Hertz - Hertz vehicles with MS Sync

I did a search on various possibilities and came up empty so I'm starting a new thread. If there is already one out there, please merge this into it.


I've noticed a few vehicles I've rented lately have the Microsoft Sync system installed in them. This gives the capability to essentially sync your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone to the vehicle, as well as an MP3 device (seems they prefer the MS Zune), and probably other things that I'm not aware of.

Is this something Hertz is actively adding to their fleet? If so, I'd consider purchasing an iPod to Sync cable so I can use my Nano with the system. I keep a cable in my laptop bag so I can use a line-in, but the Sync system is much more robust, if you have the cable, that it can search for music directly from your iPod or other MP3 player. I found the iPod to Sync cable on Amazon for $33, just want to see if it would be worth it over the next year or so (I typically rent about twice a month, sometimes for 4-5 hr roadtrips).

Has anyone used the Sync system in a Hertz rental and/or their own vehicles? Would be nice to hear some experiences.

Hi

I had a chance to have a car with this feature. You can seem my ride report here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=792028).

Not the easiest to set up w/o a manual (it wasn't in the car), and did not work with my iPod :(

Nice that it worked with my phone as I drove through NY tho, and more useful than the OnStar in my current rental (2008 STS)

-Brian

Thanks for the reply Brian. Do you have the cable to plug your iPod into the car's USB port? That is the cable I referenced above, that I found on Amazon for about $33 (it is about $50 on the manufacter's website). Even after an hour of digging, I could only find 1 manufacturer who makes this specific cable. It will allow the car to read the drive on the iPod, so you can say, "Play artist XXX," and it will find/play a song by that artist. Your iPod will also charge while it is plugged in.

I didn't try to link either of my cell phones (both my personal and work phones both have bluetooth), but I'll at least try that next time. I was able to plug my iPod into the line in, and after playing around with the controls, I was able to say, "Line-in," to switch from AM/FM back to my iPod.

Thanks for the reply Brian. Do you have the cable to plug your iPod into the car's USB port?

Is it a special cable? I just used the normal USB/iPod cable, and it said it was not a "supported device".

I synced my phone's address to the system - was able to do online dialing and reading of text messages.

What car did you have that had MS Sync in it?

-Brian

I had a new 2008 Taurus, the 500 style vehicle, with about 450 miles on it when I got it.

The regular iPod USB cable won't work with the Ford/MS Sync system, you need this one:
http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/10/new-keyspan-cable-connects-ipods-to-ford-sync/

You can also buy the cable on Amazon (for less):
http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-Sync-Cable-iPod-UC-25/dp/B0015RWSK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1206401944&sr=8-1

I'm just trying to rationalize if it is worth it to buy the cable, taking my chances on getting other vehicles with MS Sync. I got a Ford Mustang and a Mercury Mariner with it in Feb.

I had a new 2008 Taurus, the 500 style vehicle, with about 450 miles on it when I got it.

The regular iPod USB cable won't work with the Ford/MS Sync system, you need this one:
http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/10/new-keyspan-cable-connects-ipods-to-ford-sync/

You can also buy the cable on Amazon (for less):
http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-Sync-Cable-iPod-UC-25/dp/B0015RWSK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1206401944&sr=8-1

I'm just trying to rationalize if it is worth it to buy the cable, taking my chances on getting other vehicles with MS Sync. I got a Ford Mustang and a Mercury Mariner with it in Feb.

For 30-35 bucks? And you get a car with it that often? I would. Especially if I was doing highway driving with it, and did not always order Sirius. I know if I got a car with it again I would sync my phone with it.

There are not that many Fords at YYZ (where I rent every week), so I will likely pass, but if they start showing up....

If you do get one, let us know how it works!

-Brian

After having a few cars with MS Synch, and buying the cable to use an iPod with it, I suddenly had a string of cars that didn't have it. Then I rented from ABQ last week for work. I was a bit disappointed to see a Ford Fusion in my space, especially after a Ford Mustang Convertible in Vegas the week before. But it ended up working out OK. Not sure if a Fusion is an upgrade, but it got good gas mileage, and I put about 1200 miles on it over 3 days.

The Fusion did have MS Synch! And I had the cable for my iPod in my laptop bag. I plugged it all in, and was able to get it working in just a minute. It took a min or so to read/categorize everything from my iPod (I have an 8 gb Nano). The iPod was called, "USB." It worked similarly to what you see in the commercial, I tested the voice recognition even with some more difficult artists like Bjork and Sinead O'Connor (and yes, I did test with the 1 or 2 Tiffany songs I have loaded). I had a hard time getting podcasts (like NPR shows) to play. I don't think it categorized 100% of my music, as some didn't seem to show up no matter how I tried to get it to load.

The bluetooth phone hookup was sketchy at best. Well, I think I played a bit too much with it. The first day, I was able to get my work blackberry to work just fine. Then the next day, I had to re-link it. After I did that, I thought I'd also try to link my personal phone (a Moto KRZR/Sprint). It linked, but then the blackberry didn't work right. I eventually deleted everything, and re-linked the blackberry, and again it seemed to work the rest of that day, even part of the next (my blackberry prompted me when I got in the car the next day). However, it randomly stopped working. It is a PITA connecting, it can only be done when the car is in park. When it worked, it was beautiful (caller ID transferred over to the radio screen).

Overall, the MS Synch system was fun to play with, and I'd pay a little extra to have a car with it. But chance of me buying a Ford is very slim (more of a GM guy here).

The Sable I had last week had it.

I set it up with ease. No manual or nothing. Took about 5 to 10 minutes to toy with my first time. Got my phone hooked up and then my ipod.

You do not need any expensive cables to get the ipod working on sync with voice recognition. You just need the wire that comes with it. The USB to ipod wire. And a headphone to headphone wire. Plug both in and there it is. Ready to go.

I keep the one to chrage it at home and on the road and the other one with me because that is what you need to play it on any other vehicle that just has an AUX port.

It is great. Some words you have to say twice to get her to understand...

Wish this option was avail. in the Escape/Mariner. And I would consider owning one. But I am a Ford guy...

As a Brit renting cars in the USA, Sync has become the must-have. (Just as NeverLost was before I bought my own SatNav). I note that in California and Washington not-hands-free is now an offence.

I recently rented in Richmond and having asked for a Sync enabled car, I recieved blank looks, but credit where its due, they gave me the keys to most of the Ford/Mercury cars they had in and let me check each one out. It took me 3 cars before I found the Milan. I think generally it's only the SEL models that have sync.

Echoing previous posts, pairing with a bluetooth phone is not sufficiently intuitive to do without the manual. Bear in mind pairing is disabled above 5mph.

Which brings me to another point, whilst on the one hand, Sync is a great safety aid with its hands-free capability; most of the posts in this thread laud its Ipod connectivity .. so instead of driving with a phone in your hand ... MS/Ford now intend that you drive with an Ipod/MP3 in your hand

I had a Ford Edge last month, rented from Boston-Logan. Sync, Neverlost, heated seats. Nice car. Wasn't expecting the Sync so I had left all my cabling at home.

You do not need any expensive cables to get the ipod working on sync with voice recognition. You just need the wire that comes with it. The USB to ipod wire. And a headphone to headphone wire. Plug both in and there it is. Ready to go.


The cable I got has both the USB to iPod, as well as headphone to headphone, all in one. I think it was about $30 to $35, so similar price (a little less) to buying an extra iPod cable + headphone/line-in cable each separately.

Renting tomorrow for a weekend roadtrip/getaway, hope to have another Synch enabled vehicle....

Just got a Mercury Milan with SYNC. Hooked my bluetooth phone up after some messing around. Makes me want to buy the bluetooth kit for my car at home!

I found a Black Ford Focus SEL with NY Plates in my stall at PHL in mid July with the MS Sync system. I couldn't for the life of me get either my personal or corporate Blackberries to sync with the system. I didn't bother with the IPod connection as I use micro SD cards in my BB for that.

Seems like a nice idea, I was just suprised to get a fully loaded (leather, sunroof, sync) ford focus from a rental car lot. Of course the owners manual was no where to be found otherwise I would have loved to make the system work.