Not sure if anyone is interested in a clone VCM, but I have the name of a reliable seller on aliexpress if anyone is interested. I ordered mine, and had it at my door from Hong Kong in 4 days. Its a grade A PCB and even the wifi works up to IDS v96.01. Some of the best money I've spent since I'm an all Ford household.

 

Willing to post a link? I may be interested. Did you have to purchase a license? I checked one of the sellers and by the looks of it, everything you need is there. Only not the most current version.
I've considered purchasing one before, but the $700 yearly subscription threw me off.

 

I sent you the link in a PM. You have to do some hinky stuff, and its usually best to do it in a virtual machine, but yes when its all done you won't need a subscription. If you decide to pick it up, and need help getting things up and running I'll be glad to point you in the right direction. Once everything is up and running you can get the calibration files and as built data directly from the motorcraft service site.

 

What's "hinky stuff"?

 

Thanks for the link. Is there any benefit to the wifi version other than not requiring the data link cable? I see that seller has a wired version for $100 less.

 

When it comes to clone VCM's it definitely pays to get the best one you can. I've seen the inside of this wifi one and can vouch that it has a quality PCB with decent solder joints and quality components. Some of the cheaper ones use what they term grade B PCB's, and people have all kinds of issues with them.

As for the hinky stuff, its in your best interest to run a virtual machine because you'll be installing IDS v91.1 to get a 3 day trial license, then upgrade to v96.01 so that the trial license transfers, and then you'll have to freeze the clock with a program called time freeze. In a VM you can set it not to sync the time, and that way every time you open the VM its at the same time and date hence the trial never runs out. IDS writes to your master boot record so if you do this on your regular computer and screw it up a simple reformat will not remove the license protection. You would have to do a low level format. If you screw up in a VM you just redo the VM.

 

Careful fellas. Been some bad ones goin round eBay.
Do a quick search.
At least he's saying they're clones but still....

Not crushin your deal. Just my opinon

 

I've got no stake in the game, just sharing what I've found. I've personally seen three VCM clones from this one seller, and they've all been good quality, but as always Caveat Emptor. Like all things made in China, some work great, and others aren't worth the materials there made out of.

 

Cool...sweet if alls good and software works properly. Thank for sharing!

 

hi

This is an old thread but is the link still available for the recommended unit?