Ford Sync System

No flames, but I wonder how well it works in areas where there is no or spotty cell coverage? As an example, the stretch of I-70 between Breezewood PA and Hancock MD is an area that is posted as having limited cell coverage even though it is a major EW route.

There are other areas around DC that are notorious "black holes" such as VA-123 in Langley, VA (something about the CIA HQ nearby).

Keep us updated on how its working for you.

What are the cell phone data transfer costs?

that I bought 3000 shares of Ford at $1.80.

I have been a VOLVO man for over 29 years, (8 of them) I am seriously thinking about a Ford "Fusion." Very conservative looks, great value, without the upkeep of a VOLVO. Congratulations on your Fusion. I hope you have many, many carefree miles with her!

No flames, from me, just good wishes. As an industrial engineer for GM for 19 years (1974-1993), during that period I thought everything we made could kick Ford's b*tt. However, as we see today, Ford appears to be in it for the long run; good for them.

And, while you're keeping the 750 handy (I would), I think that any new technology could have glitches to iron out, so even if the Sync feature burped up once in a while, it should be understandable. Better that Ford should try to be innovative than to just keeping making Model Ts.

After all, it could be worse--think of all those folks who bough BMW 7s with the universally panned iDrives. They paid a lot more to get a lot more frustration!

I saw a friend's Sync system. It was awesome. I now want to buy a new Ford with the system!

Well, I'll answer a couple questions at a time here. First, the download of the instructions takes about 1 1/2 minutes, so that is all there is on the cell bill. Second, the instructions are in the Sync system, so "black hole" areas shouldn't really matter (as long as the instructions have been d/l to the system outside of a black hole area). The only problem I could envision with the black hole areas would be if you need to reroute in those areas. To reroute (if you deviate from the route, intentionally, or accidently) the system will ask if you want to reroute. If you reply "Yes", it will have to dial into the server to get the new route. If you are in a "black hole" area, you could be SOL........

Joel

I cant believe no one has "flamed" you about buying a FORD............ Got to get at least one anyway.

YOU BOUGHT A WHAT..... LOL...

if i read this right....you only sync once, you dont need to keep the cel lphone connected the whoe trip...just long enough to download routes...

so it sounds like this GS system in the Fords is a bit gimped....you have to use a cell phone to access internet maps to generate routes, the gps doesnt have that functionality build in. AM i reading this right?

The car has a built in GPS chip. He uses the phone to tell the sync gps in the car what to do because he chose to not purchase the optional navigation system.

Mind you i may be all wet, but that I what I thought he said.

daniel

Ok, i get it. the GPS chip is standard, the electronics to do mapping/routing/etc is an extra. Ok...possible...i havent looked at the ford sync stuff yet

From a life time Ford fan.

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No flames, please - I own one and like it! Mine is a 2008 model, and I was underwhelmed with Sync at that time. Cool to see that Ford and MS have continued development of Sync. It was pretty cool with the on-board Nav system as well as Bluetooth hands-free, but I wanted to stick to a portable GPS system.

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Pretty close. Using the connected Bluetooth cell phone, I tell the Sync system where I want to go. It dials into the server and downloads the instructions to the Sync system (couple minutes of air time), and (using the GPS chip) provides directions to the destination. It also provides traffic and weather (traffic for large metro areas, and weather for just about anywhere). If you are headed into a heavy traffic area, it asks you if you wish to re-route. If you say yes, it will dial into the server again to re-route you around the traffic. Given this system for free (3 years), and only $95.00 a year thereafter, I don't know why anybody would buy a new Ford with an onboard navigation system (unless they just love watching the map scroll by)........

Joel

p.s. Didn't think I'd have to wait as long as I did for the Ford flames!

No.. Fords with GPS systems in them (big screen, with scrolling maps, etc) do not have this system. Only Fords without the on-board navigation system have this capability (which, except for the scrolling maps, is the same thing as the $1.2K on-board system).

Joel

Daughter in law has had a new Ford Edge for about two months now with Sync and nav system...Evidently no one in the family can speak properly because the system understands about every 10th command. The Ford nav system in my opinion is very difficult to work, complicated and you are continually pushing buttons to get to where you want........Not berating Fords, just telling it like it is...I think Ford out of the three US mfgs has the best lineup of cars out there.

Would never berate your DIL farrissr, but have they read the Sync book? I have a "normal" male tone voice, and have no problem whatsoever. There are only certain voice commands that you can give Sync, and perhaps she is giving commands that are not understood by the system. Also, even though all 2010 Ford vehicles have the capability for "Services", most have to be upgraded to Sync version 3.0 before they can use it. Upgrades are fast and simple, and available at www.syncmyride.com.

Joel

Yes they have read it and I hope I wasn't implying it never works. It does work but she is having a tough time knowing what works with the voice commands. I am sure as time goes by it will get better...I have a Lexus nav system with voice commands (not as sophisticated as sync probably) and it is very simple to use..Can't tell it whom or what to play though. Maybe it doesn't like the female voice tones...LOL

FYI, and to follow up..... Have taken two extended trips with the Sync guiding the way, and both times, it worked perfectly. Each trip was over 100 miles, and each time, Sync guidance (directions) was dead on. Each trip took about 2 minutes of air time to d/l after which the system says, "You may now use your cell phone". Then, like a normal GPS, it provides the turn-by-turn directions (with street names).

Joel

I guess I am way out in left field on this one. What happens if you don't have a cell phone or forget it. Maybe I am misunderstanding totally. Doesn't the nav system work without a cell phone???

No, Sync ("directions") does not function without a cell phone. The cell phone interacts with the "Services" server to download the directions.

Again, this is only on Fords WITHOUT the factory installed Navigation system. 2010 models with the Navi system (a $1.2K option) do not require a cell phone to provide directions. They function as any stand-alone GPS device would. Like any stand-alone unit, they require map updates (internal DVD), while the "Services" based units never require update (because the directions are cell phone downloaded from a server).

I realize that this concept (for we who are use to portable or built-in GPS devices) is confusing, but it is really unique. On-Star from GM has a similar attibute, but it is not free as Ford's is (for 3 years - then $95.00 per year).

Hope this clears it up........

Joel

Dawns on me now that the confusion seems to lay in what is in my vehicle. My vehicle does NOT have an on-board GPS system in it (big screen with scrolling maps). I CANNOT watch my progress to arrive at a destination (but I can ask Sync for time and miles to destination). THAT is what is unique about the "Services" aspect of Sync version 3.0 in the 2010 Ford vehicles.

Whew - hope that clarifies it.........

Joel

An update: Well (with my trusty Nuvi in the back seat) I tried the Sync system to get me to the Carnival port in Miami (traveling from middle GA), and it took me door-to-door. Although not advertised by Ford (?), it should be a selling point for their 2010 vehicles with the Sync system installed. All I missed was the scrolling maps, but the accuracy was "dead on"......

Cheers....... Joel

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