The Nexiq USB Link original adapter came out around 7 years ago and sold more than 130,000 units before it was discontinued and replaced by the Nexiq USB Link 2. The Nexiq USB Link 2 came out around mid-2014 and is the number one selling commercial truck adapter in the market. Besides the fact that Nexiq is worried about USB Link 2 clone, one of the nagging issues that Nexiq had with the original design was that several different OBDII cables were needed (Regular OBDII, Volvo/Mack HD OBDII, CAT in GMC/Chevy Truck OBDII, etc…). The other issue was that Nexiq never really sold a lot of these cables, along with the replacement cables. The reason was that they were trying to get $250 for a replacement 6/9-pin cable, while in the meantime a slew of China manufacturers were selling them for $30-$40 each, and they worked just as well. To make matters worse, China manufacturers were able to create “clones” of the Nexiq USB Link original, and sell them for $300 versus the $700 that a genuine one cost. Nexiq “fixed” these issues with the new Nexiq 2. Inside the serial port end of each USB Link 2 cable, there is now a security and authentication chip. This chip does two things. First, it now means that Nexiq can use software instead of hardwired cables to take care of the problem of having multiple OBDII cables. Second, it means that the Nexiq USB Link 2 can now only be used with cables that have this authentication chip. China is no longer able to produce the cables since they can’t get the authentication chip, thus they can’t create a clone of the Nexiq USB Link 2. With a positive side for Nexiq, they are now able to charge whatever price the market will bear for the cables, since there are no other options for customers. However, the China manufacturers are smart people, and they figured out a workaround: Use the circuit board and cables from the original USB Link, place them in a case that looks like the USB Link 2, and sell it as the USB Link 2. So here we go again, a slew of China imports that are knocking off the Nexiq USB Link 2. We decided to purchase one of these USB Link 2 adapters from China so that we could compare and see how well it works. So here you, enjoy the post and feel free to ask questions in the comments below. The Packaging Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below We also then take the contents out to compare. The original device, again shown on the left, comes with the adapter (with all the stickers attached), 6/9-pin long cable, a special USB cable (Which we will discuss more on this later), along with some paperwork. The USB Link 2 clone adapter comes with a HUGE assortment of cables, covering pretty much everything. It also has loose stickers to place on the tool, along with a 3-disc DVD set. Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below In summary, the genuine USB Link 2 will come in a hard plastic case and will only come with the USB Cable and 6/9 pin cable. The fake and clone adapters from China and beyond will come with a large assortment of cables, along with multiple DVD discs. The Cable Connector Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below In summary, the genuine USB Link 2 will come with a 26-pin male connector for the cables, while the clone USB Link 2 will come with a 15-pin male connector. Remember, Nexiq put an authentication chip in each cable, so how possibly can these clones be doing this? The answer is that the china clone adapters are simply Nexiq USB Link original circuit boards placed in USB Link 2 cases. We will continue to prove this point as we move on. The Cables The other issue is that the included 6/9 pin cable from the China clone is NOT the new green 9-pin that has been used in all model 2016 model year trucks. This means that this cable will not physically connect to any trucks built-in 2016 or newer. Even if you had the correct cable, we have serious doubts that this China clone is cable of handling the new 500k bus speeds that use this green connector. Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below In summary, the USB Link 2 clone from China comes with more cables, yet they are cables for the original USB Link. The included 9-pin from China also will not fit or work on the 2016 model year and newer trucks. USB Cable The other important item to note is that on the clone/fake adapter, you will see that there is a hole in the bottom. On the genuine adapter, this is an actual button that you would push. Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below Circuit Board Genuine Nexiq pictured above with the counterfeit pictured below NEXIQ USB Link 2 Clone Sticker Comparison On the backside of the adapter, the sticker is a completely different size and much smaller on the USB Link 2 clone. There is also far less information, including the fact that says “Made in China”, while the original does not. Summary It doesn’t come in a black plastic case
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