A post that all late LR owners need to read

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas All
It has been quite a while since Blackbox Solutions has introduced any of the new innovations, firsts, additional model coverage and other developments of our Diagnostic equipment for Land Rover vehicles that we are known for.

However, I can now reveal that for the past few years, in complete secrecy, we have been working very hard on developing an all new, truly revolutionary and feature packed Diagnostic and monitoring system for Mobile Devices we call ROVACOM-IQ.


With a new Bluetooth based Micro Interface designed to stay plugged in permanently and which intelligently monitors the vehicle itself, Automatic synchronisation, Off line usability, SMS notification, an Instrument Mode with Dials and Bar type Gauge options, Data logging, high end Graphics with swappable themes, this system might already seem to have it all, and then some, however we have much bigger plans for this.

Check out this short Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZiyRxUMO7Q

You can also find out much more about this at the web site

Rovacom IQ (http://WWW.ROVACOM-IQ.com)

As well as freely download the ROVACOM-IQ app for Android devices that comes pre installed with example data for a 2010 Discovery 4.

Be sure to scroll down as there iis a lot of information, downloadble documents and an FAQ that answers most questions.

I will be happy to answer any additional questions about this development

Regards

Colin

[NoosaMick]

Looks good! When will the Apple IOS version be available?

[DiscoClax]

Wow Colin. That looks really good. Surely there will be a "special introductory offer" for those loyal customers of yours that already have your excellent product...? You know, to assist with the de-bugging process on these early releases...?

* chants * Group-buy! Group-buy! Group-buy...

[gavinwibrow]

Bugger - for D3 onwards only and the under $AU 500 price ain't too bad either

[speleomike]

Hi

I must say congratulations for making the Android app available with demo information. This makes it much easier for evaluating a product. One can check it will work, see what information will be available, and how it can be used. I have a Disco 4 so will be very interested in this. I have already installed the Android app and have had a play with the demo data. Looks good :-)

Thanks for this.

Mike

[BBS Guy]

@NoosaMick
This is actually the Number 1 question on the web sites FAQ section that gives as detailed an answer as possible [bigsmile1].


Rovacom IQ is currently available for Android devices only. However, with this requirement in mind, we specifically designed and created the Rovacom IQ application using a multi-platform cross compiler, such that it should require only a relatively small amount of work for us to introduce versions for other operating systems
I really cannot commit as to an exact When.

@DiscoClax
Thanks, This is indeed a WOW revelation, that announcing about is a moment I have looked forward to for some time.
Nice try re the discount angles applied, Howevr right now my concerns are producing enough to just meet initial demand and trying to finish beta and fied testing in time for Christmas. The requisite VCIQ will go up on the BBS web shop in the next few days when we will start to take pre orders on a first come first served basis, and you dont have to be a genius to figure how great the price is for the capability.
Comparatively speaking, it's like at least 5 times more for at least 30% less.


@gavinwibrow
Maybe time for you to consider and embrace the future too [thumbsupbig].

@speleomike
Many thanks for downloaded the APP, I am sure you will agree that the screen shots really do not do the ROVACOM-IQ experience true justice.
I hope you left us a good review on google Play ;-)

Thank you for your congratulations about the app having Demo information availiable, However the presence of some existing vehicle information in the App, while of course useful for demonstration purporses, is simply an additional benefit to the way we designed this system and more a demonstration of its Off Line Mode.
whenever in range, The VCIQ and Rovacom IQ app automatically synchronise over bluetooth. So at any point, even without a current connection, you can still browse through the latest information from your vehicle.

Pretty Smart Huh, but thats why we added the IQ part to the naming ;-)

@All
While I imagined this kind of innovative and advanced system some years ago and have spent many years of time effort and investment in making it the reality that it is today, and have known of it's advanced capability that I had to keep secret until now, Even I sometimes still feel the WOW factor that makes my hairs stand up.

Last week, my Phone linked smart watch vibrated to alert me to an incoming SMS. I looked to see that it was an incoming SMS from my Wifes Phone, The VCIQ in the Evoque she was driving had recorded a new Fault code about a low fluid level, it was syncronised to her phone on which the app was set to send an SMS notification to my phone.

If that is not advanced innovation, I really don't know what is and I can't wait to start sharing this with others.

Regards

Colin

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas Again All

I know that many have read about our new ROVACOM-IQ app on this thread and have, as a result, visited the ROVACOM-IQ.com web site, but very few have actually installed the application to try it out, and honestly, I dont blame them if they have read or come across the long list of seemingly invasive Permissions required as listed by the Google play store etc, which starts


This app has access to: Device & app history, read sensitive log data.
and then goes on about needing to know your location, sending SMS messages reading the phone staus and Identity, reading, modifying or deleting your phones USB storage contents.

Reading all of that as it is described, also causes me some concern and alarm about allowing permissions to what is and should be a vehicle diagnostic application only that should have no need of such access, and please feel free to share and post up, if that put you off too. Really please do, as it will help greatly.

I have as a result of this belief, recently made a document that explains the reasons behind these permission requirements that might help.

https://www.rovacom-iq.com/preview/rovacom-permission

However despite this, and quite sadly, to reduce permission requirements, we are now having to strip out valuable an possibly useful functionality that we have developed, starting with the ROVACOM-IQ apps ability to log App & VCIQ communications, which it would have only done if a VCIQ was specifically licenced as a Development system and to to aid in our Debugging of problems in the field in extreme cases.

Sadly, the next feature to go will be the SMS notification feature, as Google has recently implimented a policy where only one app, designated by the user as the default app for SMS, will be able to access a devices SMS capability.

Seems like yet another case where the actiivites of a few spoil things for the many

Regards

Colin

[DiscoClax]

Howevr right now my concerns are producing enough to just meet initial demand and trying to finish beta and fied testing in time for Christmas. The requisite VCIQ will go up on the BBS web shop in the next few days when we will start to take pre orders on a first come first served basis, and you dont have to be a genius to figure how great the price is for the capability.

If that is not advanced innovation, I really don't know what is and I can't wait to start sharing this with others.

Regards

Colin

Hi Colin, watching with interest. Any chance you could give us good folk a heads-up when it does go up for pre-order? Just a quick note on this thread or similar to advise us, as I will be seeking to be an early adopter. Cheers.

[DiscoClax]

Heads-up everyone. Orders are now open. Rovacom VCIQ - BLACKBOX SOLUTIONS LTD (https://blackbox-solutions.com/shop/category/rovacomiq)

[speleomike]

... and order has been placed :-)

[BBS Guy]

Ah I see you beat me to it [smilebigeye]

[Oskar]

Colin,
Have downloaded the app and had a play with it - looks really good. One question, I was looking for the Auto Transmission oil temperature in the live inputs but can't find any, is this available? It would be useful when towing.
I have my name down to buy the nanocom but looking to swap to the Rovacom IQ

Regards,
Oskar

[BBS Guy]

Hiya Oskar
Thanks for your appreciative comments.
As you can see, we have put a really huge amount of thought, time and effort into this and as such we are naturally very proud of it. We have ensured that it not only performs as good as it looks but also that is by far the most advanced and easy to use diagnostic and monitoring system for later Can Bus based Land Rovers in so many ways.

When it is connected to a vehicle via the VCIQ, especially to begin with, it actually feels a bit magical, in comparison with traditional equipment, due to its high degree of self intelligence, constant monitoring and automated synchronisation. We have of course provided traditional functionality like buttons to read fault codes and read vehicle / ECU information etc, but these are not really required because the VCIQ reads everything, figures it all out automatically and then updates the ROVACOM-IQ app every few minutes or so, which then keeps all the last updated information in a database on the mobile device(s)

Cleverly, this means that even when the device / app is not connected to a VCIQ, Ie in off line mode, you can still browse through the information from when it was last connected, which is pretty cool.
This also means that the ROVACOM-IQ app download comes complete with pre populated database from a VCIQ/vehicle to provide at least a part demonstration capability.

For convenience, especially as we have been very busy with last minute polishing (progress details / availability update to follow), the vehicle information included in the latest app download is from our 2010 RRS bench test Rig.
Unfortunately due to the Auto Gearbox ECU (mechatronics) being internal to the physical gearbox itself, that happens to be one ECU that we do not have on our bench test rig and because the system is intelligent, it only shows the ECU's it can communicate with / detect.

This explains why you do not see the Automatic transmission ECU listed in any function of the App you have downloaded.
However as you can see from the coverage document

http://www.rovacom-iq.com/preview/rovacom-coverage-functions-details

The Automatic Gearbox is of course covered and I can confirm that there is indeed a live inputs value for the ECU Internal Temperature which is effectively the Temperature of the Oil in which the ECU is immersed.

[speleomike]

Hi all

Mines now paid for and on its way. I'll look upon as a late xmas present to myself :-)

Mike

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas All
I can indeed confirm that we have finally just started shipping out the very first VCIQ's [thumbsupbig]

Sorry it's a bit of a late Christmas present for you Mike ;-)

We did try our best to finalise things so we could ship these out in time to arrive before Christmas for obvious reasons, and we were just about ready with a week to go, however, as a brand new product, we appreciate that despite our best efforts, we may have possibly overlooked something that may possibly need our immediate support / rectification and so chose not to ship them at a time when they would arrive while we were closed for the Christmas break.

So instead of rushing these out, we spent our last week re visiting the initial setup and configuration process and searching for solutions to ease this.
One aspect that we addressed and has alway been a bit of an issue for me was the number of requirements that all had to be done at the same time that was very frustrating when all you want to do is plug it in and get it working.
Bluetooth Connectivity / configuration, On line Registration, Licence download / Installation, VCIQ & Vehicle activation, Master Password entry, possible VCIQ firmware updating to name but a few.

Myself and my technical team came up with a huge amount of improvements and very innovative solutions for removing, reducing or delaying these initial aspect requirements. So now you can use it pretty much straight away with the very minimum requirements. It is now supplied Pre Licenced, with Bluetooth connectivity much more self automated, wont need to do firmware updates immediately, unless you try to run a higher level function and won't immediately have to register on line and get / enter the VCIQ's master password as you will be able to use it a few times before you have to do this.

We hope it will be really easy to get going and we will be there to support anyone who has any difficulties and look forward to any feedback.

ATB

Colin

[Zeros]

Hi Colin, are you planning to release one for Puma Defenders?

[BBS Guy]

The answer to that question is actually not as simple as it might seem and is certainly not really down to me / us as it's actually down to factors beyond my control, as I will try to explain.


Technically, of course we designed the VCIQ with not only the capabilities to communicate with CAN BUS ECU's but also earlier legacy (Non CAN BUS) ECU's, such as those in the Discovery 2, L322 Range Rovers prior to 2010, as well as the Defender TD5 and Defender Puma Legacy Systems, but also far more than the required code / memory space that would allow us to implement this.

So although we certainly do have the ability to add coverage of these models on this Rovacom-IQ / VCIQ platform, alongside the coverage very extensively provided by the now well respected Nanocom, with the exception of the pre 2010 L322.


But just as was the situation with the Nanocom a few years back, when even I did not know if it could be saved and got a lot of flack for, the Nanocom would certainly not have become what it is today to mutual benefit without the help, support and feedback, particularly from a good number of members of this forum.

We here at BBS may well build and supply the Nanocom, but it was truly a supplier / customer collaboration that was what made it the success that it is today, from which so many Land Rover owners and forum members have benefitted and have seen our efforts to fix, debug, develop and add to it's coverage and capabilty.


We have quite obviously and clearly invested vast amounts of time, money and effort into developing this truly next generation mobile application system, and of course would love nothing more than to be able to develop it further and add to its capability in all aspects.


But once again, as with the Nanocom, success or failure of this development and my / our abilities to continue funding developing this further are, as I previously stated I would explain, factors beyond my control.


I may well be the Boss at BBS, but I am old and wise enough to know and respect that the real Boss is always the customer etc ;-)


Apologies for the long winded answer to what seemed to be a yes or no answer type question Zeros, but it is what it is ;-)

Regards Colin

[harlie]

Hi Colin - can Rovacom be used to add a new genuine key? 2011 SDV6 D4

[speleomike]

Hi all

Mine arrived today. Got home and found the nice parcel and it's in a nice box. Clear instructions as to what to do. Keen to install it but the wife has the Disco this evening to attend her knitting group :-) Will have to bite my nails till tomorrow evening.

Mike

[BBS Guy]

Hi Harlie
Yes, Key programming and other service functions like self test and Antennea test are of course already implimented on rovacom-IQ for all except one of the many variations of the Keyless Vehicle Module, the single Exception being the FK72 fitted from 2015 onwards, which is locked from learning new keys by LR and requires replacing at their cost.

Hiyas Mike
Glad you got your VCIQ and I am especially happy to read your appreciative comment in respect of the Box, as I personally spent several months working with the design, measurements and foam insert density specification with our supplier to make that as nice as it is and giving that kind of jewerally box presentation and wow factor which I believe that the VCIQ justly deserves.
You may be doing some nail biting, but i guess that many members and readers here are also very eager to read any comments / reviews or feedback made directly from early purchasers such as yourself and I am already down to my knuckles [bigrolf].
So any chance of a few pictures ;-)

Re clear instructions:
Yep, hot off the press and following the latest easier to get going improvements I previously posted about so I appreciate that you find them clear and easy to follow.

One thing to be sure you do just now is to not skip step 1 of the instructions, which are to download the latest version of the Rovacom-IQ app. We are currently updating the App almost daily and the Google Play store has some issues in auto notification and even displaying the correct and latest version number of the latest that we have uploaded for up to a week. So best be on the safe side and re install it anyway ;-)

We have made it now such that you can delay registering etc so this does not distract from the wonderous experience of getting this going, But of course doing so is ultimately required and does also provide access to the dedicated technical / support owners forum we have provided that is currently a blank canvas and so is entirely post free.

Me and all my staff truly hope that your initial set up experience is trouble free, enjoyable and as good as we have all worked really hard to create, right down to the box this is shipped to you in and that you like and are as positive and happy with this as we are.

ATB

Colin & Crew

[speleomike]

Hi all

Colin and the crew have done a nice job on the entire unit, from hardware to software and instructions. Mine is now installed and working fine with its master password. I have even been privileged to have made the first post on your forum.

Installation was pretty fine. I updated the app today at work and tonight it paired fine with the unit. When it came to registration the only minor stumble was entering the Serial ID. Mine's listed as VC-00xx on the included CHECKLIST paper. But the registration page wanted a format like VC-xxxxx with 5 digits after the hyphen and was giving an error that the number was already taken. I guessed that I just needed to add an extra 0 at the start and entered VC-000xx and that was then accepted.

I will have a nice time tomorrow evening heading up to our far, Jill will be driving and I can back seat drive telling her the real-time values of accelerator position, oil temperature, EGR settings, manifold pressure etc. "Darling, your at 23.5% accelerator and 50C oil temp, we can go much faster, they are all within spec." :-)

Nice product. The box will get re-used as a jewellery box.

Best Regards
Mike

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas Mike.
Many thanks from me and my staff for your very kind and positive comments

We are so very glad to read this from one of the very first to enjoy the huge effort we have put into all aspects of this system, right down to the Box the VCIQ is shipped in.

I certainly hope that many more will discover just what an advanced and next generation system this truly is.

I was quite upset to read of your 4 versus 5 digit serial number registration difficulty. This is because although our on line system uses 5, The VCIQ itself shows only 4, to increase the size / readability. This has now been sorted, despite me being told it had already been done, grrr, but the system does now accept 4 or 5.[smilebigeye]


By way of a little compensation, I would tell you about one undocumented and quite cool feature among the many the ROVCAM-IQ app has.
In the instrument mode, as well as being able to remove unwanted items we have also provided the ability to re organise / customise the locations of both the dials and bar gauge items using Drag and Drop. [thumbsupbig]


Here is a little video showing this:



https://youtu.be/lzFDG9VyZqI



Also be sure to check out the CSV file recording feature, which allows Playback of journeys with our seperate CSV viewer software, which is also used by the Nanocom (sadly only for PC at present)
However this is also very powerful as you can see from this Demonstration Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AukR8icbK1M&t=13s



ATB and please feel free to post up any comments as you get used to the system and its many advanced features

Colin

[OffLineR]

What about P38 :)

[BBS Guy]

The P38 Is now quite an old Vehicle model and as such it does not use a CAN bus for diagnostic communication as do the later models that this new system is specifically designed for.

However, AFAIK there is no Diagnostic system that covers a P38 as well as our Nanocom.

Regards

Colin

[wardy1]

Hiyas All
It has been quite a while since Blackbox Solutions has introduced any of the new innovations, firsts, additional model coverage and other developments of our Diagnostic equipment for Land Rover vehicles that we are known for.

However, I can now reveal that for the past few years, in complete secrecy, we have been working very hard on developing an all new, truly revolutionary and feature packed Diagnostic and monitoring system for Mobile Devices we call ROVACOM-IQ.


With a new Bluetooth based Micro Interface designed to stay plugged in permanently and which intelligently monitors the vehicle itself, Automatic synchronisation, Off line usability, SMS notification, an Instrument Mode with Dials and Bar type Gauge options, Data logging, high end Graphics with swappable themes, this system might already seem to have it all, and then some, however we have much bigger plans for this.

Check out this short Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZiyRxUMO7Q

You can also find out much more about this at the web site

Rovacom IQ (http://WWW.ROVACOM-IQ.com)

As well as freely download the ROVACOM-IQ app for Android devices that comes pre installed with example data for a 2010 Discovery 4.

Be sure to scroll down as there iis a lot of information, downloadble documents and an FAQ that answers most questions.

I will be happy to answer any additional questions about this development

Regards

Colin

Hi Colin, are there any plans to make this compatible with an iPhone?
Cheers
Alan

[Eric SDV6SE]

Just downloaded the app, the interface looks great. I'm looking at the website with interest to learn and understand a bit more about the IQ.

I really like the configurability and the live data dials and gauges.

Watching with interest.

[BBS Guy]

@ wardy1

This question is actually the first item covered in the FAQ section on the ROVACOM-IQ.com web site page which states.

Rovacom IQ is currently available for Android devices only. However, with this requirement in mind, we specifically designed and created the Rovacom IQ application using a multi-platform cross compiler, such that it should require only a relatively small amount of work for us to introduce versions for other operating systems.

@ Eric SDV6SE
Thank you for downloading and trying out the App, which gives you a some appreciation of the effort we have so obviously put into making this as awesome as possible. I am sure you will agree that the videos barely do the experience of the user interface justice
Clearly we are not thinking of this being just another regular and bland Diagnostic system, and hope to continue working to make this the most advanced system ever. [thumbsupbig]

As such and quite naturally, we hope to add even more gauges, as time etc permits.

@ All
As should be expected when releasing a brand new system, despite best pre release testing efforts, there have been some issues and Bugs we have had to sort out, I have however been surprised as to how few these have been. But these have now all been sorted in a very timely and professional manner, as well as which we have also added quite a few additions and improvements.

In our latest version, of nearly a dozen released since launch, there is not really any bug fixes, but there is quite a major improvement. This is the ability to save and restore up to 10 copies of a Vehicles CCF that are automatically syncronised with our Genesis on line CCF editing capabilty and appear automatically in its library of editable CCF files.

If you own a Can Bus Land Rover you should really check Genesis out

Genesis (https://vbf2.blackbox-solutions.com/FaultmateGenesis-Server/genesis)

As well as providing acces to any vehicles "As Built" CCF file and all settings etc, Genesis also provides the ability to download flash files for typically any Flashable ECU in the Vehicle and much more.

We will be making / releasing some more videos of the advanced capabilities and aspects this system uniquely provides and feel sure that some of it's early adopters will likely post up their own reviews and opinions soon.

Regards

Colin

[wardy1]

Thanks for the reply Colin, so when do you anticipate the IOS version to be available?

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas wardy1, you are most welcome.

I am sorry, but I cannot really provide even an anticipated time frame for our provision of a version of our new Rovacom-IQ app and VCIQ based equipment for Land Rover Vehicle owners that would require pre owning or purchasing an IOS based mobile device rather than a lower cost Android based mobile device. It will happen as mentioned, I am just not sure when.

Clearly this news diagnostic / monitoring system is far more advanced and feature rich than anything we have previously developed, taking full advantage of the many graphical and communication aspects afforded by using a mobile device platform for it's user interface.

I would humbly point out that just as Blackbox Solutions has always specialised in, this development is about our providing a next generation diagnostic system for assisting Land Rover owners monitor and maintain their vehicles rather than being just another app for mobile device owners to add on whatever happens to be their existing Tablet or Phone.

I personally happen to have owned a samsung Galaxy S7 edge Android based phone for a few years now, a Galaxy Note before that, This does not mean I am some Android fan / user, as I have less apps on it than can be counted on one hand and I installed even less apps on my previous Iphones. It's just a mobile phone to me that serves a purporse. I also have a number of Tablets for both from cheap to quite expensive, did all that Jailbreak stuff, but for knowledge and experience only.

When the Rovacom IQ app started reaching it's usable potential about a year ago, although I could have used my existing phone or a tablet, still can and sometimes do, I specifically purchased a cheap second hand Onda V10 Pro Android tablet on Ebay to install this application on and now use it daily as the ultimate accessory to diagnose and monitor my much beloved 2010 Range Rover Sport.

Regards

[harlie]

well after a painful registration process my IQ is a fancy fault reader - can't clear anything or go anywhere with it.

it says:
“The VCIQ is locked. Please enter the devices’s password to continue.”

Where the hell do I get this password from? I have registration passwords in an email that are 'invalid' - not happy!

The small piece of papper that came with the unit says it can be used a number of time without the password - would appear only for ready faults.

[harlie]

ok - so you have to use the user/password thats sent in email to log into the website to get the unlock password - FFS.

Geez, it's annoying how long it spends 'scanning'. Advertised as a feature but I am waiting a long time to do anything as it is always busy scanning. Off to the BBS forum as so far everything I've tried to do hasn't worked. And when I try again it is busy scanning.....

[BBS Guy]

Hiya harlie

I am of course very saddened to see any posts that present such negative comments and criticism as yours.

Especially given how very hard we work to make our entire customer experience as simple and straight forward as we possibly can.

We appreciate that some things may seem like us implimenting un required difficulties, that may seem painful, lending to frustration, but I assure you that there is very good reason behind everthing we do.

By example I would explain just two aspects and hopefully assist in your gaining a better appreciation and understanding for the actual reasoning behind these and how / why they are there to benefit you.

Registration:
During Registration, you need to enter your origional order reference number. This may mean you need to trawl through past e-mails for this that you might find painful or frustrating.
The reason we ask this is that it proves that the person registering was indeed the origional buyer, provides proof of delivery to them and that they are the legal owner and not someone who stole this in transit etc.

VCIQ Master password:
I assume that you would not like just anyone with a mobile device and our ROVACOM-IQ app installed to be able to walk up to and connect to your vehicle with it's VCIQ installed.
So naturally we prevent this with a Master password entry requirement.
Thereafter there is also the ability to set up a custom password you might more easily remember.

I could write pages of further technical detail, such as the VCIQ actually remembers any mobile device by its unique ID that has previously passed it the Master or custom password, so its just a one time thing, that the VCIQ allows a small number of limited functionality access, so new owners don't have to immediately go and register before they can even use the VCIQ for the first time.

Me and my team of like minded staff, take everthing we do very seriously, and we all work very hard to try and provide the very best in all aspects, starting with a purchase experience that we are regularly complimented on, the easiest possible process for new owners, the best and fullest technical support in respect of any issues or problems that may arise, even to the degree of providing a dedicated owners Technical support forum and of course security.

I am not sure about your "constantly busy Scanning" Issues harlie, as the VCIQ only updates itself re fault codes and other vehicle information etc every 10 minutes or so that typically takes less than a second.

However I am sure that my support staff will happily and helpfully assist in resolving this.

[harlie]

How do i get help Colin? Looks like you're answering here, your email said to use the BBS forum - no answers there.

Main reason for buying was to add key (I asked about this function in this thread) - 3 hrs of trying yesterday, it doesn't work. Mine spends all the time scanning or reading ECUs, it takes well over a minute as my phone screen times out and it goes into "scanning ECU" and then "reading ECU" every time I go around to the main menu (after failed key adding) - it is at least 2-3 min and you can't do anything as it says it is busy. I would have only 1-2min before the next scanning/reading cycle it is SO annoying.

On your previous points above:
The reasons for security are great, all good - my issue was I couldn't find the master password - no where does it say I need to log in to web site with user/password A to get it. It is very easy for the people who make up the process and build the site to assume everyone else knows exactly what they are thinking. I can confirm, as a customer your instructions are extremely poor.

I received the information below via email 30 hrs after asking where I find this password:

"Please login to the member restricted area using your login details.
After login click on VCIQ Units and you can find your master password there."

Unfortunately as your instructions (I can't call it documentation) does not include these two basic lines I had to guess and look for it - literally I was looking for a piece of paper that had fallen out of the package and it was a couple hours later we thought to log into the website. As a result, I was so annoyed and disappointed with my user experience before I even tried to use it for anything. Needless to say, since it seems it doesn't work after trying again this morning my opinion of this tool is rock bottom. I've purchased and used extensively several tools for LR and VW/Audi and this has been the worst experience by far. Unlike other tools I own for my L322 and my wife's VAG car, I have not found any documentation on how to do anything - I could be holding it wrong but how would I know....

[harlie]

...

However I am sure that my support staff will happily and helpfully assist in resolving this.

Update: I've had zero response from BBS regarding the technical issues - I've only asked 1 question, don't want to confuse and overload. Stupid thing just spends all its time 'scanning' - won't even clear faults properly.

It spends just over 3 min "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information" - "scanning ECUs" - "reading ECU information"

[harlie]

Hi Colin

As you can see, I am now getting a response on the BBS forum - 1 reply per day (try this and let us know) it's going to be a long process..... Today I was advised to update the app to a version that wasn’t even loaded on the Play store – it magically appeared after I asked where to find it.

Nowhere in your sales pitch did I see anything mentioned about being a beta tester. It is very obvious that is exactly what we (current IQ owners) are and to be perfectly honest, if this was mentioned in the sales pitch I would have purchased a different device. $600 for a beta unit is just wrong. This is called this false advertising.

For me personally, this is not my car. I have purchased this device for my 75yo father and I'm staying with them for a week. It is now very obvious that the beta process I'm in (and did not sign up for) is not going to yield a working solution this week - where does that leave us, the customer of supposedly the experts in Land Rover diagnostics?

So far this has been a disgraceful experience for what is advertised and priced as a fully complete ready for market product.

(this is in the public forum as it seems the only place I will get an answer) I've been brushed off and ignored for long enough.

[gavinwibrow]

Messages and Question for Colin (hasn't yet responded to my PM)

1 - I have taken your advice and joined the 21st century and acquired a D4 - next step should be a new IQ unit to satisfy my anal need for real time performance data in lieu of upgrading my Nanocom.

2 - I have re-read your blurb, and answered my own question - ie realised yes the RovaCom IQ unit can stay permanently connected to the OBDII port in the car in instrument mode.

Question. The D4 does not have sensor/s for EGT, so it begs the question of just what options are available for personalising the instrument mode screen. Can you supply a list of options? I'm having difficulty reading the fine print in the blurbs.
Cheers

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas Gavin

Sorry to have not responded earlier, but I have been away for quite a while, Long Easter Break etc. I am also not Getting PM notifications [bawl]

1) Glad to hear you have finally got yourself a D4 [bigsmile1]


I am not surprised you are interested in the New Rovacom-IQ / VCIQ, as the lengthy and extensive efforts and achievements me, and particularly my guys, have put into develop this clearly next generation system, have actually left me quite humbled and proud.
It is already a great system and has huge future possibilities.


2) Indeed, the VCIQ is actually designed specifically to stay permanently connected, using a variety of strategies for super low power etc, as not only is it a diagnostic device, with all our usual functionality, that also has an Instrument mode like the Nanocom does, only more advanced, but it also automatically updates itself to any changes in the Vehicle, Ie new Fault codes etc.
It also adds advanced real time information and then Automatically Syncs all this with the Mobile device when they connect again. So although we provide a "Read Fault codes" button, you don't really need this as every time you swipe to the Fault codes pages the information is always only a few Minutes old.


The Instrument mode has different parameters available depending on the Engine Type. The 2.7 TDV6, I note you have in your Sig, has about 25 IIRC in the Currently released version. Sorry I don't have specific Parameter lists for each EMS type.

Parameters are available to be displayed as Bar gauges or Dial Gauges, however only up to 6 can be shown as Dial Gauges, because although graphically a little nicer that the Bar Gauges, these use up a lot of screen space.


As well as choosing the Display type via the Right hand swipe in Menu, all parameters can be individually hidden and moved around / organised as wished by dragging and dropping as shown in the video I made a few posts back.
Of course you can also log all Data as a CSV file stream, and use our existing PC based CSV viewer to play these back. We are almost finished with a Mobile version of the CSV viewer.

[DiscoClax]

Hi Colin. When you say "log all data" I can only log the data for the ECU selected, so miss out on much that is relevant or important (eg. trans temp, TC status, vehicle speed, etc when logging 'engine'). Is there a way of either logging ALL data or selecting which data to log across ALL ECUs?

[BBS Guy]

Hiyas all

In general, Firstly, I would ask for some overall appreciation that our provision of any instrument mode functionality is actually provided by us as an extra feature that provides a degree of useability and additional benefit over and above that required of regular Diagnostic equipment and certainly as far as I am aware, we are the only providers of this additional Instrument mode capability along with Full diagnostic capability in any form let alone all the extra features.


Is there a way of either logging ALL data or selecting which data to log across ALL ECUs?
Technically yes, but switching between different ECUS would require a close down of existing comms proceedure to the currently connected ECU and then a wake up, and possibly security re negotiation with another ECU that takes time not best suited to aquiring data in real time.
Hence We stick with whetever we can from just the EMS alone.

I hope this helps explain

Even wthout this additional instrument mode functionality, Our company and equipment is still very far from being anything other than a very wise choice for most if not all LR owners.

It speaks huge volumes that there is almost no one reselling our equipment, especially the Nanocom, and even if and when that happens, they are asking for about what their investment was with one of the many 20% discounted group Buys I have assisted with.

As it happens Tomorrow, Blackbox Solutions, will actually be celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

Yea, can you believe it, tomorrow we will celebrate our companies start in its's provision of diagnosic capabilites for Land Rovers vehicles and their owners spanning back to 20 Years ago.

I am imagining some very limited and once in 20 years type unique discount opportunities of a very small number of extra heavily discounted and well above usual discount purchases available with this Latest Rovacom-IQ / VCIQ product, especially as we and members here all really need some owners members feedback.

This is definately a Thread to watch for anyone interested in the next 24 Hours

ATB

Colin

[gavinwibrow]

Hiyas Gavin

Sorry to have not responded earlier, but I have been away for quite a while, Long Easter Break etc. I am also not Getting PM notifications [bawl]

1) Glad to hear you have finally got yourself a D4 [bigsmile1]


I am not surprised you are interested in the New Rovacom-IQ / VCIQ, as the lengthy and extensive efforts and achievements me, and particularly my guys, have put into develop this clearly next generation system, have actually left me quite humbled and proud.
It is already a great system and has huge future possibilities.


2) Indeed, the VCIQ is actually designed specifically to stay permanently connected, using a variety of strategies for super low power etc, as not only is it a diagnostic device, with all our usual functionality, that also has an Instrument mode like the Nanocom does, only more advanced, but it also automatically updates itself to any changes in the Vehicle, Ie new Fault codes etc.
It also adds advanced real time information and then Automatically Syncs all this with the Mobile device when they connect again. So although we provide a "Read Fault codes" button, you don't really need this as every time you swipe to the Fault codes pages the information is always only a few Minutes old.


The Instrument mode has different parameters available depending on the Engine Type. The 2.7 TDV6, I note you have in your Sig, has about 25 IIRC in the Currently released version. Sorry I don't have specific Parameter lists for each EMS type.

Parameters are available to be displayed as Bar gauges or Dial Gauges, however only up to 6 can be shown as Dial Gauges, because although graphically a little nicer that the Bar Gauges, these use up a lot of screen space.


As well as choosing the Display type via the Right hand swipe in Menu, all parameters can be individually hidden and moved around / organised as wished by dragging and dropping as shown in the video I made a few posts back.
Of course you can also log all Data as a CSV file stream, and use our existing PC based CSV viewer to play these back. We are almost finished with a Mobile version of the CSV viewer.



Thanks Colin, no probs, I know you have a business to run and many competing priorities.
I was really interested in what options are available for instrument mode, given that despite being an IT troglodyte, I have read all of your advertising blurbs and understood enough that I can manipulate the displays as you again point out.

However, it is a pretty basic question that should be easily answered as to what instrument mode display options are available to be viewed (in my case about 25). Would even be a selling point in your advertising (and common feature in many other equipment adverts) and one that I await with bated breath before putting dollars where my mouth is.[bigsmile1]
Keep up the good work.

[speleomike]

Hi Gavin

You can actually download the app and play with its interface as it comes with some "pretend data". That was how I decided to buy one. I like to be able to review the software before I buy to make sure I like it.

There are lots of parameters that can be displayrd, Im glad they just display 6 at a time, otherwise the font / gauge size would be too small. For general interest or diagnostics being able to select and see 6 st a time is fine.

I had a "hickup" with mine but it got sorted out fine by the really good support. Im pretty pleased with mine.

Mike

[gavinwibrow]

Hi Gavin

You can actually download the app and play with its interface as it comes with some "pretend data". That was how I decided to buy one. I like to be able to review the software before I buy to make sure I like it.

There are lots of parameters that can be displayrd, Im glad they just display 6 at a time, otherwise the font / gauge size would be too small. For general interest or diagnostics being able to select and see 6 st a time is fine.

I had a "hickup" with mine but it got sorted out fine by the really good support. Im pretty pleased with mine.

Mike


Hi Mike, many thanks and maybe I misunderstood, as I thought you still needed a phone to download the app and then pretend play.
I'm in the process of replacing my much abused S5 which I now wouldn't load anything else onto with any confidence, so that's not an option in the interim.

I'm still somewhat surprised that what to unlearned me was such a basic question was not able to be answered off the cuff, and to be honest raises just a wee niggle of concern and dampens my enthusiasm a little, as I've always been a strong supporter of Colin's efforts whilst a D2 and RRC TD5 owner.

We shall see.

[speleomike]

Mines on an Samsung Galaxy Tab A
The app is in the Google Play store.


Hi Mike, many thanks and maybe I misunderstood, as I thought you still needed a phone to download the app and then pretend play.
I'm in the process of replacing my much abused S5 which I now wouldn't load anything else onto with any confidence, so that's not an option in the interim.

I'm still somewhat surprised that what to unlearned me was such a basic question was not able to be answered off the cuff, and to be honest raises just a wee niggle of concern and dampens my enthusiasm a little, as I've always been a strong supporter of Colin's efforts whilst a D2 and RRC TD5 owner.

We shall see.

[DiscoClax]

Hi Gavin, I think the answer to your question is covered here?

Rovacom IQ - Diagnostic equipment - Diagnostic Tools (https://rovacom-iq.com/)

Scroll down about 2/3 to 3/4 and then clink on the COVERAGE FUNCTION DETAILS link (second one down the list) to download the pdf listing the functionality and coverage. See if that answers your query.

Cheers.

[gavinwibrow]

Hi Gavin, I think the answer to your question is covered here?

Rovacom IQ - Diagnostic equipment - Diagnostic Tools (https://rovacom-iq.com/)

Scroll down about 2/3 to 3/4 and then clink on the COVERAGE FUNCTION DETAILS link (second one down the list) to download the pdf listing the functionality and coverage. See if that answers your query.

Cheers.

Many thanks for trying - also revisited one pdf further down called "Instrument Mode and Menu", but unfortunately really none the wiser 'cos I can't drill down from EMS to correlate the various columns/answer my specific questions. Not much fun being a dumb bastard!

I'm assuming I can't download any of these apps to my laptop for a look/see rather than my mobile until I get it replaced??

Cheers Gavin

[DiscoClax]

I'm assuming I can't download any of these apps to my laptop for a look/see rather than my mobile until I get it replaced??

I don't think so, but haven't tried. There are a few early-adopters on here than have the new VCiQ (like Mike and myself) and may be able to answer your specific questions. Can you re-state what the missing info you need is and we'll have a go at filling that in?

From my experience - In live inputs you can see pretty much anything listed with a tick next to it in that pdf. In gauge mode it's really just the Engine computer, and you can customise what you see (six dials). Ignition on you can drill down into pretty much anything in the car and see what it's doing and generally reset/service/tweak it just as a dealer could/would do. And, of course, you can download the CCF and mod that (using Genesis online) and then upload it back to the car. Regarding stitching in a non-LR sensor (ie. EGT) to work with this, I reckon that well outside what it can do but will leave that to Colin to advise. The interface is the OBD port so anything not wired to that it can't see. As far as I know the factory wiring doesn't have EGT sensing so I can't see that being retrofitable.

Cheers.

[gavinwibrow]

I don't think so, but haven't tried. There are a few early-adopters on here than have the new VCiQ (like Mike and myself) and may be able to answer your specific questions. Can you re-state what the missing info you need is and we'll have a go at filling that in?

From my experience - In live inputs you can see pretty much anything listed with a tick next to it in that pdf. In gauge mode it's really just the Engine computer, and you can customise what you see (six dials). Ignition on you can drill down into pretty much anything in the car and see what it's doing and generally reset/service/tweak it just as a dealer could/would do. And, of course, you can download the CCF and mod that (using Genesis online) and then upload it back to the car. Regarding stitching in a non-LR sensor (ie. EGT) to work with this, I reckon that well outside what it can do but will leave that to Colin to advise. The interface is the OBD port so anything not wired to that it can't see. As far as I know the factory wiring doesn't have EGT sensing so I can't see that being retrofitable.

Cheers.


Correct - no EGT capacity currently, and one of the local gurus is developing a sensor plate for the 2.7/single turbo v6 - based loosely on the TD5 version, and removing the EGR bits at the back of the donk.

Again, many thanks, and I had hoped there were (and still hope there are) more than just 6 options for instrument mode display.
This is the crux of my question ie how many options (if more than 6) are there for instrument mode real time readout, and if so, what are those options available for me to play with and get the six I most want on the screen. The Evo has potentially more than the fixed six standard ones, and the menus are not mix and match, but you had to scroll through other screens to access the others.

You really don't need to include engine or road speed for day to day observation so boost, coolant temp, ATF temp are my initial primaries (along with of necessity a separate EGT readout), and then to decide what else from the availability list if it exists.
Hope this makes sense?

[BBS Guy]

There is actually a number of Android emulators like Nox, Andy or Bluestacks that can be installed on a PC if anyone without an Android device wishes to preview and try out our Rovacom-IQ app.

Gavin,
I do apologize for any prior mis understanding that what you were actually asking for in your post and as such a crucial aspect to you was actually a very specific list of exactly what parameters are available / provided in the instrument mode feature for your specific Engine type alone that we have uniquely and freely added and provide solely as an extra and additional ownership benefit over normal Diagnostic function capability, that we have provided in this new system and your disappointment that I did / do not have this specific information to hand or have pre documented this somewhat rather specific information that you specifically require.

I have therefore attached some pictures of some Instrument mode screen shots on the Rovacom-IQ taken while connected to a 2.7 TDV6 EMS. I guess from the comments that some may have not read the instrument mode help file and so have not yet figured how to toggle from the Dial Gauge display that is limited to only 6 Dials, to the Bar Gauge display that allows all of them to be displayed.



150683 150684 150685

This is clearly a top end, best there is and TBH kick ass item, and best priced for feature and capabiity diagnostic sytem provided by a well known and reputed company with 20 years experiace and also with unique benefits and additions.

In celebration of our 20 Years, and as promised there is quite a unique offer you can read of on the BBS and www.Rovacom-iq.com (http://www.Rovacom-iq.com) web site

Regards to all

[gavinwibrow]

There is actually a number of Android emulators like Nox, Andy or Bluestacks that can be installed on a PC if anyone without an Android device wishes to preview and try out our Rovacom-IQ app.

Gavin,
I do apologize for any prior mis understanding that what you were actually asking for in your post and as such a crucial aspect to you was actually a very specific list of exactly what parameters are available / provided in the instrument mode feature for your specific Engine type alone that we have uniquely and freely added and provide solely as an extra and additional ownership benefit over normal Diagnostic function capability, that we have provided in this new system and your disappointment that I did / do not have this specific information to hand or have pre documented this somewhat rather specific information that you specifically require.

I have therefore attached some pictures of some Instrument mode screen shots on the Rovacom-IQ taken while connected to a 2.7 TDV6 EMS. I guess from the comments that some may have not read the instrument mode help file and so have not yet figured how to toggle from the Dial Gauge display that is limited to only 6 Dials, to the Bar Gauge display that allows all of them to be displayed.



150683 150684 150685

This is clearly a top end, best there is and TBH kick ass item, and best priced for feature and capabiity diagnostic sytem provided by a well known and reputed company with 20 years experiace and also with unique benefits and additions.

In celebration of our 20 Years, and as promised there is quite a unique offer you can read of on the BBS and www.Rovacom-iq.com (http://www.Rovacom-iq.com) web site

Regards to all


Hi Colin. Thank you for the emulator advice - excellent.

1 - Long second sentence - might be slightly tongue in cheek but accepted in good faith from a very busy person.[biggrin]

2 - Can/do I assume that screenshots 2 and 3 includes the complete list of instrument mode options for my 2.7 V6? I note that all of the dial gauge version screenshot 1 example items are properly included in the accompanying line bar version screenshots.

3 - Because my poor old eyes found them so difficult to read, I saved and printed them off, and then managed to decipher and type out most words as per my attachment. In case others could be interested, I would appreciate any corrections advice from anyone with better eyes than me.

4 - As an aside follow-up, is it possible to advise which of these items would appear (when in instrument mode) for someone who used an updated Nanocom Evo (eg me who would first have to purchase a V6 2.7L licence over and above one of my existing TD5 licences). In asking this, I am assuming that the Evo would be limited in display options as per the current TD5 take it or leave it format - and yes I understand the inherit limitations in that inherited product.

I currently have 2 Evos for TD5s, and some may recall that I have actually purchased 3 in total - after one was stolen). Hopefully, this demonstrates that I am a supporter, not a knocker, of your BBS products. I also appreciate the very considerable R&D that has gone into creating this latest product - no need to keep hammering the sales pitch to the converted.

Keep appearing on this forum - we do appreciate it!

Cheers Gavin

[DiscoClax]

Colin, how hard would it be to recode the app to allow any of the EMS inputs to be selected as dials? I understand the want/need to keep it down to just six, and just monitor the EMS functions, but how about opening up the selection within those constraints? I'd want to show boost instead of voltage (for example) and mass airflow over pedal position (as another example). Equally would it be possible to allow user tweaking of the gauges (bigger fonts, changed scaling and/or redline position, etc)? My well-worn eyes struggle to see what the dials are telling me. If you look at the Torque app (as an example) it allows this level and much more so perhaps I am spoiled.
P.S. My logged intake air temp has always shown around -40ºC (sometimes dropping to -37ºC)... thankfully that's about 60+ deg away from reality... Is that the RCiQ not reading the sensor properly or do I have a major issue.... :ph34r:

[BBS Guy]

Hiya Gavin

Thanks for your comments, questions, appreciation and above all, interest and support. It is equally appreciated
I guess I am just so super proud of this system, and have put so much time and effort etc into it, that I always feel the need to add some soap box comment, My Bad [bigsmile1]
I am also quite obviously surprised as to such focus on what we regard as a side benefit [tonguewink]

I have sent you some pictures of the Nanocoms Instrument mode etc to assist in saving your eyesight and comparison efforts.

Obviously The Nanocom screens are numerical only, fixed by 6 per page which is also inherently limited in a few ways.

With all Parameters available on Bar Gauges, and an additional Dials option for at least six, along with Custom ordering and hiding abilities, the ROVACOM-IQ is already rather more flexible.

Emulation wise, I tried Andy and it works but fine and is simple, But I found Nox gave me flexibility in respect of custom screen resolutions that were important to me.

Hiya DiscoClax

Without re iterating my past comments on the Instrument mode inclusion being a side to our main direction.

It's all really a question of priorities.
For sure some of your thoughts and ideas are already on our to Do / wish list, and even more like a reverse image to create something that could be used like a HUD, but there are a lot of things that have higher priorities and our Primary aim is of course dedicated to providing full capability diagnostic equipment specifically for all ECU's on a wide range of Land Rover vehicles, Ie Flashing all ECU's, CCF editing, service functions, Inputs and outputs etc etc etc.
Just now we are working on advanced CCF save and resore features that will rescue anyone who might make a change that immobilises their vehicle without having made a CCF back up.

All of which the likes of generic OBD, read from a book type access equipment cannot provide. As such it's no wonder that they have the time to make such flexible Gauge functionality.

This system is obviously already very advanced and not only surpasses most anything else we, or others, have created as dedicated Diagnostic system for Land Rover Vehicle owners, but also clearly has really huge potential for future additions, improvements and developments in directions and aspects that we will endeavour to achive. I mentioned the CCF, But we are also working on having saved CCF's automatically Synchronised on Genesis.

Regarding your IAT reading issue, Have you raised this question on the BBS owners Technical support forum? I am sure my guys would be only too happy to check into it for you and as silly as it seems, actually love it if they find some problem to fix.

Regards

[DiscoClax]

Thanks Colin. That all makes sense. One of the key reasons I upgraded from the Evo to the VCiQ was the ability to read what the vehicle was doing in real time and log it.... conveniently. I know the Evo can do that, but it's another thing to stick somewhere and that fat cable is a hassle (first world problems). Having it all on my phone is just so so much easier and neater. I haven't raised my IAT reading on the forum as yet. Will do as I've had great support with a few other teething issues there :)

[BrightBlue]

If anyone has stumbled here by chance, think twice before purchasing the VCIQ / Rovacom IQ.

My VCIQ from Blackbox Solutions Ltd Doesn'''t Work (https://myvciqdoesntwork.com/)