4 Ways to Synchronize With
In a recent survey, a significant number of retailers respond- ed that they either hadn’t dealt with the Ford SYNC system from Microsoft, or felt that SYNC had “sunk” their opportunities for working on vehicles equipped with the voice activated, iPod playing, shirt-ironing control center. Yet, other retailers (see
Pacific Accessory Electronics
(PAC) MS-FRD1
pacaudio.com
The MS-FRSD1 allows you to replace the head unit in a SYNC-equipped vehicle while retaining SYNC functionality. It acts as an interface between a new head unit and the SYNC system, and comes with a screen to show the SYNC functions that would normally
appear on the factory head unit screen. In addition, the MS-FRD1 retains satellite radio (from an external factory module) and compatibility with factory-installed amplified systems, and provides outputs for installation of the after- market radio to save time. (If you want to retain steering wheel controls, you will need the company’s SWI interface, which is sold separately.) Note that the MS-FRD1 will not work in vehicles equipped with factory navigation, and you’ll need to use a head unit with an auxiliary audio input to be able to hear SYNC–related audio.
SYNC
page 14) pointed out several upgrade opportunities for the sys- tem, including speakers, sound damping and additional power. For many of these upgrades, you should use an interface to get the best audio quality and control. Here are 4 such devices that allow you to sell your stuff while retaining SYNC functionality.
Metra FRST, AFSI-01 and AFSI-02
metraonline.com
The FRST is an interface that al- lows you to retain SYNC functions when replacing the radio, ideally when adding a navigation-equipped head unit (won’t work with factory installed navigation). It comes with a dash-mounted LCD screen that shows the native SYNC commands, including song / artist informa-
tion from factory satellite radio (if the system is externally equipped) and Bluetooth information. The FRST is equipped with both high-level and low-level inputs to work with most aftermarket head units, and additional RCAs for subwoofer output and connecting SYNC audio to the factory radio’s AUX input (required). It will also retain factory steering wheel con- trols, assuming the head unit has a steering wheel control input, and retains factory rear-seat video. The AFSI-01 and AFSI-02 are simpler versions for applications that require only SYNC retention. These units also supply Re- tained Accessory Power (RAP) and provide an accessory output to connect an aftermarket head unit. The AFSI-02 includes a dash-mounted LCD screen; the AFSI-01 is designed for vehicles that already have a separate factory LCD display.
PIE FRD09/NAV-EYE1
pie.net
Precision Interface Electron- ics’ FRD09/NAV-EYE1 is part of the company’s line of “OEM Unlock” devices that override in-motion restrictions imposed by the vehicle manufacturer. Designed specifically for Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC and hard drive-based navigation,
the FRD09/NAV-EYE1 enables a passenger in the vehicle to view DVD playback or media connected to the factory AUX input on the radio’s screen, as well as add a back-up camera (if not equipped from the factory) and control it at any time using the steering wheel controls.
Nav-TV All SYNC Series
nav-tv.com
The All SYNC series by Nav-TV covers various iterations of SYNC based both on data bus architec- ture and differences in the radio. In general, they are designed to overcome OEM functionality restrictions, allowing the passenger
to play DVD, pair a phone, enter a navigation destination or change satellite radio categories while the vehicle is in motion. The two XG models – AllSYNC XG and XG-F/11 – give users the ability to add a back-up camera. (The ‘F/11’ works exclusively with 2011 and up Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks.) Two additional models, with ‘RSE’ added to their names, provide an additional audio / video input.
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