so hydra charges for firmware?
 

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...62#post3204662

I know that motec, haltech, accel, 034efi, autronic, and TEC do not charge for firmware. For $2k, i think free firmware updates are justified.

another nguyen for MS.

You forgot AEM in your list of don't chargers.

apparently FM is an Apple user, who enjoys paying for updates...its their intellectual property. lulz

Do you have to send them them the box or do they send you a file? If its the latter just throw money together and order 1, then spread it out amongst yourselves.

Logistics, payments, and legalities aside, I'd like to know what improvements/differences exist in the newest hardware vs the previous.

According to Jeremy's first post in that thread: "You'll need to call us for a RMA# before sending us the unit. Thanks http://forum.miata.net/vb/images/smilies/smile.gif"

Welcome to the model of the software industry. Major releases generally carry a cost (Windows XP to Vista). Minor releases or maintenance releases are usually free within the release period of the software (10.5.1 to 10.5.3).

With a lot of software you don't "own" it but lease it, year after year. Keep up the annual maintenance and you can run the software with "free" updates. As soon as it lapses, you no longer have the right to use the software ... and in a lot of cases the software self destructs. Nothing new here.

Apple doesn't charge for updates, major revisions yes. Same as MS, Adobe and the rest of the commercial software vendors.

Do you think it reasonable that a one time purchase of software would entitle you to every release after that?

I'm assuming that this is a major change in the Hydra Firmware, and not just a bunch of bug fixes. If there is a significant amount of new features and functionality it is reasonable they are charging for it.

Would that be ethical and legal? I guess if it saves enough money it doesn't matter right?

I didnt click the link, sorry :(

So I take it no one codes their own firmware are has just ripped it from the chip?

no one else charges for it.

bug fixes should be free of course. adding features is different. it's up to the company.

i love the "why didn't you tell us when we bought ours a month ago?" guy.
because they would have lost your sale, jackass!

whatever--rapid development cycles are rapid development cycles. I can bitch that I paid 2800 for a 34" tube widescreen tv 6 years ago all i want but it wont put a 50" plasma in my living room.

once hydra figures out how to make firmware-only changes that don't require hardware changes, they can probably release new firmware for free more easily. that's how it works with the other guys. they dont change their hardware every 3 days.

At $2000, they can give complimentary software updates. Apparently I'm a cheapass, which is convenient because I went with MS.

I agree. Its an ecu, not a pc. We all have enough ongoing expenses with our cars that that its just a lame thing to do. Now that I know this, dont think anyone I know is going to be buying one.

Exactly. The MSPNP is $1200 cheaper and firmware updates are free.

There is enough of a fear factor (in Dallas at least) that MSpnp is a big bird nest of black boxes and mystery inside the case, which supposedly will never work right and somehow blows up engine unsuspectingly. Someone asked me last night, "are you comfortable putting 'gray market, fly by night' engine management on such a nice engine and turbo system?" People still think the more money you spend, the more you get. People in Dallas still think PC-Pro is superior to MS for reliability. I don't get it. Last night I also hear that my turbo car is going to overheat on the track, break studs, and I won't be able to get it tuned and blow it up. "You should have gone with an M62 and pcpro because all these people have it and it works." People act like its a miaracle that I've been driving a car on MS for 6-months.

I thought about buying Hydra long and hard before I made my decision to get MS because I was worried about efficacy, which I now understand was not a concern.

Once again you prove that you are a fucking idiot.

Month 13 and 10k miles. Car still runs.

Watch yourself you little punk bitch queer beta male canadian trash. Do you fucking know who you're talking to right now? God damn I bet you're some fucking skinny ass ------ who's never touched a boob in his life. You come say that sort of shit to me and I'll fuck you up three times before you hit the mother fucking ground. Im the type of person that brings a weapon to a party if im planning on fighting. I fight to win no matter what it takes.Im not afraid to yell that's my purse, i don't know you. Im NOT afraid to kick someone as hard as i can in the nuts, FROM BEHIND. Yah thats right. I would cheap shot the fuck out of any of you, mother fuckers, and then id stomp on your face while you were on the ground crying like a bitch. Oh, and if you need anymore favors, call Obama, maybe he'll give you socialist pussies something for free, like our GDP.

:bowrofl: Another one owned by hustler. I find that 90% of the threads you post in are worth reading just for the fact that you probably e-raped someones face

+1 for Hustler

For extra $$$ I'd certainly welcome some updated features to my link. $100 would seem like a pittance to get Launch Control for example.