hunter99

My understanding was the 2018 trucks was still an option. If I am wrong, it's good they are at least making it standard. Still should have been that way at least since the redesign.

Ricktwuhk

To me it's buy the device for ~$300. Then pay $17 a month for two years = $408. Then, after two years, you'll get a new, likely higher rate offer.

Keep in mind that the previous solution, albeit with somewhat less capability, cost many ~$300 and $50 a year, or $4.17 a month. I can't see anything that justifies that increase for someone who can install Ford Remote Access.

eganovage

I'm not sure what everyone's problem with the pricing is. On a 2018 I had to buy some option that included Connect. I imaging some portion of that option funded the Connect hardware interface - which maybe is about $17*24=$408. I also have to pay $20/mo to ATT for unlimited data connection to car for wifi hotspot. POint is, I didn't get the Connect interface or the data plan for free - same as Smartlink. The only thing that is curious to me is why Ford went with Verizon for Smartlink and uses ATT for Connect.
By "previous solution" I think you are talking about Remote Access. That again requires a piece of hardware of about $300 bucks plus a $50/yr data service. the data service is cheap because you are only getting connectivity to do remote locking, find and Start - stuff that is infrequently used and not a lot of data exchange. You are not getting unlimited wifi hotspot, which is what you are paying the extra money to ATT or Verizon for.

Ricktwuhk

Right, you are not getting it.

Remote access hardware and new hardware are roughly same price.

You paid the same $300 for Sync Connect you bought your truck.

Remote access is $50 a year. This is $204 a year. That does NOT include any hot spot data... And, you get it for nothing a year for five years.

Hotspot data costs extra after free trial.

So $50 vs $204. Simple. Gets you vehicle location, and how much gas is in themtank...

eganovage

i think we are saying the same thing - that there is a cost for the hardware and a cost for the service for Remote Access, Connect and Smartlink. Smartlink and Connect are about the same while the data cost for Remote Access is significantly less per year because you don't get wifi hotspot with unlimited data. The only thing that is a bit of a question though is the $17/mo for 2 years SL cost. I assume it is for the hardware and the data plan through verizon will be extra, to the tune of about $20/mo. If the $17/mo is the Verizon data plan and the hardware is the aforementioned Tasca part, it still is the same total cost as Connect.

hunter99

rsylvstr

the "hotspot" feature makes me laugh...most of the people I know have unlimited data on their phone...so why not just use that as a hotspot? Kinda like the Nav system....
not seeing the advantage when you have it on the phone.

jbeasley85

It definitely was not included in all 18s. My STX didn't have it. I wish I had gotten it though

Hunter1979

Just purchased an 18 Lariat. It did not have connect (made a deal for what was on the lot, if I would have ordered it, I would have gotten this). I was told that smartlink will not work on the 18s, you cannot order connect after it leaves the factory, and Ford was supposed to be releasing something in the fall that would allow my 18 to work with Ford pass.
Ford really seems to drop the ball on the audio upgrades from everything I read.

bluelariat22

Decided to add FordPass SmartLink. It took me two trips to the dealer to get this done correctly. The first time, they knew nothing about SmartLink or the activation process. Apparently, each dealer has to join the SmartLink program to sell and activate the devices. Second time they got everything done correctly. It would be nice if you could just purchase the device and do your own provisioning/activation, but apparently there is some Ford employee-only site where all this is done. Then they have to program the device against your keyfob to do the remote start, door lock, etc. This should come in handy during the winter if I'm too far away from the truck to use the keyfob. This thing also tracks some of your driving habits and can send out alerts!

Right now the device is plugged directly into the OBD-II port, but I did try and move it by using an OBD-II splitter cable I had laying around. No luck. Actually, I tried two different cables. I think Ford has some type of OBD-II splitter for the SmartLink (VHL3Z-14A411-B). Has anyone had any luck moving this thing?