holy crap the Ford/Microsoft Sync system is awesome

[cab2g]

So this weekend I took my wife to a Ford dealership to prove that the new Explorer could kick the pants off of anything Toyota has to offer (she loves Toyotas for some reason). Anyway, She still thinks the grille looks like crap, but she fell in love with the interior and how easy it was to use the Sync system.

We first tried out the Explorer, but she didn't like how big it was, so we tried out the Edge and that's when we really became impressed with the system because it had climate control, voice commands, backup camera, and free crash response and vehicle status/maintenance updates all with a 8" touch screen all for a $1000 option. It didn't come with navigation, however the dealer explained that the sync system could give spoken directions just like OnStar for free using your cell phone's data plan.... I should note that crash response also relies on your cell phone whereas OnStar does not. So in a life or death situation, I'd rather have OnStar, but still, quite the package for $1000. You can also add traditional navigation with maps to the system for an extra charge.

So needless to say, Sync packed quite a punch, and I would definitely be willing to pay $1000 up front for all that instead of $29.99/mo for OnStar w/o a backup camera, or all the other neat sync features... I hope Microsoft starts allowing other manufacturers to use the sync system, because I'd love to have it in the Camaro. GM needs to consider the Sync as serious competition because it is far more impressive than anything else out there that I know of.

But anyway, back to the story because it ends on an even better note. After being wholly impressed by Ford's interiors from a design perspective and because of Sync, we went to test drive a Toyota Venza. She's not even a car buff but she noticed a lot of body roll in the Venza compared to the Edge, she also felt like the AC didn't adequetly cool the car down during the whole 10 minute test drive. But she was so disgusted by the backup camera that it made me laugh out loud when she said that it was useless to the salesperson's face! It was on a much smaller 3-4" screen, but it wasn't in the center console by the radio/AC controls. It was shoved way back on the dash near the windshield and no matter what angle the car was at there was too much glare to clearly see the screen! Well. I think we converted a Toyota fan to a Ford fan haha.

BTW, the Mustang is still ugly. I just like Ford's SUV lineup in general. And I'm keeping my Camaro. The SUV is for the wife!

Edge:


Venza:

[Stingr69]

Our Honda Odysee has the backup cam display hidden behind the rear view mirror. I really like it there. You put it in reverse and the cam becomes visible through the mirror. You can see when you are backing up even in darkness. It works better than I expected.

I just wish my 2010 Camaro had one. :(

-Mark.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

Our Honda Odysee has the backup cam display hidden behind the rear view mirror. I really like it there. You put it in reverse and the cam becomes visible through the mirror. You can see when you are backing up even in darkness. It works better than I expected.

I just wish my 2010 Camaro had one. :(

-Mark.

Whoa, that's pretty cool. Never heard of that before.

[cab2g]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Whoa, that's pretty cool. Never heard of that before.

fyi, the 2012 Camaro on certain trim levels will have a backup camera in the rear view mirror as well.

Having the camera in the rearview mirror makes a lot of sense actually. However, even with this, the 8" screen with visual 3D distance gauges was pretty darn impressive.

My wife was concerned about an SUV being hard to park. I joked and told her, if you hit something while going in reverse in the Edge, then you shouldn't be driving. You have side mirrors, a rearview mirror, audible distance sensors, and a camera with a visual distance gauge. It sounds like overkill, and it probably is, but man, talk about idiot proofing!

It would be funny if they expanded park assist beyond just parallel parking and added a feature to help you park in normal spots too... Then add computer operated door assist technology that stopped people from opening their doors into other parked cars.... Life would be good.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

Our Honda Odysee has the backup cam display hidden behind the rear view mirror. I really like it there. You put it in reverse and the cam becomes visible through the mirror. You can see when you are backing up even in darkness. It works better than I expected.

I just wish my 2010 Camaro had one. :(

-Mark.

ask and ye shall receive

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142687

[justa25thTA]

My in-laws have an Edge with sync and the it works like crap for them. They have had it back to the dealer 3 or 4 times and still can't get it to work right. The NAV through the phone is crap to, your phone is now tied up the entire time your using it and you had better have a data plan.

[Black GT]

Recently bouht my wife the 2011 Explorer, fully loaded.

Love the sync.

[LittleMT]

the sync system is banging in my 2010 focus, and sad to say, it is better then what is in my Camaro SS...

[xlroadster]

I love the novelty that you can speak any song you want to play and it understands what you are saying. Even attempted it with foreign accents and it works too.

Had one in the Ford Flex used in my fleet. Loved the inside. The outside is a different story altogether.

[ffrcobra_65]

yep, the Sync system is awesome.

[Zabo]

I must be the only person that DOESN'T use the Sync system on their Ford vehicle. 2011 Mercury Milan I4. Never used Sync, and for what it's worth.. the backup camera to me is more an annoyance and hindrance than a help.

Every time the sensors go off, it's not only when I already see something behind me, but they'll go off if something is next to or even in front of the car. So the annoying triple chirp of 'DUDE YOU'RE GONNA HIT IT!' happens when something is right next to my side mirror.

WTF?

I just turn it off before I get the car in gear now. I'll glad my T/A doesn't have it anyway.

Less complicated and I can actually use my god given senses to just drive without having a wannabe Kit trying to suggest music to me between 4th and 5th gear. Never use my phone in the car so bluetooth is useless as well, if I have a call, there's voicemail. I'll just get to it later if I remember it.

TLDR: Stupid useless technology.

[TOMS1SS]

Wish my Camaro had Sync like my Fiesta does, love the system.

[Shifty 6]

I wouldn't have that Toyota as a gift!

[Number 3]

Oooooops.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011...er=rss&emc=rss