Ford VCM IDS

[klmracing]

I have a few questions about the Ford VCM IDS. I want 1. im gonna be keeping my truck till the body completely rusts off or i blow up both engine and transmission.

question 1. the real IDS from Rotunda costs almost $4000 if not more. does anyone know the difference between the american made ids and the much cheaper Chinese version for $800 or so?

question 2. what is the mini vcm ids? same as the regular?

this will most likely be used on my truck only and maybe another newer ford vehicle that i would buy for my wife when we can afford it. does anyone have experience with this?

[sinner6.0L]

the problem with individuals owning an IDS is the yearly subsciption fee makes it almost not worth it unless you're a specialty shop or dealership tech. i've considered getting my own and i probably would if i was in a larger shop

i'm aware that there are fake VCMs out there but i don't anything else besides that. you'd likely have to pirate software for it because you wouldn't be able to register it. buying an ids subscription also gives you access to OASIS, that's a big bonus that you can't get any other way. also with a fake vcm you wouldn't be able to reprogram or update any vehicle modules. ford has it now so that all recalibration files are on their database and need to be obtained through fmcdealer

the only "mini vcm" i know of is a PDS, basically a palm pilot ids with less features. never used one

[sportsman500]

pds is becoming obsolete , they started phasing it out last year . As far a i understand you wont be able to program with it after dec '11 .

[WildStyle]

We tossed our PDS out probably 3 years ago, they were junk.

[pizza pig]

i'd say just get AE if your'e just using it for diagnostics and stuff like that. I will be buying AE in the near future... it can do a lot of stuff on these trucks.

[tuckman]

I have AE and it is a lifesaver! I know its not the IDS but its pretty darn good!