pro - $649 (enhanced I/O)

GM Base packages ship with:
- MPVI Std or Pro
- USB 2.0 cable
- OBDII cable
- VCM Suite Software CD
- 8 GM Credits

Vehicle License Credits
add 1 license credit GM - $49.99

GenIII Single Vehicle license - 2 credits
GenIII Year/Model license - 6 credits
GenIV Single Vehicle license - 4 credits
GenIV Year/Model license - 20 credits
V6 Single Vehicle license - 2 credits
V6 Year/Model license - 6 credits

All GenIII Car Package - 80 credits
All GenIII Truck Package - 80 credits
All V6 Car Package - 80 credits

1 bar SD Enhanced (GenIII single vehicle) - 1 credit
2/3 bar SD Enhanced (GenIII single vehicle) - 4 credits

1 bar SD Enhanced (GenIII unlimited) - 10 credits
2/3 bar SD Enhanced (GenIII unlimited) - 40 credits

MPVI Upgrades
Serial Std/EIO to MPVI Std upgrade - $149 (user must pay shipping for returned serial unit)
Serial Std/EIO to MPVI Pro upgrade - $199 (user must pay shipping for returned serial unit)
MPVI Std to MPVI Pro upgrade - $289 (user must pay shipping for returned MPVI unit)

Note: Customers who upgrade to MPVI that don't have current 2.0 software support will receive v2.1 at no additional charge.

For complete pricing information please see our orders page.




- The HP Tuners team.

[WCP]

so to add a 06 vette is going to be $999.80?

[GuitsBoy]

Me First! Me Firts! Thank you! Thank you!


Ive had my MAF and PE disabled since my cable was stolen last month. Ill finally be able to really drive my car again!

Now to play the waiting game...

[Keith@HPTuners]

The 06 vette credit cost will be the same as the 05.

The 06 vette year/model license will cover both ls2 and ls7 models.

[Chris@HPTuners]

$199 for a single vehicle or $999 for the year/model

[GuitsBoy]

so to add a 06 vette is going to be $999.80?

I think thats only if you wanted to add unlimited 06 vettes. You can add just a single 06 vette (one VIN) for $199.98. Thats how I understand this new credit system.

[Keith@HPTuners]

Correct.

[Bill@HPTuners]

if your a new user you could get 2 LS2 vin locked licenses with your purchase or spend a little more to get unlimited of one model/year

[Billiumss]

WOW, very expensive for me to update to the new interface, kinda disapointed....

I still have open spots on my current serial cables. If I wanted to add a vehicle/year, say a 2000 GP V6 to my cable it would cost me $199. Will that stay the same? Will it be VIN based or all 2000 GP V6 cars like it has been?


Basically, how will you handle the people that don't upgrade to the new cable?

Why the price increase for the same support?


I have a bad feeling that it's going to cost me more money out of my pocket to add vehicles to my current cables.

Please explain in detail.

Bill

[Keith@HPTuners]

Existing serial interface customers are still under the same pricing method.

Serial interfaces licensing methods will remain the same as they were.. they will not receive any new licensing methods and/or price changes.

Simply e-mail sales for information on how to add licenses to your serial interface and we'll send you back information with instructions.

The new licensing methods and pricing only apply to new USB MPVI units.

[GuitsBoy]

Can we get a little more info on the MPVI data logging? How many PIDs can it log? what frame rate? How many frames? multiple logs or just one? You said it was a future software release... where's the beta tester signup form?

[MeentSS02]

Hmmmmmmmm...definitely a bit steeper than I thought it would be to upgrade from my serial EIO to USB. Would I even have a good reason to do so? I don't ever plan on tuning an LS2 car, and could care less about ever tuning anyone else's too for that matter. Does it increase logging capability? I know it would probably flash/read faster, but my serial unit already does this pretty well...

Man... Definitely a little disappointed...I guess black box data logging is the only clear advantage.

[MeentSS02]

And another question:

I already paid $150 extra for the Serial EIO. What I'm having a hard time understanding is why I have to pay the same upgrade price as someone that just had a standard interface...I know I wouldn't have had the utility of the EIO, but man. That just doesn't sit very well in my stomach...or my pocketbook. It's like I never even gave you that money...

[WS6snake-eater]

ok I currently have a standard serial box, with a single license ver. 1.7...(I got in before you guys starting offering 2 licenses) I'm no longer in my support period, but If I understand correctly; I can upgrade to the new EIOproUSB hardware and get vers 2.1 for only $199???????? If that is correct then it's worth it for me. Now you guys just need to get the Dodge support up and going...BTW I really need SRT4 support.

[Keith@HPTuners]

We feel that the serial to USB upgrade prices are MORE than generous.

Not only do you get USB, but you get the ability to tune and scan so many more vehicles plus you get the benefits of the application key licensing system.

The reason we have to charge the same for all serial toUSB EIO upgrades is because the hardware does cost us money and the returned hardware is all worth the same.. $0. We can't do anything with it, and no matter what you send us, the new hardware still costs us the same amount of $ to make.

[Keith@HPTuners]

ok I currently have a standard serial box, with a single license ver. 1.7...(I got in before you guys starting offering 2 licenses) I'm no longer in my support period, but If I understand correctly; I can upgrade to the new EIOproUSB hardware and get vers 2.1 for only $199???????? If that is correct then it's worth it for me. Now you guys just need to get the Dodge support up and going...BTW I really need SRT4 support.

Note: Customers who upgrade to MPVI that don't have current 2.0 software support will receive v2.1 at no additional charge.

[WS6snake-eater]

Note: Customers who upgrade to MPVI that don't have current 2.0 software support will receive v2.1 at no additional charge.

Cool...I just wanted to make sure that I understood it correctly and that you didn't accidently put the "DON'T" in there.

[MeentSS02]

So basically you are saying that I threw $150 down the drain. I know this stuff costs money, and I know it makes sense to you, but looking at it in my shoes, that's not a very good deal at all. After all, that extra $150 went into your company.

[SRPerformance]

To tune any LS2 is 20 credits.

What I need is the base package is $499 (includes 8 credits) plus 12 credits $599.88. Therefore the first tune will cost $1098.88, subsequent tune will cost 20 credits $998.88. Then add my costs per tune.

I dont know if any customers will be ready to pay $2000 AUS for a tune

[WS6snake-eater]

We feel that the serial to USB upgrade prices are MORE than generous.

Not only do you get USB, but you get the ability to tune and scan so many more vehicles plus you get the benefits of the application key licensing system.

The reason we have to charge the same for all serial toUSB EIO upgrades is because the hardware does cost us money and the returned hardware is all worth the same.. $0. We can't do anything with it, and no matter what you send us, the new hardware still costs us the same amount of $ to make.

That makes sense. The upgrade is not for everybody. But, it really helps out us folks who tune a wide variety of vehicles, simply because of the new pricing structure. I really like it.