I Miss my Knobs!

LazSlate said:

Problem is the Sync 4 15" navigation is on another level compared to the Sync 3 12". Using Google maps with Car Play IMO is OK but would rather not have to be tethered to my phone. The sync 4 navigation is better than Google or Apple Maps. Never thought a Car Manufacturer could do this but Ford did.

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This is a good point: GM will be eliminating Android Auto and Apple carplay, because they believe they can do it better.

(I have a BMW and like their navigation better, also - don't have it in the Expy '19).

However, today, the phone is 'you'. The majority of the people have the phone with them, with everything that entails for that individual. It doesn't start and end with navigation. Music, messaging, and so on, not even considering the features that Waze, for example, gives.

Further, just because Ford makes this specific thing good now, it will change in the future: buy-in becomes locked-in.

DeafBringer said:

I wouldn't be so sure about that...

Dumb phones are on the rise in the U.S. as Gen Z looks to limit screen time

A resurgence in dumb phones in the U.S. may be tied to concerns about the mental health impact of smartphones, especially among younger generations.

www.cnbc.com

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Gramophones have made a bit of a comeback, also. From a technical perspective, all these things are superior...but humans do what humans to.

sjwhiteley said:

Gramophones have made a bit of a comeback, also. From a technical perspective, all these things are superior...but humans do what humans to.

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Vinyl has made more than a bit of a comeback; check the industry sales data for the past several years. There are many turntables costing several $hundreds of thousands, and cartridges $tens of thousands. Many people feel analog is superior to digital, especially those with that kind of gear. (Disclaimer: I haven't spent $350K on a turntable + cartridge to do any comparisons...).

sjwhiteley said:

This is a good point: GM will be eliminating Android Auto and Apple carplay, because they believe they can do it better.

(I have a BMW and like their navigation better, also - don't have it in the Expy '19).

However, today, the phone is 'you'. The majority of the people have the phone with them, with everything that entails for that individual. It doesn't start and end with navigation. Music, messaging, and so on, not even considering the features that Waze, for example, gives.

Further, just because Ford makes this specific thing good now, it will change in the future: buy-in becomes locked-in.

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Its depends on how much tied to your phone you are. I personally want to get away from it only have it for emergencies.
I want to get in my Expy and have Maps without my phone. I do not want my phone ringing through the car play when I have guests in the car. This entire connected to the phone is some dystopian umbilical cord that is not good in the long run.

So many studies where people have nervous breakdowns when they are away from the phone for minutes. You pull up to a traffic light and everyone in the other cars are looking at these screens. A society of non social zombies.

A few weeks ago I went to pick up something and forgot my phone. Still had my radio and nav and life went on as usual.
In fact it was nice not to have this constant email, text, apps and other BS trying to resolve my boredom at a traffic light. Instead look out the window at the world and think for a change instead of having a smartphone entertain me.

Smartphones are cool at first, like MySpace or social media but at some point the negatives surface.

GM makes silly stupid decisions all the time, this is just another added to the litter

nationalgallery said:

Vinyl has made more than a bit of a comeback; check the industry sales data for the past several years. There are many turntables costing several $hundreds of thousands, and cartridges $tens of thousands. Many people feel analog is superior to digital, especially those with that kind of gear. (Disclaimer: I haven't spent $350K on a turntable + cartridge to do any comparisons...).

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Just look at some of the more popular DACs around today. Some really good ones can run $3k or more, some in to the 10's of thousands, to convert digital, even lossless, into analog. I can attest, and my system is nothing like these, and when I'm playing a well printed vinyl, vs. listening to even an adac or flac, it can tell a difference. Even it's not as pure for an spectrum analyzer (often that's because digital modifies sound to make it more pleasing to audible spectrums), it just sounds real. Anyway, sorry to diverge.

Deadman said:

I considered trading my 18 for a 23, but no way I'll give up my buttons for that stupid screen. Another sale lost.......

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Then get a Limited without the big screen.

Steve5472 said:

I just got my 23 Expedition and love it (they really have done a nice job on the design, interior etc.). Having said that, my god I find the sliders for adjusting temperature, fan level, etc. super annoying on the Sync system. I really wish they'd include a knob/dial option as well. Anyway, rant over lol!

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Just wait until you start having all of the issues like everyone else. Just got a new transmission on my 22 last week.

chaffdb said:

Us, too. Wanted the physical controls and happy so far. I actually wish there was a physical knob for the Rear temp control since we have younger children, but it's a fairly minor annoyance.

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On the 15” screen, the rear blows through I’m not sure which vent, I guess floor by default (literally no air flow). You cannot change the vent it blows out of from the front using the screen. My 5 year old can’t reach the controls, and my wife is pregnant. So now I have to reach back and hit the button to blow out if the top vents.