Cluster is lined up, thatll be here by next week.
And Im fairly confident on using one of these tools to play with Ford FMP (ford module programming) application as this is meant to be the same as IDS, but can be purchased for a day or 72hours which is much cheaper.
Although... the chinese do have their own.. "edited"... versions of IDS. A couple versions below but could still be suitable if it works correctly.
The first VCMII has a good history and even a previous buyer that used on a BA ford from aussie:
Works great, used to reprogram a Ford BA falcon. quick delivery and well packed.
Sooo Im feeling pretty damn confident on that seller.
Orrrr... there seems to be a miniture version.. or maybe a mongoose ripoff version of the VCM as seen below. Apparently it is just the VCM shrunk down.. but sounds like it does not allow for "every" function, cannot do ecu reprogramming (missng the power supply on required pin) and cannot do some other features.
But I did find this interesting:
OUTCODE is challenge part of CODED PATS challenge-response authentication mechanism. It is 24bit hexadecimal number provided by a control unit. This number changes in time and is used by patscode.com service to calculate INCODE.
So PATS is like an ever changing "seed" which then needs the correct key sent to allow reprogramming of sensitive info like keys.
But looks like this cable is more aimed at being used with "FoCom".. which I havent seen until just now.. would be curious if it works with our aussie fords. Anyways, this cable apparently can be used with IDS ect although I dont hold high hope for that. But there very cheap: