Sync kind of sucks?
03-14-2011, 09:22 PM
#21
Senior Member
Sync won't download my phonebook. But my phone is not listed as one that is prefered by Sync. It answers and dials fine but you have to dial manually from the phonebook. I do have trouble with the USB. My MP3 works best but if I shut the truck off and go into a store and then start the truck again more often than not it shows "initializing" and I have to start over again to bring the music back up. Recently I tried a SanDisc flashdrive and that is worse. I can only get it to play by going through USB menu and keep pressing OK. It tells me by audio command that it is not supported by Sync yet if I OK through the USB menu it will play.
Dennis
Dennis
03-14-2011, 09:53 PM
#23
Sometimes it works great, sometimes not at all. Half the time it understands me first try, half the time I can say it 10x and it won't get it. I really am not a fan of the system. The only good thing I can say about it is it's slightly better than the horrendous GPS unit in these trucks. Using a droid X by the way
03-15-2011, 12:51 AM
#24
Recently Upgraded
I haven't used the voice feature, so I have no complaints about that.....what I do have a complaint with, is that every time I get into my truck, the ipod feature on my phone starts playing. I usually just listen to the radio, but every time I look at my phone, it's got a song playing. Is there any way to turn off that feature, until I want to use my device?
I had the same problem. My phone (Droid 2 Global) has options for the BT profile. It has check boxes for phone and media -- I un-checked media, and now it works without starting the music player. I am of the opinion that BT connectivity is as much black art as science. It seems every manufacturer implements things differently, and a lot of times two devices just won't play nice together.
05-13-2012, 08:42 AM
#25
Here's the deal. This is my current 2011 F150, screw,4x4. EcoBoost with sync, Nav. My phone drops all of the time, mostly the first thing in the morning, sometimes after several hours. I have an Incredible, 1st gen Droid. I took it to the dealer and said they can't find a problem. I think the problem is Bluetooth either in my phone or in the Sync system. My wife's iPhone connects too but it looses Sync as well.
Here is my beef with Sync:
It has the worse verbal communication of any system. My wife drives a Toyota Avalon with Nav and it understand everything. I used to have a Honda Odyssey and it was the best.
The command protocol with Sync is so stupid. For example: If you subscribe to Sirius's second tier of services like travel link, you have to give two commands in order to get a weather map, or gas prices. You should be able to say "weather map" and get the map or "gas prices" to get the prices, but no, first you have to go to Travel link and then go to the different sections under it. If you are in a noisy environment like a thunder storm, forget it, Sync will not understand one word of what you say.
The nest verbal command line is also screwed up when you want to change the temperature, or stations on the radio. You should be able to just say "driver temperature down to 72," but no, you can't do that. You can on Toyota and Honda's systems.
When you use your iPod for music, the Sync system has to index all of your songs before it can work. On Honda and Toyota, you use your iPod interface to select the music like you would if you were listening to it without hooking it up to sync. Also the USB port will not charge a device that is not a music device such as a non music phone. You will still need to use your cigar lighter for power.
The other big problem with Sync is that it is always loosing the BlueTooth connection to your phone consequently you loose the hands free capability. I'm always having to re-connect my phone using the phone menu system. Another distraction while your driving down the street.
The nav system is not bad, but again you have to go through a bunch of menus to get to your address in the system. With the Honda, you can do it in one screen working backwards: state, town, street, address. The Sync is not quite as smart.
My biggest complaint is that Sync is so menu driven that it is much easier to just use your fingers to change information and to get information. Using voice commands to get Sync to work takes too long and is another distraction while your driving.
My next vehicle will not have Nav. For $2000 it is not worth it. My cost for Sirius, Travel Link is nearly $14 a month. While I really like Sat Radio, Travel Link is a joke. I found that if I use my iPad I can get directions, although it is not turn by turn, get gas prices, restaurants, weather reports, etc while I'm driving using the right apps, and most of them are free. If you want turn by turn directions, purchase a small GPS device that you can use in all of your vehicles.
I wonder what kind of system it would be if a company like Apple designed it?
Here is my beef with Sync:
It has the worse verbal communication of any system. My wife drives a Toyota Avalon with Nav and it understand everything. I used to have a Honda Odyssey and it was the best.
The command protocol with Sync is so stupid. For example: If you subscribe to Sirius's second tier of services like travel link, you have to give two commands in order to get a weather map, or gas prices. You should be able to say "weather map" and get the map or "gas prices" to get the prices, but no, first you have to go to Travel link and then go to the different sections under it. If you are in a noisy environment like a thunder storm, forget it, Sync will not understand one word of what you say.
The nest verbal command line is also screwed up when you want to change the temperature, or stations on the radio. You should be able to just say "driver temperature down to 72," but no, you can't do that. You can on Toyota and Honda's systems.
When you use your iPod for music, the Sync system has to index all of your songs before it can work. On Honda and Toyota, you use your iPod interface to select the music like you would if you were listening to it without hooking it up to sync. Also the USB port will not charge a device that is not a music device such as a non music phone. You will still need to use your cigar lighter for power.
The other big problem with Sync is that it is always loosing the BlueTooth connection to your phone consequently you loose the hands free capability. I'm always having to re-connect my phone using the phone menu system. Another distraction while your driving down the street.
The nav system is not bad, but again you have to go through a bunch of menus to get to your address in the system. With the Honda, you can do it in one screen working backwards: state, town, street, address. The Sync is not quite as smart.
My biggest complaint is that Sync is so menu driven that it is much easier to just use your fingers to change information and to get information. Using voice commands to get Sync to work takes too long and is another distraction while your driving.
My next vehicle will not have Nav. For $2000 it is not worth it. My cost for Sirius, Travel Link is nearly $14 a month. While I really like Sat Radio, Travel Link is a joke. I found that if I use my iPad I can get directions, although it is not turn by turn, get gas prices, restaurants, weather reports, etc while I'm driving using the right apps, and most of them are free. If you want turn by turn directions, purchase a small GPS device that you can use in all of your vehicles.
I wonder what kind of system it would be if a company like Apple designed it?
Last edited by Mojoron; 05-13-2012 at 08:45 AM.
05-13-2012, 10:13 AM
#26
Senior Member
If apple designed it then it would cost 6000$ have less features and only work with crappy iphones. did you get the dealer update fix? 2011 had a sync issue that was fixed that way. Also one of the huge draws of sync is paying music by voice, for which indexing is required. Work great and I love it. Here's a tip also, use a usb flash drive instead of an iPod for your music, apple sucks and I had issues with my iPod but since switching to a flash drive I've had no problems. I use the usb2 mod and never unplug the flash drive unless I add new music, that well help with your indexing problem. I do agree with you about having to say more commands than you should have too for some functions, but other than that I find it to be great, and my 2010 always understands me, so did my 2008, which I think had more direct commands, but it also had less features so perhaps that's why they have menus and sub menus in the new ones. That's my only complaint about it, but once you learn the commands its easy. I love travel link, I use weather map and forecast all the time. No traffic where I live, but when I travel it seems very accurate. Also occasionally use gas price and movie listings, I like it.
Last edited by SultanGris; 05-13-2012 at 10:16 AM.
05-13-2012, 10:25 AM
#27
If apple designed it then it would cost 6000$ have less features and only work with crappy iphones. did you get the dealer update fix? 2011 had a sync issue that was fixed that way. Also one of the huge draws of sync is paying music by voice, for which indexing is required. Work great and I love it. Here's a tip also, use a usb flash drive instead of an iPod for your music, apple sucks and I had issues with my iPod but since switching to a flash drive I've had no problems. I use the usb2 mod and never unplug the flash drive unless I add new music, that well help with your indexing problem. I do agree with you about having to say more commands than you should have too for some functions, but other than that I find it to be great, and my 2010 always understands me, so did my 2008, which I think had more direct commands, but it also had less features so perhaps that's why they have menus and sub menus in the new ones. That's my only complaint about it, but once you learn the commands its easy. I love travel link, I use weather map and forecast all the time. No traffic where I live, but when I travel it seems very accurate. Also occasionally use gas price and movie listings, I like it.
05-13-2012, 11:01 AM
#28
Tommy
Join Date: Jan 2012
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I know I haven't had mine very long, but I only have minor problems on mine. Like if I say "The Highway" for the Sirius station, it goes to navigation. And for some strange reason, if I don't yell it doesn't understand me.....when I have all five windows and the sunroof open going 70mph. And other than having to force my Bluetooth to pair one out of every 20 times or so, everything is kosher.
05-13-2012, 11:09 AM
#29
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Garrett.
Jesus christ man we get it, you dont fancy apple products.
05-13-2012, 11:23 AM
#30
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Not a fan of the way Apple locks you into their ecosystem and Google is a creepy company. I have a HTC Windows Phone and have not had any problems with SYNC. I like it but would like a flatter menu structure as some have mentioned.