i am trying to buy a VCM for my 2001 XJR...and called SPX tools and they said they don't sell the VCM anymore, and the VCM's have been replaced with the JLR Mongoose? anyone have any insights...the Mongoose is only about $700 compared to the VCM's $2500 price range...so can i do everything with the Mongoose that i can with the VCM? anyone comments from dealer techs would be great...

 

witing with bated breath ..

 

From the specs it looks as if you can do the same as with the VCM, it’s also offered as a full replacement. Software license stays expensive unfortunately, although there are some people around that can help a little.

The Chinese VCMs (can't recommend these as they seem to be unpredictable, although mine is working for a couple of years now without any issues) are also dropping in price rapidly, you can get them already for $340 or so. But that comes with a risk, so this new mongoose is definitely an option now for the price of $584.

 

@Avos - does your setup require a subscription? I'd love to be able to run IDS, I can get the software, but does it require a user/pass to enter it? Basic questions, but I've only ever seen the IDS being used over someones shoulder, most frustrating.
I've been thinking about a clone, but with this new interface, it makes it a simple choice IF I don't need a subscription to run it.

 

@sean B...you can get username and password you need for IDS at TOPIx - TOPIx

you can buy the subscription for an hour, a day, a month etc...

i emailed them today to see if the IDS software works with the mongoose on the x308 as when i called drewtech makers of the mongoose directly they said they think that it won't work with the x308 series but to check with topix direct...i don't know is this is based upon a large amount of user error or if it definitely won't work...

from what i can gather the mongoose works with lots of jaguars, like the xk's, s and x type... X100, X150, X202, X250, X350, X351, X400 but the x308 might be trouble...lets see what the other guys and girls out here have to say...

i am dead set and the wife agreed to let me get an IDS :-) i just don't want to spend 2 large on it...but i will if i have to...

right now, i see used, non chinese, VCMs going for abour $1000-$2000 used...

 

Older versions of the IDS are still open for use, ie no userid/password (so subscription) is needed. I am not sure when the cut off was, could be IDS version 122. Here is a 121 on Ebay:
Jaguar Land Range Rover IDS VCM DVD 121 + UPDATES 2010 | eBay

There is nothing new anymore for our older cars, so this will do it all.

But this will only work for VCM units. As far as I know you need IDS 125.05 for the new mongoose unit. By coincidence this one is also offered on ebay:
Jaguar Land Rover Range IDS 125 v5 .07 + UPDATES 2011 | eBay

Maybe the seller has a userid/passwd, you could ask...

 

Gentlemen. Do any of you connected the mongoose'a to X308? I am surprised why it works on the XK8(X100), and the X308 is not working? Do any of you can explain that to me? Do any of you use Mongoose and can tell what this can do in comparison to VCM. Thanks for your help.

 

I'm pretty sure my mechanic has an X308 in his workshop, if I get the chance I will try connecting to it with the Mongoose. But no promises!

 

Here is a screen shot from the Mongoose software. I have not gotten my Ver of IDS yet so I don't have any first hand experiance what will and what wont work. Hope this helps a bit.

 

i have both vcm and mongoose and they will work on x308s with a the new sdd computers at my dealership but the software upload for some modules in new car is still a problem. i dont know if they will work with old ids computers. i was going to buy a mongoose cable to get the ids software to have at home to fix my jaguars but the sdd program is online updates and i would like a old ids software program. can i get that old ids software some where here that is safe to use?

 

As far as I can tell, the newer software versions have two layouts; Legacy IDS and SDD.

With a VCM you can choose to run the software as IDS or SDD.

With a Mongoose you only get SDD. It's the same software but with a different look/layout.

You can turn off the automatic updates and keep the SDD offline.