For automotive enthusiasts, especially those who own or repair Opel, Vauxhall, or Holden vehicles, the name is legendary. This third-party diagnostic interface has been the go-to solution for deep-level vehicle access without the astronomical cost of a genuine Tech2 or GDS system.

Original Opcom interfaces utilized a PIC microcontroller (typically a PIC18F458 or PIC18F248) containing unique firmware. As the hardware was reverse-engineered, cheap "clone" interfaces flooded the market.

Most OP-COM units sold online are "clones"—unofficial replicas of the original Bulgarian-made tool. The official software includes "clone-killer" routines. If the software detects a clone interface, it may attempt to "brick" the device by wiping or corrupting the firmware. A serves three main purposes:

However, the stock firmware has built-in limitations—many of them artificial. It checks for a "genuine" interface, refuses to work with some clone hardware, and locks certain functions behind paywalls.