spongers

Even portable ones are not free, or they didn't used to be. I had a NUVI and had to pay $79 per year if I wanted new maps.

Mine come up automatically when a caller calls me. I didn't have to transfer them over, it must have done it when it synced my phonebook. I have a Droid DNA

I have seen that process for guns and sun glasses. Wasn't aware there were companies out there that could hydro dip anything! Let us know what it looks like when you are done and how it went!

In my 2011, you remove the silver pieces on either side by just lifting up on them from the center console area, and they come completely off. Then under those are some bolts that hold down the face to the dash. Pretty easy.

wlepse, honestly man, it is just your unit (and yes there may be a small, very small, minority out there like you), but that is probably the worst I have ever heard or read. I would sit in my local Ford dealer, right in the middle of the lobby, until they replaced every sync or MFT related part in the car (GPS antenna, microphone, APIM and all other parts, climate control buttons, literally everything), or gave me a new car. I have had my fair share of annoyances with the system, but no where near your level of issues.

To me, again, this proves Akirby's point though. Your problems are in the vast MINORITY of the SYNC/MFT problems, not majority, which does not warrant a class action lawsuit. It MAY warrant a personal lawsuit on your part to the dealer and Ford, but that is stretching it too in my book.

Wlepse, your response makes no sense. How is Ford in a similar position to a software company that doesn't control what hardware their software is used on (in your own scenario)? Ford can tightly control the hardware they receive for the APIM (and other related parts, remember it isn't just the APIM) and can specify the hardware in that APIM to the highest degree. It is their part, and they are used just for their cars. They are used no where else. I am sorry, but your argument falls flat.

I completely agree with both of you really, but do think Ford has done a lot to make it right. While they may be sugar coating the problem, all companies do that, it is called good business (until that sugar coating gets you in trouble of course). I have said it on this forum a few times before. It is absolutely amazing that Ford has done ANYTHING for this system after it has been released. They have released continuous updates, and tried to fix the problems, to no avail in most cases of course, but that isn't the point. The point is they are trying. Using your brake scenario, when was the last time a car company has replaced your brakes for poor performance, and not because of a government mandated recall? Or when have they tried to improve your brake performance just becase, after the sale? The answer to both is NEVER. Car companies historically do not care about a car after it has been released. Instead the focus on improving the failures of the previous model by releasing a new model, and asking you to buy that new model if you want the new features. End of story. What Ford is doing with MFT is absolutely new ground for a car company, on many levels (software development first and foremost, but also trying to improve it after the sale).

Please keep this in mind: Ford owes you NOTHING for the failures or perceived failures of MFT. They are trying to improve the product for the benefit of current and future customers, while at the same time ensuring they stay on the good side of their customers.

I have this issue with my DROID DNA running a Sense 5 ROM (the same Sense 5 you are using on your HTC One). Personally I think it has something to do with the software of the phone since I can install a different ROM (Sense 4 based) and get text messages just fine. Go to Sense 5, bam, issue!

I put both of mine under the floor panel in the cargo area. I had to modify the plastic trays that go around the spare tire to do this, but it worked out well. There is an amp mounted to a board, then mounted to the metal floor on either side of the spare tire. Can't see a thing with the floor panel down. My sub (JL Audio stealth) is in the stock location too so it doesn't even look like I have a system installed. I do not have pics with me, but can post some later.

My version also adds a dimming feature that is activated when the headlights come on. Having the DRLs at full brightness at night causes oncoming drivers to flash you thinking you have your brights on.

 

I am sending the final unit to my manufacturer this week. Once he gets he will be able to give me a firm ship date. Once I have this date, I will begin taking orders. I also won't have a final sell price until my manufacturer receives and reviews the sample I'm sending him. The NA DRL will be a bit more expensive due to the additional functions, clear light bar (& amber LEDs), higher performing components and the external wire harness that is required. Our target is $200.00 or less.

 

Let me know what you think of the light.

These look awesome! I would definitely be interested in buying these when they are released!

I see no other way to get an amp pre-out from the factory deck to the amp.

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_318850/Factory-Sound-Processors.html?tp=6870

There are some fairly cheap options on Crutchfield.

If you replace the stock speakers and add an amp, in my opinion, yes you do need a signal processor. The stock deck sounds out audio based on EQ settings that work specifically for the stock speakers, which are fairly crappy (yes, even the Sony ones). Mostly my opinion, though some what educated based on my experience with this system.

The installer is wrong. I have an REQ5 stripping all sound from the SYNC system after the deck, sending the signal from the REQ to two amps (one for a JL stealth sub, and one 4-channel for new door speakers I installed, and my system works fine. As Dingo noted, the different functions have independent volumes so there is no problem with them being too loud. Works like a charm for me and my Edge sounds amazing. BTW: I have a 2011 SEL with MFT.

If I can program a Nexus 7 to interface with the varying control modules, the interface itself could become faster because the nexus 7 handles all of the calling, and can move on to another task faster than the MFT can currently (i.e going from climate control section to Nav). On a nexus 7 it is an app, and multitasking is much better.

Ideally, I would like to replace everything, but I am sure that is not possible. Maybe I am reaching for the stars here.

Everything about MFT relies on network communication. Even if you can figure out how to physically install the Nexus,7, you're going to need to write a lot of software code to get everything talking properly.

 

There really is no such thing as a "head unit" in the MFT system anyway. There's the touchscreen, then there's the FCDIM (the capacitive) switches, there's the ACM which is the closest thing to a head unit, then there's a RCCM (to control the climate), the APIM to control the bluetooth/USB stuff, the seat heater modules, the cluster and it's menu system, the GPSM which is the GPS signals, the DSP and amplifier to control the speakers and they all talk to each other with network messages, not simple voltage signals. Which ones are you going to keep and which ones are you going to replace?

I would like to keep as much stock functionality in general, just replacing the touchscreen with the Nexus 7. The coding part I can do, just wondering if there are any hardware interfaces already built for the Nexus (or USB in general I guess), or if there are any other aftermarket hardware pieces out there that replace what is in the MFT system already. I know this is going to be a hard endeavour, just want to see if anyone else has done this, or attempted to at least.

Yeah, I have seen that, and I made my own custom mount, but I want to fully replace the system with the Nexus 7, not just have it interface with the MFT. I called soundman and they want $800 for that little piece of fiberglass, BTW.

Anyone else? No one has tried this at all?

So, one of the main reasons I purchased my Edge is because of the MFT w/Sync system. However, as of late, even after all of the upgrades I have been a bit dissapointed with it. This thread is not to start a debate on whether or not I am wrong in my thinking, or your experience with MFT versus mine, rather to find out if it is even possible to replace the stock unit, while retaining the climate and steering wheel controls. Because some of the climate controls can only be found on the touch screen (i.e. heated seats) I am afraid this just isn't possible, but I am wondering what other people think, or if they have done it themselves. My end goal is to replace the head unit with a Google Nexus 7, which I currently use via bluetooth, but it would be simpler if I could just mount the Nexus 7 permenently in the dash in place of the stock touch screen.

I have a 2011 Edge SEL with MFT and Navigation.

Thanks everyone!

are your door speakers hooked up to an amp? if not does the 10" overpower them?

I have 2 amps. One, 2-channel, to power the JL Sub, and one, 4-channel, to power the door speakers. Between the MFT head unit and the subs I have an RE-Q5 (http://www.reqsound.com/) to strip out the head units audio processing. Sounds great to me.

I guess it depends on how much bass you really want. For me, the single JL Stealhbox 10" is plenty once I tuned it and made it sound right with my Boston Aucoustics door speakers. But I find that bass quantity and quality is really subjective from one person to the next. If you like A LOT of bass, than the Stealth probably isn't for you. If you want very good sounding bass that isn't over powering, but definitely adds to the music quality, than the JL is for you.

I contacted this company and they want to charge $800 for the mount. Absolutely-freeking-crazy money if you ask me. So I am using some magnets behind the bezel of the dash, and magnets attached to a sacrificial case to have the same effect. I will post pics later.

I live in AZ BTW, and the company in the video is from California.

What year, and do you have Sync with MFT? If so, no head unit currently fits because of the AC controls.

Hey Nav, just sent you a PM with my address. Let me know. Thanks!

I am not sure which parts you mean, but I purchased a kit from this site (The Remin Kit), and love it. Post pics of which particular part you are talking about and that would help narrow it down.

I have taken that panel off many times, and mine unscrews in order to remove the panel.

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had seen this mount from Soundman for the 2011+ Edge with MFT? http://soundmancaraudio.com/videofeed/lmbh7eAYL8k

Well, it looks freaking awesome! But, it is expensive as heck. I called them up and they said they have the molds ready, just need to make it, but the cost is $800!!!!! That seems ludicrous to me for the little bit of material it takes them to make it, and the fact that they have already made the mold for the holder. I am no fiberglass fabricator though, so who knows.

Anyway, onto my request. Anyone on this board have good fiberglass skills willing to take this project on if I pay you? I am in the PHX area. Or, if anyone has done a similar thing with a Nexus 7 tablet or similar I would love to see how you did it!

Thanks!

Thanks Perry, that was probably the most useful post someone has provided in a long time.