Is the hex net older than the hex V2 cable ?
Yes, the HEX-V2 was introduced to the market at the very end of 2016 (a bit less than two years ago).
However some background is necessary for context. The HEX-NET was our vision for a top-of-the-line interface that included wireless capabilities and enough processing power to run -Mobile. That made it relatively expensive to produce. A bit later, when it became obvious that the old workhorse HEX+CAN interface would not be able to support some of the things going on in the latest cars, we took the path of least resistance with the HEX-V2: Use the same processor as the HEX-NET, but strip out all the expensive stuff (WiFi module, fancy power supply, and on-board storage) that wasn't needed in a simple wired interface. This also allowed us to re-use all the work that had already gone into developing the software for the HEX-NET in the HEX-V2. Thus the HEX-NET and the HEX-V2 are very closely related products.
I also heard some units are made on license ? Do the qualitys differ ?
All HEX-NETs are made in the same place.
There are two places that HEX-V2 boards are made, and some of our European distributors do final assembly of the HEX-V2 themselves. I do not think there is a difference in quality.
Also does the hex net connect direct via wireless to laptop as well ie without router?
Yes, the HEX-NET can operate in two different WiFi modes: "Infrastructure" is where it connects to an existing WiFi network, and "Access Point", where it creates its own network that your laptop (or phone or tablet) connects to. "Access Point" is primarily intended for use "on the road"; the problem with it is that neither the HEX-NET nor your laptop will have internet access in this mode.
and upgrade if another model comes out seems to be only £100 upgrade credit against new model.
I can't predict in advance what upgrade offers will be available when a new interface comes out. We always strive to keep our products compatible with the latest cars. The question is: At what point will a future upgrade become compelling for you? We still have thousands of of customers happily using the older HEX+CAN interfaces that we stopped selling at the end of 2016 because they have not yet found it necessary to upgrade. Current "Release" versions of still support those HEX+CAN interfaces (as well as every other interface we've made/sold since the beginning of 2004) and we don't expect that to change in the foreseeable future.